Ruger 10/22....less than impressed

[justice06rr]

I purchased a new Ruger 10/22 for my son tonight for Christmas. I never owned one but have shot plenty and have known many who have and was pretty sure I was gong to get a high quality fire arm.

When I got home I realized the butt plate was - plastic....the barrel ring on the fore end was - plastic..... the trigger housing was - plastic and the trigger was - plastic. And to top it off the "bluing" looked more like black spray paint....really?

I own two other Rugers (both pistols) and am very pleased with the design, materials of construction, fit and finish and craftsmanship...guess my expectations for the 10/22 were a little higher than they should have been.

Buyers remorse is beginning to set in and was wondering if others had the same impression.

Sure hope it shoots as good as I have been told....

It will shoot just fine.

If its for your younger son, he wont mind. You can't expect much from a rifle that costs just a little over $200. I think I bought mine a couple years ago for $227 at Walmart. The base model with the wood stock is very basic. If you want a nicer one, I believe they sell more expensive models.

Have fun shooting.

 

[MMA1991]

Mr. Trooper:

As noted in my original post, I have fired many 10/22 albeit not this one. The functionality of the gun was not the intent behind my post but the fit and finish specifically my observation regarding a perceived inordinate use of plastic as compared to previous models I have fired and was curious to get the opinions of other forum members. We are truly fortunate to have someone as helpful and learned as you on the THR.

I hope this post makes complete sense to you.

 

[SleazyRider]

Speaking of making sense---or no sense, depending on your point of view---I've become a bit philosophical when it comes to spending money on guns. My wife's boss took half a dozen co-workers and spouses out to dinner the other night, and the bar tab alone was over 200 bucks (and I drink Diet Coke!). I remember noting to myself that I could have purchased a 10/22 for that. I wasn't privy to the dinner tab, but I'll bet we're talking a CZ or possibly a used Anshutz. Along the same vein, she purchased a new MacBook Pro for over a thousand bucks to replace our perfectly fine 5-year old MacBook. I nearly fell over---but I've learned that the best action is to keep my mouth shut and smile … then vent on The High Road!

I'm old-school po' boy, I guess, because in my twisted way of thinking, that 10/22 is going to last a very, very long time, and you'll get enjoyment from the money you spend on it. So I say check out http://www.ct-precision.com and put a little coin into that 10/22 as time goes on. CPC did my bolt work and chambering, and his work can't be beat. And my rifle remains 90% Ruger.

 

[Speedo66]

What other commonly available semi-auto .22 is there that is already as accurate as a modded 10/22?

Browning comes to mind. Plus, it has a feel and finish no 10/22 will ever achieve.

 

[MMA1991]

Thx Sleazy Rider....used to live about 1/2 an hour from this guy in CT back in the day! Looks like he does some quality work.

 

[Cee Zee]

Why not just spend the extra cash up front and buy a higher quality gun to begin with?

Mainly because the only path most people can take to get to a highly accurate semi-auto is to start with a Ruger and build it into a real shooter. The Browning mentioned above is a good choice but I haven't actually seen one in so many years it isn't funny. There are some around but not that many. I only see them on the the net. And the price of admission is pretty high for a Browning. You can make a real shooter out of a Ruger for the price you pay for that Browning. And for some the idea that you can spend a little now then a little more and so on makes it easier to afford a great shooting semi-auto .22. Others just like doing the work obviously. There is a pride people take in things they build themselves.

Personally I like to spend less money on a semi-auto that shoots better. I buy Marlins. If I want a super accurate .22 I buy a bolt action.

 

[ford8nr]

Browning comes to mind. Plus, it has a feel and finish no 10/22 will ever achieve.

NOT in the $200-300 price range. Actually Ruger has some nicer 10/22's if you don't want the $200 carbine. For right around $300 I picked up a Ruger LVT with a full sized stock and decent trigger. Using a 10x weaver target scope I've shot dime sized 10rd 50yd groups with it. You just can't shoot floor sweeping bulk ammo and expect similar results.

 

[X-Rap]

Truth is I can't think of many entry level firearms on todays market that are visually very impressive though most are totally serviceable in function and accuracy.
There has always been at least some distinction between entry and top of the line.

 

[Speedo66]

There is a pride people take in things they build themselves.

"There is a pride people take in things they assemble themselves"

Fixed.

 

[silicosys4]

"There is a pride people take in things they assemble themselves"

Fixed.

Because its not legit if you don't rifle your own barrel after smelting your own bar stock

 

[bannockburn]

I think I paid $68 for my 10/22 many years ago. Didn't bother me at all that it had plastic or cast aluminum parts to it; what I really liked was the 10 round detachable magazine, its overall reliability, and that the particular one I had was extremely accurate (especially with the right ammo). I quickly realized that this gun shot so much better than the iron sights could provide for that I soon mounted a scope on it to maximize its accuracy potential.

Maybe Ruger does't make them nowadays as nicely finished as they use to or have taken some manufacturing shortcuts here and there; to me the bottom line will always be: it has to be reliable, it has to be durable, and it has to be accurate. If it fulfills these three then it was money well spent.

 

[X-Rap]

My first 10/22 came from a trade on a very nice 60's era Browning 22 lever which spent more time at the smith than any of the many subsequent guns I've owned since.
That old 10/22 has burned through thousands of rounds of all brands, been dropped in creeks, and is still as reliable as when my dad swapped it for that POS Browning those many years ago.
I've been pretty impressed with the lowly 10/22 over the years.

 

[Gaucho Gringo]

If the plastic is so much better I wonder why they didn't mold the reciever too?

Remington did just that over 55 years ago, They are many of them still around and sell for way more than their original retail price of $49.99. Nylon was the DuPont name for the polymer\plastic that they created and used. My dad's best friend had one in the 60's (a salesman sample that he never returned) and it was a nice shooting .22. Of course I preferred the looks of my Winchester 1906 over the Remington. I kick myself for buying one when they were dirt cheap, Still have the 1906, been in the family for over 80 years now.