Ruger 10/22 six digit serial number

[genxsis]

A friend of mine has recently acquired a Ruger 10/22 from his uncle and indicated that it is an early model because of its Walnut stock and a 6 digit serial number. How old would this gun be with a serial number like this?

 

[rcmodel]

http://www.ruger-firearms.com/Firearms/PS-SerialNumberHistory-RI.html#

rcmodel

 

[genxsis]

Thank you! I checked the link you provided and it appears to have been made in either 1968 or 1969. The 10/22 first started production in 1964, so this really is an early model.

If it's in really good condition (and it is), do you think it would be worth more as a collector piece, or should it just be used like any other 10/22?

 

[rcmodel]

Mine was made in 1967, and I shoot it regularly.

Rugers as a general rule, are not highly collectible like Winchesters, Colts & S&W's.

Too be really valuable to a collector, yours would have to be new, unfired, in the box, with all the paperwork.

Since it is probably not, shooting it (within reason) is not going to hurt the value if you take good care of it.

On the otherhand, I wouldn't burn the stock for firewood and put a heavy barrel and target stock on it either!

rcmodel

 

[CRITGIT]

As the saying goes it's worth as much as you can get for it!

Here's some things to consider.
The 1968-1968 issues came with black walnut stocks made by SE Overton. You'll know them by their nice grain, multi-level channel and raked forend, balanced or honed out buttstock along with the non fitted aluminum buttplate.

There are several other subtle differences in these guns as well including the sights, the bolt design, magazine screw, anodized receiver and barrel band, barrel markings and fit just to name a few. These differences gradually faded by 1976.
If given a choice between one of these beauties or todays plastic parts version ...well it's no contest.
Great find!

CRITGIT

 

[genxsis]

I don't remember the one I saw as having those features, but wasn't looking for them either. I do remember the stock being a somewhat darker color than mine, and that my friend said it was walnut.

 

[CRITGIT]

Most of what was posted would not be obvious at first glance except perhaps the raked forend and grain.

Here:

 

[AllAmerican]

Resurrecting a thread

http://www.ruger-firearms.com/Firear...story-RI.html#


The numbers on here stop at year 2007. If my numbers are right the one I picked up today is much newer.....