Ruger 10/22 Stainless or Blue?

[Logistar]

I need to pick up a .22 rifle (within the next day or two). It will eventually have a scope on it.

Based on posts here, it will likely be the Ruger 10/22. Is there any particular reason I might want to pay around $30 extra for stainless other than maybe being less prone to rust?

The only other rifle I am considering is the Marlin 60. (It will probably come down to which rifle "feels the best". - Although I do like the tube feed of the Marlin.)

Any thoughts? I mainly want reliable feeding and accuracy. If they are equal I would probably take the Marlin because of it's low cost.... however, if you guys think the Ruger is a sigificantly better rifle then things would swing that way!

Thanks!

Logistar

 

[chaim]

I have both a Marlin 60 and a Ruger 10/22 and I actually strongly prefer the Marlin.

Both can be fun and reliable guns but I just find the Marlin to be much more fun. It has a far better trigger and it is more accurate. The trigger reset is much shorter so when I just feel like having some fun and burning some ammo I can shoot it much faster. The 10/22 is a bit shorter and handier but I wouldn't use a .22lr rifle as my first home defense choice so it doesn't have any real advantage there.

The Ruger is a bit more reliable. Neither gun likes most of the cheaper .22lr fodder out there. The Ruger often chokes on most of the $10 bricks of ammo. The Marlin was about the same when new but now I really can't use the $10 bricks at all. When using good .22lr ammo like CCI Stingers or Mini-Mags both are pretty reliable and give very few problems (so few it is hard to say which gun has the edge).

Both of mine are blued basic versions of the guns. I actually do like that the Ruger has removable mags but I've become used to the tube mag in the Marlin and I can reload the 14 rounds it holds about as fast as I can reload the 10 round Ruger box mags.

If you decide on the Ruger I'd say go blue. I don't think the stainless has any advantage other than rust resistance. If you were considering the stainless Marlin I'd vote for that over blue because I think it does have that much of an impact on the Marlin's looks.

 

[No4Mk1]

All I can say is if I had it to do over again I would probably spend the extra $30. Can't say exactly why for sure, just seems to me like it would be worth it.

 

[Sactown]

I like my stainless 10/22 because it's easier to see the diry spots, of course this can lead to frustration trying to get the whole thing sparkling clean.

 

[Ledbetter]

The receiver is aluminum. It isn't blued, it's painted black. Chips and dings show up much worse on the blue.

The "stainless" receiver is brushed aluminum with a clear lacquer or poly finish.

Stainless version is much easier to take care of IMHO.

 

[JeepDriver]

I have both. I like the shoot the stainless on the most. For not other reason then I like the way it looks.

The only part that is stainless is the barrel.

The receiver is alloy & by looking at it I think the trigger is as well.

 

[bad_dad_brad]

I bought the Deluxe Sporter 10/22 in walnut and blue. She is so pretty that I can't shoot her. Pathetic. Get the stainless.

 

[454c]

Get the stainless.Easy to maintain and better resale value.

 

[BIGR]

The first 10/22 I bought was blued and the last two 10/22's I bought were stainless. The stainless guns are a little more forgiving as far as up keep. Get the stainless one you will not regret it.

 

[Logistar]

Thanks to all of you for your responses. Looks like you guys prefer stainless!

I'll probably pick one of them up in the next day or two. (I think my local Wal-Mart has them in stock.)

I am going to take another look at the Marlin 60 before I buy though, Chaim.

Thanks again!

Logistar

 

[Marcus]

I have both a stainless/synthetic 10/22 and a Model 60. Odd as it sounds I much prefer the Model 60 also. Unfortunately after 16 years of constant abuse and zillions of rounds it`s no longer very reliable, that`s why I bought the 10/22. I figured it would be a step up but it wasn`t. The Ruger`s trigger is nowhere near as good,its sights aren`t as good,it`s manual of arms and controls are funky and a little annoying,it doesn`t lock the bolt open after the last shot and even with optics it doesn`t shoot as good as the ol Marlin with open sights. Don`t get me wrong the 10/22 is okay,it shoots fairly good and handles alright. I put a red dot sight on it which is kinda cool. I`ve gotten used to it but at the time I bought it it was either that or a Marlin 795 (short barrel,10rd. clip fed stainless/synthetic) and I still sometimes wish I`d gone for the Marlin. Marcus

 

[thumbtack]

Get the stainless. I got one and it is real nice.

 

[BamBam]

I never buy blued if a weapon is available with an upgraded finish. Guess others here have given the reasons for that already.

I bought a stainless/synthetic 10/22 last month for $199 (new).
The 10/22 trigger is one of the worst you'll find; I believe that Ruger made it this way for the safety of novices (just my theory).
However, I did a trigger job (actually a hammer modification) on it last night and it's fine now. Factory trigger pull is about 8#. Getting it to 4# is easy and gives a good trigger feel. Getting it to 2# is tricky for a novice.

If you don't want to do it yourself, you can buy a VQ hammer for about $35.00. VERY simple to install. This one part will put you between 1.75-2.5# trigger pull.
After the hammer is either doctored or replaced, the 10/22 has no real shortcomings, IMHO.

Another plus for the 10/22 is that it's the Small Block Chevy of rimfires. You can buy ANYTHING for it; from mild to wild. There's a huge cult of 10/22 folks.

All you need to know about .22 weapons:

http://rimfirecentral.com/forums/

 

[Logistar]

Thank you all VERY MUCH!

I really appreciate all the great information. I need to take a trip to the store now!

Thanks again!

Logistar