There are only a few guns that one might consider truly ubiquitous. The 1911 is certainly one. The Glock 19 has rocketed up onto this list over the last couple decades. Smith & Wesson’s J-Frame revolver is probably, or definitely, there. And, of course, the AR-15.
The 10/22 rifle from Ruger is, without a doubt, on this list. And just like with the 1911, the AR-15 and the Glock 19, it is one of the few firearms that has given birth to an ecosystem of aftermarket accessory companies.
The basic look of the standard Ruger 10/22 is, after almost 60 years, iconic, and the ideal canvas upon which you can design your own custom version. Photo courtesy of Ruger
There is an entire cottage industry of small and medium-sized companies that primarily offer products for the 10/22, or have 10/22 components as part of their broader product portfolio, making it one of the most customizable firearms available.
Every gun owner should own a 10/22…just, because. Now, that might not be a valid enough argument for you to run out to your nearest retailer, so here are six key reasons you should be shopping for a Ruger 10/22.
Ammo
As the name implies, it’s a .22LR caliber rifle. Overlooking recent runs on all calibers of ammo, .22LR is easy to find and affordably priced. Of course there are premium offerings in the .22LR ammo category that hit the wallet pretty hard, but there are lots of value priced bulk pack options.
Reliability
So, the inexpensive – i.e. cheap – bulk pack ammunition is cheaper for a reason, and reliability in a .22LR rifle or pistol can be, how do I put this, questionable at times. Ruger has a long track record of designing and manufacturing .22LR rifles, and pistols. While 22s can be finicky, the 10/22 is widely regarded as the leader in the clubhouse when it comes to reliability.
Affordability
The baseline model 10/22 is a first rifle for a lot of young shooters, as well as older ones, because of its affordability. Almost 25 years ago I was working behind the counter at a Gander Mountain and recall the 10/22 selling for about $240. We sold them constantly. However, just like with ammo, and everything else, the MSRP on the 10/22 has risen and is now at $389, which means it remains affordable.
Shootability
Is there any rifle, or firearm for that matter, more shootable than Ruger’s 10/22? There might be one but I am not able to name it. The 10/22 design is simple and very straightforward, in keeping with Ruger’s approach to designing firearms. Being a .22LR caliber rifle means recoil is all but nonexistent, making the rifle enjoyable to shoot. Again, that’s why you see the 10/22 in the hands of so many new and young shooters.
Versatility
This is where the 10/22 starts pulling away from the rest of the pack. As a semi-auto with its 10-round rotary, and very reliable, magazines, the rifle is ideal for everything from plinking and basic recreational shooting, to serious competition, and to hunting. There is almost nothing you cannot do with a 10/22, besides the obvious, like take a cape buffalo or win a 1,000 yard match. But there is definitely more you can do with a 10/22 than most people’s schedules will allow.
Customizability
If versatility is where the 10/22 leaves the pack, the customization through the wide array of aftermarket options is where Ruger’s rifle turns into Secretariat making the turn into the final stretch at the Belmont Stakes. It leaves every other .22LR rifle in the proverbial dust. You have stocks and chassis galore, barrels, suppressors, integrally suppressed barrels, optics (naturally), triggers and lots and lots of small parts/components to replace the factory versions.
When it comes to customizing a 10/22 there is almost nothing you can’t dream up and then build. In looking at the 10/22 for this article I easily identified at least two custom builds I’d like to do, and stopped looking before I came up with a third.
Ruger offers several versions of their 10/22 starting with their base model at $389 MSRP up to these competition versions at an MSRP of $1,089 (above) and $1,079. And these haven’t even scratched the surface of what’s possible with customization of the 10/22. Photos courtesy of Ruger
When I asked Rich Grassi, Editor of The Tactical Wire, for his thoughts on the 10/22 he didn’t hesitate and admitted “the 10/22 was in no way my favorite 22 rifle — until I got one.” He also pointed out something that I assumed was true. The 10/22 is “the most commonly cloned 22 by other makers.”
And he’s absolutely right. While I do not own a 10/22 myself, despite telling you why you should get one (ironic, I know), I do own one of the STI made 10/22 clones. From what I understand from none other than the late Dave Skinner, it’s something I’m going to want to hold on to…though I do plan on some customizations.
Ruger began manufacturing the 10/22 in 1964, putting us now just at that 60 year mark. That is a strong track record, and along those six decades entire businesses have started, grown and thrived in support of just this one particular rifle.
Today, you can find a myriad of companies that offer products for the 10/22, making Ruger’s little .22LR rifle a vital economic driver within the firearms industry. That’s one hell of an achievement in and of itself.
Now, if you’re one of those people that hasn’t yet bought a 10/22, isn’t today a good day to stop by your local firearms retailer, just to browse?
– Paul Erhardt, Managing Editor, the Outdoor Wire Digital Network
