Ruger 10/22 Mods, Where To Start Improving Your Rifle.

The Ruger 10/22 is arguably the most popular .22 Rifle sold today.  Stock, it’s inexpensive and functions well, but people rarely keep their Ruger 10/22 in stock form.  Thus, there are thousands of products for Ruger 10/22 Mods on the market. 

The question is where do you start on mods for your Ruger 10/22?  Which ones are worth the money?  What improves the function of the gun versus just the looks?  Where should you start with Ruger 10/22 Mods?

Ruger 10/22 Models

Before you look at Ruger 10/22 mods you have to look at the stock models.  If you go over to Ruger’s webpage you can see that there are 7 different models of Ruger 10/22.  

The carbine is the most popular model sold. With the Ruger Take-down being a close second.  The Ruger Take-down can be taken apart into two pieces to fit in a small bag.  It’s pretty cool to have a gun that comes with its own backpack.  Of course, the options don’t stop at 7 models. 

They have more options in each model line.  You can get different stocks, and barrel configurations.  Yes, even pink, green, red stock.  You can get either a blued barrel or stainless steel barrel.  The list goes on, and on.  With so many options it’s curious why anyone would want to change their gun.  As you read further you’ll understand.  Most Ruger 10/22 mods are about making the gun function better for the user.

Auto Bolt Release

Until you’ve used it you don’t realize how annoying the bolt hold open is on the Ruger 10/22.  It’s ok to lock open but trying to pull the bolt back and release the lock can be a challenge. This is where some genius figured out how to fix this problem. The solution is an auto bolt release.

This is the one Ruger 10/22 mod everyone needs to do to their rifle. Even if you leave the rest of your rifle completely stock you need to install an Auto Bolt Release on your Ruger 10/22

What it does is allow you to lock the bolt open.  Then when you want to release the bolt you just pull the charging handle back and let go.  It automatically releases the lock.  This saves you time in not having to mess with manually releasing the lock.

If you are a DIY guy it takes a few minutes to fix.  A simple YouTube search and a 5-minute video with less than a 1/2 hour of time and some tools you’ve made your own auto bolt release.  Otherwise, you can buy one that is ready to drop in.

Sights

Improving the stock sights on a 10/22 is the next thing every owner should do.  The stock iron sights suck.  Even from the factory, they make the rear sight so it can flip down out-of-the-way for bigger and better sights.  Most 10/22’s come with a rail to mount on your gun.  This gives you the option of mounting a scope.  Of course, what sights you put on your gun is a personal choice but here are the three most common ones:

Tech Sights

Tech sights or better known at peep sights, are the best style of iron sights you can get for your rifle.  They are fully adjustable, although you do have to buy a tool to adjust them.  They are very much like the ones that came on the famous M1 Garand.  If you choose to use iron sights, buying a set of tech sights is a choice you’ll never regret.

Scopes

A Scope is a must for those who don’t have perfect eyesight.  With at least 3x magnification you can see your target out past 100 yards.  Of course, most people won’t be shooting a .22LR that far it’s always good to be able to see.  You can also get a scope with variable power.  Normally a 2-7x power or 3-9x power is more than enough.  Anything more is wasting money.

Speaking of money get yourself a good scope.  Scopes run anywhere from $20-$500 plus.  While you may not want to spend more money on a scope than you did for the rifle.  You want one that will hold a zero and have a clear sight picture.  Don’t forget when buying a scope you will need to buy scope rings to hold the scope on the rifle.

Red Dot

Red dots are not as popular with .22LR rifle owners, as other sights.  However, they are very simple and easy to use.  Put the dot where you want to hit.  It’s that simple.  The dot doesn’t have to be in the center of the sight picture.  You just have to put the dot on the target.    Red dot sights don’t have any magnification to them.

One thing to remember when looking for a Red Dot sight is the size of the dot.  Many are rated in MOA.  Which means if you buy a 4 MOA dot sight.  The dot will cover a 4″ circle at 100 yards.  This also means that it will cover 1″ at 25 yards.  So consider the MOA rating of the Red Dot you are going to buy.  You don’t want it too big or it will reduce your ability to accurately hit your target.  One last thing these sights are battery-powered so if you forget to turn off your sight when you store your gun the battery will be dead the next time you go to shoot.  Make sure you always have an extra battery with you.

Sling and sling mounts

If you intend on only bench resting your rifle, you don’t need a sling.  However, if you’ve ever gone to an Appleseed shoot you understand the necessity of having a sling and mounts.  Since most stocks are wood you’ll want to get mounts that screw into wood.

As for sling swivels, the quick detach ones work best.  Make sure that your swivels match your sling width. So don’t buy 1” sling swivels and try to use a 1.25” sling.  It won’t fit.

As far as slings to buy. Any USGI sling will be perfect for helping you stabilize your rifle while shooting.

Trigger upgrades

The stock trigger on a Ruger 10/22 is ok.  However it’s slightly heavy, has some grit to it, and has a lot of over travel.  Nothing a good rifle marksman can’t handle.  However, they are so easy to upgrade why wouldn’t you.  It’s easy and will improve your ability to shoot accurately.

DIY trigger job

Polishing the trigger is pretty simple if you are mechanically inclined.  There are hundreds of videos on YouTube on how to do it.  Depending on what you do and how you do it.  Your trigger will go from stock to light, smooth and crisp.  It’s really a matter of how much time you want to spend.  Just be careful.  Done wrong you can make your rifle unusable or worse unsafe.

Of course, if you don’t want to polish the trigger components yourself, you can buy these parts already done for you.  All you have to do it replace them and you’re done.

Drop-in trigger

There are plenty of drop-in trigger upgrades for a Ruger 10/22.  You can even buy one made by Ruger.  However, Volquartsen makes the most popular ones.  At over $200 it’s hard to justify the price compared to the less than $80 for the Ruger BX trigger upgrade.  Many people love them and swear by Volquartsen.  It’s really a matter of quality versus cost.

Trigger with over travel stop screw

A trigger with an over-travel stop screw isn’t a necessity.  It’s not even an overly common upgrade. What it does is allow you to keep the trigger from going back further than need be. This keeps you from jerking the trigger as badly.  For less than $31, you can get it from Brownells. They are worth every penny in the way it makes the trigger feel.

Extended Mag Release

The stock magazine release lever on a 10/22 is fine.  Except you have to move your hand to find it. This can throw you off your natural point of aim.  If you have big fingers it can be hard to get a hold of.

Installing an extended mag release allows you to drop your magazine out, without moving your hand.  Just flick your finger let the mag drop and load a new one with your other hand.  Simple easy and quick.  For less than $40 they are well worth the money in time and ease.

Stock

You can buy a Ruger with either a wood stock or synthetic stock.  They are fine but many people like to customize their rifles for a different look or feel.  When looking for a different stock remember to look for what barrel the stock fits.  Many stocks are designed for a .920 diameter barrel.  So if you don’t want to change your stock barrel stay away from these stocks.

Synthetic

Synthetic stocks have a different feel than some people like.  You can get them in all sorts of colors, shapes, and sizes.  Not to mention some of them are lighter whereas others are weighted to be heavier for less recoil.

Laminate with Thumbhole

Buying a laminated wood stock like this one from Brownells. It gives you the option of a bull barrel and better ergonomics.  Many people like having the thumb hole so it feels more like a pistol grip when shooting. While still giving you the look and feel of wood.

Tactical

If traditional stocks aren’t your thing.  You can buy a stock for your 10/22 that makes your rifle more like a sporting rifle.  This TAPCO stock from MidwayUSA is pretty popular.  However, there are plenty of other stocks that will give you an adjustable buttstock and the look and feel of a sporting rifle.

Barrel

The stock barrel is more accurate than many people can shoot.  When you get to the point that you can shoot better than your barrel will allow.  It’s time to upgrade your barrel.

Upgrading the barrel can improve the total accuracy of the rifle.  There are hundreds of options here also.   Most upgraded barrels are going to have a non-tapered diameter of .920, instead of the smaller tapered barrel that comes stock.  Thus you’ll need to upgrade your stock to fit the barrel.

When looking for a barrel things to consider are accuracy and material.  As far as accuracy goes you get what you pay for.  You can get a barrel made of aluminum lined with Chromoly steel.  These barrels are lighter.  You can also get them fluted to reduce weight.  Of course, you can get a standard steel barrel.  If you want to spend a lot of money you can Chromoly lined barrel with carbon fiber on the outside.  You also have the option of going with a longer barrel.  It’s really up to what you want and how much you want to spend.

Conclusion

When deciding what Ruger 10/22 mods to do.  Start with the things that add to the function of your rifle.  Such as a scope, and bolt release, and adding a sling. Then as you shot more look at upgrades your stock trigger.  Waiting on the trigger gives you a chance to get to know if you really want to upgrade your trigger.  As far as changing the barrel, and stock.  You have two choices.  Change them out right away, thus making your new gun a different new gun. Or you can wait until you need to upgrade your rifle to make it fit your shooting ability.  No matter how you do it.  It’s almost a given you will eventually change your Ruger 10/22.