First Gun - Ruger 10/22 - Synthetic or Hardwood? Stainless barrel?

S

Spartan67

New member
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Location
Ontario
New to firearms (and this forum).

Looking to grab a Ruger 10/22 as my first gun to get comfortable shooting, especially since ammo is cheaper with rimfire.

I'm seeing so many variations online that they confuse me as some variants have better reviews than others. It seems like this is a cheap, dependable rifle which is what I'm looking for, but not sure how much difference there is between some of the models. I know there is also the takedown model, but I don't want/need that.

For shooting at ranges (indoor and outdoor), any advice?

I think the charcoal or black synthetic looks sleek, but is the hardwood worth the slight premium?

Curious as to what other users are using here.

I'm also noticing around a $30-$50 difference between stores for the same models. Is this common?

Also, please let me know if I'm posting in the wrong sub forum. Thanks!
 
Either one will work fine for basic plinking, having said that I find neither to be a comfortable ergonomic stock. I have my 10/22's in krg bravo's and a couple factory Target lite models, both having a much more vertical grip which I (and my wife, hence two of everything) find much more comfortable for shooting.

See if you can handle some various models before jumping in.

Also, starting with a rimfire is a great idea, learn the fundamentals and have fun.
 
Go with whatever cheaper. As down the road you can swap out the stock. 10/22s are like Lego.

Personally if I was to buy a new 1022, I'd get the 60th anniversary model. Like the FH, the tech sights, the magpul stock.

Also pick up a couple spare mags. As only having 1 gets tiring as well a aftermarket bolt catch. So you can sling shot the bolt back

Yeah stores will have a difference in price. No different than grocery stores, or retail other stores.
 
Thank you both for the reply and insights!

Definitely feel like this is a gun that I would like to upgrade over time. Though, that 60th anniversary model looks pretty sweet from the get-go.

I'll see if I can go to a local store and get a feel for the different models. Good call on the accessories!
 
Spartan67 said:
New to firearms (and this forum).

Looking to grab a Ruger 10/22 as my first gun to get comfortable shooting, especially since ammo is cheaper with rimfire.

I'm seeing so many variations online that they confuse me as some variants have better reviews than others. It seems like this is a cheap, dependable rifle which is what I'm looking for, but not sure how much difference there is between some of the models. I know there is also the takedown model, but I don't want/need that.

For shooting at ranges (indoor and outdoor), any advice?

I think the charcoal or black synthetic looks sleek, but is the hardwood worth the slight premium?

Curious as to what other users are using here.

I'm also noticing around a $30-$50 difference between stores for the same models. Is this common?

Also, please let me know if I'm posting in the wrong sub forum. Thanks!
Click to expand...

If it's your first rifle, I'd say enjoy it. Spend a few bucks and buy the one you REALLY want and never ever sell it.
 
Spartan67 said:
New to firearms (and this forum).

Looking to grab a Ruger 10/22 as my first gun to get comfortable shooting, especially since ammo is cheaper with rimfire.

I'm seeing so many variations online that they confuse me as some variants have better reviews than others. It seems like this is a cheap, dependable rifle which is what I'm looking for, but not sure how much difference there is between some of the models. I know there is also the takedown model, but I don't want/need that.

For shooting at ranges (indoor and outdoor), any advice?

I think the charcoal or black synthetic looks sleek, but is the hardwood worth the slight premium?

Curious as to what other users are using here.

I'm also noticing around a $30-$50 difference between stores for the same models. Is this common?

Also, please let me know if I'm posting in the wrong sub forum. Thanks!
Click to expand...

Personally, I would go for a stainless steel barrel and nice wooden stock. They are sold as a "Sporter" version. At the moment Bullseye North (a sponsor here) has a very nice selection of various Rugers 10/22. And prices are quite decent.
 
In my experience, a lot of people buy them; spend $1000 + on them to get them where they want them; shoot a couple competitions and then park them in the safe; they then start showing up with a bolt action. Go figure.
 
Maybe i'm sentimental, but i tend to think of your "first gun" as something kinda special. I would want to be able to keep it, take some pride in it, pass it on to my kids.

Any 22 will function as an economical way to get into shooting, but if it were me, i would also invest a little more to ensure this is something you can keep and hold on to.
 
Welcome to the shooting sports Spartan, and you're right...a 22LR/rimfire is a great place to start!

10/22s have their fans (millions of them out there) but as a new gun owner, it's helpful to research the pros/cons of every action type. (bolt action, semi, lever, pump, etc) 10/22s tend to be very reliable, feed/eject well with a wide variety of ammo, fun/fast etc. They can be decently accurate too, but aren't usually chosen for their accuracy potential.

Which variant? Go handle a few and decide, but also keep in mind how you plan on using it. I'd avoid a varmint/heavy barrel unless you're always shooting with a rest, or bipod, off a bench supported, etc. I think the regular/original carbine style with the barrel band is still the best looking versions of these guns. Wood stocks too. Spend bigger $ on the fancier versions if you take to the 10/22 platform.
 
.22LRGUY said:
Welcome to the shooting sports Spartan, and you're right...a 22LR/rimfire is a great place to start!

10/22s have their fans (millions of them out there) but as a new gun owner, it's helpful to research the pros/cons of every action type. (bolt action, semi, lever, pump, etc) 10/22s tend to be very reliable, feed/eject well with a wide variety of ammo, fun/fast etc. They can be decently accurate too, but aren't usually chosen for their accuracy potential.

Which variant? Go handle a few and decide, but also keep in mind how you plan on using it. I'd avoid a varmint/heavy barrel unless you're always shooting with a rest, or bipod, off a bench supported, etc. I think the regular/original carbine style with the barrel band is still the best looking versions of these guns. Wood stocks too. Spend bigger $ on the fancier versions if you take to the 10/22 platform.
Click to expand...

The Target lite is a HBAR but it's still light. Mine was about 6lb scoped. It's nice to have the look, but not the weight. But it's not as accurate as their full steel barrels.
 
Welcome to the community...

I am probably going to be the minority perspective on the 10/22 insofar as while it too was my first real firearm, I am pretty happy with it the way it came, wood stock and all. I haven't done a single upgrade to it and don't plan to either (I'm not an upgrade type of guy by any stretch). I just brought my 10/22 to the club a few weeks ago. Even two decades later, it is fun to shoot and has been super reliable. But then I just do paper target shooting and previously used it for some pest control and small game hunting. I am sure if I was in competitions and such, I would have modified my 10/22. So for me I don't see the need to go beyond the standard wood stock. I just spent any other funds on the ammo, and getting a good scope for it.
 
Meroh said:
In my experience, a lot of people buy them; spend $1000 + on them to get them where they want them; shoot a couple competitions and then park them in the safe; they then start showing up with a bolt action. Go figure.
Click to expand...

^^ exactly. They're all just baby steps on your way to the Anschutz.
 
Canuck65 said:
^^ exactly. They're all just baby steps on your way to the Anschutz.
Click to expand...

Actually I never paid more than 600$ for my 2 Anschutz. I got a 64 Silhouette for 600, and a 1403 Match 64 for 500. Both within the last 2 years.

A Stock 1022 these days are close to 500$. But really it's up to who ever what they want. If we keep saying bolts. We might as well be a communist country and all just have one type of gun and all just drive a K car. Why have anything different. Some don't have interest in comps.
 
Pick the one you like best that is why there are so many variations. Although I find all the sporter barrels shoot about the same. I have a stainless and a compact. I more or less just upgraded the sights and installed VQ hammers and use them for plinking. They are very fun reliable rifles. Sylvestre stocks VQ parts in Canada
 
Last edited:
I bought a blued/laminate target version years ago...the OEM barrel was not very good, shot like ####. Got a GM stainless fluted back when they were $100US and it was way better, did some bolt radius work and it's a laser now. Ended up ditching the laminate for Magpul, with the barrel tension screw was able to dial it in even more. Now it's impressive on targets.

20190331-154757.jpg
 
Hitzy said:
I bought a blued/laminate target version years ago...the OEM barrel was not very good, shot like ####. Got a GM stainless fluted back when they were $100US and it was way better, did some bolt radius work and it's a laser now. Ended up ditching the laminate for Magpul, with the barrel tension screw was able to dial it in even more. Now it's impressive on targets.

20190331-154757.jpg
Click to expand...

As I posted above, and as I have seen over the years, buy one, then the real costs start with the upgrades.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom