10/22 Archangel Conversion

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Lord_Hunter

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A quick review and images of my 10/22 Archangel conversion.

Archangel-20100530-D.jpg


Essentially the kit is taking a standard Ruger 10/22 and dressing it up in AR-15 clothing. The end result is a fun tacticool that provides a different experience and customizing options. I find it more fun than the rifle, a better tactile experience, and more visually appealing. I'm also not breaking the bank when I go and shoot this fun gun.

This is the deluxe kit with the flip up sights. Also shown with a Leapers tactical dot sight.

Archangel-20100530-B.jpg


I brought in several kits and accessories with the intention of selling them. Here you can see the kit and the dressed up Ruger 10/22.

I don't know what came first, the SR-22 or the Archangel kit, but they both seem to be identical in design. The exception is that the SR-22 is all steel where the Archangel is polymer. More on the differences later.

Both the Archangel & SR-22 are kits that envelope the 10/22 reciever. Inside each is that reliable piece that has been in production since 1964.


Archangel-20100530-C.jpg


Close up of the upgraded components.: Volquartsen 10/22 auto bolt release, Volquartsen high performance action kit, Superior Concepts Inc. tactical charging handle, Tapco foregrip. End result? Smooth light trigger pull, authentic & far more convenient cocking, and authentic tactical look.

Seriously! This feels great to shoot.

Note that the tactical charger can only be installed after some trim work to allow the handle to fit. A rotary tool is required to make that work, but it doesn't stand out to bad if you know what you are doing. I know what I am doing now, but this first attempt was a little dodgy.

20100529-Archangel-A.jpg


Maybe the bayonet is cheesy and not needed, but here it is anyway.

Why did I go rimfire?

Easy. Cheap to shoot. I already have a 9mm CZ-75 Shadow & a Tuarus .357 magnum and spend significant money to shoot those already. I've always enjoyed shooting .22 and my wallet loves it more. Cheaper than an actual AR by far, and nothing is cheaper than .22 ammo.

Why the Archangel kit?

I almost bought an SR-22 after considering the options, but went with the Archangel for the following reasons.

- Non-restricted. I didn't like the feel of the S&W M&P 15-22, and who wants a rifle I can't shoot freely and legally virtually anywhere I want?
- The Ruger 10/22 has an awesome track record, tons of off the shelf aftermarket enhancements that are for the most part easily available.
- The kit provides the look I wanted. More so than the SR-22.
- Already has the picatinny rails a 12 & 6 o'clock. No need to add.
- I appreciate the lighter weight of the Archangel kit than the SR-22. Feels more substantial than the S&W M&P 15-22, and has a good weight once accessorized.
- The Archangel is cheaper than the SR-22 meaning that I would accessorize more for the same price. I'd rather have a nice trigger action than an all steel construction.

What does the SR-22 have over the Archangel?

Not much if anything in my opinion. A removable stock, but I don't see why I would invest more money in a different stock. How much better can a different stock improve the experience?

All steel kit. That doesn't matter to me as I believe the Archangel will be resilient and is well constructed. Steel weighs more and I'm not interested in more weight.

I think the pistol grip can be upgraded on the SR-22, but am not sure. The SR-22 pistol grip does feel really good with the rubber, but I have zero complaints about the Archangels grip. The SR-22 gives a better tactile feel, but is no better in comfort.

That's my $.02. Hope you found this thread of value.
 
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Looks good, how was the fit, did everything go together ok? I've been torn between this and the SR22 but money is tight. I know the kit with the sights are considerably more but would put my red dot on anyways. Thanks for posting this, better views of the system than I've seen before.
 
I've assembled two so far. This one fit very well, the second has been a bit of a challenge with fit. I have a couple of more kits, so time will tell. The only design flaw that I am working on correcting is the free floating handguard which drops once all the bolts are torqued. If you look close you will notice, but probably isn't a big deal unless mounting much on the handguard. It isn't significant, but will bug the hell out of a perfectionist.

I recommend it.
 
I'd do the sr22.
If you handle both the sr22 and the archangel at the same time, there's no comparison at all, the archangel appears and feels like a plastic toy. It comes with a plastic bayonet for goodness sakes :eek: .
In the future, you can put whatever ar foreend or stock on the sr22 that you want. Not so with the archangel.

Lord_Hunter, not trying to take anything away from you here. If the archangel suits your needs and wants, great.
I've owned both the archangel and the sr22. And the tapco, and the evolution, and the fs556, etc.
I'm kind of a 10/22 stock junky :D
If you spray paint the archangel flat black it helps immensely with the "plastic" look by the way.
 
Plastic, polymer, or synthetic? All are common in firearms of all categories from the Ruger 10/22 synthetic stock all-weather model, through shot guns, up to world class law enforcement and military arms. Walk into your local gun store and look. I'm sure toy isn't the first thought you have when handling the all-weather, S&W M&P9, MP5, Glock, take your choice.

The plastic of an archangel isn't toy grade and no one will mistake this for an airsoft grade plastic or Big Bass Pro Shop kids section gun. It's not going to shatter if you drop it. It will be difficult to mar and will wear well. While using a rotary tool the plastic doesn't chip or shatter like cheap brittle plastic. When they claim Mil-Spec battle proven polymers, I can see it.

The bayonet is cheesy no doubt. The kit is not.

Add the cost difference between an SR-22 and Archangel kit plus the cost of 2 rails and you have a Volquartsen high performance action kit at least. I'd rather have the sweet HP trigger than the stock trigger which has been described as pulling on a 9-lbs sponge.

In the end it's whatever works for you and makes you happy. I am quite pleased with my Archangel. Once I resolve the floating handguard issue it will be close to perfect.

Did you really suggest paint the gun? Really?!?!
 
I don't recommend purchasing the deluxe kit with the flip up sights. You can probably find suitable sights for less. The exception might be if you are doing a lot of shooting under 30 yards.

I bought the deluxe kit out of curiosity, but I think I'd be happier with a 4x scope and mini red dot reticle, or magnified reticle.
 
Lord_Hunter said:
I've assembled two so far. This one fit very well, the second has been a bit of a challenge with fit. I have a couple of more kits, so time will tell. The only design flaw that I am working on correcting is the free floating handguard which drops once all the bolts are torqued. If you look close you will notice, but probably isn't a big deal unless mounting much on the handguard. It isn't significant, but will bug the hell out of a perfectionist.

I recommend it.
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Think I will go with the Archangel kit. Saw it for $126 and they ship to Canada. I'd rather spend the money on a good trigger group like you said. I didn't notice in the photo's anything wrong with the handguard. In any case I like doing assembly stuff. A bipod is all I would put on it. Would look cool with a 50rd drum mag. As long as it's a ruger inside you can't go wrong no matter what you do to it.
 
Is the forend stiff enough that it won't flex when using a forgrip or bipod? Just wondering if you have a flip up sight on it that it will change POI whenever you start putting any pressure on it?
 
RocketBoy said:
Is the forend stiff enough that it won't flex when using a forgrip or bipod? Just wondering if you have a flip up sight on it that it will change POI whenever you start putting any pressure on it?
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I just ordered one off e-bay. Gonna put a 12" Dlask barrel on it. I would think that it wouldn't flex, never heard of that complaint. If you want some nice flip up sights go to GP Tactical. They're Canadian so no shipping hassles. At $60 for rear and front that's a good deal.
 
Is it just me or do all 10/22 Archangel conversions look like the stock and forend are drooping down from the reciever? Maybe that's where the "arch" in Archangel came from?
 
Lord_Hunter said:
free floating handguard which drops once all the bolts are torqued. If you look close you will notice, but probably isn't a big deal unless mounting much on the handguard. It isn't significant, but will bug the hell out of a perfectionist.
Click to expand...

I wish I wasnt so obsessed about little things like that, it would have saved me money from the SR 22. In all honesty the Archangel kit and SR 22 really are the same, but for lack of better words I just dont like the "droopy" look of the rear stock and forend. Great write up!
 
I was in at Epps the other day which was my first opportunity to handle an SR22. I went into the gunroom sceptical and left impressed. Quality look and feel to this rifle. Nice to see the fore stock drilled and tapped for the easy addition of rails too. Kinda wish that I didn't like it as much as I do, now I gotta buy one.
 
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