Help with 10/22 Heavy Barrel Attachment

[Deep Sea Diver]

My Buddy recently bought a used 10/22 Target rifle, however it looks like it has a weaver style attachment added (screwed into) to the bottom of the barrel.

He wasn’t planning on using the weaver attachment and was just gonna leave it on, will this affect the overall performance of the rifle?

I figured this would be the place place to ask. Thanks for any help.

 

[Potashminer]

I am trying to visualize what you are describing - a "weaver style attachment" "screwed into" "bottom of the barrel" - so, perhaps, a weaver base or a section of picatinny rail screwed onto the underside of the barrel? Perhaps to mount a Weaver style ring for flashlight or some kind of "laser" sighting system? Or am I picturing it all wrong? Not something that I have heard previously for "improving" a 10/22, but I am always learning...

Only real way to find out how it affects "overall performance" is to shoot the rifle - make sure he takes out half dozen different types of ammunition, because quite often a rimfire will shoot considerably better with one brand/weight versus others. Find the best. Then, take that thing off. See if it makes a difference?

 

[Deep Sea Diver]

You are exactly right about the description, a Weaver base for a laser/flashlight attachment the previous owner had on it.

I would add a pic, but can’t seem to add one from my files that my buddy sent.

Thanks for the advice, I’ll will pass it on.

 

[Potashminer]

On later pictures of Phil Shoemaker's 458 Win Mag bear guiding rifle, he has a length of picatinny rail inlet into the barrel channel of his stock, so it protrudes forward of the fore end tip, below the barrel, to attach a flashlight. I have seen similar done on another big rifle. Not sure I have seen a light mounted directly to a barrel though??

 

[Deep Sea Diver]

I think he thought it was attached to the stock and that it extended out underneath the barrel, before he bought it.

But it’s actually attached right to the barrel, 2 screws i think.