SBR Magpul Backpacker 10/22 thread, here is my build please share your SBR Backpacker

[G.Mitchell]

I enjoy the 10/22 rifle and have done a few builds, I especially like short barrel 10/22 rifles.

While researching the 10/22 takedown and specifically the Magpul Backpacker I decided I wanted to do a short barrel build with backup irons sights and a red dot for pack carry while in the back country as a survival small game gun.

I wanted to start with a 10/22 that came from the factory as a Backpacker with 4 mags. This was tricky but I was able to get one from I Run Guns. Most of the other parts were readily available from Brownells and another Canadian gun/part importer...

Parts and price breakdown:
10/22 backpacker $558
Backpacker optic mount $75
Ruger mag release $25
Nodak Spud irons $155
Oversized charging handle $54
Internal parts $60
TacHammer 9" Charger takedown barrel $317
Vortex Venom $340
Total: $1584

Most of the build was straight forward, unbolt stock parts and bolt on replacement parts. The only tricky part was the front sight. The Nodak Spud sight is 0.920" however the barrel was slightly larger and the sight could not be forced on.

I did some researching and read about using a brake cylinder hone, luckily it was an inexpensive tool that was also readily available.

Using the hone is pretty simple, with a power drill just run the hone inside the front sight checking progress often. I found adding a little water helped. The hone didn't cut exactly true so I flipped the sight often and measured with calipers as I went.

As you can see the results aren't perfect, I kept going until I got a good snug fit with the front sight installed. After the front sight was on the rest was a breeze. Here is how the rifle turned out.

Some additional info on weights, balance, etc.

Stock barrel without mount

TacHammer with rail and comp but not the mount

TacHammer alone

Stock Backpacker without mags

Backpacker with 9" barrel and iron sights without mags

Backpacker with 9" barrel, iron sights, and red dot without mags

All assembled with mags and optic

Balance point with stock barrel and no mags

Balance point with short barrel and irons but no mags

Balance point with short barrel, irons, and optic but no mags

Overall I am very pleased with this build, I still need to add QD sling sockets and a HiViz front sight post then I think I am done.

I appreciate feedback and your thoughts. Also if you've got a SBR Backpacker please feel free to share your pictures too.

I will update this thread as I do more work and once I have done some shooting.

 

[BeaverMeat]

Cool...

But is it restricted?

 

[G.Mitchell]

Overall length is 26 5/8" so still non restricted!

 

[Kratos]

Overall length is 26 5/8" so still non restricted!

Definitely building one with that answer, you got me into the 10/22 game!

 

[G.Mitchell]

Definitely building one with that answer, you got me into the 10/22 game!

Welcome to the addiction.

 

[Kratos]

So a couple of questions after an initial search:

10/22 Backpacker w/ 4 mags. IRG has a 10/22 backpacker but doesn’t state how many mags, only one option so I thought I’d ask if that’s what you went with? I’ll ask them as well.

TacHammer barrel. It looks like the rail is attached to the barrel on the AA site, but yours obviously isn’t. Does the rail come attached or is it two pieces? Is there even a rail?

Oversized knob. Factory? Looks like it. Do you know of any knurled options?

Internal parts. Please elaborate, what do you recommend. I’ll do more research but want to start here.

 

[JD22-250]

Very nice

 

[G.Mitchell]

So a couple of questions after an initial search:

10/22 Backpacker w/ 4 mags. IRG has a 10/22 backpacker but doesn’t state how many mags, only one option so I thought I’d ask if that’s what you went with? I’ll ask them as well.

TacHammer barrel. It looks like the rail is attached to the barrel on the AA site, but yours obviously isn’t. Does the rail come attached or is it two pieces? Is there even a rail?

Oversized knob. Factory? Looks like it. Do you know of any knurled options?

Internal parts. Please elaborate, what do you recommend. I’ll do more research but want to start here.

The Ruger model is 21188 I think the irunguns number is something like that too.

The barrel comes with a rail that can be removed. It was too high compared to the Noduk Spud sights and partially blocked the view which is why I removed it and used the Magpul optic mount.

The oversized charging handle is by Superior Concepts, there are LOTS of oversized options and yes some have knurling.

Internals are bolt buffer, firing pin, and extractor. I'll also be doing the bolt release mod and a trigger job.

The 10/22 is a great project gun due to parts availability and how easy it is to work on the rifle. Most work can be done at your kitchen table with minimal tools and experience.

 

[Kratos]

The Ruger model is 21188 I think the irunguns number is something like that too.

The barrel comes with a rail that can be removed. It was too high compared to the Noduk Spud sights and partially blocked the view which is why I removed it and used the Magpul optic mount.

The oversized charging handle is by Superior Concepts, there are LOTS of oversized options and yes some have knurling.

Internals are bolt buffer, firing pin, and extractor. I'll also be doing the bolt release mod and a trigger job.

The 10/22 is a great project gun due to parts availability and how easy it is to work on the rifle. Most work can be done at your kitchen table with minimal tools and experience.

Thanks! I now see the Nodak rear sight is intergrated with the reciever rail. I’ve always known the 10/22 was highly customizable, this will be the same rabbit hole as my AR15’s. Appreciate the help!

 

[KND]

I thought I was the only one who did that except mine the stock is Tan instead.

 

[G.Mitchell]

I thought I was the only one who did that except mine the stock is Tan instead.

Did you do a similar build?

 

[Can-down]

How well does it shoot?

 

[wayupnorth]

it looks like the NoDak and the viper line up pretty good, are you able to co-witness through the viper?
i know i have some NoDak's on one of my ruger builds and im not able to co-witness with a red dot on mine, but yours being forward mounted......

 

[GeoTrekr]

Real nice!

 

[hoytcanon]

I have done a couple dozen SBR's... but not lightweights... the weight has never been of concern to me... they were all accurate in the end... most are being enjoyed by other CGNers now.

 

[G.Mitchell]

Thanks folks, I haven't shot it yet but hope to soon.

The Venom is just slightly too high to allow co-witness, with the Vortex Crossfire you can just barely co-witness.

I may try to track down a red dot that will co-witness better or I may try to modify the optic mount in such a way that I can co-witness the dot and irons.

The Venom is easy enough to mount and remove without tools though.

 

[BeaverMeat]

I think I may have to build my own version... only concern I have is your iron sight design for a take down. One could test to see how the POI shifts when you take it down. Other than that I digs.

What is the height difference between the NoRak rail and Magpul rail?

I wonder how easy it would be to get just the forearm for the backpacker stock. That way you can run two barrels if need be.

 

[G.Mitchell]

I think I may have to build my own version... only concern I have is your iron sight design for a take down. One could test to see how the POI shifts when you take it down. Other than that I digs.

What is the height difference between the NoRak rail and Magpul rail?

I wonder how easy it would be to get just the forearm for the backpacker stock. That way you can run two barrels if need be.

I agree on the iron sights... I am a stickler for having iron sights on my guns even when I plan to only use optics. Guess it is the idea of two is one and one is none. To that end I figure it is worth a try and any POA to POI shift will still likely put a rabbit or grouse in the stew pot.

Over the coming days and weeks I will do some testing and see how much point of impact change there is.

I am not sure how easy it would be to get a spare forend, but it would be nice to have two barrel setups for sure.

I will get you a picture showing the rail height difference shortly.

Thanks for the feedback!

 

[G.Mitchell]

Couldn't get a good photo showing the rail height difference. The rail on the Backpacker optic mount is 0.11" lower than the Nodak Spud rail.

 

[North60]

Nicely done!