The Ruger 10/22 with a standard ten-round rotary magazine in 22LR is the definition of a utilitarian rifle. Here’s why:
1. Reliable
Isn’t reliability the most important feature of any firearm? For a semi-auto rimfire, the 10/22 is the most trouble-free I’ve seen. It’s capable of sending 200-plus rounds downrange before needing maintenance and while that’s no feat compared to its centerfire counterparts, it manages the excessive amounts of carbon that are produced by 22LR better than most in its class.
On heavy-use occasions, when my 10/22 gets gummed up and there’s still more shooting to be done, I’ve had great luck with a squirt or two of aerosol Remington Action Cleaner. A couple squirts right into the action returns a stream of sooty liquid, proving to me it’s working. After a dab of lubricant, the gun is ready for more.
Ruger has at last come out with its own version of greater capacity magazines for the 10/22. These have proven more reliable in comparison to choices from the secondary market, at least for me.
2. Accurate
Along with being reliable, these little rifles are as accurate as the shooter is ready to be, within the range of the load (of course, ammunition quality plays a role in accuracy too). It’s not only rewarding to shoot, its dependable accuracy makes for humane hunting and vermin/varmint control.
3. Affordable
Ruger is known for making trusty firearms at prices that won’t break the bank. With most models priced well below $300 new, and even the popular takedown model being in the low $300s, Ruger rifles are within reach for most shooters. While 22 ammunition is no longer ridiculously cheap, the per-round price generally beats most calibers and availability is again consistent, at least if you include mail order outlets in your shopping.
by Eve Flanigan
