Ruger 10/22

[AGENT691]

Hey members, I have a 10/22 that I bought 30 years ago. I don't know the round count, but when I was young I used to shoot alot, maybe 20K rounds. My question is, how much life is there in a 10/22, the rifle still shoots like day one, always cleaned and stored rust free (iron sights at no more than 50 yards or so), and is in 95% condition. Do I simply check the barrel's lands and grooves? Should I replace anything prior to failure? I'd like to have faith in the rifle when squirrel becomes the new chicken, and parts/rifles must be obtained from the dirt nappers. Ya' know what I mean.
Thanks, Tim.

 

[maladat]

Re: Ruger 10/22

22 barrels don't much wear out unless you're into super benchest accuracy and shoot ALL THE. TIME. If it still shoots fine there's nothing wrong with the barrel. Even if it were wearing out you probably wouldn't be able to tell just looking at the bore (unless the bore rusted or pitted or something).

You might want to get some spare recoil springs.

 

[AGENT691]

Re: Ruger 10/22

Thanks for the replies. The bore is shiny, all of the internals are clean, as all of my weapons, and worn just shiny and smooth. I think the trigger pull is down to about three pounds and smooth. You're right, it ain't broke.
I don't know why I am so concerned about that Ruger, my weapons collection is relatively large, but I think in terms of what rifle out of all my other firearms is most important to me is the 10/22, especially if it's the only thing I could take with me. This is a testament to the venerable 10/22, the ultime "go to" weapon.
Regards, Tim, Agent# 691.

 

[1812]

Re: Ruger 10/22

My 10/22 is about that old. I put a butler creek bull barrel on it a few years ago but the stock barrel was just fine. All the internals are factory and it runs great. Those things last forever so long as they're maintained properly.

 

[The Mechanic]

Re: Ruger 10/22

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: AGENT691</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Hey members, I have a 10/22 that I bought 30 years ago. I don't know the round count, but when I was young I used to shoot alot, maybe 20K rounds. My question is, how much life is there in a 10/22, the rifle still shoots like day one, always cleaned and stored rust free (iron sights at no more than 50 yards or so), and is in 95% condition. Do I simply check the barrel's lands and grooves? Should I replace anything prior to failure? I'd like to have faith in the rifle when squirrel becomes the new chicken, and parts/rifles must be obtained from the dirt nappers. Ya' know what I mean.
Thanks, Tim.</div></div>
Let me get this right. The rifle shoots like day one. Rust and damage free. 95% condition.
You still got a cherry there. You should change the barrel if you want to change the whole rifle as in bull barrel, scope, trigger group, Boyd's Tacticool, etc etc. Otherwise just leave it the way it is and shoot it. Everyone should have at least one iron sight rifle in his or her arsenal.
I bought my daughter a used Springfield Meteor single shot bolt action rifle when she was 8 that is just about a smooth bore. That darn partridge sight rifle is just so easy to hit stuff with. You can just pick it up slap a round in it and smack clay pigeons all day long.

 

[frog5215]

Re: Ruger 10/22

The lifespan of a 10/22 hasn't yet been determined.
A friend has one with between a half and three quarter million rounds, since he got it used about 25 years ago. It has had a number of barrels, none changed for wear, rather to try various Clarks, Volquartsens, KIDs, etc. He still shoots it in competition (it hasn't missed a Sportsman's Team Challenge National yet), and it is one of the particular guns that convinced everyone that the 10/22 is the only suitable rifle for the event, boosting Clark's production, and fairly directly kicking off the avalanche of 10/22 parts and accessories.

 

[Erik.300ultra]

Re: Ruger 10/22

A mushroomed firing pin a couple of years back is the only thing to go wrong on my 10/22 so far, they just keep on shooting.

 

[head2h2o]

Re: Ruger 10/22

It should shoot just fine. My dad has 2 or 3 22's that he has been shooting literally for 50 years and they still shoot great. They are not the most glamorous thing in the safe, but they get the job done.