Note: I almost deleted this post because I thought it was kind of lame. Let me know what you think.
I’m going to try to make Sunday posts, or at least one of them firearms related. This is the first in what will hopefully become a regular feature.
The Ruger 10/22 has been around since it was introduced in 1964. It’s still in production by Sturm, Ruger & Company and comes in a wide variety of models. It’s even available in calibers other than .22 Long Rifle. There are also a dizzying assortment of after market parts available for it. Many people have bought new rifles just for the receiver and have replaced every other part with upgraded components. Along with the 1911 pistol and AR15 rifle, it is probably the most modified and customized firearm out there.
Which started me thinking. How much could one spend on a customized 10/22? I’m not including the price of a new rifle because it’s notw possible to buy a receiver alone and build a rifle from scratch. So, I went to MidwayUSA (you can do the same thing with Brownells) “built” a rifle from scratch. I used retail, not dealer prices, because not everyone has access to dealer pricing. I didn’t choose the most expensive pieces in all cases, instead I picked the ones I liked the most. Who knows, I might actually do this some day, although that’s not likely.
Note that the receiver is the “firearm” part of a firearm. That is to say that this part is what the BATFE considers the firearm and must be purchased from a Federal Firearms Licensed Dealer (FFL). Every other part can be bought by anyone with a credit card and computer access. For this exercise, I’m assuming that I could find a FFL to do the transfer for me.
Receiver. Tactical Solutions X Ring Receiver and Bolt. This is a bargain, since it includes the bolt as well as the receiver. Plus it’s tacticool with an integral Picatinny rail. $399.99
Barrel. Tactical Solutions Barrel Ruger 10/22 22 Long Rifle Keeping with the tactical theme, I picked the lightweight black tactical barrel for $234.99
Next, the parts for the action. Trigger, trigger guard, disconnector, springs, shims, and so on. Volquartsen Trigger Guard Assembly 2000 Ruger 10/22 Magnum Black has all the parts you need to build the action for $214.99
Stocks. Not from Midway, but I like the looks of the E. A. Brown M1 Tribute stock for the 10/22. $109 plus $19 dollars for the matching sling.
Sights, we have to have sights. For me, with my aged eyes and that the barrel is not cut for a front sight, a scope it is. I’ll limit myself to one designed for rim fire rifles only. Leupold FX-I Rimfire Rifle Scope 4x 28mm Fine Duplex Reticle Gloss for $219.99 will do nicely thank you. Must have the matching Leupold 1″ Mark 4 Picatinny-Style Rings Matte Medium for $140.99
Small parts, Volquartsen Hex Head Takedown Screw Ruger 10/22, 10/22 Magnum Steel $3.99, Shooters Ridge Magazine Ruger 10/22 22 Long Rifle 30-Round Polymer Smoke $21.99 times as many as you want. Also, a muzzle compensator is required Tactical Solutions Compensator .920″ Outside Diameter Ruger 10/22 Aluminum Matte Black for $34.99.
The total, minus shipping is $1399.92, which is actually pretty inexpensive considering the options out there. Then again, you can buy a brand new similarly built 10/22 for a retail price of $316.00 minus a scope. The street price is likely to be somewhat less, but you get the idea.
I’m sure that some of my readers will have their own ideas of how they would build their own 10/22 rifle. That’s the neat thing about this rifle, there is virtually no end to the options and variations you can build.
And of course that is nothing compared to what one can pay for a build it yourself AR 15 or 1911.
I run a little gunshop up in vermont when not being an emt, call it a side job for kicks, I just finished building an internally supressed, full auto Ruger 10/22(not legal for non-FFL dealers so don’t try it) the total cost was around 3,000, it’s far from tactical, but it’s great for putting holes in buckets quickly
A full auto 10/22 would be a lot of fun, but as you say, it’s not legal. I think the suppressed part varies by state, though. Not that a 10/22 is all that loud.
It would be hard for me to put that much money into a .22, but I like the setup. I might actually buy that M1 stock!
Between guns, computers and music gear, I think I have enough expensive hobbies……
Guns, cigars, single malt scotch, electronics, computers. Yeah, they’re all expensive. At least I’m not into musical instruments, much to the world’s relief.
That’s an M1 Carbine tribute stock. Legend has it that Bill Ruger designed the 10/22 to look like the M1 Carbine and the stock just makes that more so. I’d buy one, but I’d have to buy another 10/22 since the one I have already has a beautiful stock. If I can find an el cheapo 10/22 I might just do it.
Full auto and suppressed are completely legal to own as long as you file the paperwork and pay the tax.
That varies from state to state too. Or at least the amount of required hoop jumping does.
Try getting an S&W M&P15-22, since it fits all the mil-spec accessories from it’s bigger brother, the AR15 series. I haven’t even decided if I’m going with a low power scope, or a red dot with a 3x magnifier, and my accessories already cost more than the rifle. I still need to replace the stock, the iron sights and rail covers too. By the point I’m “finished” accessorizing the rife, I’ll have spent about as much as you did. Somebody called the M&P15-22 the crack of firearms, it’s so addictive.
I’m dreading the day I pick up the 10-22, between the two it’ll break the bank LOL
I should have known that there would be a million accessories for the MP15-22, as there are for the AR. I shot a 15-22, specifically the one owned by Ambulance Driver’s daughter KatyBeth a few years ago. It’s a sweet gun and lots of fun to shoot. I just don’t know if I’d put that much money into one. But, that’s always a personal decision, not open to criticism.
I’m not including the price of a new rifle because it’s not possible to buy a receiver alone and build a rifle from scratch.
Well, not a Real Ruger(tm) one… but you can actually get several 10/22 “compatible” receivers stand-alone, from MOA and Volquartsen, and possibly others.
I’m actually intrigued about the idea of making a stainless receiver 10/22 (my aluminum one is holding up acceptably but is visibly worn…) with no Ruger parts, just because it’s possible.
Actually, having read the above more closely, I think you meant “possible”, not “not possible”, so nevermind… consider that a
“hey, you stated that awkwardly”.
Actually it should read “now” possible. Word Press has a great spell checker, but it’s not a grammar or meaning checker. Fixed now, thanks.
That makes even more sense; I’m surprised that didn’t occur to me directly.
My local “fun store” has a nice 10/22 carbine setup . . . . comes with mounted and bore-sighted scope and soft sided carry case with the classic wood carbine stock . . . . all for $249. I’m tempted. Very, very tempted.
– Brad