GUNS Magazine Ruger 10/22 Takedown

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Regardless of ammunition or magazine type, the Ruger 10/22 Takedown is nearly malfunction free.

Since its introduction in 1964, more than 5 million Ruger 10/22 rifles have been sold. This makes it one of the best-selling civilian rifles of all time, second only to the Winchester Model 94 at an estimated 7 million rifles.

Where the 10/22 outshines the Model 94 is the number of versions available — Sporter, Carbine, Tactical, Lite, Target, Takedown and more. Stocks have been made from Birch, Fancy French Walnut, laminated and synthetic materials. Finishes include, among others, matte black, stainless steel, camouflage and American flag-themed rifles.

The number of accessories available for the 10/22 is only rivaled by the 1911 pistol and AR15.

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The barrel band on Denny’s 10/22 incorporates a Lasermax
laser and short Picatinny rail sections.

This Is My Rifle

While I have several versions of the 10/22, my favorite is the Takedown. Mine happens to be a Black Hills Ammunition Commemorative model.

The rifle has a Birch stock and is finished in matte black. Like most 10/22s it has an 18″ barrel and has an overall assembled length of 37″. Weight is about 4.5 lbs.

The front sight is a post with a gold bead, with an adjustable rear sight. Not standard on all models, my rifle came with a Weaver-style rail on the top of the receiver.

Although generally satisfactory, the Weaver-style rail limits what type of optics can be used. I replaced it with a Picatinny rail for use with an Aimpoint Micro H-2 red dot sight.

The Micro H-2 keeps the profile of the rifle low and adds very little weight. Turned to a lower brightness setting, to give the illusion of a small dot, it provides all the accuracy I am capable of with a .22.

The Black Hills 10/22 has two short rail sections incorporated into the barrel band at the end of the stock. I can activate a white light attached to the left rail easily with my thumb without changing my firing grip. I have attached a Streamlight TLR-1 HPL. With its cone shape reflector and putting out almost 800 lumens, it’s like turning on an aircraft landing light. The barrel band also has an integrated Lasermax laser.

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Breakdown

Taking down the rifle is simple. After removing the magazine and ensuring the rifle is empty, lock the bolt to the rear. Push a button located in the forend forward, twist the forend approximately 45 degrees to the left and remove the barrel and forend. It takes more time to read this than accomplish the takedown.

Using the standard 10-round rotary magazine, and the Ruger BX-15 and BX-25 (15 and 25 round) magazines, I have put a wide variety of different .22 ammo through the 10/22. Malfunctions have been such a rare occurrence it’s hardly worth mentioning.

The padded carrying case is the same as the standard Ruger case for the Takedown 10/22 except it is more of an Earth-tone brown instead of black and red. With an overall size of 22.5"x 7"x7.5" it carries the Takedown 10/22 in a very compact package.

There are two large pockets on the outside, one with MOLLE webbing and three compartments on the inside to house the receiver, barrel group and a third to carry a scope, bipod, etc. D-rings at the top of the case allow it to be carried over the shoulder or backpack-style with the included strap.

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When the bolt is locked to the rear, this button is pushed forward and
separates the barrel group from the receiver by a simple twist.

But Why?

Since this column is about defensive rifles, you may be wondering why I’m writing about “just” a .22.

To begin with, although not as powerful as many other cartridges it is still capable of great damage. Fish and Wildlife agencies report the majority of deer poaching is done with a .22 rifle since it is quieter than centerfire rounds and poachers don’t want to bring attention to themselves.

With almost nonexistent recoil, a great number of rounds can be accurately placed in almost the blink of an eye. No one likes getting shot at. And, if a .22 is capable of making a headshot on a squirrel or rabbit, it is certainly capable of making a head shot on a biped aggressor.

In World War II the United States manufactured a crude, single-shot pistol named the “Liberator” to be dropped to resistance forces in enemy occupied territory.

The Liberator was packed in a waxed cardboard box with 10 rounds of .45 ACP, five of which were stored in the grip. The effective range was only 25 feet so the Liberator’s mission was to kill an enemy soldier at close range, then allow the partisan to become better armed by taking the soldier’s weapon and ammunition.

While no one in their right mind wants a breakdown of society, if it ever came to such a state, a .22 carried in a compact package — such as the Ruger 10/22 Takedown — could fill the same role as the Liberator did in World War II.

Perhaps over and above all else shooting .22 rifles are fun. And be honest, isn’t this why most of us began shooting in the first place?

Ruger.com

Black-Hills.com

Streamlight.com

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