A Spiffy Upgrade for the Ruger 10/22

In about ten minutes, you can replace the standard Ruger 10/22 trigger and magazine release with an upgraded model.

I love the Ruger 10/22 rifle. It’s a sweet handling little semi-automatic that you’ll enjoy whether young or old, experienced shooter or not. It qualifies as one of those guns you’ll use your whole life, then pass down to the next generation.

I have to qualify just a bit as there is one part I don’t really care for. That’s the magazine release. The Ruger 10/22 comes standard with a 10-round rotary magazine that fits completely inside of the stock. You can get larger magazines of course, but part of what makes the 10/22 special is its 10-round capacity with no extra bulk. It’s the standard magazine release lever that just doesn’t sit right with me. It’s a non-traditional curved lever, in front of the trigger guard, that you push forward to drop the magazine from the rifle. I find it somewhat awkward and non-intuitive.

One of the neat things about the Ruger 10/22 is that it’s been so popular, that companies have developed all sorts of aftermarket accessories and upgrades. For example, you can replace that standard magazine release lever. Better yet, you can get a modular unit that upgrades the trigger and improves magazine release.

I’ve got a standard Ruger 10/22 Carbine that’s itching for some custom work, so I decided to upgrade the trigger and magazine release with a Timney Triggers Ruger 10/22 replacement trigger set. This is a drop-in replacement for the entire action, so trigger, hammer, springs and magazine release assembly are all new. The magazine release is a lever that wraps around the bottom of the trigger guard all the way to the back. You operate it with a quick flick downward with your middle finger. It’s fast and positive.

How to Replace the Trigger and Magazine Release on the Ruger 10/22

Installation is easy. All you need is a flat head screwdriver and something to punch out the trigger housing pins. I used a Real Avid Gun Tool for the whole operation. In fact, I did this upgrade at the range so I could test before and after performance under identical conditions.

Before you do anything, remove the magazine. Now make double sure that the chamber is empty. Put any nearby ammo elsewhere so there is no risk of inadvertently loading the gun. Now double check once more to make sure the gun is completely unloaded!

	Loosen the screw in the bottom of the stock, just in front of the receiver. It will come all the way out. Now you can lift the barrel up and remove the barrel and receiver from the stock.
	Completely remove the receiver from the stock. The entire trigger assembly is held in place with two punch pins. Oh, one more thing. See that big hole in the upper right of the receiver in this photo? That’s for a large bolt-stop pin. It likes to slip out, so make sure you don’t lose it.