We’re customizing a Ruger 10/22 Rifle to benefit Soldiers Angels Project Valour-IT
At SHOT Show 2012, we got to talking to GunTech Team Leader Dave Bennetts. That alone can be a dangerous thing to do, but we persevered. Somehow we got on the topic of customizing a Ruger 10/22 and what a fantastic platform the Ruger 10/22 is. And we mean platform in the true sense.
Plat ・form [platfawrm]
The basic technology of a guns design, parts, specifications and operating systems. A platform defines what other components may be used interchangeably or to accentuate the primary function of the gun.
We’re including all of the original parts with this auction so the buyer can continue to tweak and customize
OK, maybe we fudged the Webster’s definition a bit, but in plain English, the Ruger 10/22 is so extensible and ubiquitous (that’s our $.50 word of the day so we can claim to be bona-fide journalists) that an entire industry has evolved to provide quality accessories, replacement parts, and components that are optimized for specific purpose. In fact Dave bragged that Brownells carried so many aftermarket parts for the Ruger 10/22 that if we kept customizing we would eventually replace every single piece on the original gun. And he said that “regular” folks would be able to do this on their own. Yes, that’s people like us. And we’re not certified gunsmiths. In fact, we’re not certified in much of anything except making Twinkies disappear.
So we took him up on that claim.
In the planning process, we also quickly decided that we ought to do something useful with this rifle at the end of the project. Rather than engaging in Rock / Paper / Scissors to see who got to keep it, we elected to auction it on GunBroker.com and give 100% of the proceeds to Project Valour-IT. So not only can you buy this rifle and make it your very own, every cent you spend will go to a fantastic cause.
Project Goals:
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Have fun. |
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Learn about basic home gunsmithing. |
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Melt the phone lines to the Brownells GunTech Team. |
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Not butcher a perfectly good Ruger 10/22 Carbine. |
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Support a great cause. |
The Nikon ProStaff Rimfire 4×32 scope makes this Ruger 10/22 the ultimate plinker!
Customizing the Ruger 10/22
We documented the transformation process in a series of episodes – detailed below. Brownells donated the parts, Ruger donated the 10/22 Carbine, and our staff donated the labor and coverage. We photographed and documented each step along the way and posted articles here on exactly what we did, why we did it, and how it worked out.
The best part of the deal is that we’re going to Auction the newly customized Rifle on Ruger’s Auction Site, hosted by GunBroker.com. You’ll have a chance to bid on this fabulous rifle and make it your very own.And to top that off, you can bid freely knowing that 100% of the auction proceeds are going to Project Valour-IT.
Project Valour-IT is affiliated with Soldiers Angels and helps provide voice-controlled/adaptive laptop computers and other technology to support Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines recovering from hand wounds and other severe injuries. It’s a great idea and a great cause. Check out the link to see what they’re all about.
So sit back, enjoy the series, and get ready to bid generously knowing that your money will go to a great cause – and you’ll get a sick rifleout of the deal. “Sick” is what our kids say when something is beyond awesome. Apparently it’s a really good thing.
The Ruger 10/22 Customization Process
Step 1: Add a Keystone Arms Revolution Extreme Custom Stock
Step 2: Add a Tactical Solutions Fluted and Threaded Bull Barrel and Custom Compensator
Step 3: Add a Force Custom Trigger System and Extended Magazine Release
Step 4: Add a Volquartsen Extended Bolt Handle and Recoil Rod
Step 5: Mount a Nikon ProStaff Rimfire 4×32 Scope with Burris Signature ZEE Self Centering Scope Rings
The Components for the Soup it up for Soldiers Custom Ruger 10/22 build
Here are the components used in the Soup it up for Soldiers custom Ruger 10/22 project, along with factory descriptions:
The Force Trigger System and Extended Magazine Release makes magazine changes on this Ruger 10/22 fast and easy.
The Benchmark for 22 Rifles – Experience the Tradition. The Ruger® 10/22® rifle is America’s favorite 22 LR rifle, with proven performance in a wide range of styles for every rimfire application. Ideally suited for informal target shooting, “plinking,” small game hunting and action-shooting events, Ruger has sold millions of 10/22 rifles since their introduction in 1964. With its legendary action and renowned reliable rotary magazine, all 10/22 rifles are sleek, perfectly balanced, rugged and superbly accurate. With a variety of choices – from the standard 10/22 Carbine, to the tack-driving accuracy of the Target model, the 10/22 is still today’s most popular 22 rifle. It looks right, feels right, shoots right and continues to perform under heavy use – inspiring the most fanatical loyalty from its owners. With proven design, legendary reliability and the modern features demanded by today’s 22 LR shooters, these firearms are priced right to make keeping tradition affordable.
Keystone Arms Revolution Extreme Custom Stock
The Extreme, with palm swells, a rollover style cheek piece and a semi-beavertail forend features cut-outs in the forend and stock to reduce weight. Vertical thumbhole grip and specifically contoured forend give this model a great feel. This drop-in style gunstock is complete with a rubber buttplate and a semigloss weather resistant finish.
Tactical Solutions Fluted / Threaded Bull Barrel
Tactical Solutions’ X-Ring barrels are precision machined lightweight replacement .22LR 10/22® barrels. Machined from 6061-T6 billet aluminum, this .920 diameter barrel is essential for the shooter who demands accuracy. For a custom fit, the X-Ring™ barrel has an oversized shank to fit a vast array of 10-22® receivers. The X-Ring™ barrel has a threaded end* to accommodate accessories such as a Tactical Solutions’ compensator or suppressor. The 1 in 16” twist 4140 steel button rifled barrel with 11° crown makes this an accurate and consistent choice for the 10/22® shooter.
Tactical Solutions Compensator
The 10/22 compensator is a great addition to any Tactical Solutions threaded end 10/22® barrel.
- 360° gas ports allow for even distribution of gasses for optimum accuracy.
- Machined from solid billet of 6061-T6 aluminum.
- No indexing or gunsmithing required to fit on Tactical Solutions ½ x 28 TPI Threaded end barrels.
- 0.920” Outside diameter.
Force Trigger System and Extended Magazine Release
6061 aluminum billet trigger housing and trigger combined with precise hardened tool steel internal components create a competition quality, drop-in, and fully interchangeable trigger system. Hammer, sear and disconnect are heat treated, EDM machined to exact tolerances to provide match-grade quality action with long lasting performance. We are now introducing a serrated, semi-flat trigger with over travel adjustment for individual shooter preference. The cam like action created by the engineered rear radius on the Force trigger and realigned trigger plunger hole in the billet housing combine to minimize friction during trigger pull. The trigger system comes equipped with a 6061 aluminum billet Force extended magazine release for quick and easy magazine changes. This magazine release extends under the trigger guard to position the contact surface in easy reach and provide extra leverage for fast, easy magazine changes. Unique hammer and sear engagement produce a crisp trigger pull of approximately 2 to 3 lbs without compromising safety while giving excellent shot-to-shot consistency. Normal dropping or bumping of gun will not cause hammer fail. 100% American Made and Assembled. Housing and trigger: 6061 aluminum available in black or clear “silver” anodize. Hammer, sear and disconnect : A2 tool steel, heat treated to 52-54 Rockwell.
Volquartsen Extended Bolt Handle and Recoil Rod
The Extended Bolt Handle features the same shape and design as the bolt handle featured on our fully machined bolts. This handle has also been extended .25″ for faster, easier operation. The recoil rod is polished, hardened and coated with a proprietary finish. This finish is not only extremely hard but also contains lubricating features to create an extremely smooth operating guide rod. This coated recoil rod reduces friction which improves both feeding and ejecting. A recoil rod spring is also included. This spring has been cryogenically treated to withstand years of use.
Burris Signature ZEE Scope Rings
The best rifle scope is only as good as the rings that hold it in place. Which is why legendary Burris Signature Rings are the choice of the world’s most discriminating shooters. The tremendous gripping power of the ingenious design anchors the scope at zero round after round. Additionally, a synthetic self-aligning insert inside the steel ring cradles the scope and insures proper alignment and guarantees scope-to-ring contact is virtually 100%. That’s as much as 30% more contact than some other mounts. Scopes perform at their optical peak when all internal lenses are properly centered. For that reason, Signature Rings accept Pos-Align Offset Inserts.
Nikon ProStaff Rimfire 4×32 Scope
The new PROSTAFF 4×32 is designed to not only live up to the reputation of its popular predecessor, the 4×32 Rimfire Classic, but to set the performance bar even higher. Featuring a generous 8mm exit pupil, compact size, light weight and excellent optics, it’s no wonder hunters and plinkers are so excited to get their hands on this next generation riflescope.
- Fully Multicoated Optical System: Provides up to 98% light transmission and maximum brightness from dawn to dusk.
- Zero-Reset Turrets: To simplify field adjustments, Nikon has integrated this feature into all new riflescopes. Just sight-in as usual, then lift the spring-loaded adjustment knob, rotate to your “zero”, and reengage. Field adjustments are now as simple as dialing-in your subsequent ranges.
- Precise, 1/4-MOA Handturn Adjustments: Positive click reticle adjustments get you zeroed in quicker and maintain your setting—even with heavy recoil.
- Large Ocular with Quick Focus Eyepiece: Allows the shooter to instantly bring the reticle into sharp focus.
- Generous, Consistent Eye Relief: Keeps your brow safe—even with the heaviest recoiling cartridges, lightweight rifles, and severe shooting angles.
- Sun Shade Adaptable: 40 mm & 50 mm models.
- Waterproof/Fogproof: Nitrogen filled and O-ring sealed.
You can own this Custom Ruger 10/22!
Make this incredible rifle your own AND benefit a great cause. 100% of the sale price is being donated to Project-Valour IT of Soldiers Angels.
UPDATE: The auction has ended, but feel free to build your own souped up Ruger 10/22. Check out the articles linked on this page. Have fun, and be safe out there!