Is this 10/22 charging handle broken?

[teh rick]

I finally am getting around to taking care of my 10/22. I got the gun apart and the guide spring/charging handle will not compress properly without a ton of effort. It has always been very hard to use and sticky. I took about as good of a picture as I could and it looks bent or kinked on the end. Please forgive my ignorance, I am trying to be a good gun owner after years of being lazy! IMG_3971.JPG


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[ojisan]

That, while not annealing, is normal.
The bump is to keep the charging handle from coming off so the recoil spring, guide and handle are an assembly.

Make sure the whole rod is straight and smooth surfaced.
Some of the rods are very rough on the outside surface and this can cause charging handle binding.
If the surface is rough, you can hold the spring compressed at one end or the other and polish the exposed section with crocus cloth to smooth it out.
The rod also needs to have some lube on it for smooth operation.

[Calico1404]

Looks fine

[teh rick]

Thanks guys, I need the help!
I tried cleaning it by pressing the spring down on both sides and then coated the whole thing with oil. I cannot make the handle slide without two hands and pressing it down against a towel. I will try to polish it as the motion is very rough


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[teh rick]

I ended up taking the whole thing to a few Gun shops in the area and everyone seems to think I should just replace it. It appears that the guide rod is slightly bent and you can only get the handle to move by pushing it "straight".

Any suggestions for a good replacement? The stock is $9 directly from ruger (plus shipping i'm sure) and it seems like the aftermarket options are 20-50$. I wouldn't mind spending more for a better option but I have no idea what to buy.

[Citadelgrad87]

Kidd makes excellent 10/22 parts. I have everything BUT his charging handle on my 10/22.

http://www.coolguyguns.com/KIDD-Bolt-Handle-Charging-Assembly-With-Guide-Rod-Springs_p_34.html

Not cheap but well worth it, IMHO.

[teh rick]

Kidd makes excellent 10/22 parts. I have everything BUT his charging handle on my 10/22.

http://www.coolguyguns.com/KIDD-Bolt-Handle-Charging-Assembly-With-Guide-Rod-Springs_p_34.html

Not cheap but well worth it, IMHO.

Thank you, that is one of the sources I was checking out


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[Calamity Sue]

Thank you, that is one of the sources I was checking out


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I have six 10/22's including two model 11165's, a Sporter Deluxe, a 1264, and a few others. They all have Kidd's bolt handle charging assembly. I only shoot standard velocity rounds in my Sporter Deluxe. When I decided that I changed to one of Kidd's springs that is made for the lower velocity rounds. Never had a problem.

The thing is, once you see the rod, you know why they work so well. Beautifully machined and hardened. Easy to assemble too. I also have two of Kidd's Single Stage triggers. They are in my 11165's. Both my wife and I love them. All the other triggers have been worked by Brimstone. Also excellent.

[teh rick]

Thank you I ordered the Kidd a few hours ago. I can't wait to shoot this rifle again, it's been about 5 years. I also picked up a Simmons scope and a heritage rough rider 9" 22 so I'll be having some fun soon!


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[Rosebud22]

Yea, the factory spring/rod setup are quite rough. The Kidd setup is a good investment.

[TKM]

Why are you trying to move the charging handle on the rod?

Just had to do something with your hands and figured why not????

[teh rick]

Why are you trying to move the charging handle on the rod?



Just had to do something with your hands and figured why not????

You have to pull it back to re assemble the gun. I had always had problems with it sticking and not wanting to move well. I took the gun down to clean it today and I can't get it back to out the bolt back


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[TKM]

Are you trying to slide the handle thingy up and down the rod thingy while it's out of the gun? Is it binding while assembled?

[teh rick]

Are you trying to slide the handle thingy up and down the rod thingy while it's out of the gun? Is it binding while assembled?

Yes it's binding when the gun was assembled. It's stuck to the point that I couldn't get it to compress back in the gun to load the bolt.


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[TKM]

Captain Obvious to the rescue.

Something is definitely wrong. Something should be fixed. Let us know if something works.

Are you sure you didn't do something to it while learning how to take it apart and put it back together?