Is my 10/22 really that old...?

[maxmonster]

I just picked up a 10/22 in a trade. After looking up the serial I noticed it was made in between 1967-1968. Is there any other way to date it? It also has a flush mag release if that helps... not that I turned off by having an older model... rather if it is that old its awesome having such a piece of history!

This is from the Ruger website...

10/22 Rifle
Caliber: 22 LR
Beginning Serial Number: Years of Production:
1 1964
453 1965
22906 1966
77384 1967
131304 1968
. .
. .
. .

[WartHog]

Congrats - you've got a much better quality rifle than what Ruger makes these days.

[sealocan]

Great year for rifles

How does it shoot?

[maxmonster]

Great year for rifles

How does it shoot?

I actually havent shot it yet...

[RawHP]

After looking up the serial I noticed it was made in between 1967-1968. Is there any other way to date it?

Metal buttplate, metal band, walnut stock, anodzed receiver, and dual bolt rails (if the serial prefix is 110 or less).

The original barrel should be pre-warning too.

[joe47]

I have a 10/22 made in '68 that looks new. I wouldn't sell it for anything. It was originally sold to someone in California in 1968, but made it's way to south Alabama where I found it in a pawn shop 5 years ago and bought it for $125.

[sealocan]

I should mention to all older 10/22 owners that the metal barrel band on SOME years is just a bit fragile.

It should be fine as long as you don't pry it too far open but don't think of it as steel (like a lot of barrel bands are made of) but cast aluminum and by prying it open to far (to remove it from the stock) can cause it to break.

[maxmonster]

Mines a plastic band... Maybe it broke already

[Jeepergeo]

Picture?

Ruger went out of serial sequence several times. Their thumhole heavy target barreled 10-22s from the early 80s have numbers that suggest they are much older.

[ojisan]

Be aware that pre-110 prefix receivers have slightly different dimensions that later ones.
Early receivers may not fit into aftermarket stocks.
My advice is to keep those early ones in original condition, get a later one if you plan to modify it.

[maxmonster]

I guess mine is that old... serial number 107XXX metal band flush mag release... are the dimensions really that out of wack? guess ill find out i have a titan stock coming already...

[RawHP]

I guess mine is that old... serial number 107XXX metal band flush mag release... are the dimensions really that out of wack? guess ill find out i have a titan stock coming already...

Are you sellng the old stock??

[ojisan]

There are minor variation in the trigger group and bolt stop pin locations.
Rear vertical exterior corners used to be milled round, newer ones are cast round, the radius is slightly different.
These can be worked around, just know what to watch for.

[BigPimping]

Super cool OP. Respect.

[wbunning]

I just picked up a 10/22 in a trade. After looking up the serial I noticed it was made in between 1967-1968. Is there any other way to date it? It also has a flush mag release if that helps... not that I turned off by having an older model... rather if it is that old its awesome having such a piece of history!

Nice! I have one that I bought new in 1976, ser#115-xxxxx. It's pre-warning, and the barrel is roll-marked "Made in the 200th year of American Liberty". I shoot it regularly and it is still rock-solid and in great shape. Fantastic little rifle.