What years are the perfered 10/22?

[Shellshocker66]

OK I owned my first Ruger 10/22 when I was 12 (brother purchased it for me). At around 17 he "borrowed" it and I never got it back. I purchased my 2nd when I hit 18 and loved it as much as my first one. Never had a FTF or any other problem with any kind of ammo I threw into it. Back in those days I would practice shooting a match head from about 10 yards and would usually hit it (wish my eyes were that good now).

Now from reading the forums I hear a lot of people say that they get the ruger and start upgrading to make it a better rifle. Personally I would rapid fire mine with those horrible banana clips (plastic, think I still have a few laying around) and never had a problem with the rifle.

Since it sounds like they have changed the design somewhere along the lines what would be the optimal year to find? When did the changes take place?

I had to dump my collection a few years ago after I re-injured my back and had some financial problems and I'm still kicking myself for letting that 10/22 go. I would like to replace it with another but reading some of the posts I might actually get a .22 in some other brand.

[jyo]

I currently own an older "Pre-warning" 10-22 Deluxe Sporter, a 15 year old stainless model with the complete Volquartsen heavy barrel (fluted) kit installed and my brother purchased a recent (about a year ago) standard 10-22 stainless on sale at Big 5 at the time---ALL are great little 22 rifles. Don't believe everything you read---I still don't think any of the rival 22 semi-autos are better---everyone should have at least one 10-22!!

[Meety Peety]

The reason people want old (ish) 10/22s is for one reason: metal trigger guard, specifically stainless. The newer ones come with a painted plastic one (yuck) and people don't like it. Generally, the only people who know/care about this are the ones who are looking to start a build, not just run a stock 10/22. For some reason the mfg year that they made the change is totally escaping me at the moment but I want to say 2007.

On the other topic.. when you see people talking about how they upgrade their 10/22s it doesn't mean that its a bad gun to begin with. It simply means that it can (And will) be much better when a series of upgrades and modifications are made to it. The differences between a stock 10/22 and a highly upgraded custom are significant.. not even the same gun. As a matter of fact you can actually build a complete 10/22 without using any factory Ruger parts. this is known as a "Rugerless 10/22" which you'll see around he from time to time.

[Hilldweller]

Personally I think the 1986 model was tops! Reason? I'll be putting one up for sale soon on the site.....<grin>

[Shellshocker66]

first thank you for the responses

Personally I think the 1986 model was tops! Reason? I'll be putting one up for sale soon on the site.....<grin>

If you happen to be in the Sac Area let me know. If I've recovered from the AR-15 build I'm currently in process of I would be interested!

[Neezer]

1986 was a fine vintage, and assuming proper storage, it should be ripe for consumption at this time...

[WDE91]

I would say the 1976 bicentennials are always a favorite
followed by prewarning label guns
Finally run of the mill metal trigger guard guns

I have a prewarning label 1974 10-22 that I have done a couple things to and I have a great time shooting it

heres a great thing to look up the age of the rifle

http://www.ruger.com/service/productHistory.html#

[trob]

Anything pre-2007 is worth having.

[vparra1]

I found out my rifle is from 1970. The rifle still works great and looks good. Cool link thanks

[DRoberts12345]

Mine was made in 1976. it belonged to a fellow worker who bought it new & put it in military storage when he went into the navy. 4 years later he got it back all scratched up. He sold it to me a few years later for 25 bucks (yea 25 bucks ). It goes with me on almost all shooting events. I'm gonna clean it up some day but until then I think I will just shoot the crap out of it. It's one of my best guns...... Think I'll go shooting tomorrow

[brassburnz]

Bought my first 10/22 in 1974 or 75. Can't remember that far back. It was $80 at the Gemco in Signal Hill, just up the street from Andrews Sporting Goods, now called Turner's.

[tuna quesadilla]

OK I owned my first Ruger 10/22 when I was 12 (brother purchased it for me). At around 17 he "borrowed" it and I never got it back. I purchased my 2nd when I hit 18 and loved it as much as my first one. Never had a FTF or any other problem with any kind of ammo I threw into it. Back in those days I would practice shooting a match head from about 10 yards and would usually hit it (wish my eyes were that good now).

Now from reading the forums I hear a lot of people say that they get the ruger and start upgrading to make it a better rifle. Personally I would rapid fire mine with those horrible banana clips (plastic, think I still have a few laying around) and never had a problem with the rifle.

Since it sounds like they have changed the design somewhere along the lines what would be the optimal year to find? When did the changes take place?

I had to dump my collection a few years ago after I re-injured my back and had some financial problems and I'm still kicking myself for letting that 10/22 go. I would like to replace it with another but reading some of the posts I might actually get a .22 in some other brand.

Either get an older one like everyone is saying, or get a BRAND NEW one.

For awhile (and I mean recently, in the 2000s)they were making them with a really horrible, low-quality finish on the receiver and barrel. They just switched back over to a new finish in 2010 or 2011 that's actually a respectable blued finish. Of course mine's a 2008 model and it has the crap finish

So that's why I say get an old one or a really really new one.

[WDE91]

Randy go to this link, then go to Rifle instruction manuals and product history, then enter your serial number
It will give you the year your rifle was made by Ruger

http://www.ruger.com/service/productHistory.html#

O ya please report back what year it was made please