Why the Ruger 10/22 is the Best First Rifle (3+1 Reasons)

[xounlistedxox]

Alright y'all, this one is for the newbies or anyone considering buying their first 10/22!


If you already own a 10/22 or multiple 10/22's you already know all about the stuff I cover here.


I bought my first 10/22 more than 25 years ago and still have it to this day. It's been through MANY different setups over the years and still remains reliable/accurate.

TLDR for those that would rather read about it than watch the video:


If you’re considering your first firearm purchase, I think the Ruger 10/22 deserves a hard look.


It’s been around since 1964, is one of the most proven platforms in existence, and still offers great value today.


Here are my top reasons why the 10/22 makes sense as a first rifle:


-Low recoil & easy to learn on → .22LR is forgiving, beginner-friendly, and helps build fundamentals without flinching.


-Affordable to shoot → bulk packs of 500 rounds are far cheaper than centerfire, so you can practice a lot more.


-Highly customizable → you can keep it stock or build out a full precision setup with barrels, stocks, optics, and more.


-Bonus: The 10/22 has a decades-long track record of reliability. Millions have been sold, and the aftermarket is so huge you could build one without a single Ruger part if you wanted.


I also did some shooting/accuracy comparisons in the video between a stock barrel and a bull barrel setup, and the difference was noticeable with tighter groups on the bull barrel.


Takeaway: If I had to recommend one rifle to a first-time buyer, the Ruger 10/22 would be it. Affordable, customizable, reliable, and fun to shoot.


Who else loves their 10/22'? Share yours and your stories below!


What's your recommendation for the best first rifle, also share below!

[DanGunner]

I have two Rugers, one for 40-plus years, and love them both, but I think kids should learn to shoot on bolt action .22, preferably single shot, to learn fundamentals and concentrate on one shot at a time without being able to just pull the trigger for another shot. My first was a single shot Savage boys rifle that my grandfather used circa 1910 to hunt jackrabbits in Colorado. I still have it and it still shoots. That prepped me to graduate to a Remington Target rifle in an NRA class run by former soldiers, shooting in all positions with medals for achieving certain accuracy goals, with surplus military ammo at 50 cents a box, the only cost. I was about 14 at the time and I acquired one of those WWII vintage Remingtons a few years ago and every time I load up its 5 round bags and aim through its Lyman aperture sight I remember those days about 70 years ago. They instilled in me the basics that I still use today.

[k1dude]

For a first rifle, a .22 LR is probably the best choice. However, I agree with DanGunner that single shot or a bolt action is likely a better choice than a semi-auto. Not only is the function simpler, but they're usually more accurate/precise.

I might agree more if you said the 10/22 is an excellent first semi-auto.

[bohoki]

it was my first i got a new one in '91 for $139 still have it mine has an idiot ding when i first pulled out the bolt i let the handle smack into the ejection port ive bought more since then so i think i have like 6 of them if you count my amt 25/22 as one

have you seen the forced reset device for it its like a little mailbox flag that shoves the trigger forward when the bolt slams back

[Ora Serrata]

I agree that a bolt action is a preferable first rifle. I’m not a fan of single shots though. You can always teach fundamentals by having them load one at a time and everyone grows out of a single shot pretty quickly. However, if you’re only planning to buy 1 rifle for them I’d go 10/22.

I learned on a Marlin 60. My friend had a 10/22. I liked that so much better than my Marlin. After I turned 18 and could buy my own guns I got my first 10/22. That was 40 years ago and I still shoot that rifle to this day. I only shoot my bolt .22 (it’s a plinker not a competition gun) when teaching someone who’s never shot before and we quickly move into the 10/22.

The first rifle I got for my son was a STG-44 .22 (He also has a 10/22).

[BillSmith]

Thank you, Ruger, for introducing me to stovepipes, FTF, squibs and other issues unknown to the rest of my limited arsenal. I'd not be able to relate to many of the posts in this forum with you, Ruger, and your 10/22.

[Grendel Guy]

Brings to mind the time I took out my son for his first time shooting. Brought along my 10/22. He did a mag dump outta the gate. I asked him about aiming, "oh yeah" was his reply.

[jarhead714]

I never liked them, only tolerated the 10/22. I’ve always felt those vaunted magazines suck and .22LR to be completely underwhelming even as a young boy. I like things that go bang. With ear protection on all I hear is the action.

[xounlistedxox]

My experience from 30+ years with rimfires: the rimfire world has a ton of variables. Ammo lot variability, dirty extractors (and other parts), and basic user errors are the most common causes of stovepipes/FTFs, more often than the platform itself (YMMV). I’ve owned and still own several semi-auto .22 rifles, and the 10/22 has been the most reliable across different ammo types and use cases for me. That doesn’t mean it’s perfect, rimfire ammo quality can bite you on any gun but for learning, customization, and regular range time it’s extremely hard to beat. Same goes for Ruger’s Mark pistols: solid, reliable, and great value.

I learned on a semi-auto tube-fed .22 and still have it. I don’t see much value in insisting everyone learn on a single-shot bolt; with a competent teacher you can learn fundamentals on any platform.

About the rotary magazine: it’s different and has its own quirks. Example, one of my original 10/22 rotary mags (30+ years old, never cleaned) started feeding slowly.not rotating enough. A quick disassembly and a microfiber wipe fixed it; it ran flawlessly afterward. Could’ve been solved by a little extra spring tension, but teardown + cleaning cost me nothing and got it working again. Also, the 10/22 I used in the video came to me absolutely filthy; I cleaned it before the range and had zero issues aside from that old magazine. I’ve since put a Magpul MOE stock on it and prefer that setup.

[mitch1]

I have 4 10/22's all customized to my tastes. I still have my western auto model 120(Marlin 60 clone)pre serial number that I bought when I was 10 years old. They are all good and they all have quirks

[lexo98]

Went to the range with my buddy while he sighted in his AR and .308. I loved plinking away with my 10/22

[mindbent]

Going to get the paperwork done tomorrow then wait 10 days to pick up a 40th anniversary 10/22. Looks new and well taken care of. Even comes with original paperwork. Actually the only thing it doesn't come with is the box. Looking forward to plinking with it. Got another one (not 40th anniversary) brand new in box available in the near future. Don't know manufacture date but still. Happy plinking.

[IronsightsRifleman]

Nothing wrong with a 10/22. But any lever action rifle in a pistol caliber cartridge and iron sights would be a better first rifle, IMHO. An M1 carbine is a great choice too, albeit a lot more $ than the 10/22. You show your 10/22 with a scope and, contrary to my moniker, I'm not against them. But I don't think they're appropriate for first rifles or for short range guns in general, especially for the younger shooters who still have good eyes.

[jarhead714]

10/22s can provide as much consternation as they do jubilation. The same can be said of most all semiautomatic rifles chambered in rimfire cartridges.👐🏻

[beerman]

I’m a longtime 22 lover. That said, the box mag Ruger never interested me. Yes, they are affordable and fun to shoot. To me, they are meh. I prefer the tube feds or the old butt fed REM nylon 66. If I really go for accuracy, it’s bolt 22s. I have an old Mossberg M44 US that has mind blowing accuracy. Almost as good as some match guns( ok , some).To me, the Ruger is the Glock of 22 rifles.. That said, I love their 22 pistols.