Considering a 10/22 Takedown

[superbarnie]

About half a year ago, a few weeks after the Sandy Hook shooting, I saw on the news that guns were flying off the shelves like there was no tomorrow due to an impending gun ban. I decided to do some research on "the gun issue". What I found was very interesting to say the least. After evaluating both sides of the argument, I decided that the "pro-gun" stance was the most logically sound.

Anyways, while I was at it, I decided that i would like to buy an "assault weapon". This was because: 1) I had just turned 18, and became eligible to buy a gun. 2) I might not have another chance. So, I started browsing the gun selling websites. At first, I decided to buy an AR15 because it looked cool, but I quickly realized that it was out of my price range. I then decided to buy an AK. However, I soon realized that even if I was able to find one, I would probably not be able to afford that either, because of the crazy prices. In addition, I was too inexperienced to tell the goodies from the crappies, and I had read stories on the internet about the cheap AKs having "crooked front sights, crooked trunnions, and messed up mag wells" (not that I knew what that is).

I became to realize that it may very well have been too late to buy any cool looking "assault weapons", and I might have to just sit back, send letters to my senators/representatives, and wait it out. However, what really turned me away from buying a centerfire rifle was when I read more carefully about California's gun laws. When I read that even if I managed to buy an AK or AR, I would still have to either put on a bullet button or go featureless. In addition I would be limited to 10rd magazines or less. That just reduced the "cool factor" by 90%. I decided that it was simply not worth it.

Crestfallen, I contemplated what other options I had. After doing some serious research on the internet, consulting some Hickok45 videos, and looking at photos of sea lions, I decided that a Ruger 10/22 or some other .22LR rifle would be my best choice. This was because the gun is relatively cheap, ammo is cheap (when found), and the gun is suitable for newbies like me. Even though being the manly man that I am, I could probably handle a .50 BMG. If I could afford it, that is.

Sometime around January, I decided that I really liked the Ruger 10/22 Takedown because it looks cool and you can, like, break it in half. However, being the cheapskate that I am, I decided I would wait until it was on sale, preferably for $280, even if that meant waiting till Black Friday. I decided that this was the best course of action because the impending gun bans of doom weren't targeting rimfires so I wasn't in any hurry, there was no ammo to be had at the moment anyways, I can save money, and I will have time to persuade my parents to let me buy it. In the meantime, I can satisfy my curiosity by reading CalGuns, watching Hickok45 and James Yeager videos, checking out gun shows, or even renting a gun at a range.

Everything was going according to plan, but suddenly, I read about a new bill that was threatening to put my hours of scheming to waste- Senate Bill 374. This bill would ban and force registration on all semi-automatic rifles, including rimfire. As a result, I am now considering buying a Ruger 10/22 Takedown in the very near future.

However, before spending my dough, I would like to solicit some information for the CalGuns collective. A few months ago, I read a thread on CalGuns saying that because of the recent increase in demand, the quality control on 10/22 TD's have gone down the drain and many are missing a heat treatment and/or showing signs of shoddy workmanship. I would like to know if it is still so at this time. I would also like to ask for any tips on buying a Ruger 10/22 Takedown.

Thank you for your help.

TL;DR: Hows the quality control on them 10/22 TD's?

[emptybottle151]

Bought a TD before the craziness so I'm not aware of "shoddy work" by Ruger. The TD is cool but theirs nothing wrong with the regular 10/22.

[dyson]

Get a regular carbine one, its much cheaper and there more mods available if you decide to make it have more "cool factor" later

[Steve_In_29]

IIRC the "heat treatment" issue was on early rifles that came out WAY before the frenzy and it has been addressed by Ruger. Another pre-frenzy issue was the need to lightly sand the mag well to remove excess material that was causing them to hang up. Whether this second item has been addressed at the factory I do not know.

An ongoing item to check on any synthetic stocked 10/22 is the receiver to stock fitment. Mine was so loose I had to stick 4 pieces of cardboard from a .22 box in to take up the slack. Ruger replaced my stock and paid shipping both ways.

My 10/22TD has been a great shooter and with Rem SubSonics will do one-hole, 5rd groups @ 25yds if I do my part.

[oldtwoar]

Ruger has a good reputation for fixing any problems that crop up. Might be a hassle if you get a lemon but rest assured they will make it right for you. My 10/22 TD was perfect out of the box (bought March 2013).

As you noted a 22LR chambered weapon is a great starter gun. The TD model of the 10/22 is very nice but if you do not really need the TD feature the advice above about buying a regular 10/22 is very good. The gun has been in production a long time and there are tons of upgrades available. Keep in mind by the time you add sales tax and fees onto the price a 10/22 TD in todays market is likely to run you $400. You can probably be out the door with a conventional 10/22 for $100 less.

No one knows what laws are going to pass and be signed here in California. It appears that due to the need to pass a budget first none of the laws will be passed until the end of the summer. Until then things will likely be relatively calm in the marketplace because news coverage is at a minimum. As soon as the restrictions pass and they are headline news people will realize they have a 3-4 month window to buy what they want to take advantage of any grandfather clauses in the law.

If the restrictions are as bad as some fear there is going to be another massive run on firearms in California this fall. So if you want to purchase any semi-automatic rifle I'd recommend you do it before September. All the Black Friday sales in the world won't matter if the shelves are bare.

Finally there is something to be said for buying the basic 10/22 and saving the money for your next firearm. Learn to shoot on the 10/22 and take the opportunity to rent or borrow other guns at the range to see what you enjoy. You can also think about what you want and need from a gun. Target shooting, hunting, personal defense? You may have to wait until things settle down in California sometime in 2014 but while your options might have been shrunk by the law there will still be lots of guns to buy.

[Steve_In_29]

OP, I just noticed you mentioned the option of "any .22" so you can save a bunch of money by getting a Marlin 60. They go on sale a lot in the $150 range. Not a lot of aftermarket but if you aren't looking to bling it up then they are a great rifle.

Very ergonomic design, last round hold open, no magazine to loose, 14rds vs 10 and more accurate out-of-the-box then a 10/22.

[Mikelarry]

10-22 is my shtf gun

[superbarnie]

Ruger has a good reputation for fixing any problems that crop up. Might be a hassle if you get a lemon but rest assured they will make it right for you. My 10/22 TD was perfect out of the box (bought March 2013).

As you noted a 22LR chambered weapon is a great starter gun. The TD model of the 10/22 is very nice but if you do not really need the TD feature the advice above about buying a regular 10/22 is very good. The gun has been in production a long time and there are tons of upgrades available. Keep in mind by the time you add sales tax and fees onto the price a 10/22 TD in todays market is likely to run you $400. You can probably be out the door with a conventional 10/22 for $100 less.

No one knows what laws are going to pass and be signed here in California. It appears that due to the need to pass a budget first none of the laws will be passed until the end of the summer. Until then things will likely be relatively calm in the marketplace because news coverage is at a minimum. As soon as the restrictions pass and they are headline news people will realize they have a 3-4 month window to buy what they want to take advantage of any grandfather clauses in the law.

If the restrictions are as bad as some fear there is going to be another massive run on firearms in California this fall. So if you want to purchase any semi-automatic rifle I'd recommend you do it before September. All the Black Friday sales in the world won't matter if the shelves are bare.

Finally there is something to be said for buying the basic 10/22 and saving the money for your next firearm. Learn to shoot on the 10/22 and take the opportunity to rent or borrow other guns at the range to see what you enjoy. You can also think about what you want and need from a gun. Target shooting, hunting, personal defense? You may have to wait until things settle down in California sometime in 2014 but while your options might have been shrunk by the law there will still be lots of guns to buy.

Well, I like the TD because it would be convenient to transport and plus it comes with a nice bag. But i might consider a standard 10/22.

@Steve_in_29
I prefer the 10/22 because I like detachable magazines...

[rm1911]

My 10/22TD has been a great shooter and with Rem SubSonics will do one-hole, 5rd groups @ 25yds if I do my part.

Funny, I can get one hole groups with Remington yellowjackets which are very high velocity. That rifle shoots evrything that well. I have a brick of rem subsonics. Gonna have to give them a try.

But yeah I'd be more inclined to go regular 10/22 right now. Not just price because over the course of 30+ years $100 is nothing. If there was some particular need for a takedown then sure but otherwise I like regular especially for the first 10/22.

And I'd not get a scope. Get tech sights. Seriously. They are the way to go. Good iron is how you should learn to shoot. You can always scope other rifles later.

[sharxbyte]

My fiancee bought her's from her work and loves it. When she pulled her groups in, I bought her a scope for it.

[pesty3782]

Bought one the other day..This will be number 3 for 10-22's My first one was a delux that I put a bull barrel on and did some trigger work and what a sweet shooter. I also have an old blue steel that is all original and now I bought a take down...this too will get the trigger job and a small scope.

Tony P

[superbarnie]

What are the advantages of a Tech Sight, as opposed to the standard iron sights?

[Izzy43]

What are the advantages of a Tech Sight, as opposed to the standard iron sights?

Better sight picture, more accuracy, easier to use, easier to adjust. Its a peep sight same style (though not exactly) as the military uses.

[sholling]

Unless you specifically need the takedown feature I recommend staying with a standard 10/22 and putting the difference in the price (~$100) into improving the trigger and either better sights or a good quality (not Chinese or Korean made) rimfire scope. Then attend an Appleseed course and learn how to really use your rifle right. As time goes by you can customize the heck out of a standard 10/22.

If you go with the takedown you're options for good quality scopes that fit in the bag are very limited due to length limitations.

[superbarnie]

Okay I think I'll just go with the 10/22 Carbine. Do they still have them at Turners for $220?