*UPDATE-1971 Ruger 10/22 Sporter Finger Groove NIB & Now a '65 SP, '67 SPC, & '71 SP

[Killer Bee]

so excited to bring her home this morning I just had to share.

Ruger 10/22 Fingergroove Sporter

finger groove sporters were only produced in low production from '66 to '71

hard to find in this condition.

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[marklewiswalker]

Very nice

[Killer Bee]

thank you.. this has to be one of the happiest gun purchases in my collection. been looking for this year for a while. last year of the finger groove and it was a split year for the sporter, they introduced a new model sporter later that same year. I'm hoping to find out just how few finger grooves were made this year when I get my history letter.

I got beat on this one from the same seller..

Ruger 10/22 Fingergroove Sporter SPC

gone via BN before I could even respond to my notification email

[Enter_the_Dragon]

Nice, NICE, Super NICE!!!

[Meety Peety]

Are you going to shoot it?

[BigJ]

Beautiful!

[Killer Bee]

Are you going to shoot it?

funny you ask.. I was not planning to find one unfired so now I have a dilemma..

I don't have very many unfired guns so I'm going to hold out as long as possible so don't plan to anytime soon. Right now, the few auctions I've seen are bringing $600-$750 for 90%+ condition but not unfired and haven't seen this model in a box outside of the two this seller had. Once I have the letter and do some more research on production numbers and value I'll either cave in and fire it or lock it up along the back row of the safe.

Thanks for the compliments.. I was so excited when I found it I had to pinch myself. And to think I almost missed it because the auction title was 'fingergroove' all one word instead of two just like the checkered one that I was too late for.

[Just Dave]

Sweet rifle.

[atascadero]

I just turned green. Very nice!

[Killer Bee]

thanks again fellas for the compliments.

sorry for the poor pictures but here's a group shot of my '71 Ruger rimfire family. Unfortunately the Super Single Six and the Ruger Standard are not NIB but they are in great shooter condition and have no dents or gouges, only minor finish wear. Now that I have the 10/22 NIB, I may have to search for the others in the same condition.

the '71 Ruger standard is also a last year model like the 10/22 finger groove. Mark I followed. This was the last year of the solid side magazine with the button on the right and the logo on the left grip panel. All subsequent model's magazines came with the button on the left and slotted on both side to be convertible for older models as well.

the Super Single Six in '71 has no other significance for that year that I am aware of. This one however is still original without the transfer bar safety conversion and the magnum cylinder is original with the hand engraved serial suffix.

Ruger only charges $10/ea for their letters so I think I'll submit a request for these. I'll share what I find.

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[Killer Bee]

Finger Groove Project

well, since the one I finally bought turned out to be NIB, I had an idea when I saw this..

Ruger 10/22 Finger Groove Walnut Stock *confirmed by seller as a take-off

so I fought it out with two ususal suspects.. edged alex out by a $1.50 for a total of $200 shipped.

while debating to continue the bidding and talking it over with Mrs. Bee, I had an epiphany. since the take-off stock is missing the butt plate and has a small chip at the toe, I decided to have it cut down slightly and fit for an aftermarket butt plate with additional spacers I can adjust as my boy grows or can be removed for other small shooters

gonna say good bye to this ugly piece of plastic!
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the only reasonable way I could figure to fire a finger groove and keep the '71 NIB.

any other ideas for the new stock are welcome.. please see pics on GB link.

thanks.

[Killer Bee]

funny coincidence..

was filling out my check today, 3-13-13..

for my Ruger Letters of Authenticity for

3 guns totalling $30.



maybe I'll find out something good?

[Yoteman]

A 10/22 fanatic's dream find. If I get a vote it's for NOT SHOOTING IT!
Thanks for posting!

[Killer Bee]

Thanks!

The '71 NIB is safe.. it will remain unfired

I just scored this '65 this afternoon that's missing a few fittings that I'll harvest from the take-off stock I bought recently to make it complete.

Ruger 10-22 Finger Groove Highly Figured Wood

I'm not aware of any finger grooves in the first small lot made in '64 so this should be a first year in '65 and what a nice piece of wood it has!



I've got the finger groove sickness.. and I love it!

I'll clean up this thread with some better quality group pictures once I get them all together.

I've been advised by my friends to not chop the butt off of the chipped stock for the '05 rather to just evaluate it when it gets here and fit it as closely to a new plate as possible.

I'll keep y'all posted...

[coverme2]

Hey...I'm just groovin' on yer finger groove.....beautiful profile on the stock....I like the topline of the stock. Uh...I'm sorta new to the 10/22....what makes a 10/22 a "finger groove" model?....or did I just partly answer my own question?