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10 22 Takedown barrel disconnect issue

57K views 67 replies 36 participants last post by  Steve Bondarenka 
#1 ·
Hello all. I'm new to the forum, so thanks for having me.

I'm having some problems with my 10 22 Takedown. The issue is that after shooting, the barrel does not want to disconnect from the action. I know I've had the tightening nut adjusted properly, the barrel feels snug with no play, and it shoots very accurately. This only happens after shooting (usually 200-300 rounds at time). The barrel is warm to hot when this problem occurs, so the obvious (I think anyway) answer would be that the barrel has expanded because its hot, and its too tight of a fit. However, the problem persists even after I let the barrel cool down overnight, which I've had to do every time I have shot the rifle. So far I've been able to eventually get it apart the next day. I then follow Rugers instructions for loosening, then tightening the barrel nut again to achieve a tight fit. This has happened all three times that I have actually shot the rifle.

I realize this is a brand new rifle, but I can't think that this is normal. Has anyone else had any experiences like this with their 10 22 TD? I do plan to call Ruger directly about it, but I thought I'd test the waters on the ol' Ruger forum.

Any feedback is greatly appreciated.
Good shootin!
Thanks,
Aaron.
 
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#3 ·
I don't have a 10/22TD yet, but it would make sense that the heat and dirt from firing the rifle would "gum up the works." If it were me, I'd try running a bore snake through the rifle after every 100 or so rounds.
 
#4 ·
I had this happen after my last outing. The rifle did not want to "take down." I fiddled with it and eventually it just did. I think that I just needed to exert a little more force. I am not sure if there was just gunk from the rounds or whether something else was going on. I am taking the rifle shooting today and I will report back as to whether this happens again.
 
#49 ·
I was having the opposit problem yesterday. The first two times I took it to the range, it was dead nuts accurate. This last time it was going all over the place. I'm going to look at it today as I think my barrel may be too loose. Mine always breaks apart very easily, though.

EDIT: I just examined my rifle and the barrel is loose and wobbly. Mystery solved!
 
#6 ·
OK, I took my 10/22 TD to the range over lunch today. Fired 300 rounds of dirty Remington 525 through it. It was initially difficult to "take down" after that. But with some considerable elbow grease, I was able to pull the two pieces apart. Typical tight Ruger machining of parts. No doubt it will loosen up a little bit over time just like a Mark pistol does. :eek:

As the previous poster said, remember that for the rifle to twist into the "take down" position, the bolt must be locked back. Then you can take down the rifle.

I put some gun oil on the take-down assembly to possibly make it a little easier next time.

By the way, the rifle fired all 300 rounds of this cheap ammo without a hickup, and with decent shot groups. Love my 10/22 TD!
 
#7 ·
That's great to hear brother. I actually haven't had a chance to try and take mine apart since I shot it Thursday, been very busy. I will look at it today.

When you did get yours apart, did you basically just have to muscle it apart?
That's been my experience so far.
Oh and yes, I am quite aware that the bolt must be locked back :) Good to be thorough though.

Update: I called Ruger cs about this issue. They said they have heard the same thing from others, and basically don't know what to tell us besides to clean the barrel and chamber more often, after "100 rounds or so". I told them that this has happened on all 4 occasions that I've shot the rifle, and that if it happens the next time, they would be hearing from me about repair or replacement.

I love this little rifle. I just wish the main selling point of the rifle would function properly. Its a new system so I know there are bound to be hiccups. Anyway, I appreciate the feedback everyone. I will continue to update on this blog as things develop.

Good shootin.
~Strativarius
 
#8 ·
Strad, put some serious gun oil on the little cylinder in front of the take-down lug and see if that does not do the job. That is what I am doing.

I think that it is just typical tight Ruger tolerances. Probably it will loosen up just right after a bit the way a Mark pistol does.
 
#10 ·
Thanks for the responses guys. I was able to get it apart this past weekend and then cleaned it and oiled up the cylinder and take down screw. It takes down nicely now. The real test is whether it will happen the next time I shoot with it.
Time will tell.
I'll let you know what happens.
Have a good one.
Strat
 
#11 ·
Good deal; yes, keep us informed. I did what you describe and it has worked well for me. :cool:
 
#13 ·
Whats up guys.

So I took the 10 22 TD out shooting again last night. I am happy to say that I was able to take it apart right after shooting it. I cleaned both of the connections the night before and put a little extra gun oil on both as well. That seems to do the trick.
I am once again a happy and satisfied Ruger owner!

I appreciate all of the responses.
Have a good one!!!!!!
Strat.
 
#15 ·
This problem has been mentioned before and I decided to put some high temp anti-seize grease on the chamber end that goes into the receiver and -- NO PROBLEM!

The Takedown also goes together and takes apart much smoother.
 
#16 ·
Buddy of mine has a TD. He was unable to get the two halves apart so I took a peek at it. Turns out the hammer had mushroomed the breech face out making it too wide to pass through the end of the receiver. His is not the only one I've heard of this happening too either. Keep it in mind.


Completely stock 10/22 if it matters.
 
#18 ·
I had a similar issue, but it was due to attempting to sight in a scope while tightly securing the rifle in a vise-style benchrest: I squeezed the insert too tighly, thereby deforming the ring. I could not get it apart without agressive prying. Squeezing the insert at a 90 degree angle allowed relatively free insertion and extraction of the barrel. There is now marring in the narrow portion of the barrel where it slides into the receiver, but I can still nail a red Solo cup at 175 yards with open sights.
 
#19 ·
To the best of my knowledge, this is the first firearm Ruger ever made that has a "user adjustment" and there's a good reason why they never did this before. Anytime you have an adjustment accessible to to the user, they will find a way to screw it up and the barrel adjustment knob is a prime example. I read through the Instruction Manual Insert for the Takedown 10/22 that I recently bought. It does indeed say to tighten the adjustment knob by turning it counterclockwise as far as possible with finger pressure, then remove the barrel and tighten it one or two more clicks. Herein lies the problem ... "finger tight" for some people may be way too tight. I think the natural tendency is to over torque the "adjustment knob". I made the same mistake the first time I took my TD to the range. I followed the barrel assembly instructions then after just 50 rounds, I couldn't get the barrel to release. Like others, after letting it cool down and after some fiddling ... I did get it released. I backed off the adjustment knob two clicks clockwise and tried again. This time after 50 rounds, it came off just like it was supposed to plus it functioned perfectly with no change in POI or group size.

My suggestion ... follow the Ruger instructions (step 1-5) but omit step 6 where it tells you to tighten the adjustment knob one or two more clicks.

justin89t, I hate to see posts like yours ... your buddy fed you a line. First, the hammer doesn't get any closer that a couple inches from the barrel face so it would be impossible for it to mushroom the barrel. Second, the breach face is on the bolt, not the barrel. Likely he had the same problem others have posted ... the adjustable lock ring knob was set too tight ... he just didn't know what he was doing and made something up.
 
#22 · (Edited)
.

justin89t, I hate to see posts like yours ... your buddy fed you a line. First, the hammer doesn't get any closer that a couple inches from the barrel face so it would be impossible for it to mushroom the barrel. Second, the breach face is on the bolt, not the barrel. Likely he had the same problem others have posted ... the adjustable lock ring knob was set too tight ... he just didn't know what he was doing and made something up.
Now not to split hairs but yes you’re right the hammer doesn't even come close to the barrel but the bolt does, and could have hammered the breech face. Now to defend justin89t I have a TD and this past Sunday could not get it to take down without a lot of force. Myself, my wife and a friend of mine were running it in a Steel match carbine class that is at a minimum with no misses 5 shots times 5 passes for 5 stations times the three of us (or 5x5x5x3=) 375 rounds if we were all perfect, we missed a few times so let us just say it was 450 ish rounds at the most when I finally got the barrel out the machining on the receiver end of the barrel was polished, in stead of the machined finish that was on the rest of the barrel. That makes me think that the barrel had swollen, both from being hot to the touch and from the rapid bolt cycling (timed event shoot fast and accurate). When I got home and cleaned the gun I spent quite some time with a green 3m scrubby to try and see if one of the other shooters theory was correct that it was lead building up on the barrel. It now takes down just fine and goes together easily but I’m not sure if it was steel or lead that I took off.
 
#21 ·
Great info and suggestion from Iowegan about omitting that last step. My TD is plenty tight without it and shoots great and holds zero great.
 
#28 ·
An Update




This past Sunday was the September Steel Match and while my wife could not make it, I brought another friend so the number of rounds was again around 400 maybe a little more, and again I cannot get my TD apart. I let the barrel cool and even shot a little CLP into where the barrel mounts into the receiver and from the receiver trying to loosen up any deposits. From the pictures above you can see that the barrel releases makes the twist then pulls only part way forward then is stuck I can wiggle/twist it left and right but the lug is keeping it from more than a few degrees of movement. I’m also going to contact Ruger. I have the budget to pick up this ugly beater 10/22 for the steel matches but want to make sure the missus is on board (better night’s sleep that way she kicks :rolleyes:). So when guns are sent to Ruger how long has it taken to get fixed? She will be ok with yet another gun if we don’t have one by next match and then I can use it as the basis for my build (WIN):D
 
#29 · (Edited)
Have you guys watched the Ruger video on the TD, it says to tighten the barrel nut to snug, then to back the adjustment off a few clicks.
 
#30 ·
TD issues

I too have had the same issue and tried heavy oil with no success. Actually after the next 2 times I used the rifle it got so bad that I could no longer separate the two halves. It was not an adjusting nut issue either. After some serious wrestling I was able to get them apart and then pulled out my micrometer to see if it was what I thought and I was right. The end of the barrel had mushroomed from either heat or something along those lines. I very carefully used emery cloth to bring the diameter at the end back to where the rest is and it fit back perfectly and no longer has any issues.

I also contacted Ruger and told them my situation and what I'd found and they've asked that I send my rifle to them immediately. Obviously there's an issue here and it has nothing to do with the adjusting nut or oil. I followed their manuals to the letter regarding maintenance and setup.
 
#31 · (Edited)
Rugers VIDEO for the 10/22 Take Down on their sight shows to snug the Barrel Nut, it should come apart you should nut have to use any strength

then back off or loosen the Barrel nut a few clicks

If it is still tight next time back a couple more clicks, till you are able to take it down.

I dont know If i would use a wet grease, Only cause I would not want the mess in the new TD bag, or get my hands greasy, while i am at the range

But Maybe a Dry Lube, i use rem Dry Lube on mine

The Barrel nut should not be over tightened
 
#32 · (Edited)
The barrel nut is not the issue as the tightening or loosening of the adjustment knob (Rugers’s name for it) only increases or decreases the tension against the clamp (again Ruger’s name for it, from https://ruger-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/_manuals/1022TD-3fje6z61.pdf ) the piece of metal that connects where the V-block would. Once you have made the 1/8 twist to where the barrel slides free that has no further effect on the disassembly of the rifle. In the pictures I posted before it shows that I was able to make the twist and pull out about 3/16” then it stopped.
Over on Rimfire Central Any known takedown problems? Whats the best price on them? - RimfireCentral.com Forums I found a discussion that mentioned that there has been some heat treating issues and from a question I asked I found out that some of the TD barrels are too soft. Ruger wants me to send mine in I’ll let you know how it turns out

As for the “Ruger’s typical tight tolerances” my TD became harder to take down as the round count went up. Four steel plate matches of around 450 round a fun shoot in the woods of 300or so pluss another 50-100 from sighting in a red dot, I finally thread locked the screws for the scope mount. Brings it to a high estimated total of 2200 since Father’s day, more likely the count is around just 2000 and I clean it after every outing so that it is ready for the next one.
 
#33 · (Edited)
Robret73

Yes by all means let me know how it turns out.

I am not having that problem right now, but who knows if or when.

Even if i make it past 2k rounds it could be a potential future problem.

At least Ruger will stand behind it, if not then Maybe in front of it :eek:

I guess I better get set to run 4 bricks through it one day this next week and see how she does, i have only shot maybe 200 rounds through mine
 
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