Golfbuddy45

I am considering a stainless 10/22 for my grandson. Is there any real difference between an older model 10/22 vs a new model? The new models have any factory mods that have occurred since they started making them in 1964 but are they that significant? Any particular model years that should be avoided?
Thanks,

GB45

scooter89

I was given one my grandpa bought in 67 right before he passed and I have one from 02 or 03, and from my limited knowledge they are of near equal quality, though I feel I shoot the old one better.

weblance

I have a stainless 10/22 from 1989, and 3 new 10/22s from 2011-2012. They are equal in quality IMHO. They shoot the same and function perfectly. There have been some changes over the years, but nothing that dropped the quality. They are still a very well made rifle, that you (or your grandson) will never wear out.

BlkHawk73

If you're wanting stainless, the only difference between the early stainless ones and those now are the polymer parts (trigger housing, trigger, barrel band) and that they now come with an extended magazine release. Other than that...same ol', same ol'.

laidlerj

I've got an older 10/22 that I bought in 1980 or so and a newer stainless steel model I bought in (about) 1998 - apart from the barrel and the silver finish on the SS model's receiver (I think they're both aluminum alloy), I can't find any differences, and I've taken them both apart.

I've heard that the current 10/22's have a polymer trigger housing, but the older ones are made of aluminum alloy, so I'm not sure that's a big difference. I know some folks are death on "plastic" guns but, in my experience (which includes a Remington Nylon 66), the plastic holds up just as well as steel; better, in some cases.

From what I've been able to tell from shooting the current 10/22's, they feel pretty much identical and from a casual inspection of their trigger housing, the internals are not discernibly different from my older ones.

If your goal is to give your grandson a great first rifle, the 10/22 is a great choice; I don't know of any model years that are a problem.

Jim

arg0naut22

the polymer components are probably the only difference. i've watched some youtube videos and videos from ruger itself, and while i FAR prefer wood and steel to plastic, the polymer components seem to hold up and actually be less brittle under stress.

North country gal

I agree - mostly a matter of using polymer in the new ones versus aluminum in the old ones, specifically in the trigger guard and/or barrel band. I do prefer the metal, aesthetically, and I do think the overall fit and finish was nicer on the old ones, but, heck, the new ones shoot just as good and will probably last just as long. My Charger, for instance, is basically a contemporary 10/22 in pistol form and I have been very impressed with the way it shoots. When it comes to that original 10/22 feel, though, nothing says 10/22 like my vintage 1966 10/22.

Golfbuddy45

I appreciate all the responses. Overall I figured it would be like this since after all, they are RUGER made and RUGER has not made any products that I do not trust implicitly.


Now if Ruger would come out with a nice ALL STAINLESS 22" 10/22 in a HIGH GRADE WALNUT STOCK I would be the first to put my dollars on the table!!!


GB45

David B53

The newer ones have a Polymer trigger guard assembly. Ruger claims it to be more durable but personally I like the look of aluminum better (guess I'm old fashioned)

Catman

Many will defend the 'plastic guns / parts' as 'good enough.' IMHO 'good enough' ...isn't. IMO Ruger keeps cutting corners and the consumer keeps defending them as being 'good enough'. First the quality sights were cut ....then the metal butt plate ...then the walnut stocks. Other than design the 10/22 is just a shadow of what it was originally. As an owner of over 40 10/22s about the only ones I shoot are 'pre-prefix' guns. My favorite is an original International.

I, honestly have very little interest in any 10/22 made in the last 20 years.


The open sights on the original 10/22s were MUCH superior to the crap they are putting on them now. Walnut over birch, metal buttplates over plastic ...etc ...


I realize that I'll be branded a heretic ...I see myself as a purist.


.

Redleg

+1 ... I have 10/22s dating from the late 80s to 2012 and they are all remarkably similar in all respects. Enjoy.

303lithgow

I think the older ss ones look better than the new ones because of the polymer parts.