BrianW211

I'm planning to build a 10/22 target (.920 barrel, thumbhole stock, scope, etc.), hopefully this weekend. I'm planning to buy a new 10/22 stainless carbine and I've already got a 10/22 stainless carbine that's almost 20 years old. It's been meticulously cared for and has less than 1000 rounds through it. I want two rifles when I'm done, but my question is which one to use for the target rifle? I.e. will one will make a better target rifile than the other? I've read that the new trigger assembly might have some disadvantages compared to the older version for some upgrades. Looking for advice from the more experienced...

Akboater

I'm starting a target 10/22 build myself and just bought a stainless 10/22 for the action rather than cannabalize one I already have. I'd be curious about the triggers too! I'm looking at the Richard's Microfit stock, a Shilen barrel and (maybe) a Volquartsen trigger. Still trying to decide on glass...

I'll be interested to see what you end up doing with yours!

Iowegan

BrianW211, The only thing different about a stainless steel model versus a blued model is the barrel and the color of the receiver. Both blued and stainless models have aluminum alloy receivers ... one is powder coated black and the other is powder coated silver. Until very recently, both models had the same exact internal parts. With newer models, the trigger guard housing is made of polymer whereas the older ones were made of aluminum alloy. The polymer trigger group also have an extended magazine release, which comes in handy. Another advantage of the polymer trigger groups is they are the same color all the way through so if you get a scratch it won't show "white" like it does with powder coated aluminum trigger groups. That said, I still prefer the metal trigger group found on older models.

I recently purchased a 10/22 Take Down (stainless steel) and when I took it apart, I found Ruger had changed the hammer completely. Instead of a carbon steel hammer with hammer bushings, it's a solid stainless steel hammer with no bushings. I much prefer the older blued hammer with bushings. I haven't seen a very recent stainless Carbine but I'm assuming Ruger changed the hammer in those too???? Maybe in the blued models too????

If I were looking for a donor, I would buy an older used 10/22 blued carbine with the aluminum alloy trigger group. If you plan to replace the barrel, it really doesn't matter if the donor had a stainless steel barrel or not. The receiver can either be left black (nice contrast in my opinion), or you can buff it out and turn it silver. Neither a factory silver receiver or a buffed out receiver truly match the color of a stainless steel barrel.

Iowegan

Here's a picture showing all the internal parts in the trigger group. The "old" on the left and the "new" on the right. Note on the new side ... the hammer is a single part ... no bushings and is is cast stainless steel as is the disconnector. The trigger is polymer on the "new" side and aluminum on the "old" side. The "old" magazine release is aluminum and the "new" extended magazine release is polymer. The rest of the parts are the same.

BlkHawk73

If all that's reall needed is the receiver and action parts, buy used. Strip the receiver if needed and your ready. Only issue with the polymer housings is their manufactered too tighter tolerances to the better kits (Kidd) designed for them may or may not fit perfectly in the alloy ones. Mine did.

BrianW211

Thanks for the replies. I bought a new stainless 10/22 carbine yesterday and built the target gun with the new one.

This is what I'm building:

Stock: Revolution Extreme Electric Blue
Barrel: Keystone Sporting Arms Fluted Stainless .920 18"
Scope: Mueller 4.5-14x40 AO APV Scope silver (waiting for this to arrive)
Scope mount: DNZ Game Reaper silver

Will wait on any trigger mods until I've taken it out.