got my 10/22, what upgrades to consider?

[alan]

just picked up my first 10/22, and i gotta say, these things are amazing! shoots great out of the box, but the customization options are what really get me excited. trying to pace myself here, but i wanna start making it my own little piece of freedom. what upgrades or mods have you done that really made a difference or just enhanced the fun factor? where should i start?

 

[Deleted member 18]

@Alan I wish I had one of those dang things. Everybody says they are terrific. Maybe tomorrow.

Hope you will keep us informed on ownership, reliability, shootability, etc.

 

[alan]

I grew up with the Marlin 60, but they look so much fun to customize...so that's what drives my interest.

I think it would be fun to have an internal suppressed...but you know...dreams.

 

[Roguehunter]

When I got my first 10/22, the best upgrades were a better trigger and a simple red dot. Later I added an extended mag release, each change made it smoother and more fun to shoot

 

[ntsqd]

Step 1: Better trigger, how much do you want to spend? I consider the BX to be the trigger that they should be sold with new. Everything aftermarket is a step up or more from there. If budget is a serious constraint I'd start with the BX.

Step 2: Better sights, harder to do. The first sight upgrade I borrowed the Redfield Palma's off another rifle for it. I later bought some Lyman 90 & 93 MJT target sights for it, both now NLA.
I built one specifically for optics. Leupold will, or used to, re-set a non-AO scope's focal point for rimfire. I bought a 3-9x compact and sent it in for this. Some on RFC talk about doing it themselves, but I didn't want to mess with a new scope.

Ironically the first mod that I made to my first 10/22 was a .920 barrel. It is not marked, but I think it is a Green Mountain. Bought it now 30-odd years ago. In those days Ruger barrels were notoriously bad. Not so true any more.
ETA: This is the rifle that got the Palma sights and it has been banned as an unfair advantage by my shooting friends in any friendly competition.

 

[_Rodson]

One upgrade I always suggest right off the bat is swapping out that factory bolt handle for something oversized or extended. It just makes charging the rifle so much smoother and way more comfy, especially if you're using optics. You’ll really appreciate the difference when you're out there.

 

[Steve Hendry]

This was a $150.00 Ruger 10/22. I run Norma match in this. I have to run a soft return spring in this for it to cycle. At 100 yards, this shoots like a 1,000-dollar bolt action does. I probably have twice that in this. It's not a hobby, it's an addiction. I paid under 200 for the scope, I have the play money to upgrade, and it would be a plus to have good glass. The last few months, I've been obsessed with my Smith and Wesson M 41. So there is that.

 

[Havasu]

Very impressive Steve!

 

[Steve Hendry]

Back to what should I do with my 10/2?
There are so many options for that rifle. The barrel is going to be the thing that makes it shoot the straightest. I think the trigger is in second place.. I am not a gunsmith, and I do seek these guys out when I buger stuff up. If you shoot that Ruger a lot. It will break, dictating which part to buy next.

 

[KonoctisWigwam]

Back to what should I do with my 10/2?
There are so many options for that rifle. The barrel is going to be the thing that makes it shoot the straightest. I think the trigger is in second place.. I am not a gunsmith, and I do seek these guys out when I buger stuff up. If you shoot that Ruger a lot. It will break, dictating which part to buy next.

What about a trigger upgrade? Do you have the original trigger in it?

The rifle club I used to RSO at, bought a lot of them to hold events for kids. They shoot pretty good out of the box, but you really need to get up into the custom built rifles with Anschultz stocks...those rifles are very impressive.

Since you already have a scope, what about the trigger?

 

[Steve Hendry]

I did my 10/22 about eleven years ago. I do not remember the brand or model; it's a 2 lb pull, which is good for me. My son likes one pound. There are so many options, I think some of the options are better than those of ten years ago. The trigger kit was after the barrel. Some things I've done twice. Like getting the Benson 400 trigger, then finding out the Benson 500 is better. There is some really cool stuff out of the box. Some folks like the "I did that". Which can be a step or two back.

 

[Bigfoot 16]

just picked up my first 10/22, and i gotta say, these things are amazing! shoots great out of the box, but the customization options are what really get me excited. trying to pace myself here, but i wanna start making it my own little piece of freedom. what upgrades or mods have you done that really made a difference or just enhanced the fun factor? where should i start?

I like the Hogue overmolded stocks on my 10/22. They make it much easier to handle it.

 

[alan]

@Alan I wish I had one of those dang things. Everybody says they are terrific. Maybe tomorrow.

Hope you will keep us informed on ownership, reliability, shootability, etc.

When it comes to reliability, I can honestly say I've never had a rimfire rifle that performs as well as this one does, no matter what ammo I throw at it. It's the kind of gun you can just grab, toss in your bag, and head to the range with confidence, knowing it'll get the job done without any hassle.

And let me tell you about shootability, it’s an absolute blast. The recoil is light, the controls are super intuitive, and that classic feel just makes it perfect for those long shooting sessions without wearing you out. Whether you’re showing a newbie the ropes or just having fun plinking away at a brick of .22, it’s hard not to grin when you’re behind the trigger.

For the ownership.... this is where the 10/22 really stands out. It’s not just about shooting, it’s about personalizing, upgrading, and truly making it your own. I've swapped out triggers, played with stocks, changed barrels, and even built it from the ground up. Each little mods feels like a step deeper into the hobby. You learn, experiment, and ultimately create something that really mirrors your style and what you want to do with it.