RUGER 10/22, OLD AND NEW

William Batterman Ruger is rightfully given credit, throughout the country and across the world, for introducing many recognizable firearm designs. A few contemporary gunwriters have even referred to him as a “genius,” probably because someone else did in the mid-1900s when the Ruger Standard .22 Long Rifle pistol was introduced. Genius? I do not know, but the man certainly had his finger on the postwar pulse of what U.S. shooters wanted and launched one of the most successful firearms manufacturing companies ever known by building a foundry and casting gun parts. This kept manufacturing costs down, accelerated production and allowed making affordable, durable rifles, pistols, revolvers and eventually shotguns.

- LEE J. HOOTS

Ruger definitely was a clever fellow, and that clearly shows up in what I believe to be the most iconic rimfire rifle ever produced, the Ruger 10/22 .22 Long Rifle. The 10/22 showed up in 1964, just four years prior to President Lyndon B. Johnson signing the Gun Control Act of 1968. Over 56 years, more than 7 million 10/22 rifles have been sold, and that number continues to grow at a very quick pace.

Along with that, an entire cottage industry has bloomed around the rifle. Aftermarket gear allows shooters and varmint hunters to easily customize their rifle/rifles with barrels, action upgrades, triggers, stocks, high-capacity magazines, sights and scopes. This allows nearly endless options to suit almost any taste or specialized use, from tin can plinking to competitive shooting and small-game and varmint hunting. Because of this “Lego effect,” no other rimfire can top it. Even the modern, highly modular AR remains a distant second.

Given the number of these Rugers in circulation, it is very unlikely any other rimfire rifle has been put in the role of teaching young (and not so young) shooters safe firearms handling, marksmanship and early hunting lessons and skills. In fact, Ruger’s little autoloading .22 Long Rifle has done – and continues to do – the same for adults. A little poking around on the internet revealed dozens of new shooters (looking for their first rifle) who were considering the 10/22, and dozens more suggesting they buy one and not look back.