Ruger

10/22 Maintenance and

Customization Guide
Introduction..................................................................................................................................................2
OperatingTips...............................................................................................................................................3
TypicalMalfunctions.....................................................................................................................................4
FailuretoFeed......................................................................................................................................4
FailuretoFire........................................................................................................................................4
FailuretoEject......................................................................................................................................5
Maintenance.................................................................................................................................................6
Howoftenshouldyouclean?...............................................................................................................6
Beforeyoustart............................................................................................................................................7
Disassembly,CleaningandReassembly........................................................................................................8
Task1:EnsuringSafety.............................................................................................................................8
Task2:RemovingtheStock......................................................................................................................8
Task3:RemovetheTriggerGroup...........................................................................................................9
Task4:RemovetheBolt...........................................................................................................................9
Task5:CleaningtheReceiverandBarrel................................................................................................10
Task6:Disassemble,CleanandLubetheTriggerGroup........................................................................11
Task7:ReAssembletheTriggerGroup..................................................................................................12
Part7A:Trigger/SearAssembly:.........................................................................................................12
Part7B:HammerAssembly................................................................................................................13
Part7C:BoltLockandEjector.............................................................................................................14
Part7.D:MagazineCatchandRelease.............................................................................................14
Task8:ReAssembletheAction..............................................................................................................14
Task9:InstalltheStockandProtectfromRust......................................................................................15
Task10:CleaningtheMagazine..............................................................................................................16
DisassemblyandCleaning...................................................................................................................16
ReassemblyoftheMagazine..............................................................................................................16
Customization.............................................................................................................................................18
Sights...................................................................................................................................................18
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Stock....................................................................................................................................................18
Magazinerelease................................................................................................................................18
AutoBoltrelease.................................................................................................................................18
EnhancedTriggers...............................................................................................................................18
Accurizingthebarrelandbolt.............................................................................................................19
BoltGuideandHandle........................................................................................................................19
ActionPolishing...................................................................................................................................20
Sling.....................................................................................................................................................20
Resourcesfor10/22Owners......................................................................................................................21
PartsandAccessoriesSuppliers..........................................................................................................21
InternetDiscussionForums....................................................................................................................21

Introduction
TheRuger10/22isa.22LRcaliber,boxmagazinefed,blowbackaction,semiautomaticrifle.Itwasfirst
soldin1964.The10/22isanexcellentexampleoffirearmdesign:easytooperate,quiteaccurate,
reliable,light,inexpensivetobuildandthereforetobuy,andsimpletomaintainincludingdisassembly
andreassembly.ItisnowonderthatoverfivemillionoftheserifleshavebeensoldbyRugerasof2013.
Properlymaintained,a10/22shouldlastyoumanyhundredsofthousands,ifnotmillions,ofrounds.
Thisguideprovidesstepbystepinstructionsformaintainingyour10/22.Italsoprovidessuggestionsfor
severalwaystocustomizethe10/22toimproveitsperformanceandergonomics.Toseehowcreatively
onecancustomizethe10/22,browsethroughtheUltimate10/22sectionoftherimfirecentral.com
discussionforumontheWeb.

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Operating Tips
The10/22issimpletooperate,butthereareafewcommonthingsthatshootersnewtoitshouldkeep
inmind:

Dontbegentleinsertingthemagazine.Insertitdecisively,makingsureitclicksintoplace.
Youcanthurtit.Ifthemagisnotfullyinserted,theroundswillnotfeed.

Themagazinefacesdowntoremoveit.Dontholdtheriflesidewaysorupsidedownand
trytoprythemagazineoutwithfingers.Letitfallfree,intoyourhandorontothetable.
Gravityisyourfriend.Ifthemagazinedoesnotfalloutfreely,makesureitiscleanandthat
thereisnothingblockingthemagwell.Ifthemagazinecontinuestostick,youmayneedto
widenthemagwellslightlywithsomesandpaper.

TooperatetheOEMboltlock,usethe4stepmethod.Thefourstepsare:
1. BoltBack:pullthebolthandlebackwithindexfingerorthumb.
2. BoltForward:pullthebolthandleback,thenreleaseittospringforward.Dontridethe
boltforward,asthiscancausemisfeeds.
3. BladeIn:Presstheboltlocklever(ascallopedortriangularbladebetweenthetrigger
guardandthemagazinerelease)intowardsthetriggerguard.
4. BladeOut:Releasetheboltlocklever.

Tolocktheboltback:Dothestepsinthisorder:1324.AfterStep3,holdingthebladein,
allowthebolttocreepforward.Asyoufeelitcatchontheraisedboltlock,releasethe
blade.

Toreleasethebolt:Dothestepsinthisorder:1342.Whenyoureleasethebladewith
theboltfullyback,theboltlockdescendsbelowthebolt,allowingthebolttopassoverit.

Youcanoperatetheboltonehandedwiththerighthandifyouhookyourthumboverthe
bolthandle,allowingyourfingerstocurlunderthetriggerguard;youcanthenoperatethe
bladewithyourmiddleorringfinger.Ifyouhaveironsights,youcanevendoitlefthanded.

Whenshooting,holdtheriflefirmlyintothepocketbetweenyourshoulderand
collarbone.Ifyoudonotholdthebuttstocksolidlyagainstyourbody,theriflewillmove
underrecoil.Thiswillcauseinaccurateshots;itwillalsocausefailurestoejectasthefired
casegetscaughtinthereceiverinsteadofbeingthrownfreelytotheside.

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Typical Malfunctions
Mostmalfunctionsarecausedbyadirtyrifleorbyimproperinstallationofparts.Followingisalistof
thetypicalmalfunctionsandtheirusualdiagnoses:

Symptoms:
Rounddoesnotfeedfrommagazineinto
chamber
Roundmaycatchverticallyinthemagazine
feedlips
Roundmaycatchonthebreechface
Boltmaynotclosemorethanhalfway.

Causesandcures:
Magazineisnotfullyseated.Pressitinuntil
itclicks.
Magazineisdirty.Cleanit.
Magazinespringhasinsufficienttension.
Disassemblemagazineandensurethe
springhas1turnsofpretensionduring
reassembly.
Magazinesticksuptoohigh,contactsbolt.
NormallyhappenswithnonRuger
magazines,orwhenrestingthe25round
magonthegroundorbenchwhileshooting
whichpushesthemagupintothewell.Try
differentmagazineandkeepitup.

Symptoms:
Misfire(dud):rounddoesnotfireatall.
Hangfire:roundfiresafteradelaydueto
slowprimerorpowderignition
Squib:roundfiresweakly,withanunusually
quietsoundandlittleornorecoil.Caused
bydefectiveammowithnoorinsufficient
powderinthecase.Thebulletmaybe
lodgedinthebarrel.DONOTFIREANOTHER
SHOT,makeriflesafeandinspectthe
barrel.untilthebarreliscleared.Firinga
followupshotbehindasquibcandestroy
thebarrelorreceiverandcausesevere
injuriestotheshooterorbystanders.

Causesandcures:
Dudsmostoftenareduetoavoidinthe
primerwithinthecaserim.Rotateroundso

Failure to Feed

Failure to Fire
SafetyNotes

1. Ifarounddoesnotfire,holdthe
muzzleinasafedirectionfor30
secondstoensureitisnota
hangfirebeforeejectingit.
2. Ifyoususpectasquib,ceasefiring
immediatelyandmaketherifle
safe.Inspecttheboretomake
surethereisnobulletstuckinit.
Donotfireagainuntilyouhave
verifiedthatthebarrelisclear.

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thatanewpartofcaserimfacesup,andit
shouldfire.Ifnot,lookforothercauses.
Boltfaceand/orbreechfaceisdirty,
causingroundtochamberincompletely.
Firingpinenergywastedindrivinground
forwardratherthancrushingcaserim.
Firingpinobstructedbysludgeinits
channel.Disassembleandcleanbolt
assembly.
Ifhammerstrutspringwasreplacedwith
lighterspring,insufficientforceonhammer.
ReplacewithOEMhammerspring.
Verydirtytriggergroupimpedinghammer
travel.

Symptoms:
Stovepipe:firedcasecaughtbetweenbolt
andreceiver,stickssidewaysfromejection
port.
Firedcasecaughtinsidereceiver,above
newround

Causesandcures:
Boltiscyclingtooslowly,firedcasehitsbolt
andisstuckinsideratherthanbeingthrown
free.
Actiongummedup.
Scopebasemountscrewstoolong,rubbing
ontopofbolt.
Actionnotproperlylubed.
Magazineseatedtoohigh,catchingonbolt
orfiredcasecatchingonfeedlips
Hammerstrutincorrectlyinstalled.

Failure to Eject

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Maintenance
Likeanymachine,the10/22requiresregularmaintenanceinordertoprovidereliable,consistent
service.Maintenanceiscomprisedofthreecategories:

Cleaning:Theactionisthemostimportantparttoclean.Mostfailuresarecausedbydirty
bolts,receivers,andmagazines.Becauseoftheblowbackoperation,burnedgases,
unburnedpowder,andbulletlubeareforcefullysprayedintotheactionandmagazine.

Thebarrelistheleastimportant.A.22doesntmakeenoughpressureorbulletvelocityfor
barrelfoulingtobemuchofaproblem.

Lubrication:Thereareonlyacoupleofplacesthatgetalittledrylube.Manyfailuresaredue
totoomuchoil,oroilinthewrongplaces,whichturnsintoastickysludgeafterashorttime
ofshooting.AdryTeflontypelubethatdoesnotattractandholddirtisrecommendedfor
theaction.Someownersputasmalldabofgreaseonthesear/hammerinterfaceandthe
slotattherearofthehammer,butthesearetheonlyplaceswheregreaseshouldbeused.
Itisbettertoruntherifledrythantooverlubeit.

RustProtection:Especiallyifyouliveinahumidorsaltyenvironment,certainpartsneed
protectionfromrust.Thebore,barrel,andcharginghandleareespeciallyvulnerable.

Becausethe10/22issosimpletoworkon,youcancompleteabasicyetthoroughcleaninginlessthan
twentyminutes.Acompletedisassembly,cleaningandreassemblytakeslessthananhour.Sothereis
noexcuseforfailurestofeed,fireorejectduetoadirtyrifle.
How often should you clean?
Thiscanbeacontroversialsubject,andpeopleoftenholdstrongopinionsonit.Agoodanswerdepends
onhowyouuseyourrifle.Ifyouareabenchrestshootergoingfor.25groups,itmightbeevery100
shots.Othercompetitiveshootersmightcleanaftereachday.Someownerscleanwhentheirgroups
openup,orwhentheriflebeginstomalfunction.Othersfollowtherulethatonedoesnotgotobed
withadirtyrifle.
Visualinspectionwillalsohelpyoudecide.Somebrandsofammunitionaredirtierthanothers,inboth
thepowdersootandthelubeonthebullets.Ifyouseegunkinyouraction,youprobablyneedtoclean.
Theansweralsodependsonwhatkindofcleaningyoudo.Ifyoucleanthebore,breech,boltandaction
frequentlywithpatchesandsolvent,youwillnotgettheheavyfoulingthatrequiresabrush.Thetrigger
groupdoesnotgetverydirtyandcaneasilygoforseveralthousandshotsbetweendisassemblyand
cleaning.
Ishootmy10/22saboutonceaweek.Mypreferenceistocleanthebore,breech,andboltfaceafter
everyshootingdaynotonlyforcleanliness,buttorenewtherustprotectionwhiletheriflesitsinthe

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cabinetforuptoaweekortwoatatime.Keepingtheseactionpartscleanensuresreliablefeeding,
ignition,andejectionandconsistentpointofimpact.Onceamonth,theboltisremovedandtheinside
ofthereceivercleanedandlubed.TwoorthreetimesperyearIwilldisassemblethetriggergroupfora
fullcleaningandlube.
Magazinesgetdirtyratherquickly.Thismakesensewhenyouconsiderthatthemagazineisdirectly
belowwhereallthegasandunburnedpowdercomeoutthebreechaftereachshot.Inumbermy
magazines,andassoonasaparticularmaggivesonefailuretofeed,itgetssetasideforafullcleaning.

Before you start

ToolsRequired:Youdontneedanyspecializedtoolstoworkonyourrifle.Youwillneed:

Flatbladescrewdriver,1/4or5/16inchwidth.Ideally,ahollowgroundorparallelface
gunsmithdriver,butanormalonewilldo.
Apunchordrifttopushthepinsout,couldbesteel,brassorwood.Kebabsticksareoften
1/8diameter,justrightfornonmarringpushingofpins.
Smallhammerforthepunchifthepinsaresticky
5/32inchhexkey(Allenwrench)ifyouplantoremovethebarrel
9/64inchhexkeyfordisassemblingthemagazine

Workarea:Notrequired,butyouwouldliketohave:

Awelllitbenchortable,largeenoughforyourrifle,withdesignatedspacestoputtoolsand
parts.
Apadortoweltoresttherifleon(alight,solidcolorisbestsoitiseasytofindsmallparts)
Dishtoholdsmallpartsastheyareremoved

CleaningSupplies:

Boresnake,patchworm,orcleaningrodwithapatchholderandbrassbrushandpatches,
sizedfor.22caliber.
Muzzleguard(boreguide)toprotectthemuzzlecrownifyouareusingacleaningrodfrom
themuzzleend.
Smallbrush,eitherbrassorplastic(usedtoothbrushworksfine).
AfewQTips.
Afewcleanrags.
Guncleaningsolvent;
Gunoil;
Or,acombinationsolvent/oilsuchasBreakFreeCLPorBallistol.

Nowyourereadytobeginworkingonyourrifle.

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Disassembly, Cleaning and Reassembly

Ifyouaregoingtoreplaceactionparts,haveyournewpartsreadyontheworkareatosubstitutefor
theOEMpartsduringreassembly.
Asageneralrule,pinsaredrivenoutfromtheleftsidetotheright,andinsertedfromrighttoleft.

Task 1: Ensuring Safety

Thefirstthingyoudowhenpickingupyour10/22,andeverytimeyoupickuporarehandedafirearm,
isclearitandensureitisinsafecondition.
1. KEEPINGTHEMUZZLEINASAFEDIRECTION,pushthesafetytoSAFE.Ifitdoesnotgoall
thewaytotheright,dothenexttwostepsandthenrepeatthisone.
2. Removethemagazine,ifthereisoneinthewell.
3. Locktheboltback.
4. Checkthechambertoensurethereisnoroundinit.
5. Makesuretherearenoloadedmagazinesorlooseammunitionanywherenearyour
workarea.
6. Ifyouaretransportingtherifleawayfromyourbench,orarenotworkingontheaction,
insertachamberflag.Thisallowsyouandothersnearbytoquicklyrecognizethatthe
rifleisinasafecondition,andpreventsanyonefromaccidentallyinsertingaround.The
postofthechamberflagshouldgointothechamber,notmerelylieinthereceiver.
Keepyourchamberflagcleansoitdoesnotpickupdirtthatwouldscratchthe
chamber.

Task 2: Removing the Stock

1. Ifyourriflehasabarrelband,loosenitsscrewsoitisquiteloose,thenslideitforward
offthestockandoverthemuzzle.Ifyoudonotsufficientlyloosenthebarrelbandit
mayscratchthestockasyouslideitforward.
2. Ontheundersideoftherifle,justinfrontofthemagazinewell,isa5/16flatslotted
screw.2013andnewer10/22shaveahexheadscrew.Loosenthisscrewuntilitisfree
ofthereceiver.Thescrewiscapturedinthestock,soyoudonthavetoremoveit
completelyunlessyouwanttoaddsomeLocTitetothethreads.
3. Releasethebolt,setthesafetytoFire,thenpullthetriggertodecockthehammer.
4. Pushthesafetyintotherightitwillonlygohalfway.Holdingthesafetyinthis
centeredposition,liftthebarreledreceiverawayfromthestock.Ifthesafetyisallthe
wayleftorrightitwillhanguponthesideofthestockandpreventremoval,and
possiblyscratchthestock.
5. Laythestocksafelytothesideofyourworkarea.Donotstanditupchancesareitwill
fallandgetscratched.

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Task 3: Remove the Trigger Group

Boltstoppin

Receivercrosspins

Photo3.1showingpinsfortriggergroupandboltremoval

1. CyclethebolttocockthehammerandsetthesafetytoSAFE.Ifthehammerisforward
(inthefiredposition),itspressureontheboltwillmakeithardtoremovethepinsin
Step2.
2. Workingfromtheleftsideofthereceiver,pushoutthetworeceivercrosspinsandset
themaside.Thepinsareeasiertopushoutifyoudothefrontonefirst.
3. Pullthetriggergroupdownoutofthereceiver.Setitaside.

Task 4: Remove the Bolt

Photo4.1:Boltassemblyandtriggergroup
separatedfromreceiver.Redpinattopleftis
apolyurethanebufferwhichreplacesOEM
steelboltstoppintoreduceshockandnoise
whenboltcycles.

1. Withapunch,pushtheboltstoppin,fromlefttoright,outofthereceiver.
2. Turnthereceiverupsidedown.Pullthebolthandleallthewaytotherear.
3. Lifetheboltoutofthereceiver.Onsomenewerrifles,theboltmayhanguponaburrat
thecorneroftheboltguideshelf(aledgecastintothereceiver,seePhoto4.2).Ifthis
happens,turnthereceiveroverandtapitgentlyagainstthetopofyourbench.Thiswill
allowthebackofthebolttofallfreeandthefrontwillfollow.Later,youcanfilethe
burrfromtheboltguideshelftosolvethisproblem.
4. Pullthebolthandle/guiderodassemblyoutthroughtheejectionport.

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Photo4.2:
Onmynew10/22,bolt
catchesonaburrat
endofguideshelf.
Boltatedgeofboltguideshelf

Photo4.3:
Ifneeded,gentlyfile
thecornerandendof
theshelftosoftenthe
edgesandmake
clearanceforthebolt.
Goslowlyandtestfit
beforetakingofftoo
much.

Cornerofboltguideshelf

Task 5: Cleaning the Receiver and Barrel

1. Ifnecessary,cleantheborewithyourboresnake,patchworm,orcleaningrodand
patches,andyourfavoritesolvent.Ifthebarrelandchamberareheavilyfouled,usethe
brassbrushwithsolvent.Besuretopushthebrushallthewaythroughdonotreverse
brushdirectionwhileitisstillinthebarrel.

TIP:Ifyouuseacleaningrodfromthemuzzle,youmustuseamuzzleguardtoprotect
themuzzlecrownfromscratching.Scratchingthecrowncanruintheaccuracyofthe
rifle.

2. Useyourbrushandsolventtocleanthebreechface(endofthebarrelfacingthebolt).
Besuretocleantheextractorchannelontherightsideofthebreech.
3. Useyourbrushorrags,QTipsandsolventtocleantheinsideofthereceiver.
4. Drythebreechandreceiverwithacleanrag.
5. Oiltheborelightlytopreventcorrosion.
6. Ifyoudesire,putathincoatofdrylubeontheinsideofthereceiver;donotforgetthe
boltguideshelfabovetheejectionport.Allowthislubetodrybeforereassembly.

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Task 6: Disassemble, Clean and Lube the Trigger Group

2
1

Photo6.1:
Triggergroupbeforedisassembly.
Numberedpinsare:
1:Magrelease/boltlockpin
2:Ejectorpin
3:Hammerpivotpin
4:Triggerpivotpin

3
4

1. Turnthetriggergroupsotheleftsidefacesup.Notethatthehammerpivotpinislarger
(.154)thantheotherthreepins(.122).
2. Ifthehammerisuncocked(upandfacingforward),pushitbacktothecockedposition
andsetthesafetytoSAFE.Thiswillgiveyouroomtoworkinthefrontofthehousing
whilepreventingthehammerfromspringingforwardifyoushouldaccidentallybrush
thetrigger.
3. Locatethemagazinelatch/boltlockpivotpinatthelowerleftofthehousing(pin1in
photo),justabovetheboltlocklever.Withapunch,pushthepinout.
4. Pushthemagazinecatchallthewayin,andpullthemagazinereleasestraightdownto
removeit.Gentlyallowthemagazinecatchtomoveforwardandremoveit.
5. Locatetheboltlock/ejectorpinnearthetopofthehousing(Pin2inphoto).Useyour
punchtopushthepinout.Thiswillalsoreleasethetensionfromtheboltlockspring.
Removetheboltlockandejector.
Photo6.2:Ejector(top),ejectorpin,and
boltlock(bottom).Notetherounded
holeattherightoftheboltlock,which
makesitanautoboltrelease.

6. SetthesafetytoFIRE.Putyourthumborfingersoverthehammertocushionits
movement,andpullthetriggertodecockthehammer.Allowthehammergentlytofall
forwarduntilthehammerstrutfallsfreeofitsslotinthebackofthehammer.Remove

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7.

8.

9.
10.
11.
12.

thehammerstrut;ifmayfalloutifyouturnthehousingover,oryoumayhavetopush
itfromtheholeattherearofthehousingwithyourpunch.
Locatethehammerpivotpinatthecenterofthehousing(Pin3inphoto6.1).Pushthis
pinout.Turnthehousingoverandallowthehammerandboltlockspringtofallout.If
youhaveanolder10/22,thehammerbushingsarecastintothehammer;onnewer
models,thepolymerbushingsareseparatefromthehammer.
Locatethetriggerpivotpin(Pin4inphoto6.1).Pushitoutslightlytotheright.TIP:Put
yourlefthandoverthetriggerguardtocatchanysmallpartsorsprings,andwithyour
righthandpullthepintherestofthewayout.Thesearandsearspringarelikelytopop
outintoyourlefthand.Pullthetrigger/disconnectorassemblyoutofthetopofthe
housing,beingcarefulnottoallowthedisconnectorpintofallout.
Removethetriggerreturnplungeranditsspringfromtherearofthetriggerguard.
WithQTipsandsolvent,cleantheinsideofthetriggerhousing,includingtheholefor
themagazinecatch.Thendryit.
Witharagandsolvent,cleanthetriggergrouppartsthoroughly,thendrythem.
Ifyoudesire,putaverysmalldabofgreaseordrylubeonthehammersearsurfaceand
thelowerpartoftheslotwherethehammerstrutridesinthehammer

Task 7: Re-Assemble the Trigger Group

Part 7A: Trigger/Sear Assembly:

Photo7.1showingtriggergrouppartsinrelativepositions

1. Gatherthetriggerreturnplungerandspring,trigger,disconnector,disconnectorpivot
pin,sear,andsearspring.(Photo7.1)
2. Insertthetriggerreturnplungerandspringintotheholeatthebackofthetrigger
guard.
3. Insertthedisconnectorintothetopofthetrigger,lineuptheholes,andinsertthepin.If
thepinisaloosefitandfallsouteasily,youcanholditinplacewithsomemaskingtape
oneachside.

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4. Insertthesearspringintoitsholeinthesear.Placethesearinpositionunderthe
disconnector,andinserttheotherendofthespringintotheholeinthedisconnector.
Pressthedisconnectordownontothesearandreleaseitslowly;thisshouldholdthe
searanddisconnectortogether.Ifitdoesnot,youcanuseashortcheaterpintohold
themtogetherwhileyouwork.
5. Holdthetriggergrouphousingvertically.Removeanymaskingtapeandlowerthe
triggerassemblyintothehousing.Onceitisinsidethehousingthesidesofthehousing
willpreventthedisconnectorpinfromfallingout.Lineuptheholesforthetriggerpivot
pinandinsertthepin.

Part 7B: Hammer Assembly

Photo7.2showingpartsofhammerassemblyinrelativepositions

1. Gatherthehammer,bushings,boltlockspring,hammerstrut,andhammerpivotpin.
(Photo7.2)
2. Insertthebushingsintothehammer,ifneeded.Placetheboltlockspringontheright
sideofthehammersothatthehammerisinthemiddleoftheVwiththedoglegarm
facingforward.
3. Insertthehammerassemblyintothehousing,lineuptheholes,andinsertthehammer
pivotpin.YoumayhavetosetthesafetytoFIREandpullthetriggerslightlytolineup
theholes.
4. SetthesafetytoFIRE.Pullthehammerforwardtomakeroomforinsertingthehammer
strut.Placethehammerstrut,withtheopenpartoftheCclipfacingupward,intoits
holeattherearofthehousingandpressitinplace.
5. Pullthehammerupandbackandinserttheendofthestrutintoitsslotintherearof
thehammer.Pressthehammerallthewaybackuntilitcocks.
6. Withyourlefthandfingersoverthehammer,pressthetriggertotestthefunctionof
thetriggerandhammerassemblies.

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Part 7C: Bolt Lock and Ejector

1. Gathertheboltlock,ejector,andboltlock/ejectorpin.
2. Pulltheboltlockspringbackandinserttheboltlockintothehousing;themainpartof
theboltlockgoesflushagainsttheleftsideofthehousing.Pushthespringdown;the
doglegshouldgointoitsslotintherightsideoftheboltlock.
3. Pressthestraightarmofthespringforwardanddownbelowthepinholeontheright
sideofthehousing.Insertthepinpartwaytocapturethespring.
4. Placetheejectoroverthepin,withthepointoftheejectoratthetop,facingforward.
Pushthepinallthewayin.Placetheejectorinitsslotatthefrontofthehousing.

Part 7.D: Magazine Catch and Release

1. Gatherthemagazinecatch,magcatchspring,magazinerelease,andmagrelease/bolt
lockpivotpin.(Photo7.D)
2. Placethemagcatchspringovertheshankofthemagcatch.Insertthemagcatchintoits
holeatthefrontofthehousing.
3. Pressthemagcatchallthewayin.Insertthemagreleaseintothebottomofthe
housingsothattheverticalpartgoestotherightofthemagcatchandabovetheshank.
Releasethemagcatch.Themagreleaseshouldnowbecapturedinplacebythemag
catch.
4. Lineuptheholesandinsertthepivotpinfromtherightside.Youmayhavetoinsertthe
pinpartway,keeplightpressureonit,andthenwigglethemagreleasetoclearitshole,
andthenwiggletheboltlocktoalignitandfullyinsertthepin.
5. Testthemagreleaseandtheboltlocktoensuretheyfunctioncorrectly.

Task 8: Re-Assemble the Action

1. Turnthereceiverupsidedown.Inserttheboltguiderodinthroughtheejectionport
andplaceitspointintotheanchorwellinthereceiver.

Photo8.1showingguiderodplacedinanchorwellinsidereceiver.

2. Putafingerinfrontofthebolthandleinsidethereceiverandpullthebolthandleallthe
wayback.Ifitbinds,pushslightlyforwardontheoutsidepartofthebolthandlewith
yourotherhandtostraightenitontheguiderod.

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3. Holdingthebolthandleinplace,droptheboltin.Putslightdownwardpressureonthe
boltandeasethebolthandleforwardafractionofaninch.Youwillhearandfeelthe
bolthandlesnapintoitsgrooveinthebolt.Easethebolthandletherestoftheway
forward.

4.

5.
6.
7.

Photo8.2showinghowbolthandlefitsintoslotinbolt.

Installtheboltstoppin.TIP:Ifyouareusingapolymerboltbuffer,itgoesineasierwith
alittlelubeattheendandatwistingmotionasyoupushit.Youmayalsoneedtoalign
theendwithafingerfrominsidethereceivertogetitintothesecondhole.
Pullandreleasethebolthandletotestthefunctionoftheboltassembly.
WiththehammercockedandthesafetyonSAFE,insertthetriggergroupintothe
receiver.Insertthereceivercrosspins.
Worktheboltanddryfiretotestthefunctionofthecompletedaction.

Task 9: Install the Stock and Protect from Rust

1. Wipedownthebarrelwithalightlyoiledragtopreventrust.(Gunoil,oryourfavorite
rustpreventative)
2. Decockthehammerandputthesafetyinthehalfwayposition.
3. Insertthebarreledactionintothestock.
4. Ifyoudesire,removetheactionscrewandputalittleblueLocTiteonthethreads.
Tightentheactionscrewsoitissnug.IprefertouseLocTitethanriskovertightening
thescrew.
5. Wipedownthebarrelwhereyoutouchedit,andthebolthandle,withalightlyoiledrag
tokeepthemfromrusting.

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Task 10: Cleaning the Magazine

Disassembly and Cleaning

1. Cleantheoutsideofthemagazine,includingthemagazinethroat,witharagandsome
solvent.
2. Withyourhandoverthecapnutattheotherendofthemag,usea9/64hexwrenchto
loosenthescrew.Oncethescrewisloose,pushthescrewin;thecapnutshouldpress
outofthemagazinecap.
3. Removethecapnutandthescrew.
4. Removethemagazinecap.
5. Removethemagazinerotorandspringasanassembly;theyshouldstaytogetherand
donotneedtocomeapart.
6. Ifthemagazinethroatdoesnotpopoffduringsteps4or5,removeitnow.Notethatit
hasalargenubononeendandasmallnubontheother,andwhichendofthe
magazineeachfitsinto.
7. WitharagorQTipdampwithsolvent,cleanoutthemagazineshell,themagazinecap,
andthesurfacesofthemagazinerotor.Theinsideoftherotor,wherethespringis,does
notgetdirty.
8. Dryallthepartsyoucleaned.Nooilisneededinthemagazine.Oilwilljustattractgunk
tocreatesludge.
Reassembly of the Magazine

Photo10.1showingrotorpositionandmagthroatinsertedafterStep3

2014byRobertNewton

Page16of21

1. Insertthescrewintothemagshell.
2. Inserttherotorwiththelongvanefacingthetopedgeofthemagazineshell,atthe1
oclockposition.SeePhoto10.1.
3. Insertthemagthroat.
4. Insertthemagcap.
5. Inspectthemagcapnut.Notethatthereisaholeinitsshank.Insertthemagcapnut
insidethespring,sothatthepointedendofthemagspringseatsintothishole.
6. Holdthemaginonehandwiththescrewheadtowardsthepalm.Withyourother
hand,graspthecapnutbetweentwofingersandturnit1.5turns,thenpressitintothe
hexagonalholeinthemagcap.Thispreloadsthespringsothatroundswillfeed
properly.Thespringtensionshouldholdthecapnutinplacenowbutpressafingerover
ittobesure.
7. Tightenthescrewsothatitissnug,butdonotovertighten.

YOUARENOWDONE.ENJOYSHOOTINGYOURCLEAN,RELIABLE10/22.

2014byRobertNewton

Page17of21

Customization
The10/22canbecustomizedeasilytooptimizeitfornearlyanyapplication,ortogiveitnearlyany
appearance.Itispossibletomakea10/22outofaftermarketpartssuchthattheonlypartmadeby
Rugeristhemagazine.Thisguidewillcoveronlythemostpopularfunctionalmodificationsthatowners
typicallymake.
Therearemanymakersofaftermarketcustomizationpartsforthe10/22.Theguidebelowmentions
onlyafewofthemostpopularones.YoucanseeawiderrangeofsuppliersintheSponsorsAreaof
rimfirecentral.com.
Sights

Stock

Magazine
release

Auto Bolt
release

Enhanced
Triggers

TheOEMbladesightsystemcanbehardtouseinlowlightandforthosewith
agingeyes.Replacingitwithareddotsight,scope,oraperturesightsisan
easysolution.ThemostpopularaperturesightsaremadebyTechSights,
NodakSpud,andWilliams.

Ifyouinstallascope,makesuretogetscopemountsthatplacethescopefar
enoughforwardtogiveyoupropereyereliefforthescope.Formostscopes,
youwantthebackofthescopetobenofartherbackthantherearedgeofthe
receiver.Youmayneedtoinstallarailthatextendsoutoverthebarreltoget
thescopefarenoughforward.Youalsoneedscoperingsthatarehighenough
fortheobjectivelenstoavoidcontactingthebarrel.

TheOEMstock,oranaftermarketstockswiththesamebuttstockprofile,is
designedtogiveyouagoodcheekweldusingtheOEMsights.Ifyouinstalla
scopeoraperturesights,youwillprobablyfindthecombofthestockisnow
toolowby.51.5inch.Youcanreplacethestockwitharaisedcombtype
($80$200+),oraddacombrisersuchastheAccuRiser($35).Oratnocost
youcanusedtohavingajawweldratherthanacheekweld.

TheflatOEMmagreleasehastobepressedupwardsintothestocktooperate,
whichrequiresgrippingyourhandoverthestock.Therearemanydifferent
modelsofextendedmagreleasethatyoucanpushforwardwithafinger.
Thesearemuchquickerandergonomicallyefficient.

TheOEMboltreleaserequiresmanipulatingtheleverforbothlockingand
releasingtheboltatwofinger,ifnottwohand,operationasdescribedon
Page2.Withanautoboltrelease,youcanreleasetheboltsimplybypullingit
backandreleasingittospringforward,withoutpressingtheblade.

Youcanbuyanaftermarketautoboltrelease,oryoucanmakeyourownby
filingouttheheartshapedholeintheOEMboltlocktoaroundedprofile.
ThereareanumberofYoutubevideosthatshowhowtodothisyourself.

TheOEMtriggerisnotoriouslyheavyandcreepy.Ihaveseenpullweightsfrom
510pounds.Thereisawiderangeofaftermarketsolutions.

2014byRobertNewton

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Accurizing the
barrel and bolt

Bolt Guide and

Handle

Youcanspend$200ormoreonacompletetriggergroup.Orforabout$100,
youcangetareplacementhammer,sear,andspringkit.Forabout$50you
cangetareplacementhammerandspringkit.Installinganenhancedtrigger
cangiveyouacrisp,lighttriggerpullof1.53.5pounds.Themostpopular
makersoftriggercomponentsareKidd,RimfireTechnologies,and
Volquartsen.

YoucanalsohaveyourOEMtriggergroupmodifiedbyagunsmith(atrigger
job),orifyouareexperiencedandknowledgeableatgunsmithing,candoit
yourself(butthenyouwouldntbereadingthisguide).BrimstoneGunsmithing
(brimstonegunsmithing.squarespace.com)isanationallywellknownspecialist
in10/22triggerjobs.

Someownersinstallthinshimsbetweentherotatingtriggerandhammer
parts.Theseeliminateanysidewaysmotionoftheparts,andactasbushings
tosmooththerotationofthetrigger,disconnectorandhammeraroundtheir
pivotpins.

Finally,youcanupgradefromtheOEMplastictriggertoametal(aluminumor
titanium)trigger;severaldifferentprofilesareavailable,andmanydifferent
colors.Someaftermarkettriggersalsohaveadjustableovertravelstopstolimit
rearwardmovementaftertheshotfires.

Rugerbarrelsareverywellmadeandquiteaccurate.However,thechambers
aretypicallyratherloosetoensurereliabilitywithawiderangeof
ammunition.Amoreprecisefitoftheroundinamatchchambercan
improveaccuracyandconsistency.Therearemanymakersofreplacement
barrelswithmatchgradechambers;themostpopularincludeFeddersen,
GreenMountain,Kidd,Shilen,TacticalSolutions,andVolquartsen.

TheRugerOEMboltisalsoknownforbeingaloosefitinthereceiverandhas
manymachiningmarksbothonthetopwhereitslidesagainstthetopofthe
receiver,andonthefacewhereitsealsagainstthebreechfaceofthebarrel.
Tosmoothoperation,youcanpolishtheslidingsurfacesofyourboltyourself
butthisdoesnotimprovetheheadspacingorsealingagainstthebreech.Kidd
andVolquartsenmakereplacementboltsthataremanufacturedtohigh
precisiontolerancesandverywellfinished.

Lessexpensive(byabouthalf)thanbuyinganewbarrelorboltistohaveyour
OEMpartsmodifiedbyagunsmith.Wellknownspecialistsinthiskindofwork
includeQuesBoltandBarrelRework
(https://sites.google.com/site/quesplace/)andCPC(www.ctprecision.com)

AftermarketboltguidesrodsaresmootherthantheRugerOEMforreliability,
andoftenhaveextendedhandlesthatmakethemmorecomfortabletopull
back,especiallyifyouareusingtheonehandmethodorhaveascope.Youcan
alsogetanextendedbolthandlealonebutinstallingitrequiresmodificationof
yourguiderod.

2014byRobertNewton

Page19of21

Action Polishing

Sling

Forsafetyreasonswewillnotcoversear/hammermodificationshere.Butyou
canlightenyourtriggerpullandimprovethefunctionofyour10/22by
polishingandremovingsharpedgesandburrsfromcertainparts.Keepin
mindthatyoudontwanttoremovetoomuchmaterialfromthesepartsyou
onlywanttomakethemsmooth.

HammerStrut:Thehammerstrutisastampedpart.Onesideofithasa
roundededge,andtheotherissharp.Smooththesharpedgeoftheroundend
(whichridesinthehammerslot)sothatitdoesnotcatchonthehammer.

HammerSurface:Theforwardsurfaceofthehammermayalsoberough
finished.Polishingthiswillimprovecontactwiththefiringpinandalsohelp
theboltglideoverthehammer.

Bolt:Thetopoftheboltslidesagainstthereceiver,andthebottomrearofthe
boltslidesoverthehammer.Thesearebothtypicallyratherroughwithmany
toolmarksfrommachining.Polishingthesesurfacestoamirrorfinishwill
reducefriction.

Radiusthebolt:Thebottomrearedgeoftheboltisrathersquarewithasmall
radius.Thissectioncontactsthehammertocockitasitslidesrearward.By
sandingthisedgetoalargerradius(makingitmoreround)theboltwillglide
moreeasilyoverthehammer.Thisimprovesboltfunctionwhileshootingand
alsomakesiteasiertoworktheboltbyhand.ThereareYoutubevideos

Aslingisnotonlyahandywaytocarryyourrifle,butisahighlyeffective
shootingaidthathelpsyouholdtheriflesteadyinanyposition.Itisessential
ifyouwanttocompeteinpositionshooting(Appleseed,CMP3Positionor
NRApositionevents).ThemosteffectiveslingsforthispurposearetheGIweb
sling(1.25width,madeofcottoncanvas,about$15)andthe1907type
(leather)sling($5060).

IfyoubuyaGIsling,avoidthenarrow,slicknylonslings,whichtendtoslip
downyourarmwhileshooting.The1.25width,1907leatherslingusedin
highpowerriflecompetitioncanvisuallyoverwhelmthe10/22stock,butBoyt
Harnessmakesaniceonein1widththatlooksgreatona10/22.Ifyoubuya
leathersling,makesureitisrealleatherandnotbondedleather,whichis
theleatherequivalentofchipboard.AnotherexcellentslingistheRiflecraft,
whichworkssimilarlytothe1907slingbutismadeofacoarsewovennylon
canvasthatholdsverywell.

Ifyour10/22didnotcomewithswingswivelstuds(orthebuiltinswivelon
theMannlicherstock)youwillneedtoinstallstudsandpurchaseswivelsto
attachthesling.Thisinvolvesdrillingintothestockwhichmustbedonewith
greatcare.

2014byRobertNewton

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Resources for 10/22 Owners

Thislistbelowisnotmeanttobeacompleterosterofallavailableresources,andreflectsthepersonal
judgmentsoftheauthor.
Parts and Accessories Suppliers

shopruger.com:RugerfactorywebsiteforOEMpartsandaccessories.
Brownells.com:OnlinedealerofOEMparts,upgradeparts,andaccessoriesfromanumberof
manufacturers.Knownforlargeselectionandoutstandingservice.
Rimfiresports.com:Virginiabasedonlinedealerofupgradepartsandaccessoriesforallkindsofrimfire
firearms.TheyhaveallmetaldummyroundsthatarethebestsnapcapsIhaveseenforballand
dummytraining.
Coolguyguns.com:WebsiteofTonyKidd,makerofveryhighqualityupgradepartsfor10/22sincluding
barrels,actions,receiversandsmallparts.
TechSights.com:makerofTechSights,themostpopularpeepsightupgradefor10/22s,alsosellsgood
webslings.
Nodakspud.com:makeroftheNodaksightsystem,anotherpopularpeepsightforthe10/22.Also
makesupgradedreceivers.
Boytharness.com:makesafine1.00width1907typeleatherslingthatfitswellonthe10/22.Some
10/22ssuchastheDeluxeSporterandMannlichercomewith1swivelspreinstalled,butthisisthe
onlyhighqualityleatherslingIhaveseeninthiswidth.Opticsplanet.comsellsitatadiscountprice.
Volquartsen.com:probablythelargestmakerofupgradepartsincludingeverythingexceptmagazines.

Internet Discussion Forums

Rimfirecentral.com:themostcomprehensivesitefordiscussionofgearespecially10/22s
customizationandmaintenancehowto,competitions,anythinginvolvingrimfireriflesandpistols.
Conductsonlinematchesinavarietyofdisciplines.Bestofall,noofftopicorpoliticaldiscussions
allowed.Thisiswheretheexpertshangout.
Rugerforum.net:AgoodforumforallthingsRuger.

2014byRobertNewton

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