Review: Ruger 10-22 Takedown

The Ruger 10-22 came out in 1964, and it's been selling steadily ever since. Part of that is due to customization -- much like the AR-15, there's just about every kind of replacement and add-on part and accessory imaginable. It's also short, light, reliable, and accurate, and it's been a prepper and general truck gun favorite for quite a while. If you don't know someone who has one, I'll be surprised. 

http://americanhandgunner.com/exclusive-web-extra-take-it-down/

In 2012, Ruger brought out a takedown version where the barrel & forend separate from the receiver for easy packing. It even comes with a padded bag where the barrel/forend fits into a pocket on one side and the receiver/stock assembly on the other. There are two big pockets on the front for accessories, ammunition or magazines. 

Assembly

1. Start with the two separate units.
2. Lock the bolt on the receiver back.  
3. Insert the barrel shank into the receiver at about a 30 degree angle.
4.   Pull the spring-loaded latch in the bottom rear of the forend back.
5. Rotate the barrel into position.
6. Release the lock.  

That's it for assembly. To disassemble, lock the bolt back and reverse the rest of the process.

Review
My first thought was to wonder how well it would lock up. Not a problem; they borrowed an idea from a much earlier Browning design. There's a ring on the receiver with a spring-loaded detent (see arrow). 

1. Rotate that ring all the way back against the receiver.
2. Insert and lock the barrel.
3. Rotate the ring back out -- finger pressure only-- until it seats snugly against the breech of the barrel. This tightens the fit nicely, and it ever loosens up you can readjust it.

The sights are standard Ruger: a brass-bead front and a folding leaf rear. For me, and probably for a lot of other adults, these sights are so low that I had to really press my cheek onto the stock to line them up. I'm guessing they expect most people will either mount a scope or red dot sight (a mounting rail comes standard), or if they stick with irons to change these out for something like these sights. For kids, and people with a smaller face than mine, the factory sights should work nicely.

The trigger isn't bad at all; a little heavy, but with a clean break.

It uses the standard Ruger ten-round rotary magazine, or any of the aftermarket extended mags.

How does it shoot? Nicely. I was only able to try it on a 25-yard range, and did the accuracy test with a mounted scope (a no-name 3x the owner had picked up somewhere). From a bench rest, if I did my part, it would easily keep the shots in 1/2" groups (using Remington bulk-pack ammo), and in about fifty rounds there were no function problems of any kind.

Personal Opinion
It's a nice little rifle. Break it down into the bag and it takes up little space. It's easy to carry around; there's a removable strap that comes with the bag. and the bag protects the rifle from getting banged up. You can put spare mags and ammo in the pockets, too. 

Assuming your mount maintains zero after being removed and reinstalled, you could keep a red dot in one of the pockets until needed. For myself, I think I'd see if I could get that red Ruger symbol off; with it on, someone familiar with guns who saw it would know what it was, but without it it's just one more black daypack.

Put it this way: I'd say it's a good .22 rifle with the advantage of quick & easy takedown for transport.  This is a good one to pick up.

Firehand was not paid for this review. Go away. FTC.