Images by the author
Ahh… 1964. I remember it well. The Beatles appeared on the Ed Sullivan show for the first time on February 9th, four days before my 12th birthday, and I had never seen anything like them… America was still in mourning after the JFK assassination the previous November… the Civil Rights Act was passed in July… Vietnam was escalating… and Ruger introduced its iconic .22 semi-auto rifle, the 10/22.
The autoloading 10/22 came about when bolt-action rifles were a thing… There had been semi-autos, of course, but the Ruger captured shooters’ collective attention when it was unveiled. Its rotary magazine was innovative, and its compact size was popular with shooters who carried it. The rifle was accurate and reliable from the get-go.
It became the go-to rimfire autoloader, with over ten million produced. Ten million… A million of something is impressive, so when we say ten million, that means that a whole lot of shooters out there like(d) this rifle.
The rifle was virtually unchanged, except for cosmetics, from its introduction until this past December. The basic action, receiver, barrel, etc., were as they had been since 1964.
On December 17th, 2025, Ruger announced the introduction of the redesigned 10/22 line. Updated features included:
- a 2.5- to 3-pound BX trigger, previously after-market only;
- a lightweight, composite stock;
- a match bolt release;
- a receiver with a rear cleaning port so you can clean things from the rear.
Other changes include an M-LOK slot at 6:00 on the stock for a bipod or light, and textured panels on the pistol grip and forend.
There is one more “feature” I’d like to include: the changes in manufacturing we’ve seen over the years. Today’s firearms manufacturing facility has very little to compare with that of 1964. Techniques, machinery, automation, materials, etc., have been improved time and time again.
There have been many changes, most for the better. Quality and consistency are the hallmarks of Ruger manufacturing. That’s something a press release won’t tell you. I have owned Ruger products since the 1970s, and I keep coming back to them… they just work, and if they don’t, they have some of the best customer service in the industry.
Current 10/22 Models
The Ruger 10/22 web page shows the following models of the rifle:
- Standard, with 18 variations;
- Carbon Fiber, 7 variations;
- Competition, 4 variations;
- Scoped, 2 variations;
- 250th Anniversary, 3 variations;
- SBR, 2 variations (NFA item)
That’s 36 total variations on the 10/22 theme. You can get a nice wooden-stocked model, or adjustable polymer-stocked rifles, or competition-ready guns, or short-barrel rifle versions, etc. If you go to the link above, you will be directed to these pages. I won’t go too far into the weeds here, since the pages can explain each variation better than I can.
This Rifle
I was sent a scoped (Viridian Eon 3-9×40) version of the new 10/22 for this review. I have used Viridian Eon scopes before… this 3-9×40 is a good, basic, inexpensive scope that really delivers. I’ve owned more than one of them. I’m glad they chose a name-brand scope for the two scoped rifle variants. That adds to the gun’s value.
Let’s look at some photos I took, then we’ll list the specifications.
A brass bead decorates the front sight. I’ve shot many 10/22s with their open sights.
The larger mag release is a good touch.
I stuck an inexpensive Allen sling on the rifle to help carry and steady it. That was a well-spent twenty bucks,
Specifications
- Stock: Black Polymer
- Capacity: 10
- Front Sight: Gold Bead
- Rear Sight: Adjustable
- Overall Length: 36.50″
- Barrel Length: 18.50″
- Barrel Material: Alloy Steel
- Barrel Finish: Satin Black
- Length of Pull: 13.50″
- Weight: 4.2 lb.
- Twist 1:16″ RH
- Grooves: 6
- Suggested Retail: $419.00
Range Time
What’s more fun than taking a scoped 10/22 to the range? Why, a newly-redesigned 10/22, of course! From the lightweight stock to the BX trigger, this rifle is set up to succeed. I made sure the scope was close to zero, and then stuck some targets up at 50 yards.
I shot three loads that were handy…
Here are some representative targets…
Winchester
Fiocchi
Federal. Of the three, the Federal gets the cigar…
I also just received some optics from Vortex. One of those was a spotting scope. As you can see in the photo above, I had it on the bench, as well. Look for a separate review herein, later.
Are The Changes Worth It?
The rifle in front of us has a list price of $419. That includes the $139 Viridian scope, which brings the rifle-only cost down to $280.
Let’s do a little math.
In 1964, the 10/22 sold for $54.50, adjusted for inflation, etc., that equates to $571.80 in current 2026 buying power. So, yup, I’d say the changes are not only welcome, but they also don’t break the bank. So, the adjusted cost of a 10/22 has come down since its introduction, unless you are looking at a specialized model. For a plain-Jane Standard model such as this, the $419 full list price is not bad. When you consider that a real-world price will be less, it becomes an even better buy.
Summing Up
The .22 rifle has always been one of the top-selling categories in the universe of rimfire rifles. There are, and have been, dozens of great rifles made over the decades that have brought much joy to their owners, and I daresay the 10/22 is towards the top of that list. From the competition range to the squirrel woods, an accurate, reliable .22 is a thing of beauty, and the 10/22 fulfills that role.
The new Ruger 10/22 redesigned models have taken that to the next level. For not a lot of money, you can get a .22 that will be just right for whatever need you have. It doesn’t matter how many fancy guns a person has in the gun safe; a plain ol’ .22 is always welcome. I know that this one will not go back!
Links To Items Used In This Review
- Birchwood Casey Filled Shooting Bags, $40
- Birchwood Casey Tango Front Mount Rifle/Pistol Shooting Rest, $43
- Birchwood Casey Eze-Scorer 8 Inch Bull’s-Eye Target, 26 Targets, $9
- Caldwell Ultimate Target Stand, $33
- MTM Case Gard Four-Pistol Case, $30
- Walker Game Ear Firemax Active Hearing Protection, $160
- Wheeler Spacesaver Screwdriver Set, $22
- Wheeler Red Laser Bore Sighter, $193 (available in green, also)
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