10/22: how hard to swap barrels?

[supton]

I find myself tempted by the "taticool" 22's. But I knew the plain-janes are still cheaper, and for what I'd want (semi-auto with 25 round mags) probably just fine. What I'm wondering is, if I buy a used 10/22, and find out it's a turkey (constant jams etc), how hard is it to swap out barrels? I presume that, once magazine feed lips are ruled out, most feeding issues might be traced to a bad barrel (chamber not cut right?). Seems that, if one wanted to trick one out, all they really need is a receiver. I don't necessarily want to go that route, but it could be fun, and not necessarily too expensive.

But I don't want to have to resort to pressing things in/out, or anything that requires a vise, and heavy hammers, etc--just simple tools.

 

[Bill in Utah]

Its VERY simple but most likely NOT fix your problem.

A large amount of the time a GOOD cleaning will fix it. Mags are another good place to look. But most after market barrels are TIGHTER than the factory ones so they need to be cleaned more often.

All you need to swap out a 10/22 barrel is a screw driver to take the stock off and band, an allen wrench to take the barrel off. You can do it in less than 5 minutes.

Excellent platform and everyone should own at least one!

Take care and be safe! Bill

 

[cancov]

Just like Bill said, very simple. YouTube is flooded with 10/22 stuff. It's literally an Allen screw holding a clamp between the receiver and barrel. You actually have to go through this process to clean the barrel, if you follow the factory instructions.

 

[supton]

Yeah, I figured it was *not* the gun--unlike other semi-auto 22's, the 10/22 has been around so long, and has such high ratings, that it seems rather robust in this regard. But occasionally I see someone claim that theirs will only work with xyz ammo, or that just one of their 10/22's will work with just one type of ammo. It seems safe enough to buy used, as most any bit can be swapped out.

Ok, thanks, will go shopping for one then.

 

[Bill in Utah]

Like I said above its a cleaning problem or mag problem. Some of the mags out there are JUNK.

Each and every time I've had someone with a poorly functioning 10/22 its been;

1. Bad mags
2. Cleaning
3. Poor bulk Remington golden bullets. All other bulk works much better.

First thing I do is take a stock 10 round mag loaded with Federal Bulk and more times than not it works much better. Then once its cleaned all is good.

The 10/22 is a great gun. So is the Marlin model 60 (more accurate out of the box) but more picky on ammo.

Take care, Bill

 

[lars11]

yeah, very simple as pointed out. But it will most likely not fix any feeding issues unless the problem is fouling in the chamber and cleaning will fix that.
Feeding issues are almost always due to mag issues, especially with larger mags. If the ruger steel lipped original 10 rd mag works and the 25 rd doesn't, well there it is. Start checking lip geometry, surfaces, mag well fitting and position, dirt in mag, bad springs etc. Or buy a new one.
About 10/22 barrels and precision: 22LR barrels hardly wears out, not even after tens of thousand rounds. The barrel may still be bad but it is not because of wear. To do the best you can, start by cleaning it many times, not damaging the muzzle crown! Then start checking that it is firmly fastened where it should be, free floating where it should be and *not in any kind of tension causing bending and such*. Then you may want to have the muzzle re-crowned, that is, having it turned to ge a perfectly squared muzzle with razor sharp edges to the bore.
Also make sure that the scope and its dovetail base is in good condition, many times 22s have inferior scopes that become rattly when subjected to the slamming bolt (no due to the 22 "recoil" though)
If this fails, then consider a new barrel.
A personal note: All the "ornaments" made for the 10/22 will not benefit your effectivness. There's lots of strange clamp-on muzzel brakes, rattly star trek like stocks rendering the rifle unusable and many more things that will make the thing look like a christmas tree. Not cool.
I would look for a mag release, better trigger work, auto bolt stop and a higher quality scope and maybe a high qualiy stock made for adults.

 

[cancov]

Check this one out direct from this distributor. Has the Ruger, 25-round mag, threaded barrel with flash suppressor and a Tapco adjustable stock, with (2) picatinny rails. A nice setup for the "tacticool" person, however, you would get slammed on the 10/22 forums for "just" having a stock 10/22.

http://www.internetguncatalog.com/Default.aspx?tabid=179

 

[cancov]

Originally Posted By: cancov
Check this one out direct from this distributor. Has the Ruger, 25-round mag, threaded barrel with flash suppressor and a Tapco adjustable stock, with (2) picatinny rails. A nice setup for the "tacticool" person, however, you would get slammed on the 10/22 forums for "just" having a stock 10/22.

http://www.internetguncatalog.com/Default.aspx?tabid=179

Search item number 76819.

 

[supton]

Thanks cancov; that looks about what I want.

 

[MrHorspwer]

Originally Posted By: lars11
I would look for a mag release, better trigger work, auto bolt stop and a higher quality scope and maybe a high qualiy stock made for adults.


To this list I would add a poly bolt stop pin/recoil buffer and an upgrade extractor.

The extractor recommendation came from a nearly constant stovepipe issue on my own 10/22 when using bulk ammo. After dropping $12 at Volquartsen, I haven't had an issue. It now flings casings 10 yards.

 

[Durango]

Originally Posted By: supton
I find myself tempted by the "taticool" 22's. But I knew the plain-janes are still cheaper, and for what I'd want (semi-auto with 25 round mags) probably just fine. What I'm wondering is, if I buy a used 10/22, and find out it's a turkey (constant jams etc), how hard is it to swap out barrels? I presume that, once magazine feed lips are ruled out, most feeding issues might be traced to a bad barrel (chamber not cut right?). Seems that, if one wanted to trick one out, all they really need is a receiver. I don't necessarily want to go that route, but it could be fun, and not necessarily too expensive.

But I don't want to have to resort to pressing things in/out, or anything that requires a vise, and heavy hammers, etc--just simple tools.


supton,

Believe me if I can do it anyone can....All you need is a set of hex wrenches and a litle blue loc-tite. It's super simple and will only take about 5 minutes.

Durango

 

[rats1955]

I have a 10-22 I use for gopher hunting. I have put thousands of rounds through it. Good cleaning will solve most feeding problems. I use only Ruger factory mags and I have the best luck with copper jacketed ammo.

I would suggest getting a new one. They are not that expensive and the used ones demand almost the price of a new one. Get a good Weaver style scope base and a good scope. You would then have something that may last you a lifetime.