Hi,
I've been shooting rifles for 4 months, and my PAL is forthcoming (RCMP website says it's been issued, so I should see it in the mail shortly). Currently I use single-shot bolt action Anshutz rifles that are owned by my local gun club. I've been researching rifles. I only want to buy one rifle to begin (I'll look at a shotgun and handgun later when I do the restricted course). I've gotten lots of advice on accurate rifles for target shooting from the locals, but many of them focus on competition target shooting, and I am in the closet about SHTF concerns (OPSEC 🙂 ) so I can't be totally free in my questions to them.
My requirements:
-non-restricted in Canada
-.22 LR rimfire
-be well-made/not fussy
-be new or good condition newer used - not into the soviet historical stuff 😉
-not too heavy, long or bulky (I am female and have short arms - I've reduced the butt pad on the club rifle I use)
-good all-around usage for SHTF
-good price/availability of ammo and decent quality mags
-good accuracy - I am doing target shooting with the club, but it's not my focus going forward. I am extremely good using peep sights, so with a scope I could lose some & still be good
-prefer semi-auto
-budget up to around $400-500 to spend (yes I know old Eastern European ones can be had for much less but I'm not that knowledgeable about their quirks)
The Anshutz bolt action are great but soo pricy$$$. The SKS seems like a workhorse, but I've heard the quality can vary and they can jam up more often. Plus I don't think the SKS can be used at my local range, so it would be useless if I can't practice with it, as I live in suburbia and don't have access to a rural area to legally shoot.
I've looked at the Ruger 10/22 and they seem to have a great reputation as good all-around quality rifles, relatively lightweight. The Takedown version seems interesting as it comes apart into 2 pieces for transport and makes cleaning much easier, and is only slightly more expensive than the other Ruger 10/22 models that don't come apart. Plus I like the possibility I can transport it something that doesn't look like a gun bag 🙂
Questions - for those who have one, or have handled the Ruger 10/22 Takedown:
-what do you like/not like about it?
-any issues with jamming?
-they seem to be sold out/back order in many places - I am in Eastern Ontario, Canada - anyone had luck buying one in Canada the last year?
-it looks like it comes with drum rotary magazine (max 10 in Canada) - rather than a box magazine. Has anyone had issues with this?
-is it realistic to take it apart each time before/after I use it? Or does it jiggle the scope or other parts too much when you disassemble/reassemble? (I assume I'd be cleaning it after every 3 or 4 times depending on how many rounds I am shooting)
-in general, do people feel that semi-auto would be more prone to failure/jamming than single-shot in a SHTF situation - for instance, due to accumulated grime from the semi-auto action or gases?
- I plan to get a decent scope on it - are there scopes it can or cannot handle well?
Thanks for any suggestions or advice you may have.
HopeImReady
"The thing about smart mother f*ckers, is that they sometimes sound like crazy mother f*ckers to dumb mother f*ckers." -Abraham .”
Hello HIM! Glad to hear your PAL is on its way. I own a few 10/22s and love them. They are reliable little guns, fun to shoot and cheap to own. Indeed a very good starting point for a new shooter. I bought my takedown model a few years ago so I can't speak of availability right now. About 2-3 years ago, it was nearly impossible to get 10/22s in Canada, they just weren't available.
If you want use it for regular shooting at the range though, I don't think the takedown would be your best option. When I first got it, I mounted a decent scope on it with high quality rings on a good quality removable mount system. The takedown bag has a nice spot for a scope in it when you take the system apart. Problem though is that I simply couldn't manage to keep zero every time I disassembled the gun. I also found the takedown to not be as accurate as other 10/22, though it is as reliable. I ended up taking the scope system off altogether and got new "iron sights" put on, including fiber optic front one.
I had an issue once with one of my rotary magazines. I mostly use the 25 round "hot lips" magazines by Butler Creek (get the metal lip one, the plastic ones don't work!) which as you likely know is legal for rimfire rifles.
10/22s are versatile guns that fit in just as well at a range as hurting small game. I can't suggest the takedown model based on what you wrote above though as I think you would be disappointed at the range with it due to accuracy problems and based on my experiences with mounting an optic on it. I would suggest a basic model one where you could mount a scope on it reliably (look at the Nikon ProStaff BDC, it's a very good bang/buck one). The takedown is very much a niche gun and I'm not convinced it would work well for you at this point. While it may appeal to you for its "compactness" you need to know that you really don't gain much volume if you compared the size of the takedown pack vs a normal 10/22 in a small rifle bag. If you're also concerned about OPSEC, you may also get questions about buying a "survival" gun.
Thanks for the feedback, helicopilot 🙂 I wasn't married to the takedown, so I will look into the other Ruger 10/22s. Part of my motivation for getting my own rifle, beyond the obvious, is that the club rifles are used by other members so I've had to zero them more often before I use them...I don't want to be doing that so often with my own 🙂
HopeImReady
"The thing about smart mother f*ckers, is that they sometimes sound like crazy mother f*ckers to dumb mother f*ckers." -Abraham .”
Hey HIR,
The wife and I both like our 10/22s, for the reasons you stated as well. Just to clarify though. You're not limited to '10 max' in Canada for rimfire. You can go out and buy the gsg 100 round rotary mags for it if you like! I personally like the 25 round steel lips butler creek mags helicopilot mentioned. Like a Barbie doll for adults, it can be modified to whatever you want. My wife likes the pencil barrel and synthetic stock; I prefer the Hogue rubber stock and a heavy barrel. (12.5 inch version from Dlask) Easy to order parts for as well as easy to maintain. Lebaron's in either Ottawa, Toronto, or Montreal for you would be the best deal.
Hope that helps!
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One is none, two is one.
I'll chime in too.
I have a 10/22 stainless w synthetic ATI stock. The rotary mag is good. I'm not a fan of the extended mags - they seem to be in the way of my forward hand all the time. The stock 10 round mag is flush with the stock but I modified them by attaching a plastic ring to the mag with epoxy so it's easy to swap mags. Also bought some clear ones as in the pic.
A ton of aftermarket goodies available for the Ruger. 
At the time the dealer had some that came with an ATI aftermarket folding stock with adjustable length M4 type stock, handy when you're hunting in summer and then winter with lots of clothes on. This is a better route than the takedown model. I would NOT recommend the ATI stock. I had to do a lot of stiffening on it. I think Butler Creek makes a better one.
I put a Vortex 4-16 adjustable objective (AO) scope on it - about $200.
The trigger isn't that great but it's very easy to swap out the stock hammer and sear for a better one greatly improving the feel. Out of the box I think the Savage rifles have a better trigger.
I run a bore snake or a few patches through after shooting, maybe give the action spray with brake cleaner if dirty but rarely take the whole thing apart.
I've heard lots of people say the takedowns don't hold zero when taken apart - no surprise when you take the barrel off. Get a folding stock if you want it shorter for transport BUT watch the law here. If it can be fired with the stock folded it has to meet the 26 inch min. length. No short barrels
The more I'm reading into this, the less I think the Takedown model is for you. If you're at a club for shooting, and you're caring enough to re-zero overtime you go shoot, I think you'd be pretty annoyed at a Takedown. Get a basic model for starter and "tweak it" as you go if you want to. There are gazillions of after market parts for 10/22s, and if you're not comfortable doing the work yourself, I'd bet that someone in your club would be more than happy to help you (especially if you seal the deal with some delicious beverage 🙂
My takedown is my "survival" gun, but for more serious plinking, I got a 10/22 that has a bull barrel, precision trigger, bipod, Hogue stock, and it's super precise and a lot of fun to shoot! I could also easily remove the bipod, add a sling and go hunting with it (though it weighs a pound or 2 more than a regular 10/22).
Thanks for all the good advice :). I think I'll look at some of the synthetic Ruger 10/22s other than the takedown.
HopeImReady
"The thing about smart mother f*ckers, is that they sometimes sound like crazy mother f*ckers to dumb mother f*ckers." -Abraham .”
Just an update. Last Friday I purchased an Anschutz 190 from 1977, a bolt action single shot 22, completely refurbished by our local target shooting champion. I love the Anschutz but the new ones are out of my price range ($1500 to $3K). This was offered to me for $480, which I've been told is a good price, and that these rifles basically don't exist anymore in this good of condition. I compared it against a Ruger 10/22 (a friend let me try theirs) and I found I really didn't like the jerk to the right from the auto mechanism. I know, bolt actions, while good for target shooting accuracy and easy to maintain, would not be so good for speed in SHTF - I'll likely still look for a semi-auto but I'll wait for a good deal ..or until Cabela's opens their upcoming store nearby 😉
HopeImReady
"The thing about smart mother f*ckers, is that they sometimes sound like crazy mother f*ckers to dumb mother f*ckers." -Abraham .”
HIR,
Glad you got a good deal. Remember, there are no rules against owning more than one firearm! Start with this one for the range and get another one for hunting zombies another time.
I just want to ad an update.
Stick with the 10rd mags if you are buying a 10/22 as the 25rnd mags are up in the air as to how the RCMP is going to inforce the law as they are heading towards making 25rds prohib.
Why did I join Canadian Preppers Network?
Well I was going to join the UK Network but those bloody Brits don't know how to speak proper English! 😉
I just want to ad an update.
Stick with the 10rd mags if you are buying a 10/22 as the 25rnd mags are up in the air as to how the RCMP is going to inforce the law as they are heading towards making 25rds prohib.
Interesting... first I hear of this.
Letter that was circulating on social media. I'm looking at pinning mine. I will also keep a stock of rivets available in case the rivets ever accidentally fall out of the magazine. I have seen other makes of magazine that have a roll pin through the body, much neater than a rivet but not sure I can attach them to meet the permanently modified requirement.
I think there always were issues with the BX25 mags because they could also fit a certain pistol thus making a 25 round-capable pistol, a huge no-no. The memo is undated and makes no mention of the BX25 so I'm unsure if this is a new policy that pertains to all 10/22 mags...
http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/cfp-pcaf/notice-avis-2016-07-27-eng.htm Well, it's true. We can all thank the 10/22 "pistol" for this.
What? first I have heard of this, I had to google 10/22 pistol. That's no pistol, its a cut down rifle...with pistol grip....looks like a piece of junk compared to a real pistol. That memo is dated 2013.....if this has been in effect since then, I know a hole lot of people unaware that they have prohibited mags.Thats one of the most popular 22s out there, and most everyone has high cap mags, I even know people with the drum mags...
Give a man a gun, and he can rob a bank. Give a man a bank, and he can rob the world.