Henry Rifle Forums

In the spirit of trying to post more range reports I dug out this low five digit serial numbered 10/22. It was bought in early 1965 by my father-in-law. I’ve heard the story many times how he bought it and never told his wife. The next weekend the neighbor came over and asked “hey Russ how do you like that new rifle you bought?” He said his wife’s eyes gave him that look where he knew he was in trouble. It kind of set the benchmark for me to buy a new rifle and not tell Donna. It was just expected of me.

I inherited it about ten years ago and had Brimstone do some trigger works on it. I wanted to keep it original so he didn’t add new parts. The trigger was very sloppy and he had vintage parts taken from other rifles where they didn’t care about keeping it original. Back then the tolerances weren’t as tight as today so he matched parts up with what this rifle had. The end results produced a smooth trigger from vintage parts.

Forward to today and I shot 2 magazines of CCI SV at 25 yards. The 4X Weaver Marksman made it hit the spinner every time.

I do love those early 10/22s. A friend of my bother had one and we would all head down to the pasture for some plinking. I remember how much I loved the way that sporty little carbine handled and shot. Very different than other semi-auto 22s of that era, except maybe the Remington Nylon 66, which we also shot and enjoyed. Of course, the Nylon 66 is long gone, but the 10/22 is still going strong. Don't think the 10/22 will ever disappear.

Wow that is a great rifle with a great story ! Know you enjoyed the first day of Fall on your range! Thanks!!

Gene, that Weaver is perfect for that 'ol 10/22. Perfect combo.

fortyshooter wrote: ↑

Fri Sep 23, 2022 4:51 pm

Wow that is a great rifle with a great story ! Know you enjoyed the first day of Fall on your range! Thanks!!

It was warm and sunny after a low of 37F last night. I’ve been wanting to shoot this one all summer.

That’s a nice looking stock, did Ruger use walnut back in the 60’s for the 10/22?

Walnut stocks were standard on 10/22s in the 60s and 70s. Sometime late 70s, early 80s birch stocks began appearing, but even in the 80s some walnut stocks were shipped with 10/22s on an irregular basis. I refinished some walnut 10/22 stocks on new rifles for friends in the late 80s who didn't care for the factory finish, which was kind of blah.

Hatchdog wrote: ↑

Sat Sep 24, 2022 10:42 am

That’s a nice looking stock, did Ruger use walnut back in the 60’s for the 10/22?

Yes it has the Overton stock.