Video: 50 Years of the Ruger 10/22 Rifle

by
posted on March 7, 2016

The Ruger 10/22 rifle, which celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2014, remains one of the most ubiquitous rifles extant with dozens of variations and endless possibilities for customization.

In his Nov. 2014 American Rifleman feature story, Brian Sheetz wrote that, "according to current company sources, the 10/22 was far from Bill Ruger’s favorite gun. He thought of it more as an understudy for the .44 Mag. Carbine. But when the gun-buying public first laid eyes on the little rimfire it was rewarded with the sight of a firearm that was, on the outside, aesthetically pleasing and comfortably traditional in form. For readers of The American Rifleman who saw the magazine’s Sept. 1964 “Dope Bag” review, however, it was obvious that the gun was just as brilliantly innovative on the inside where it really counted. It seemed that Ruger had managed to do something that is rarely carried off in a commercially successful way even today: Wrap an ingenious design in a classic form, make it function flawlessly and manufacture it with economical processes so that it is available to people of ordinary means."

The 10/22 remains one of the mostly popular rifles today, and is listed as one of Gunbroker.com's top-selling guns. For more, watch this "I Have This Old Gun" segment from a recent episode of American Rifleman TV as editors look back on 50 years of the Ruger 10/22 rifle.



For more, please enjoy the following articles:

Ruger's 10/22: One of the Best Things for 50 Years
Throwback Thursday: Ruger Model 10/22 Carbine--Sept. 1964 The American Rifleman 
Ruger Commemorates 50 Years of the 10/22 With Anniversary Edition 
Gunbroker.com's Top Selling Guns for Dec. 2015
Five Stocks to Spice Up Your Ruger 10/22
Dress Up Your Ruger 10/22 Takedown Rifle
The Ruger 10/22 Takedown: World's Best Survival Gun? 

Latest

Bayard Auto Pistol
Bayard Auto Pistol

I Have This Old Gun: Bayard Auto Pistol

The Herstal, Belgium, firm of Anciens Etablissements Pieper was apparently expecting big things when, in 1908, it named its new semi-automatic pocket pistol “Bayard.”

The Armed Citizen® March 31, 2025

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

New For 2025: Benelli USA Nova 3 Tactical

This latest update to Benelli’s pump-action shotgun gives users a few upgrades over previous generations, making the new NOVA 3 the most exciting pump-gun yet to come from the Italian maker.

Mauser: The Rifle That Made Good

Combining inventive genius with shrewd sales ability, the Mauser brothers, Paul and Wilhelm launched one of the world’s most famous small arms dynasties.

Preview: Hornady Backcountry Defense

The company’s new Backcountry Defense line is designed specifically for personal protection in the backcountry.

Military Armament Corporation Introduces New MAC 9 DS Models

Military Armament Corporation expanded its line of M1911-style, double-stack handguns with its new Double-Stack Duty, D-Comp and Comp designs.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.