Having expanded from its initial business as a maker of well-regarded AR rifle-enhancement stocks and components, Magpul Industries now offers similar items for AK rifles, shotguns and, more recently, the Remington Model 700 bolt-action center-fire and Ruger 10/22 semi-automatic rimfire rifles. While the latter lines consist primarily of a single model of polymer replacement stock, they are, not surprisingly, compatible with the company’s array of M-LOK accessories, which includes foregrips, light mounts, rail sections, bipod mounts and sling points.
The Hunter X-22 stock for the Ruger 10/22 rifle, reviewed here, is designed to fit guns that have either factory-profile barrels or factory or aftermarket barrels with a bull-barrel profile measuring 0.920" in outer diameter. That versatility is by way of a reversible fore-end insert with the two different barrel channels molded into opposite sides. It is held in place by three button-head Allen screws, and can be changed simply by removing the screws, prying it up and out of the stock and flipping it over before re-fastening it. It cannot be inadvertently reversed end-to-end because of the screws’ locations.
Like all of Magpul’s synthetic rifle stocks, the sample Hunter X-22 exhibited excellent quality control, with a pleasing pebbled texture and negligible inconsistencies or part lines in the molded surfaces. It is available in black, flat dark earth, stealth gray and olive drab green.
Immediately noticeable was the pistol grip’s pronounced angle, which produced a relaxed relationship between the wrist, hand, cheek and eye for most shooters. Ribs running the length of the fore-end’s lower corners lend it somewhat of a beavertail cross section and provide secure purchase for the support hand’s fingers. Being flat-bottomed and averaging 2" wide, the fore-end also rested well on bags when shooting off the bench. Three M-LOK slots are located on either side of the fore-end, and three more are found on its underside.
One note of caution: the spacing of M-LOK T nuts on their screws must be properly adjusted to account for the thickness of the stock’s polymer before they are cammed into place. Otherwise, the nuts can gouge the plastic, reducing its thickness in exactly the area where the nuts require purchase.
We fitted the stock to a 50th Anniversary Contest model 10/22 and attached a QD Sling Mount on the left, which, along with installation of the correct Magpul Sling Mount Kit in the buttstock’s side, made attaching a sling to the rifle a literal snap. There are also molded-in sling bars on both sides of the buttstock, which could be used to attach up to a 1¼" sling. We mounted an M-LOK Bipod Adapter on the underside of the fore-end and could then quickly attach and detach a Harris bipod, which was quite secure while in place. While we did not change out the stock’s cheekpiece, it should be noted that a replacement High kit is available for a comfortable cheekweld with high-mounted optics. The stock also comes assembled with three buttplate spacers installed—two 1/2" and one 5/16"—which allow for a length of pull of from 127⁄16" to 133/4". A rubber buttpad caps the stock and is attached with two button-head Allen screws. The all-up weight of the stock as shipped is
2 lbs., 6 ozs.
We found the X-22 to be comfortable to hold, with the pistol grip allowing a natural approach to the trigger and a firm grasp on the rifle. The buttplate, too, seemed to come into the shoulder pocket in the proper position, and its somewhat thicker toe helped to keep it anchored there. We shot the gun off a bench using the bipod and sandbags, and we also shot it from various field positions using a tight sling. It exhibited no flex, and all fittings remained secure.
The X-22 Hunter stock represents good value in a quality accessory and a nearly effortless opportunity to significantly enhance a well-regarded rifle’s ergonomics and its ability to readily accept accessories. Whether assembled onto a factory 10/22 or one of its clones with “tuned” action parts, the Magpul Hunter X-22 stock is certain to lend the gun an entirely new appearance and make it more pleasant to shoot well under any circumstance.
MSRP: $140
Contact: Magpul Industries (Dept. AR), 8226 Bee Caves Road, Austin, TX 78746; (877) 462-4785; magpul.com.
