Friday Gun Pr0n #163

As promised yesterday, today's gun pr0n is my long-overdue Buy A Gun Day purchase. I started out looking for a .22LR autoloader - something simple, like a Ruger Mk II or a 22/45 or a S&W 22A that I could use to help train new shooters. I then thought about a S&W M&P15-22 as a nice trainer for the Bushmaster; a dedicated .22LR AR-platform that I could shoot at the pistol range and play with lasers and red dot sights without breaking the bank.

But I couldn't find anything. I hate buying new firearms. They're such durable goods that it just doesn't make sense to pay top dollar for a new gun (plus sales tax) when you can find something barely used for a good hundred or so less. I came across a couple different options, but they were all either sold out before I got a chance to call on 'em or they just didn't do it for me.

And then I found this:

Yes, that is what you think it is

Yup. I finally have my Ruger 10/22. This particular variant is an older model - the serial number dates it to 1973 (!), meaning that it falls squarely in the "pre-ban" category... It's so old it doesn't even have the Ruger "billboard" warning on the barrel (so it's more dangerous, LOL). The Bushnell "Custom" scope came with it, a 4X rimfire scope that sits right on the 3/8" .22 groove. It can hit a 2.5" steel spinner at 25 yards with no problem at all...

Since it's a pre-ban rifle, there's more options available to me - I can put on a collapsible stock to have something that's more adjustable for a new shooter, for example. Since it's a .22LR, a flash suppressor would be just plain old silly; ditto a bayonet lug. However, a folding stock - like the folding stock it wore right before the ban, ahem - would be kinda sweet too...

I've already got some more magazines on order - it only came with one! - as well as some aftermarket parts (already). Jury's still out on what kind of stock I want to get for it - something with a folder would be tacticool, but a collapsible stock would be more useful. Something with a rail for a forend grip would be neat, but certainly not necessary either. That'll come with time - right now I'm working on replacing some of the factory parts with upgrades like the Volquartsen extended magazine release...

Oh, one last thing: If anyone out there in America has a "pre-ban" high capacity magazine or five they'd like to trade for a brand new magazine of similar capacity, let me know...

That is all.