Gun Of The Week: Davidson’s Exclusive Ruger 10/22 Takedown Magpul FDE Backpacker

Welcome to another American Rifleman Gun Of The Week video, and in this episode, we’re on the range with another Davidson’s Exclusive. This time, Davidson’s has partnered with Ruger and Magpul to offer a popular rifle-and-stock combination straight from the factory. This is the Ruger 10/22 Takedown Magpul FDE Backpacker. Watch the video above to see the latest Davidson's Exclusive featuring Magpul's X-22 Backpacker stock in use on the range.

Davidson’s is one of the largest firearm distributors in the country, and it works with manufacturers to bring special configurations to market that you just can’t find anywhere else. Davidson’s works with companies all around the world, but when it comes to Ruger, the collaboration between the two has produced dozens of unique designs for today’s shooters. This specially outfitted Ruger 10/22 Takedown model is yet another great option.

Ruger’s 10/22 is, of course, one of the company’s iconic offerings, having been around since 1964. The Takedown model, though, is quite a bit newer and was introduced in 2012. The simple mechanism made it easy to separate the rifle into two halves, with the forward half containing the barrel and fore-end and the back half the receiver and buttstock. Ruger offers several basic models of its 10/22 Takedown, but if you’re really looking to enhance this easily carried package, Davidson’s is taking the design to the next level in several different ways.

Six different configurations of the 10/22 Takedown are available through Davidson’s Gallery of Guns, and this FDE-finished model stands out among them. Outfitted with a 16.1” carbon-steel barrel and weighing just 4.5 lbs., empty, this 10/22 Takedown is one of the more compact models in the line, and the company’s choice of stock makes it even easier to pack away or carry. Magpul’s X-22 Backpacker Stock came out in 2017, and it’s become one of the most popular enhancements for existing 10/22 Takedown rifles. When the two halves of this Backpacker-equipped 10/22 are separated, a contoured cutout at the bottom edge of the butt allows you to fit the two pieces together like a puzzle. Once connected, the two halves are locked into a package that isn’t much longer than the barrel itself.

The benefits don’t end there, though. This FDE-colored Backpacker stock also features a covered storage compartment in the grip, as well as a hinged compartment within the stock comb. When hinged open, the compartment reveals space for three 10-round rotary magazines, allowing users to carry up to 41 rounds on board this Backpacker 10/22. A non-slip, rubber buttpad and multiple QD sling sockets. An additional cheek riser is also available for the Backpacker stock for higher mounted optics.

One of the great things we appreciated about this Davidson’s package is that it comes fully loaded with four magazines, so you can top them off and head to the range for some fun without having to stop to reload a magazine every 10 rounds. The upgraded fiber-optic sights were easy to see in daylight, and it being a Ruger 10/22, the gun ran flawlessly. For pure shooting enjoyment, there’s nothing like a 10/22, and the Davidson’s enhancements make this package a must-have.

Ruger 10/22 Takedown Davidson's Exclusive Specifications
Manufacturer: Sturm, Ruger & Co., Inc.
Distributor: GalleryOfGuns.com
Action Type: blowback-operated, semi-automatic, repeating, rimfire rifle
Chambering: .22 Long Rifle
Barrel: 16.4" alloy steel, threaded 1/2x28 TPI
Finish: satin-blued finish
Magazine: 10-round rotary box
Sights: adjustable fiber-optic rear, fiber-optic post front
Stock: Magpul X-22 Backpacker, FDE finish
Overall Length: 34.12"
Weight: 4 lbs., 8 ozs.
MSRP: $629