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

KelTec PR57
KelTec PR57

KelTec’s PR57: Thinking Outside The (Detachable) Box

KelTec has brought the stripper clip back with the thoroughly unconventional PR57—a carry pistol with an uncommon chambering, an unusual action and no box magazine.

The Armed Citizen® June 9, 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.

More Western States Opening Large Shooting Ranges

A number of states in the western U.S. have opened or are planning to open large, versatile ranges to serve the growing need for publicly accessible shooting spaces.

Preview: Sneaky Pete Distressed Leather Perfect Holster

More than just a fresh look made using handcrafted leather, the Sneaky Pete Distressed Leather Perfect Holster has been redesigned to accommodate extra ammunition in addition to a concealed firearm.

New For 2025: Rost Martin RM1S & RM1C Comped

Two new models joined the Rost Martin handgun lineup in 2025, one with subcompact dimensions and another with a built-in compensator that promises to reduce recoil substantially.

CMP Resumes M1911 Pistol Sales

As of January 2025, the Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) had resumed sales of surplus U.S. Army M1911/M1911A1 pistols to qualified U.S. citizens.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.