I grew up shooting a Marlin .22LR semi-auto, and really liked the ability to put multiple shots downrange without having to pull off the sights. Fast forward a few years, and it was time to get a .22 again. I decided on a 10/22 this time, since there's a lot you can do with them. I knew I wanted one with a bull barrel, but didn't like everything about Rugers target model. I decided to buy a basic model, and do work to it myself.
After shooting my stock gun for awhile, I knew it would have to be improved. In stock form, the sights were hard for me to use (got glasses since then), the weight of the gun didn't feel right, and the trigger was terrible. I did a lot of research, mostly at rimfirecentral, and started making some changes.
First thing these guns need is a decent scope. Open sights may work for some, but I really like to be able to see clearly what I'm putting my bullet into. I got a basic set of rings and a 3-9X scope at Cabela's for about $120, and mounted them. Much better.
Next problem was the trigger. It was so heavy and dead feeling, my finger would actually get tired after shooting for awhile (12 pound pull, maybe?). I tried the do-it-yourself stoning the trigger components method, with mixed results. The trigger was a little better, but still not smooth, nor light. I kept stoning it until it was fairly light (though rough), and left it at that.
Next improvement was to the stock. 10/22's have very short length of pull (at least for me), so I bought a 1" rubber butt pad to put on the stock. At the same time I got a polyurethane recoil buffer, which is supposed to help quiet the gun and beat it up less. The butt pad helped a lot, I must say. The buffer -- who knows.
Now the short, light barrel on the gun was bothering me. I did more research, and decided the Green Mountain 20" unfluted 0.920" barrel was what I wanted. I found one for about $100, and got ready to install it. To do this, you either need a new stock made for a bull barrel, or you can do what I did. Since I'd read that having something attached to the barrel messed up the harmonics, I removed the plastic band on the front, and cut the stock short so it wouldn't look funny. Next I started removing wood in the channel where the barrel goes, to make room for my much larger barrel. After a bit of work, I got it just right and mounted the barrel.
Things were starting to work much better now. With the LOP straightened out, and the new heavy barrel, the gun felt great at my shoulder, and stayed on target MUCH better. The trigger, though, wasn't giving me much love. After stoning away the case hardened material on the outside of the sear, friction started wearing into the softer metal underneath. I found this out while demonstrating gun safety to some non-shooting friends. "Always point your gun in a safe direction; always know what you might shoot. Keep the safety on and your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot. See - safety on, pull trigger - nothing happens. Now, when I push the safety off like BANG!"....
I now have a Power Custom adjustable trigger group in my gun, and it's wonderful. For a budget build, I think I have about the best setup you could get. The gun cost about $600 in it's present state, but I love it. The only addition I still plan in an adjustable stock from Fajen.
My gun:
