Shooting Times (UK) has reviewed the .22 Ruger 77/22 rifle
Priced towards the upper end of the rimfire scale, the M77/22 still gives excellent value for money. Build quality is good, as is the accuracy and reliability in the test.
With the options of stainless and synthetic designs, this rifle gives a genuinely good choice for any rimfire shooter - it has the feel of a centrefire rifle but the weight of a light sporter. Supplied with 1in dedicated scope mounts, it is a definite winner as is the pre-threaded barrel, essential on a sporting rimfire these days.
I briefly looked at getting the synthetic model. I decided it was not worth the price. In my opinion for the price it should include an adjustable trigger and free floating barrel.
The inventor of the Akins Accelerator, the replacement stock for a Ruger 10/22 that allows controlled bump firing, is suing the United States over the BATFE’s ruling that the Accelerator wasn’t a machine gun, but now is. Here’s the complaint.
If you have not been following the saga: the ATF initially approved the sale for the stock, then sometime later declared that it converted a rifle into a machine gun.
B.B. has written two posts about the air guns launched at SHOT. I was going to cover the SHOT air guns, but B.B. knows a lot more about the subject than I do.
Wow! Ruger has finally decided to sell a Mini-14 with a 20 round factory magazine!
NRA Mini-14 Rifle:
Chambered in the popular and proven .223 Rem. cartridge and shipped with two 20-Round magazines. (Note: 20-round magazines are not available in all states and locales; 5-round magazines are available where required to meet state and local regulations limiting magazine capacity.)
Ruger are finally getting their act together!
Ruger has resisted putting in high capacity magazines since Mr Ruger wrote a letter to Congress
“The best way to address the firepower concern is therefore not to try to outlaw or license many millions of older and perfectly legitimate firearms (which would be a licensing effort of staggering proportions) but to prohibit the possession of high capacity magazines. By a simple, complete, and unequivocal ban on large capacity magazines, all the difficulty of defining “assault rifles” and “semi-automatic rifles” is eliminated. The large capacity magazine itself, separate or attached to the firearm, becomes the prohibited item. A single amendment to Federal firearms laws could prohibit their possession or sale and would effectively implement these objectives.”
And then stated on an NBC interview that:
“no honest man needs more than 10 rounds in any gun…” and “I never meant for simple civilians to have my 20 and 30 round magazines…”. It has long been Ruger’s policy to limit sales of those items to Law Enforcement or Military purchasers”
Hot on the heels of the new SR9 Ruger has released the LCP .380 Auto Lightweight Compact Auto. It is good to see Ruger waking up and addressing customer demand. It will sell for $330.
The 9.4 ounce LCP pistol has a capacity of 6 + 1 rounds of .380 Auto. With a height of only 3.6 inches and a width of .82 inches, the small, lightweight LCP pistol is a reliable back-up or carry pistol. The high-performance, glass-filled nylon frame is topped by a through hardened blued slide. The Ruger LCP features a 2.75 inch barrel and an overall length of 5.16 inches. When size and weight savings count, the Ruger LCP pistol is a natural for personal defense carry, in a purse, briefcase, or inside hiking gear.
Specs:
Caliber: .380 Auto Capacity: 6+1 Rounds
Finish: Blued
Grip: Glass-Filled Nylon Barrel Length: 2.75″ Groove: 6
Twist: 1:16″ RH
Overall Length: 5.16″ Weight: 9.4 oz
California Approved: No
Massachusetts Approved: No
Front Sight(s): Fixed
Rear Sight(s): Fixed Suggested Retail Price: $ 330.00 Miscellaneous: One 6-Round Magazine Included.
The Press release:
Ruger enters a major new market with the introduction of the Ruger LCP (Lightweight Compact Pistol), a .380 autoloader that offers legendary Ruger reliability and quality in an ultra-light, compact carry pistol. Following quickly on the heels of the successful introduction of the Ruger SR9â„¢ 9mm pistol, the LCP is the latest addition to the Ruger Hard-Râ„¢ line of products, and it demonstrates a firm commitment by the Company to respond to customers.
In fact, “The development and introduction of the Ruger LCP is in direct response to customer demand,” said Ruger President, Stephen L. Sanetti. “We have not been part of this market, but the growing number of states authorizing the licensed carry of pistols for personal protection by law-abiding citizens, and continued demand by law enforcement for quality back-up guns, cannot be ignored. The Ruger LCP is a .380 Auto pistol with superior ergonomic design and handsome styling. It incorporates state-of-the-art polymers, aircraft quality aluminum alloys and high-grade precision steel components engineered for strength and maximum weight savings.”
The LCP is compatible with the following holsters:
Don Hume:
• J966630R - Black Leather J.I.T. Slide
A gun found almost 3,000 miles away was returned to its owner Monday, over 33 years after it was stolen from a Jamestown home.
Police found the Ruger Blackhawk .44 magnum pistol in tiny Clatskanie, Ore., after someone tried to sell it to a gun store in late 2007. A check on the serial number revealed the gun’s rightful owner was Fred Brown of Jamestown.
Wow! This is the 5 millionth Ruger 10/22 produced, and defiantly the most beautiful (and expensive). It is currently being auctioned at GunBroker.com. The current bid is $4,500!
Click to enlarge the photos
The rifle features rich, hand-engraved scroll designs and gold highlights that complement the clean lines and legendary performance of this classic rifle. Full-cover engraving enhances the nickel-finished receiver, featuring scroll designs and a banner that reads “Five Millionth” highlighted with 24kt gold to recognize the milestone the rifle represents. Hand-cut engraving also adorns the barrel and barrel band, and the butt plate features full-coverage engraving and the monogram of William Batterman Ruger.
The rifle has been stocked with select American black walnut.
It is the worst of the worst! With the magazine removed, the trigger functions normally, dropping the hammer, but the gun is prevented from firing. (…) It simply blocks the firing pin! Upon hearing a “click,†instead of a “bang,†the shooter knows little, because the pistol has told him little. Chamber might be empty. Might be a dud round. Magazine may be unlocked.
Being a Glock fan, I personally think the less external safeties the better. As mentioned in the article, a magazine safety should not be the only thing that separates your kid from firing your pistols.
Ruger are now offering a pistol with the 10/22 action! This is big news. Many Ruger 10/22 fans long to be able to create ‘ultimate’ 10/22 pistols but you cannot legally take a rifle and convert it into a pistol.
I predict that within a few months there are going to be hordes of 3rd party accessories to allow anyone to customize the Charger. We will be seeing ‘1911′ Chargers etc. Already you can use the vast quantity of 10/22 accessories.
It will be selling for $ 369.50 which includes the bi-pod, not not the scope. Seems a bit pricy.
Ruger’s press release:
The Ruger 22 Charger™ Pistol delivers the fun, versatility and reliability of the time tested Ruger 10/22® in a handgun. The 22 Charger features a 10-inch precision-rifled barrel mounted in an ergonomically designed, warp-proof, laminated stock. The adjustable bipod that ships with every 22 Charger pistol provides added control and stability on the range or in the field. A new extended magazine release allows easy removal of the legendary Ruger 10-shot rotary magazine.
Whether you prefer a high magnification scope for long-range varmint shooting, or a red dot sight for quick and sure target acquisition, a combination Weaver®-style and “tip-off†sight mount allows your choice of optics. Either way, it is a great new pistol for long-range target shooting.
The Ruger 22 Chargerâ„¢ pistol has an overall length of 19-1/4 inches and weighs 3-1/2 pounds, without the supplied bipod. The matte black finish compliments the black laminate stock and completes the weather-resistant package. It comes with a gun rug bearing the Ruger logo.
With most firearms that come in for review, I pass it around a bit to other shooters to get their opinions. However, promising to keep the Charger hidden until December 17th, I had to keep this one to myself. My wife did catch me playing with the pistol, and stated ; “That’s the coolest thing I’ve ever seen!” That means a lot coming from her, as she is not really into guns, and has become pretty jaded over the past twenty-eight years, seeing a lot of firearms come through here. In fact, for our tenth wedding anniversary, I gave her a brand new Ruger 10/22 rifle. It was our 10th, and we were married on the 22nd, so it seemed like a natural choice to me. She has never fired it. After watching me shoot the Charger, she liked it. She wants to shoot this one.
With the superb pedigree of the famous Ruger 10/22 rifle behind it, I think that the .22 Charger will find a lot of owners. It is a great little plinker, and would just be perfect for shooting the game of rimfire silhouette, or any other animated target game. As a hunting pistol, it should prove to be very successful, as it handles like the good single shot and bolt action pistols on the market, but with the reliable ten-shot semi-auto action of the 10/22 rifle.
I have read the reason it is not California legal is because the magazine is outside of the pistol grip. This makes it an AOW (All other weapon) assault weapon under California law, see dogon1013’s comment below.
UPDATE
The, much more expensive, MagnumLite PiCuda Pistols are very similar, based on a 10/22 action, and available in .17 Mach 2
The trigger pull is a bit heavy but it was quite crisp. It wouldn’t hurt to put in a good trigger kit like a Volquartsen or Jard system. Maybe when we get a warm calm day I’ll get some fresh ammo and try it without handicapping the pistol. If you want to shoot it without the bipod the legs flip forward but it feels kind of awkward. Fortunately the bipod attaches to a sling swivel mount with a pin and comes off with the turn of a thumb screw. My shooting buddy like Mr. C is a lefty and even people who shoot with the wrong hand find the stock comfortable. He didn’t even get hit with the ejected brass. He said that was a plus and claims that brass hitting the forehead is somewhat distracting and affects accuracy.
Both of us were really pleased with the new Charger, and it looks just as good in person as it does in the picture.
Ruger has just released their disastrous third quarter results. Their share price fell 37.71% as of Wednesdays close!
This graph shows the last three months of Ruger (RGR) trading. Click on the graph to expand it.
Their CEO, Michael O. Fifer, wrote a letter to Ruger shareholders. He had this to say:
For decades, Ruger introduced innovative designs on a regular basis, stimulating consumer demand. That strength has waned in the past few years with the passing of Bill Ruger, Sr. and a weakening of the product development resources at Ruger.
Nothing new here. It has taken them 20 years to clone the Glock pistol and produce the recently released SR9 striker fired pistol.
He goes on to say:
Ruger has not participated in some of the fastest growing segments of the consumer firearms market. These segments, which include AR-15 style rifles, compact carry pistols and revolvers, and striker-fired, auto-loading pistols, have recently been the engines of growth in the consumer firearms market.
Several of our top distributors have experienced growth rates in one or more of these categories in excess of 40% for the first nine months of the year. We plan to develop products for several of these markets. We recently had a very successful launch of our new striker-fired, auto-loading pistol, the Ruger SR9.
They have already launched a striker fired pistol so that leaves compact carry pistols and revolvers and AR-15 rifles.
Remington, one of their major competitors in the rifle market, have just announced their first line of AR-15 hunting rifles, the R-15.
The Remington R-15
I think Ruger will announce an AR-15 hunting rifle this time next year.
(The above photo is a photoshop I made… obviously. Not to mention the ‘evil’ 30 round magazine that Ruger will never sell.)
It makes perfect sense. The black, or more politically correct, camo rifles are what is selling.
Hi, welcome to my blog! This blog is dedicated to all things firearms related. I hope you enjoy it.
I want this blog to appeal to a worldwide audience and so I will be focusing on firearms and shooting rather than country specific politics. There are already many great blogs defending your rights!
Hi, welcome to my blog! This blog is dedicated to all things firearms related. I hope you enjoy it.
