[Hrdnox]

Just about got my 10/22 and Charger the way I want them and saved enough for a decent scope. Wanted to keep them near stock with just a couple of extras. First thing I did was to file down the bolt releases to make them auto. Don't know why Ruger doesn't just do this on the front end, but the pieces work nicely now. I replaced the broken front sight on the rifle with a stock item. It's got a fiber optic rear and I don't know if they'll line up or not. It looks like the factory rear is taller than the replacement. Maybe there's enough adjustment, though, and the space needed to be filled with something. If not, I'll just put a factory rear sight in it's place, unless they're not useable at all with the scope rail. Then, I'll fill both dovetails with some blued plugs, if need be. That is, if I can get the new one back out. I don't think I've ever hammered on a gun as hard in my life. Sure hope I didn't bend the barrel hammering on it, because it certainly was a good shooter. Then, I built a couple of homemade bolt buffers from some 1/4" poly tubing and some round stock. Those mods almost paid for a scope. I also replaced the flat mag release on the rifle with a stock extended piece from Ruger for a little less than 6 bucks. Nice add on that the Charger already had. I'd have built my own, but I couldn't find anything I liked for the extension and the replacement was cheap enough.

I have a nice Sweet .22 scope coming, along with a set of high see-through Weaver rings. Not sure I'll have enough clearance over the Weaver rail to use the see throughs or not, but I ordered them anyway just to be sure I had enough clearance for the scope. Plan to loctite the rail down with some new screws I ordered from Ruger. I had a BSA red dot on it, but it shot so well, it seemed to justify a decent scope. I scoped the Charger with a cheap BSA holographic sight that seems to exceed my shooting abilities, so hopefully, this will take care of all my rimfire sighting needs.

I pulled both trigger groups and polished all the rough spots out. That smoothed things out a bunch, but I still plan to rework the trigger and sear to lighten up the pull a little. I've got to find a precision vice for that, though. None of mine are tight enough for precision work and I'm not gonna start grinding until I'm confident I can do it right. I've got a great set of instructions and a nice step by step video to help me out when the time comes. Along with my Ruger order, I went ahead and ordered a spare firing pin and extractor. Might never need them, but they are the weakest links and were cheap.

Anyways, I'm getting there on the cheap and am pretty pleased with the results. It's difficult to beat these guns for pure enjoyment and they are so reponsive to small improvements. They seem like different guns now.

 

[mgeoffriau]

It's not free, but by far the best improvement to my old 10/22 was a Volquartsen target hammer. Absolutely transformed the trigger.

 

[Hrdnox]

I've considered that and hammers from other aftermarket companies, but think I can wind up with the equivalent for nothing more than a little of my time and my time is pretty cheap. A lot cheaper than a $50 to $90 hammer, for sure. To be honest, my triggers don't bother me too much the way they are. A little cleaner break with a lighter pull would be nice, but I don't find the stock triggers to be all that offensive. However, I may very well own an aftermarket trigger at some point in time, if I mess up one of mine. I don't think Ruger sells hammers, since they're a restricted item. Additionally, the satisfaction of a good DIY job makes me feel good and I've heard you can actually get slightly better results, if you're diligent enough to hand fit all the pieces. As I said, I have the time to be as diligent as need be and like messing with stuff like this, anyway. Sometimes, I regret not going to gun smithing school back when it might have been an option. Might not have made as much, but I think I'd have been a lot happier overall.

 

[mgeoffriau]

The Volquartsen hammer is $40 most places -- shipping may bump it close to $50 unless you can find somewhere that ships for free (or add it to your next ammo order). I'm also in Ridgeland if you decide you want to compare triggers. My 10/22 is an old, beat up $90 job, but it's got a sweet trigger.

 

[nonnieselman]

Another trick for ya...

get a small set screw and drill/tap the trigger and make your own over travel stop

Works great.

 

[Hrdnox]

I'd like that. I've never actually felt one. Might let me know what I'm shooting for and if I achieve it. Maybe we can get together and shoot up at Turcotte sometime. I appreciate the offer. I'm free most of the time, so just holler at me here sometime when you can break free.

Oh yeah, I've read that if you're patient, you can find VQ seconds hammers in their bargain bin occasionally for $30 shipped. Supposedly, they're only blemished and the machine work is just as good as it should be. Been watching, but nothing has shown up so far.