I bought my 10/22 (at "Pony Express" a neat gun-store in Van Nuys, Ca that is long gone) almost 23 years ago. It has traveled all over the US with me, worn all sorts of different accessories & been modified/customized several times over. It has been taken out shooting more times than all my other firearms put together & never once became so unserviceable that 5 mics of quick, simple maintenance that required no more tools than my multi-tool on the tailgate of a truck could not fix & always chewed through any/all ammo I fed it! Original receiver too...everything else has been replaced here & there over the years, but, never because it was unserviceable!
Although every gun has it's ideal purpose....the 10/22 has diligently earned it's place as my all time favorite! Whether introducing new folks to shooting, "pinging" steel targets or eradicating an invasive ground squirrel population...the 10/22 is always ready for the task!
On a sad note: It has sat in the safe the last few times I went to the range because I only have a single brick of ammo left & have not been able to find more at a semi-reasonable price lately!