I purchased a blued Ruger with iron sights 22" barrel, sporter profile, from S&P Outfitters and installed it on one of my 10/22's. It shoots very nice groups with select types of ammunition. I also ran the same ammunition through a 18.5" bl and the 22" barrel and the velocities were within 10 to 20 fps so the longer barrel did not result in lower velocities due to increased bullet resistance.
I have seen the stainless model you have mentioned but not a blued one so I don't know if this barrel was a left over part or made for a rifle not produced.