“Interesting” 77/22 with “17 MACH 2” barrel, on GunBroker…

[Uncle Howie]

GunBroker.com - Error

Appears to have left the factory in 1990, as a 77/22 chambered in .22LR.

"Boat paddle" stock does appear to have green inserts, if a person is into those.

Now wearing a barrel that's stamped (somewhat crudely) with "17 MACH 2"

Seller states that it's a "factory .17 Mach 2 barrel." It may be a factory barrel… I'm just not sure "what" factory! I don't think it's an OEM Ruger barrel.

The font is wrong, the caliber is marked with the wrong wording.
(I believe Ruger used ".17 M2" or similar, on their barrels)

I pointed out the inconsistencies to the seller, and asked if they knew anything about the history of the rifle. I think somebody slapped on an aftermarket (or even custom modified) barrel on it.

Current bid is $1420, plus $60 shipping, with almost 17 hours left. Twenty bids, from something like 15 different bidders.

I predict there is going to be a disappointed auction winner... On the other hand, who knows? It could be a "lights out" shooter. Maybe it's a rare prototype, and a piece of history!

Now… where's my popcorn?

 

[hittman]

Ruger's site says it left there as a 22 Mag.
On my ipad, the inserts do look green.
You're right, the caliber marks are pretty crude.
I'd like to have that stock though.

 

[the_leper_colony]

Ruger's site says it left there as a 22 Mag...

I rebarreled my 77/22 Magnum (blue/walnut/no sights) to .17 HMR - but I kept the factory barrel & can swap back if I ever want to. Not sure how .17 M2 cartridges would feed from a .22 WMR magazine.

As always IMHO, FWIW, YMMV, etc., etc.

 

[bigbillyboy]

Yeah, that caliber stamping is not factory , no way.

 

[Uncle Howie]

Ruger's site says it left there as a 22 Mag.

Check the serial number again… I think it is 700-86320, which I believe comes back to a .22LR.

At first glance I thought it was 700-86920, which does indeed come back to a .22WMR.

I'll bet you made the same mistake that I did!

 

[hittman]

863 or 868, I can't tell when I blow it up ….

 

[Busterswoodshop]

The number is 700-86320.

Maybe I'm missing something here but,
Isn't the barrel marked with the Ruger name and warning ?
If so , how can it be an after market barrel.
Can the original barrel and receiver be converted to shoot the 17 ?

 

[hittman]

Isn't the barrel marked with the Ruger name and warning ?

I noticed that too but don't know enough about the guns to speculate any more.
Hope Chet15 sees this …. Maybe he can verify if the Ruger caliber marks are that "bad".
Either way, the Ruger site don't show those serials as a 17.

 

[hittman]

BTW, there's a factory original 22 with a good scope and green inserts for sale on the ROCS forum for $1200 …. It's been there a few months i think.

 

[Uncle Howie]

The number is 700-86320.

Maybe I'm missing something here but,
Isn't the barrel marked with the Ruger name and warning ?
If so , how can it be an after market barrel.
Can the original barrel and receiver be converted to shoot the 17 ?

GREAT catch, and I think you may have solved the mystery!

I saw the Ruger name and warning, but was so focused on the shoddy caliber marking, that the presence of the barrel warning didn't "click."

A .22LR action can typically be rebarreled for .17 Mach 2.

Using your observations, my latest theory: the Ruger factory barrel was relined with a .17 barrel liner, and a .17 Mach 2 chamber cut.

If that is what was done, it's still a "factory barrel."

I suspect someone is going to pay an awful lot of money, for a worked-over rifle…

 

[T.A. WORKMAN]

IMHO it is a factory barrel from 2005 (that's when Ruger brought out the .17 Mach II) mounted on a 1990 .22 cal. 77/22 rifle.
Just switched barrels.
Terry

 

[9x19]

Ruger didn't make any HM2 77/17 Rifles in the synthetic stocks... Blue/Walnut and Matte stainless/laminate were the only two factory offerings. So it is a parts gun at best.

They did a small run of the American Rimfire im HM2 with green stocks, for Whitakers.

 

[collectormzornes]

I wish I would have bought the American Rimfire one as I have the other rimfire to match it. I was dumb and didn't jump on it when I should have. Good info you have provided as well and I think you are absolutely correct no regular stainless 17hm2 barrels where made other than the coated varmint barrel that is grey