10/22 Takedown Standard vs Threaded Barrel

[papaSR9]

My LGS is having a sale on the 10/22 Takedown Threaded Barrel rifle for 299.00 plus tax. It is shorter than the standard takedown and I am wondering why a .22 LR would need a flash suppressor.

Does the shorter barrel length make any difference? I think that it is a good price but I am thinking that the standard model would be more functional unless having a threaded barrel is better. A noise suppressor is nice but with a 200.00 tax stamp, it will be a while before I would shovel out money for one.

Thoughts?

I know that it will boil down to my own choices but I wanted to get some opinions first.

 

[cubrock]

The threaded barrel is primarily aimed at those who want to put a suppressor on their gun. The flash hider on it just adds a cool factor for those who aren't going to suppress the gun. It is for looks only.

 

[FiremanBob]

Actually, a flash hider does have a practical purpose. It protects the muzzle crown from damage if the muzzle contacts the ground or other surface (a rock when hunting, etc). That's why the 50th DCW model has one - it was designed by an Appleseed instructor who has seen many beginners dropping their "loaner" rifles on the deck muzzle first, or dragging the barrel around while fiddling with their slings.

 

[cubrock]

FiremanBob - that makes sense. I didn't know that re: the Appleseed instructor.

 

[papaSR9]

I am thinking outside of the box but I was wondering if a regular sized takedown barrel (18.5) would fit the receiver of the shorter threaded barrel. Then I would be able to swap them dependent of my needs/mood. I see online where I can get a 18.5 takedown barrel and an extra takedown forearm so it should work as long as the receiver end of each barrel are the same. Or am I way off base?

Thoughts?

 

[cubrock]

I'd call Ruger with that question. I can see where that would be handy, but I can also see where they might have done something differently so people weren't putting pistol barrels on their takedown rifles and making illegal SBRs.

 

[papaSR9]

Thanks cubrock. I just got off the phone with Ruger and they indicated that there shouldn't be a problem with exchanging barrels so this might be an option. I originally wanted the longer barrel version of the takedown but since this is a pretty good deal, I might get the threaded and make a small investment in making it more versatile.

I won't get started with all of the other upgrades you can do with a 10/22, those other add-ons can get more expensive than buying one with just the factory options.

 

[FiremanBob]

There should be no problem at all swapping TD barrels. After all, Ruger makes barrels and receivers separately, in batches, and assembles them later on the production line. They have to be interchangeable for the manufacturing system to work.

 

[bentblade]

I am thinking outside of the box but I was wondering if a regular sized takedown barrel (18.5) would fit the receiver of the shorter threaded barrel. Then I would be able to swap them dependent of my needs/mood. I see online where I can get a 18.5 takedown barrel and an extra takedown forearm so it should work as long as the receiver end of each barrel are the same. Or am I way off base?

Thoughts?

Not sure what the point would be to doing that. There is only an 1/4" difference in the overall lengths of the two rifles.

I always thought Ruger should have brought out the gun with a 16" barrel, no flash hider, and a compact length stock to begin with. Being a take down I want it to be as compact as possible.

That being said I have the blue 16" version. I took off the Ruger flash hider and put on a G.I. A2 model just to save a half inch and have actually considered removing the threaded portion.

If Ruger really wants to make me happy they can make a blued 16" takedown with the same sights that they put on the 50th anniversary contest gun, leave the flash hider off and put whichever synthetic stock on it that weighs the least.

Just my 2 cents