The Ruger 10/22 semi-automatic rifle in .22 LR is one of the most successful civil firearms in history. Production of this lightweight rifle began in the USA in 1964 and continues without interruption to this day, after more than seven million pieces have been produced. In many US states, it was and still is the classic gift when boys turn 16, and is probably the gun with which the most people in the world have fired their first shot. Simple, cheap and easy to find, it has created a veritable flood of dedicated accessories in the USA, ranging from sights to complete stocks, from magazines to full conversion kits. The mechanics, in fact, are a self-contained assembly that can be easily removed from the stock and inserted in stock/chassis kits capable of radically modifying aesthetics and ergonomics. In the USA, for example, conversion kits have been on sale for years that allow you to transform your Ruger 10/22 into a Winchester M1, a Garand or even an MG 42.
Even on the other side of the world they are not sitting on their hands, and in Taiwan the SRU Division specialises in conversions for airsoft and real firearms, with very interesting products such as the SARB-15 bullpup conversion kit dedicated to AR-15 based .223 rifles that we have already told you about.
The SRU Division SRUNA-22 conversion kit
The SRUNA-22 conversion kit also makes it possible to transform a conventional 10/22 rifle into a bullpup gun, but that is not all. The kit consists of a CNC-machined 6061 aluminum upper receiver and a polymer lower receiver. The stock is compatible with AR-15 pistol grips and can be fitted with a set of spacers that allow its overall length to be adjusted from 66.82 to 68.80 centimeters. This is a fact to be taken into account as the overall length of the standard 10/22 rifle is 940 millimeters, with the barrel measuring 470 millimeters on its own. Moving the mechanics backwards results in a rifle that is extremely handy, compact and with infinite customisation possibilities thanks to the long Picatinny rail that is independent of the lower receiver, where the action is locked by six screws. This creates an independent sighting assembly, isolated from the lower frame and trigger linkage, ensuring consistent accuracy and ballistic stability. The M-Lok slots on the handguard allows for a wide range of accessories to be mounted, from bipods to additional grips.
Unlike conventional stock/chassis kits for the Ruger 10/22 rifle, which require complete disassembly for maintenance, the SRUNA-22 features a quick-release design. This allows for fast bolt access and firearm cleaning within seconds. Thanks to the unique design, reassembly does not require re-zeroing the optics.
The main limitation of this type of conversion kits has always been the trigger linkage system, which requires long transmission bars that inevitably introduce play, scratching and delays. The SRUNA-22 uses a dual-link pivot lever system for the trigger linkage. This design ensures a delay-free and frictionless trigger pull, preserving the crisp, tactile feedback of the original Ruger 10/22 trigger. The trigger assembly allows for the fitting of safety levers and triggers compatible with AR-15 rifles.
Unlike traditional bullpup conversion kits, the SRUNA-22 eliminates the common spongy trigger feel often associated with bullpup designs. SRU Division has also thought of left-handed shooters: the SRUNA-22 conversion includes a pre-cut ejection port on the left side, making it compatible with third-party left-eject 10/22 actions (available in America as aftermarket parts, of course), an essential feature for left-handed shooters wishing to use a bullpup conversion kit. The handguard inner width allows for the mounting of silencers up to 1.299 inches in diameter (suitable for .22 LR).
The weight of the complete kit is approximately 1,090 grams compared to approximately 950 grams for the standard wooden stock of the Ruger 10/22. The SRUNA-22 is available in black, tan, white or OD green.
The SRUNA-22 conversion kit thus makes it possible to turn the Ruger 10/22 rifle, which is reliable but somewhat dated in appearance, into a completely different gun in terms of both look and handling, opening the door to the boundless tacticool accessories of the AR-15 universe for an all in all reasonable price. In fact, the list price starts from USD 399.