As a "reward" for painting the family room & buying my wife's new furniture, I treated myself to a new Ruger 10/22 rifle. I chose the lowest of the low-end model, which cost me $199 NIB. First impressions are not bad - this is a light little rifle that mounts quickly. The stock is birch, and has a plastic buttcap. I measured the barrel at 18.5 inches, and weighted the trigger at 6# 1.5oz. The iron sights are pretty poor, at least for me - I can't make out the small brass insert in the front blade. This rifle will serve it's purpose, which is, of course, to serve as a host for some serious modifications.

First off will be a Leupold VX-1 2-7x scope, mounted in Leupold low PRW rings on a Power Custom 1-piece weaver base. These products were purchased a few days ago, and should be in my hands by Wednesday, and mounted on the rifle soon after. At that point, we'll head to the range for the inauguration.

In the maybe near future will be a Volquartsen Trigger Assembly to lighten the pull down to a friendly 2.5 pounds. Following that, I might like to replace the barrel with a Tactical Solutions fluted & threaded barrel, which will also require replacing the stock with a heavy barrel version, probably a Hogue Overmold. Attached to the bottom of that stock will be a Harris bipod.

And finally, the crowning glory, and the reason for a threaded barrel, will be an Advanced Armament Ranger suppressor, with ATF "sin tax" stamp.

Let's add these numbers up, just for fun.
Rifle - $199
Base - $16
Rings - $38
Scope - $220
Trigger - $213
Barrel - $220
Stock - $70
Bipod - $65
Suppressor - $595
Sin Tax - $200
Total = $1,836

Who knew such an inexpensive rifle could cost so much?? Looking at it broken down like this, this project is going to take some long time.