For several years, I’ve said “I’m going to build a 10/22.” It’s almost like building an AR, of course — the sum of the parts costs can easily be way greater than the cost of just buying a rifle. A great friend of mine said, “Fun! I’ll build one, too!” so I’ve been buying some of the bits and pieces two copies at a time.

Anyway… trying to stick to a reasonable budget (after buying a couple of really nice barrels), I’ve been searching for months for OE Ruger 10/22 bolt assemblies (B-10C). Usually seen at $40 or so at Midway, now they’re “out of stock, no backorder.” None of the other “usual sources” on my list have them.

I can get Faxon or Kidd or Volquartsen or the like, but doing so brings the cost to 3x-5x a simple OE assembly. What gives?

Aside from, “they’re the cheapest,” what’s making the original equipment bolt assemblies suddenly Unobtanium? And what’s my reasonably-priced alternative?

I don't see anybody at $40. But Ebay has a couple not too far from that.

Here's what I used to see on Midway's site:


I've seen a few on eBay, but been a little hesitant -- sometimes it's a "pig in a poke," so to speak.

I did see a couple on GunBroker last night, at about $75. I'll take another look tonight.

I usually check out SAP Outfitters for factory 10/22 parts. They only have a black one when I just looked and $70 for either black or silver if they are both in stock. Business must be good when you can buy factory rifles and strip them down to sell the parts.

Plus One foe S&P Outfitters. They usually have most all 10/22 factory parts on hand. Like everyone else they sometimes go out of stock but usually have the items back soon.

Check out their specials: Recently I was able to purchase 4 of their 10/22 factory trigger packs for $20 each and free shipping.

I'll check out SAP tonight. Thank you!

I've rebuilt a few 10/22s over the years and found the aftermarket parts may cost more, but were often not superior to factory parts. Starting with a used 10/22, particularly an older one, made the most sense to me. I replace the extractor with one that isn't stamped and put a new buffer in. After that, the rest is modifying factory parts. Other than a couple of vintage, Hogue-branded barrels, most of the ones I've come across still had sloppy chambers with excessive length. The bolts are rarely square and the headspace is excessive. Trigger groups aren't too bad to tune up, but the 10/22 just uses a less than ideal design.

Setting headspace and squaring bolt in surface grinder.


Shortening chamber and adjusting other barrel dimensions.

I finally broke down and ordered a couple from Brownell's. I'm not a bit unhappy about that, aside from the additional cost. And I'm not going to whinge much about that. They arrived this past Tuesday; all good.

And today brings email from SAP Outfitters -- they're back in stock!

Timing is everything, and patience is valuable....