Is there an easy way to reinstall the bolt? I've taken the bolt out once, to install a bolt buffer. 7 trips to the range, about 1K rounds, time to pull the bolt, but I dread trying to get it reinstalled.

I’ve taken a fair number of guns apart for a deep cleaning or some type of parts exchange. I often que up a Utube(or similar) video from a reputable source, before then during disassembly.

If one did it everyday, no biggie. The 10/22 is rather simple. For those of us that don’t do it all the time, a video refresher is great.

It gets easier with practice.
Make sure the charging handle is straight and flush with the side of the receiver. Helps to have a third hand also.

quote:

Originally posted by fgwilliams1:
Helps to have a third hand also.

That seems to be my issue!

There is two ways that I know of.

Here is one way in the youtube, but use a brass rod or brass punch or wooden dowel... not a screw driver like this guy. Otherwise he did fine. A hardened steel screw driver can do damage to aluminum parts.

I've done it so many times for decades. I do not use a tool. I use my trigger finger in the corner of charger and recoil spring with rear part seated home to pull back the recoil spring than sorta transfer to other hand holding the bolt with side charger keeping pressure on it. Put bolt back in without the buffer. Than turn it right side up! The bolt should drop down slightly to where you can seat the side charger to the bolt slot. A little extra light helps here.

Thanks for the recommendations. I got it, and in the process discovered why I was having such a hard time with it. I am not using any tools to do the job, but added LIGHT and was able to see that I was riding the bolt too far to the rear and the bolt wouldn't seat on the charger.

There is Ruger 10/22 maintenance?

Ruger has some good videos for the 10/22. Check the bottom of this page for the tech tips.

https://ruger.com/products/1022Lite/models.html

I made my own bolt removal tool. Makes disassembly a breeze.

http://drfrankenruger.com/dr_f...lt_installation_tool

I spray CLP into mine. Thats my maintenance.

My method is to have the receiver on a non slip surface. With one hand I pull back my charging handle, which is actually a little bit larger than the stock Ruger one, and at the same time physically straighten it out to get it perpendicular to the recoil spring. Then I literally slap the bolt in. I usually get it on the first try.

quote:

Originally posted by arcwelder76:
There is Ruger 10/22 maintenance?

lol, that's exactly what I thought.

Do yourself a favor and get one of these. I used to dread the same thing especially with a non captive recoil spring. This thing has made cleaning so much better.

Gunsmither 10/22 Bolt Bar and Extractor Tool https://www.amazon.com/dp/B012...cp_tai_7nvnAbBT2JKY2

quote:

Originally posted by arcwelder76:
There is Ruger 10/22 maintenance?

Haha this. I can't recall any of the 10/22 owners I know ever cleaning theirs.

quote:

Originally posted by kilyung:
I made my own bolt removal tool. Makes disassembly a breeze.

http://drfrankenruger.com/dr_f...lt_installation_tool

quote:

Originally posted by sphill:
Do yourself a favor and get one of these. I used to dread the same thing especially with a non captive recoil spring. This thing has made cleaning so much better.

Gunsmither 10/22 Bolt Bar and Extractor Tool https://www.amazon.com/dp/B012...cp_tai_7nvnAbBT2JKY2

Yes, I can’t emphasize how much easier disassembly/reassembly is with this tool. However I made mine for $3.00.

quote:

Originally posted by sphill:
Do yourself a favor and get one of these. I used to dread the same thing especially with a non captive recoil spring. This thing has made cleaning so much better.

Gunsmither 10/22 Bolt Bar and Extractor Tool https://www.amazon.com/dp/B012...cp_tai_7nvnAbBT2JKY2

Yep, it makes the job very easy. And yes, I'm one that believes all firearms including 10/22 do need maintenance/cleaning/upgrading from time to time. And although a 10/22 can go quite awhile before 'needing' cleaning, eventually you've got to get the crud out.

quote:

Originally posted by arcwelder76:
There is Ruger 10/22 maintenance?

LOL. I've cleaned the 10rd mags more than I've cleaned the rifle.

I think I've cleaned the rifle 3 times in the 30yrs I've owned it. Still shoots fine.

I'm guestimating about 1.2 million rounds through it???

quote:

Originally posted by arcwelder76:
There is Ruger 10/22 maintenance?

quote:

Originally posted by arcwelder76:
There is Ruger 10/22 maintenance?

Clean every 20 years or 100,000 rounds.

quote:

Originally posted by Texas Bob C.:

quote:

Originally posted by arcwelder76:
There is Ruger 10/22 maintenance?

Clean every 20 years or 100,000 rounds.

Or in the case of repeated, non-ammo induced failures.