The hosts are at Take Aim Training Range in South Carolina with the Desert Tech Trek 22, a bullpup configuration built around the Ruger 10/22. They describe it as essentially an upgraded or bullpup version of the classic 10/22, chambered in .22 LR. The discussion notes how plentiful .22 LR is and how it can be run in both supersonic and subsonic loads for different performance characteristics. Desert Tech offers the Trek 22 either as a complete rifle, minus the optic, or as a chassis that can accept an existing Ruger 10/22. The hosts emphasize how common the 10/22 platform is and how much broad appeal .22 LR has for casual shooting and taking kids to the range.
They walk through the Trek 22’s configuration, pointing out that it uses standard Ruger 10/22 magazines and retains the familiar 10/22 action inside the bullpup chassis. The rifle shown has a Picatinny rail for optics and a user-added muzzle device. The trigger is described as surprisingly decent for a stock setup, integrated into the chassis. The hosts highlight the rifle’s lightweight feel and “survival gun” or backpacking vibe, noting that it can carry a 10-round magazine in the well and store two additional 10-round magazines on the side of the stock. This compact storage makes it suitable as a small trail gun for informal target shooting or dealing with small pests like squirrels and possums.
After firing the Trek 22, they comment on how quiet .22 LR is, with one shooter even going without ear protection for a short string and reporting no ringing. The rifle is described as lightweight, compact, and easy to handle, while still using common Ruger 10/22 magazines. They focus on the controls, showing the magazine release located behind the magazine well, which is pushed up to rock the magazine out. They also demonstrate the bolt hold-open system: pulling the bolt back, pressing a small tab to lock it open, and then releasing it in a way that feels similar to an AR-style control. Compared to a standard 10/22, this setup allows the bolt to go forward more intuitively once the tab is pressed, which they consider a meaningful improvement.
The hosts note that the Trek 22’s trigger feels soft and easy to manage, especially considering it is essentially a stock Ruger 10/22 trigger working through the bullpup linkage. They address the common concern about dry firing .22 LR rifles, explaining that some older rimfire designs can be damaged when the firing pin strikes the chamber edge, but that the Ruger 10/22 is not one of those. According to them, the 10/22 can be dry fired without harming the rifle, which they demonstrate on camera. They also mention that, because this is a bullpup, the action sits behind the grip, so manipulating the bolt requires reaching back along the stock. Even so, they find the operation straightforward and continue to emphasize how compact and manageable the rifle feels in use.
They then move to shooting the Trek 22 with a suppressor attached, referring to it as a new can that is not clearly shown on camera but is clearly audible in its effect. With the suppressor installed, they describe the rifle as “uber quiet” and very satisfying to shoot. The hosts run 10-round magazines through the gun, demonstrating how easily the magazines eject and how convenient the side storage is for quickly accessing another 10-rounder. They repeatedly remark on how little noise and recoil the setup produces, especially when holding the bolt closed to minimize mechanical sound. The can only becomes warm to the touch rather than excessively hot, reinforcing the low recoil and low-pressure nature of suppressed .22 LR in this configuration.
To compare ammunition types, they first shoot supersonic .22 LR through the suppressed Trek 22, then switch to subsonic loads. With subsonic ammunition, they note an even greater reduction in noise, calling it possibly the quietest .22 they have heard. They fire into the berm rather than steel targets to avoid extra sound, focusing on the report of the rifle itself. The combination of the bullpup Trek 22, the suppressor, and subsonic .22 LR produces a very soft, muted shot. They comment on how little heat and recoil are generated, and how the action’s position behind the grip slightly changes the manual of arms but remains easy to manage. Overall, the suppressed, subsonic setup stands out as particularly quiet and enjoyable.
Wrapping up, they describe the Trek 22 as a practical option for backpacking, small pest control, or introducing new shooters who might be intimidated by larger calibers. Its light weight, compact bullpup layout, and ability to mount accessories make it adaptable while remaining simple to operate. They compare .22 LR and .50 BMG as opposite ends of the fun spectrum, noting that .22 LR consistently puts smiles on faces at the range. The hosts say the complete Desert Tech Trek 22 rifle, without optic, runs around the $800 range, while the chassis alone for an existing Ruger 10/22 is about $300. They were impressed that the rifle stayed cool and recoiled minimally during extended shooting, and they encourage viewers to share experiences with the Trek 22 or consider adding a more interesting .22 LR to their collection.
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