The discussion opens by asking what the best .22 rifle really is, with contenders like Volquartsen builds, the M&P 15-22, HK 416 .22, and Henry lever-action .22s all mentioned. The focus quickly narrows to the Ruger 10/22, praised for combining reliability, low cost, and extreme modularity in a way few rimfires can match. It is compared to a Jeep or a box of Legos, a platform that can be endlessly configured for plinking, training, small-game hunting, or survival-style use. The hosts emphasize that a basic 10/22 can be bought for under $250, making it widely accessible, yet it accepts a huge aftermarket of barrels, stocks, triggers, and optics. This combination of affordability and upgrade potential sets the stage for the rest of the video, which explores how far the 10/22 platform can be pushed and whether any other .22 rifle truly surpasses it.
Using a simple, inherited Ruger 10/22 that originally cost under $250, the hosts demonstrate how dramatically the rifle can be transformed. They drop it into a Woox chassis, add a Timney trigger for a cleaner, lighter pull, and install an extended magazine release to make mag changes faster and more intuitive. A Picatinny rail is mounted on top to support modern optics. The centerpiece upgrade is an 18-inch stainless integrally suppressed barrel from AB Suppressors, turning the rifle into a quiet, precision-oriented setup. With all these components combined, the once-basic 10/22 becomes roughly a $1,400 custom rifle, offering excellent accuracy and very low noise. The video also introduces the Franklin Armory F22, a 10/22-based integrally suppressed pistol with about a 14-inch barrel and brace, pitched as a compact, easy-to-maintain backpack or survival gun that still benefits from the 10/22 ecosystem.
Attention shifts to the sheer variety of Ruger 10/22 configurations and aftermarket support. The hosts note factory models that ship with built-in Picatinny rails and versions like the 1122 that feature a removable top mount or dust cover, giving users flexibility in optics mounting. Numerous chassis-style stocks from different manufacturers are highlighted, including SB-style systems that modernize the rifle’s ergonomics. Magazine handling is a key focus: an extended magazine release is shown to dramatically improve removal and insertion compared to the standard setup. Enlarged, knurled charging handles further enhance manipulation under stress or with gloved hands. The segment also covers performance-oriented fire-control options, pointing out that both binary triggers and FRT-style triggers exist for the 10/22, enabling extremely rapid strings of fire. To frame the upcoming range test, they lay out three representative setups: a basic sub-$300 10/22, a Samson-stocked rifle with a CAT suppressor, and a Franklin Armory F22 pistol with an integral suppressor and brace.
At the range, the hosts compare unsuppressed, suppressed, and integrally suppressed Ruger 10/22 variants, acknowledging a general preference for shooting suppressed. They begin with a basic, budget 10/22 in unsuppressed form, noting that even without a can it is relatively quiet, soft-shooting, and easy to control. Adding a suppressor further tames the report, making it more comfortable and neighbor-friendly. A 10/22 in a Samson stock with a CAT suppressor is then tested and praised for its aesthetics and subdued sound. However, they observe some rounds going transonic, with the same ammunition alternating between subsonic and supersonic due to velocity variation and the longer barrel, which slightly increases noise. The Franklin Armory F22 pistol, with roughly a 12-inch integrally suppressed barrel and a binary trigger, stands out as exceptionally quiet and extremely entertaining to shoot, especially with .22 Thunderbolt ammo. The hosts discuss how barrel length, ammo choice, and suppression interact to shape both sound signature and overall shooting experience.
The conversation turns to the philosophy of “fun guns” versus purpose-driven firearms. One host, usually adamant that every firearm must have a clear mission, concedes that the F22-style .22 with a Franklin Armory binary trigger is a legitimate exception. The integrally suppressed, lightweight .22 pistol is described as extremely quiet and controllable, making it suitable even for a younger shooter such as a son. The binary trigger’s ability to fire on both pull and release adds a unique fun factor while still benefiting from the low recoil and low cost of .22LR. This leads into a broader point about the Ruger 10/22 platform: its low entry price allows owners to start with a basic rifle and gradually add components like integrally suppressed barrels, binary triggers, upgraded stocks, and optics. Over time, a simple plinker can evolve into a highly customized, mission-specific or purely recreational setup, illustrating why the 10/22 is often considered the most modular rimfire rifle available.
Quiet shooting options are explored in detail, emphasizing how .22LR can be made exceptionally discreet. The hosts mention pairing suppressors with subsonic .22LR ammunition to keep rounds below the speed of sound, significantly reducing noise. They also reference Colibri ammunition, which uses no powder and relies on primer-only propulsion, making it extremely quiet and suitable for very low-noise plinking, though not recommended for hunting due to limited energy. Viewers are invited to share their favorite Ruger 10/22 builds and configurations in the comments, from simple carbines to high-end customs. The discussion broadens to alternatives like Volquartsen rifles, many of which are based on the 10/22 pattern but executed at a premium level. The hosts openly debate whether any .22 rifle truly surpasses the Ruger 10/22 when factoring in cost, reliability, aftermarket support, and versatility, leaving the question partially to audience opinion while clearly highlighting the 10/22’s strengths.
As the video wraps up, the hosts briefly step outside the rimfire world to mention the Swiss K31, describing it as a favorite surplus rifle. The K31 is characterized as a super accurate World War II-era bolt-action gun, underscoring their broader appreciation for well-made firearms beyond the .22LR category. They then return to the day’s theme, effectively concluding their exploration of the Ruger 10/22’s capabilities, configurations, and potential claim to being the best .22 rifle. Viewers are thanked for their support and business, with a brief blessing offered as a sign-off. The segment ends on a lighthearted note as they decide to go hunt squirrels, joking that the squirrels never saw them coming, which reinforces the practical small-game role that a quiet, accurate .22 like the 10/22 can fill in addition to its recreational uses.
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