I got to handle the new Ruger Precision Rimfire yesterday at SHOT Show Industry Day at the Range. For my fingers’ sake let’s call the rifles the RP22. So what’s so special about the RP22?
The non-folding butt stock is adjustable every which way. The stock is solid and the adjustments are secure.
The trigger is a standard RPR trigger. You can even use your 10/22 mags.
The 18″ long 1” thick barrel at the bore tapers down to about .75” at the threaded muzzle.
The barrel is mounted via a barrel nut. DIY gunsmiths can swap barrels easily. The aftermarket will produce countless options. I bet someone is already working on an RP22 suppressed barrel.
The RP22’s bolt is the coolest bit.
The RP22 is clearly meant to function as it’s big brother’s trainer: the bolt is 3” long. Thats way longer than needed for a .22, but it does simulate the bolt throw of the full sized RPR.
Not using the RP22 as a trainer? Then remove half of the bolt and make it 1.5″ or 3″ long. Even if you don’t use this feature, respect. MSRP is $529 and is available now.
The Ruger Rep I spoke with said the RP22 was extremely accurate. Whether that statement is or not remains to be seen.
Freudian slip?
“It doesn’t matter at all WEATHER you are right or left-handed or have trained on a G36 / HK416 weapon system…”
Wow.
I live in a small native village in bush Alaska. I’m thankful that I’ve never had to defend myself against anything but an overly aggressive dog. However, I’ve learned a few things.
1. Bear spray is worthless – I’ve used it three times. The first was simply a test to see how far it would spray. Unless it’s dead calm, you better be sure you know what direction the wind is blowing. When I test sprayed it, there was the slightest cross wind. It immediately blew enough of it back in my own face that had it been a defensive use, it would have made matters worse. The second and third time I used bear spray was against overly aggressive dogs. The first time a strong cross wind completely redirected the spray 90degrees to the side. The second time it was dead calm, but it sure wasn’t a 16ft spray. The dog was close enough however that the spray did hit the dog right in the face. The dog did nothing more than backup, sneeze, and trot away.
2. Your gun needs to be accessible and not overly retained. The majority of my travel is either via ATV or Snowmachine, while not on foot. If I’m on my ATV my rifle stays in your typical V shaped rifle mount that attaches to my front rack, retained by rubber straps. At anytime I can simply reach forward, undo the straps, grab my rifle and I’m good to go, or so I thought…
It was day 3 of the hunt and we decided to head home due to adverse weather. I was driving along an overland trail, about to cross a small creek and pop back out onto the beach of our lake. As soon as I rounded the corner I spotted a probably 900lb brown bear, not barely 20yds away. The bear was just as startled as I. The bear had 2 options, attempt to scale the rocky cliff one direction, or head straight my direction. Thankfully he decided to scale the cliff because it was a good 20 seconds or more before I could undo the straps to my rifle and get it pointed in his direction. Had he chosen to come my direction, there’s no telling what would have happened.
My sidearm at the time was unfortunately in a hip holster, covered by jackets. It would have been just as inaccessible while my body was pumping with adrenaline. Since then, I have switched to a GunfightersINC chest holster. This holster always lives on the outside of my outermost coat. It provides fantastic retention without the need for any straps, buckles, or the like. When I need it, I simply have to grab my pistol and pull. The rest of the time it stays secure in its holster.
All of that being said, in my past 4 years in Alaska, you know how many times I’ve been attacked by a bear? Zero. Would I be able to stop a bear attack if it happened to me? Who knows. The dozen or so times I’ve encountered bears out here, they’ve either minded their own business or run the other way. The biggest thing you can do to protect yourself from bears (at least in Alaska) is to respect them, their home, and their food source.
Conflicted – I prefer to shoot left-handed (as does wife), but would want a classic like this to be “correct”.
Ok. . .
1) are these Alaskan hunters from Alaska? Cause they’d be weaponless from the a _ _ rape they’d get coming through Canada.
2) lots of bear attack stories lately. Global warming? Or can’t hunt them easily/legally so shoot yourself a moose and wait around for the main event?
3) Self defense from a bear attack with a pistol is a cautionary tale at best, correct?
As another lefty, I’ll also say no thanks. The original design is just right for lefties. And for those mentioning it, the mag release and safety is already ambi.
I’d be pissed if someone hauled me around in a Lada.
This guy assumes most soldiers could shoot accurately out to 500 yards while under an adrenaline dump… 5.56 is just fine.
Cost of a home-made bump-fire shotgun with parts from your local hardware store – $5.
Money collected at a no-questions-asked event – up to $250.
Your feeling of accomplishment – Priceless.
I don’t usually comment but I gotta tell thanks for the post on this perfect one :
D.