I have a soft place in my heart for rimfire rifles and and an extra soft spot for Ruger rimfire rifles. My first gun was a 10/22 which still keeps chugging despite the tens of thousands of rounds of poor quality ammuntion, dirt, and poor maintenance I’ve thrown at it over the years. And while it has been a great gun, there’s something to be said for having a bolt action gun in the safe. Especially for teaching new shooters the finer points of marksmanship. Enter the Ruger American Rifle in .22 LR . . .
Our test model is the Standard model which sports a 22 inch barrel and 13.75 inch length of pull on the buttstock. The RAR is also available in a Compact model which features an 18 inch barrel and 12.5 inch length of pull. Additional buttstocks are available from Ruger for those who like a shorter LOP on a long barrel rifle or a longer LOP on a Compact model. The RAR is also sold in .17 HMR and .22 WMR flavors. However, our test model is a .22 LR version.
Introduced late in August of 2013 (link for the presser here), the American Rifle boasts some really nice features for not a lot of money. Starting at the back and moving forward, I immediately noticed the aforementioned interchangeable buttstocks which allow for a “low” comb for iron sight shooting, and a “high” comb for use with optics. Additionally, the short and long length can be swapped out from the Compact and Standard versions. The high and low comb addresses one of my major issues with modern bolt guns as most manufacturers still see fit to use a low comb on rifles shipped without irons. The combs are easy to change as they are a friction fit locked in place with the rear sling swivel. I managed to swap them back and forth in less than five minutes.
Further forward, the RAR has a crisp trigger that looks suspiciously like a Savage AccuTrigger, but isn’t. This test model breaks cleanly at 3 lbs with zero takeup or creep. Astute readers will also notice that the RAR takes the same detachable rotary magazines as its sibling, the 10/22. That alone is a major selling point for me. I hate how many different magazines I’ve collected over the years and having readily available, cross-platform magazine functionality is awesome.
Flipping the gun over reveals a very well thought out receiver that includes machined dovetails for 3/8″ tipoff rings, and mounting holes for Weaver #12 Bases. Worrisome though that the set of tipoff rings that worked so well on my 10/22 don’t seem to fit here. It appears they were made for a different shaped receiver than what I have in my hands. I wasn’t able to find a recommended set from Ruger, but I’ll keep researching. Either way, this gives the owner of a RAR the flexibility to utilize the mounting system of their choice.
Forward of the receiver is a familiar sight (pun intended). Ruger has elected to utilize a rear dovetail, and fiber optic front. I’ve never been a huge fan of this arrangement as I prefer a ghost ring rear. However, the Williams front sight is VERY bright and nestles naturally in the V. The screw pattern on the rear two receiver screws matches the 10/22 perfectly and TechSights advertises their MXT 200 as being a perfect fit for those that prefer the longer sight radius and easy sighting a ghost ring provides.
From a cursory once-over and some limited dry fire, I’d say Ruger has a winner on their hands. This rifle is a great choice for the novice shooter or experienced pro. Once the fundamentals of iron sight shooting are established, a scope can be added, the comb can be swapped and you’re off to the races. Additionally, the move to a 10/22 will be very easy given a similar sighting system, and the cross-platform magazine compatibility.
While .22 LR is rarer than hen’s teeth at the moment, supply will eventually catch up with demand, and we can go back to enjoying the finer points of plinking. If you happen to have a cache of ammo, or know that one day you will, Ruger wants you to grab one of these guns. Before you do, stay tuned over the next month or so while we put the RAR through some testing to see if first impressions last.
Just Arrived: Ruger American Rifle .22 LR
Tyler Kee
Perhaps if Cerberus/Freedom Group took the long view and produced high quality firearms that people wanted, during a time of record high sales, they could turn a handsome profit? Wait. Forget it, I must be wrong.
Excellent review of what I consider a very fine
weapon. I own a PT 101 p.I carry it daily, open carry.I have fired many rounds through this pistol. never a failure of any kind.I learned quite a bit from the comments that follow the review.My barrel also has very minimal movement but, but it appears normal to me.Thanks to all the reviewer as well as you guys that posted comments.
Don’t dry fire a rimfire weapon. The firing pin is not intended to be dry fired. Easy to research
It’s funny when people lump the agency in as to what gear they have. Last I checked the CIA isn’t a law enforcement agency per se. And it used to be they could get in huge trouble for working here in the states seeing as they are a “intelligence” organization. Frankly I’d rather have an intel guy have some military experience over a degree any day of the werk
I anxiously await further testing as I have been taking a look at this little rifle.
He started with “….Now, I assumed that after….” and followed that by dancing the blood of the victims, waving the bloody shirt as high as he could, and then confused the coffins of those victims with the soapbox he wants to stand on.
What a right-royal git.
I was supposed to say “Pierce who? Never heard of her.” But I got distracted with the macabre visage he promotes and how thoroughly he doesn’t understand what it means to be a Citizen instead of a subject.
I bought this rifle the day it came out, put a Nikon 4x on it, and it shoots great. It is safe to dry fire, just like the 10/22, and any of the Mark pistols, as they ALL have a firing pin stops on them.
Did you say you dry fired a 22? Excuse me while I retrieve my eyes from the back of my skull.
Get your head out of 1980. Many modern rimfire firearms can be dry-fired as they have a stop on the firing pin that prevents it from impacting the breech face. That pesky user’s manual that comes with the gun will confirm if it is safe to do or not.
If not, get some snap caps or make a few blanks. Problem solved.
What type of schooling do you need to be a “specialist” in handling a demilitarized shell casing???
Too bad there is already a recall on them…
http://www.guns.com/2014/03/14/ruger-announces-recall-select-ruger-american-rimfire-rifles/
The worst part of that recall is that while anyone who is affected gets a free magazine for their trouble, “Residents of Connecticut will receive a gift certificate to Ruger’s web store in lieu of a free magazine.”
Because, I suppose, basic 10-round rotary magazines are disallowed in Connecticut. The stupidity level is astounding.
Not the .22 LR ones, it seems.
“Ruger is issuing a recall of a batch of Ruger American Rimfires chambered for .22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire and .17 Hornady Magnum Rimfire“
The intent of the 2nd amendment is that we be able to defeat our government when/if they become oppressive, go out of control, begin to (as they have) pass laws which violate our rights. Therefore: If the military has it we should be able to buy, own, & use the same weapons. This would include automatic weapons, high capacity magazines, ANY firearm, weapon, explosive the military has & could use against us in a civil war should be available to our ownership & we should be allowed to carry said weapons ANYWHERE we go. No-one should have the right to ban those weapons from their place of business, office, government building, etc.
I just got in the door from my son’s house where we mounted the redfield 3×9 scope on my new Ruger American .243. That rifle feels so good and the trigger sort of works like a Glock trigger. Take up the slack on the doohickey in the middle until it reaches the main part of the trigger and it breaks clean.
It’s raining right now but I’m hoping to get to the range tomorrow and sight it in.
One thing I did notice about the centerfire version. It had a counter bored barrel. Is that true of the rimfire? I have a russian made .22 bolt gun sold under the winchester name here that has a counter bored barrelo and it’s a tack driver even with a cheap scope on it.
Thats really weird. I’ve got a 1923 Hex Nagant thats been counterbored, I presumed because the barrel crown was damaged at some point. Did a google and apparently some target rifles get counter bored from the start, including some Ruger 10/22s. The Russian’s apparently used counter boring on new rifles to reduce muzzle flash as well. No clue about whether its true or not.
I am tired of this site and the anti-cop slant. RF posts an article about a cop shooting and the arm chair quarter backs come out in droves, followed by 200 comments of cop bashing.
Here’s a new flash – there are two standards. Now you have confirmation. The Thin Blue Line has a standard for you and a standard for them. That’s the way it is and always will be. I personally think there are and should be limits to that. I hate police militarization. I hate 4th amendment violations and laws governing 10 round magazines. But if you’ve ever read anything I’ve ever responded to on here you know that already. Here’s the deal, if you don’t like that double standard, become a cop. Oh, you don’t want to be a cop? Fine, then live with it. Because let me tell you, the job isn’t easy. Most do it because that’s all they know. I come on here and get to see comments about how cops are overpaid and have easy jobs. I made 19.5k my first year as a cop, and that was with a college degree, in a suburb of Charleston no less. Not exactly overpaid. What did I do for that? Well, I fought drunk shitheads, arrested drug dealers, went into buildings looking for burglars and much much more. Yup, I asked for it. I applied and got hired and that’s the job I asked for. I don’t want a cookie, I just want some here to understand that while I think you have the absolute right to own any weapon you want, including belt-fed, crew served weapons, I also think the double standard you speak of is not the enemy you all make it out to be. Sure some bad cops take advantage of it. But in my experience, they all get theirs in the end. What comes around goes around, and every cop or LEO on here knows what I am talking about. We do police our own, but it’s behind the curtain. Sorry that you don’t get to see the results – cop cult and all that applies.
I am tired of the whining about how “that’s your job” and “you chose that profession, I didn’t, so suck it up.” True, I did. We did. But I can say the same thing – If you don’t like it, go be a cop. “I don’t want to be a cop” you say. Fine then don’t, but the double standard is here to stay. You know what else is here to stay? Another kind of double standard. The one that says anything I do, any action I take, will be held to a much higher standard. Make a mistake? I can loose my job. Have a bad night, Giglio and lose my job. For the rest of my life, If I make a bad call, I am held to a higher standard, always.
So flame away and tell me how wrong I am. But here’s the truth, LEO’s are not your enemy. Most of us support the 2nd amendment 100%. No “buts” or caveats. I know what shall not be infringed means. It means, shall not be infringed. Period. That’s what I came on to this site originally for, not cop bashing. There’s always exceptions. Whenever a crazy idiot shoots up a school or other facility, you’re the first to point out that that gun owner was the exception. But when a cop screws up, he’s the rule. All cops suck from that point right?
Whatever – go on making enemies and promoting the “Us vs. Them” mentality that does nothing for the 2A cause, it just feeds into the hate cycle and gives the antis more stereotypes to exploit.
I’ve read every post here and can’t help but ask.
Why are people so worried about sweeping
their WML when their finger should NEVER
be on the trigger? Your trigger finger IS the
last step to firing your gun. It should NEVER
be on the trigger. NEVER NEVER NEVER.
So given that, what is the worry? A few
of the posters did get it right.
This discussion makes me want to buy a new gun.
Maybe a SIG P-238 or a good AR-15.
Relatives of armed robber at Family Dollar store say shooter should have “just left the store”:
http://www.guns.com/2013/11/21/family-shot-suspect-says-armed-citizen-just-left-store-video/
I would dearly like to shoot that professional but I doubt that I would want to spend $2500 just to have one. The 1911 design remains the most ergonomic design on the market. Even the cheapest RIA 1911 has a smoother trigger than any non custom job around. There is a reason that it is still in use by the military and special police units 100 years after its introduction.
Also I note Matt was wearing thick gloves. I would like to see him try it bare handed.
Bye-bye, Redcoat.
“Engage me, ruffians!”
Matt’s RHMB in frog lube was pretty good. It turned black and blew up all over the brick it was on.
He sure had a fancy way of saying I’m making some wild a$$ guesses to support my personal view and try to get someone to throw some money at me so I can keep making wild a$$ guesses rather than getting a real job.
For a visual equivalent of this thread (after the original post) see:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=br-svKoNfXY#t=153
(Best part is at 2:31)
This is a dissertation. The guy doesn’t have the academic standing of a stuffed turtle, and his pronouncements are bizarre at best.
I wish I could read, and critique, the entire article, but it costs $35.00 to download what is essentially his wild guesses based on whatever silly climate paradigm he uses.
Charlie (has read a dumb dissertation or two!)