There are very few firearms for dealers that sell more than Ruger 10/22 rifles; however, the aftermarket support for precision and speed shooting upgrade parts offers a much larger market opportunity with the potential for protected full-margin sales.
In a recent Tactical Retailer article, we noted that the 10/22 compatible platform has evolved, with an advanced parts aftermarket format that can shrink typical 1-inch 50-yard groups to jaw-dropping sub-⅛ -inch and hold sub-MOA beyond 200 yards. Even Ruger has $800+ Custom Shop offerings that tout sub-half-inch 50-yard accuracy. Whether customers purchase complete precision aftermarket 10/22 rifles or DIY parts, they have the option to buy the most cutting-edge CAD/CAM designs, materials, manufacturing and injection molding typically only found in the highest tier of precision rifles. We tested and built a dozen aftermarket 10/22 format factory rifles to showcase the awesomeness, flexibility and market opportunity for dealers. Let’s take a tour of some of the best the 10/22 compatible aftermarket has to offer.
Volquartsen — Complete Rifles & DIY Parts
Volquartsen — Complete Rifles & DIY Parts
Two words: impeccable quality. Every Volquartsen rifle or part I have ever tested has been of superb quality and accuracy, matching the finest custom firearms. The company literally created the match-grade custom 10/22 market and the custom Ruger MKII market and are the leader when customers want the premier-tier ready-to-shoot rifles. Some manufacturers offer one option for a high-tier barrel, but with Volquartsen, everything is high-tier, with options that range from custom fluting to sleeve and tensioned carbon fiber or aluminum barrels, custom compensators, receivers, match triggers, and parts that make every Volquartsen build over-the-top with unquestionably outstanding accuracy. Focusing in on the 10/22 line, they offer everything from a new braced Charger-style pistol all the way to lightweight billet receivers, stainless heavyweight match receivers, and even the unique Summit biathlon action, all with various custom barrel options. Volquartsen is one of the few companies that offers both complete rifles and, for the builders, nearly every part option on the 10/22.
1. Volquartsen Summit Factory Rifle. One of the most innovative aftermarket 10/22 designs is the push-pull manual Summit biathalon action originally designed by PWS and now licensed and manufactured by Volquartsen. For those who want a truly unique build, the Volquartsen Summit includes a match carbon fiber barrel, bolt, and TG2000 trigger, all from Volquartsen. Volquartsen offers a catalog of chassis options ranging from MDT and custom Volquartsen laminated wood designs to the Magpul X-22 stocks on this build. The Summit action delivers aftermarket 10/22 parts compatibility in a manual action option for customers who have restrictions or who want the quietest suppressor host available.
This unique manual action has become extremely popular with U.S. .22LR suppressor owners who want the quiet precision of a manual action paired with 10/22 compatibility. Volquartsen has done an amazing job with executing on the quality of this design, and the precision shows downrange, with my testing showing the Summit is capable of sub-.25-inch accuracy. Several groups with Lapua Center-X achieved .19-inch 50-yard groups with the Hawke and Athlon optics used during testing. Due to the very quiet capabilities when paired with a suppressor, the primary optic used for this build has been the ATN Thor, which delivered amazing thermal sight performance for the perfect suppressed shots on rodents in total darkness.
2. Volquartsen Stainless Match IF-5 Factory Rifle. The IF-5 is based on Volquartsen’s stainless threaded receiver for the highest potential accuracy. This particular model includes the I-Fluting, which reduces weight and adds rigidity to the barrel more than any other fluting option to maximize heat dissipation — all from a barrel that is 12 ounces lighter than a bull barrel. Volquartsen’s integration of a forward blow compensator is so seamless most will think it’s milled from the barrel. The craftsmanship is amazing.
The rigidity of an all-stainless construction, digital gauging, match bore and chamber tolerances have evolved over the company’s 25 years of testing. That evolution has allowed Volquartsen to achieve the goal of bolt-action accuracy from a semi-auto. Paired with their TG2000 match trigger, Woox Furiosa 10/22 inlet stock, and Hawke Sidewinder optic, the IF-5 lived up to its accuracy reputation, with repetitive 50-yard groups from .11- to .17-inch with a few different Lapua match ammo options.
Our IF-5 paired beautifully with the Woox Furiosa, which offers an equal level of beauty and capabilities as the Volquartsen rifle. The completely new 10/22 inlets are now available across the Woox line, including the fully adjustable award-winning Furiosa design. The beauty of this build is second only to its accuracy.
Tactical Solutions — Complete Rifles & DIY Parts
Tactical Solutions was one of the first companies to offer light-weight aluminum sleeved and muzzle threaded barrels. TSI barrels feature a sporter chamber for more reliability with bulk ammo and hyper-velocity ammo compatibility. Over the years, TS introduced complete rifles, Ruger and Browning pistols, Glock .22 conversions, and suppressors. They also offer an ambi charging receiver and unique shrouded SBX barrels.
3. Tactical Solutions X-Ring Takedown VR SBX Factory Rifle. Leveraging TSI’s own compatible 10/22 Takedown receiver, barreled action and Magpul Backpacker stock, TSI has created a truly unique and light option for the backpacker and suppressor owner. TSI’s barrels are based on a standard sporter chamber that can still easily deliver sub-.5-inch 50-yard groups.
Like the factory Ruger TD model, the TSI Takedown adds an ambi-chargeable billet lightweight receiver for left or right charging with integral Picatinny rail, the packable take-down features of the Magpul stock, and a unique non-NFA SBX shrouded barrel with an overall suppressor shroud length maintaining 16-inch barrel length. Suppressors screw into the barrel inside the barrel shroud and do not add length to the overall firearm. We paired this factory rifle with a Leatherwood 1-4 CMR optic and our Ruger Silent SR suppressor. The overall package stowed nicely in a standard backpack, and with the added onboard magazine storage of the backpacker stock, there is always plenty of ammo accessible. Though we had an array of premier tier 10/22 builds for this article, every tester could not keep their hands off this TSI factory rifle. TSI’s Keith Feeley noted this was one of their best-selling models. The X-Ring TD SBX delivered consistent sub-.5-inch accuracy with our subsonic CCI and Lapua rounds and impressive .6-inch groups with CCI Velocitor ammo that packs a punch for mid-sized varmints.
Tactical Innovations — DIY Parts
For customers that want trouble-free custom rifle builds, TI offers custom Cerakoted parts in a wide range of color options that are designed to fit and function reliably together for the DIY builder without the sometimes-problematic fitment of various aftermarket parts. Just like the AR-15 parts market, sometimes various aftermarket parts don’t want to work reliably together. TI’s focus is to offer a wide span of custom build options, including drop-in trigger upgrades, left or right charging receivers, Cerakote color options, match bolts, lightweight, bull and fluted barrels, full match trigger assemblies, mag releases, scope mounts, and all the various parts a builder could need. They even offer a unique action dual barrel crank-fired Gatling gun kit for 10/22 builders, which can be amazing statement pieces for dealers.
4. Tactical Innovations Custom Rifle Kits. For our custom Tactical Innovations speed challenge-style build, we focused on a gray-and-red Cerakote theme with TI components, including 2-pound match trigger assembly, left-handed charging billet receiver, match bolt, TI screws and pins, and a unique sleeved lightweight barrel with swappable sleeve. The Tactical Innovations gray-and-red Cerakoted build was paired with a PMACA lightweight billet chassis completed with an Ace Stock and Magpul pistol grip. Following the theme for easy builder assembly and reliability, the chambers are sporter chambers instead of match grade. The build functioned perfectly with a wide variety of standard to high velocity rounds and used a EOTech circle dot to maximize target-to-target speed. Despite the field chamber, swapping to a Hawke Endurance 30 2.5-10x50 optic delivered consistent sub-.50-inch 50-yard groups.
DIY Parts
Feddersen Receiver and Barrel based builds: Feddersen was very nice to provide several of their receiver and barrel options to use for custom builds. Feddersen is a bit unique in that they are a world-record-holding barrel manufacturer first and offer their receivers and customer shop rifles as options that grew from customer requests. Their SEPR - Single Edged Polygonal Rifling has a well-earned reputation in the 10/22 community for delivering single-hole 50-yard accuracy. To ensure that accuracy, Feddersen ultimately started offering an interesting premium billet tier of 10/22 receivers that span lightweight aluminum alloy, midweight bronze nickel and heavyweight nickel alloy. If polished by the builder, they are stunning. My testing over the years has shown that Feddersen barrels and receivers do consistently deliver sub-.25-inch 50-yard groups, and, in most cases, sub-⅛-inch groups. In these builds we paired several Feddersen receivers and bull and heavy tapered barrels with various triggers from Timney and chassis from KRG, MDT and Grey Birch.
5. Custom MDT ONYX Chassis Build. The ONYX chassis is the heavyweight of the group, and when paired with a Feddersen 16-inch bull barrel and heavy nickel alloy receiver, it feels more like a PRS gun. Paired with a Atlas or Magpul bipod and optic like the Hawke Sidewinder 6-24x50 FFP, the heft delivers a very stable precision shooting platform. The ONYX chassis features a unique clamp receiver design that locks the receiver in place like a monolithic build. This build has delivered more than a few .11- and .12-inch 50-yard five-round groups that are essentially single-hole, and it can reliably split playing cards at 75 yards.
6. Red KRG Bravo Chassis Feddersen Build. Essentially the same build components as above, but with the light Feddersen Billet Aluminum chassis and KRG’s Bravo Chassis. The Bravo is available in a variety of colors, offers unique fitment and receiver tensioning, and is notably the most comfortable and adjustable of all the chassis tested. When paired with a Timney Elite trigger and Swagger Bipod, this is a stable field-huntable build that is comfortable to be behind all day, with accuracy shown to be capable of .12- .14-inch 50-yard groups with Lapua XACT and Center-X. The Hawke Sidewinder 6-24x50 SFP optic clarity allows for drop compensation and clean shots on varmints to 300 yards.
7. Custom Grey Birch Foundation Chassis Build. This gun is based on the Grey Birch Foundation chassis, with a Feddersen Bronze receiver and heavy tapered 17-inch barrel with Timney Calvin Elite trigger and a Hawke Optics 2-10. This build delivers a midweight precision platform that is light enough to carry through a day hunt, but still stable enough for precision work via the Magpul bipod or integrated ARCA chassis mount for tripod mounting. For a customer who wants a lot of adaptability in a stock, including fold-down stock options, the Foundation Chassis is absolutely packed with innovations in a feathery 1.5-pound design. Grey Birch also offers complete match barreled actions that are just hitting the U.S. market now.
8. Summit Precision Build. For another Speed Challenge-style lightweight build, a PMACA billet chassis was paired with a stainless-tensioned Summit Precisioncarbon fiber barrel. Summit Precision believes that fun .22 Benz chambered carbon fiber sleeved stainless barrels should be affordable for everyone. For customers who want bright color options, Summit offers nearly a dozen carbon fiber options.
After fitting to a Feddersen aluminum receiver and pairing with a Timney match trigger and Volquartsen bolt, this build delivered excellent .25-inch 50-yard groups with magnified optics. This build was topped with a Sig Romeo 4T and delivered a very fast-shooting build with great sub-MOA accuracy with magnified optics.
9. Power Custom & VSeven. The Power Custom receiver was one of the more unique, with a removable rear mounting tang that can be used to lock down the receiver on custom stocked builds. We also used a Power Custom bolt, extended charging handle and drop-in match-grade trigger components, and we mounted the V7 barrel into a grey KRG Bravo stock. The V7 barrel is also one of the most unique barrels featured in this showcase, with chamber and rifle that chokes down the fired bullets to .20 caliber to overcome .22 rimfire bullet concentricity and to increase velocity and accuracy. Though I was concerned with the reliability of this barrel design, it proved as reliable as any of the other tight-chambered match-grade barrels and was able to deliver some of the best groups and highest velocities across a wide range of match and standard ammo.
10. Proof Research. The $650 Proof Research 10/22 barrels is hands-down the most expensive barrel used in any of our builds and only available as dealer special orders, which should make them very appealing as dealer-exclusive items. Our barrel was mounted in an out-of-production STI/Force receiver and trigger into a Victor Titan22 stock and topped with a 4-16 scope. Proof Research barrels are very well regarded as delivering premier-tier fit, finish, quality and accuracy. Though the modest .22LR does not generate much heat or stress like centerfire rounds, the 10/22 still benefits from Proof’s improved heat dissipation, no point of impact shift from heat, reduced harmonics and increased durability. The Proof barrel delivered some of our best 50-yard groups under ⅛-inch, but what was impressive was that when shooting demands and heat increased, the groups remained consistent.
11. Midwest Industries & Beyer. If a builder wants an AR-style build with a lot of modularity, the rugged Midwest Industries chassis can take a huge amount of abuse while supporting most AR-15 accessories. Our version used a Magpul stock and MFT grip and vertical grip, and a standard Ruger receiver with a match-grade Beyer barrel. Beyer’s barrels are extremely well known as some of the most accurate aluminum-sleeved and lightest-weight barrels available. Beyer offers pistol- to rifle-length barrel options as well as AR-15 .22LR barrels. Our build was tricked out with TandemKross drop-in parts, including an adjustable match-grade trigger upgrade, ambi magazine charge and magazine release, and extended charging handle — all great DIY options for builders.
12. Faxon Barrel & Receiver Build. Faxon is well known for outstanding barrels in the AR-15 industry; however, they now offer a line of sporter-chambered 10/22 barrels in a variety of profile and finish options and a billet 10/22 receiver. Our build represents a simpler, easy-fit DIY example with a standard Ruger stock, Faxon fluted chameleon barrel, Faxon receiver, factory bolt and Timney trigger with a Sig Sierra 3 BDX 4-16 optic. Faxon’s receiver features a billet aluminum design with integrated top Picatinny rail and more user-friendly factory spec barrel trunnion, which was designed to lessen the potential for additional barrel fitting. Faxon has noted there are many new options planned to expand the 10/22 line.
SB Tactical & Beyer Pistol Build: It’s important to remember that most of these manufacturers support 10/22 pistol builds as well. SB Tactical’s new SB22 chassis does that, and when also paired with a SB tactical brace, Faxon receiver, Timney trigger, and Beyer 6-inch pistol barrel, it is a build that is short, light and suppressor-ready. With a magnified optic, even these short barrels can deliver sub 1-inch 50-yard groups with match ammo.
