Thursday, March 31, 2016

Missing a part for your 10/22?



I'll round out this months 10/22 posts with a listing of the screws and pins used on the 10/22...in the event one of them grows legs and disappears under the work bench.
For reference here is a diagram showing the parts.




The filler plug screws (not shown in drawing) that go in the top of the receiver are #6-48, Ruger sells them for $2 for the set


Missing filler plug screws will probably not prevent you from enjoying a day of plinking with your 10/22, but a missing scope base screw might (part # B-89 in the drawing). These are also #6-48 screw. While Midway USA has them in stock, you may not be able to wait. Your local iron monger may not carry this unique size, but a specialty fastener shop might.

The take down screw (part # B-65) is another important one that would definitely provide difficulty should it become MIA. This screw is a #12-24 x1" long. It had a special cut down shoulder designed to keep it captured in the stock, but since the escutcheon fits the threads I am guessing a standard #12-24 screw would work in a pinch


The V-block barrel screws (part # B-67) are also #12-24 cap screws. These may or may not have a shoulder on them. Most screws provided by the aftermarket houses have the shoulder, but the factory ones did not have the shoulder, so any #12-24 x 1.5" long cap screw will do.
This is the factory replacement from Midway USA
A set of aftermarket cap screws from Rimfire Technologies

The barrel band screw (part # B-69) is unique and I doubt very much you would find one with the correct "filister" head and the piloted end. These are available from Ruger (part number 60042) for just $2.


but if you wanted to find one or modify one, the threads are #8-36 and it is 3/4" long. The shoulder is 5/32" long as is the piloted (non-threaded, smaller) end.

The butt plate screws (part # B-64) on the Ruger 10/22 (also the .44 carbine, model 96/44, Mini-30, Mini-14 etc..) are also a bit unique and possibly hard to source
The screw is a #12 wood screw with a slotted "oval" head (the head is rounded top and bottom). The screw is 1 1/8" long which is not standard. An 1 1/4" long will work, but you may want to drill your holes a bit deeper and use some wax when screwing them in.

Here is another part that when missing can ruin your day...the Trigger Group Retaining pin (part # B-5) is a steel rod 3/16" in diameter (.186"), if you loose one of these you can use a 3/16" drill rod, cut down to 1 1/4" long.

This next one was documented in my earlier post called 10/22 Cheap Tricks:
If you loose your bolt buffer (part #B5) you have several options. If a local gun store cannot supply you with a factory one or an aftermarket polymer one, you can use a 1/4" nylon bolt, make sure to find one that has a shoulder that is 1 1/4" long. Then cut the threaded end and the bolt head, leaving a smooth 1 1/4" long section.
You could also use chain saw fuel line and a 1/8" stainless steel pin (again 1 1/4" long). Make sure to get the fuel line that is 1/4" OD and 1/8" ID. Both should be available at your local hardware store.


One pin that seems to get misplaced is the trigger pivot pin (KE02800 in the drawing below)



This pin is the same one used in The Ruger double action revolvers trigger.
It is 1/8" in diameter and 7/8" long. If a replacement part cannot be found a 1/8" steel rod or drill bit will work.




The roll pin that secures the firing pin in the bolt is another part that will prevent the gun from operating properly (part # B-13 below)
The pin is 5/32" x 5/8" long, if you loose it you can find them at the local hardware store, but you have to buy a 3/4" or 1" and file down to fit, remember to taper the end to make installation easier.





Monday, March 28, 2016

Dying a Magazine for a Ruger 10/22

This trick has been around for a few years so I decided to give it a go. 
The process involves using Rit fabric dye and hot water to color the clear Ruger BX1 magazines.

Some have recently stated that the new Rit dye formula will no longer work on plastics, but others have had success so....damn the torpedoes!
Here are some of the colors that a guy on the Rimfire Central Forum has achieved..I don't know why, but I am digging the blue one...

 Our victims, one clear BX1 and one clear Butler Creek Steel Lips magazines, color to be supplied by Rit powdered dye in "petal pink", I am told the powdered version is the only way to make this work, something about the formula being different than the liquid version.


First we disassemble the BX1 with a 9/64" hex wrench


Then clean with soap and warm water


Then prepare the dye bath, 1.5 quarts of water with 1 tablespoon of the dye and 1 tablespoon salt (not sure if the salt is required, just following directions posted on line).

Then bring the pink mess to a boil and I should mention: don't use your wife's best pot, get a $2 one from the thrift store


After 10 minutes of soaking, this is what we got:


Not really what I was hoping for, so I added more dye, replaced some of the water and put it back in for another round, it got a little bit darker


This was what I wanted to achieve, this person used "scarlet red" and a short soaking time to get this color



Then we tried the Butler Creek magazine, the results were kind of what I expected...nothing changed.
I have read that the Butler Creek mags are made of polycarbonate and are difficult to dye. 

I have some pink water trapped in a section of the magazine, I'll have to drill a small hole and let it out. Obviously more research is in order.

 After putting the BX1 back together I took some pictures against a white background so you can see how much the color had changed.





Round two:
I am not one to give up easily, so I did some more research and found a couple of things:
 1. it is better to start with a dye that is darker that the color you want and monitor the time in the dye bath to achieve the shade that is acceptable.
 2. In order to dye polycarbonate you need to add acetone to the bath.

So I went back to the store and bought more dye, I bought Fuchsia this time, which for the men out there is a darker pink. 
These Rit powdered dyes only cost $2.50, so I bought two just in case.

We mixed up the dye with the salt and water and put it on the stove (it looks like Beet soup).

After 10 min or so in the bath, I saw very little change....oh well, it is pink, so I will call this a win
 

After letting the dye bath cool, I added acetone to it and dropped in the Butler Creek mag
 

 And again the plastic defies the dye


I wanted it to be pink, but still be able to see how many rounds were in the magazine.
I may try to paint this magazine with some model paint. Tamiya makes a translucent pink spray paint, designed for polycarbonate.














Friday, March 25, 2016

March Gun Porn: Custom Ruger 10/22s


 
Let's get to the gun porn....
This first one is from Ruger...this is the 5 millionth 10/22 built. Ruger had the receiver and butt plate nickel plated and had the gun engraved. A custom walnut stock and gold accents finished it off.




This one was built by a guy on the Rimfire Central Forum who goes by the name Hipshot. It is a modern version of a Mannlicher target rifle

Another one from Hipshot

Another one found on the Rimfire Central Forum, this guy polished or chromed every piece of metal. The stock is also very unique.


Not sure of the legality of the forward grip...but it sure is interesting
A 10/22 SBR with Suppressor

Check out the stock on this one....
This one was built by Heier's Custom Ruger 10/22s, He calls it the Cobra II, check out the custom sling

Another build that was chronicled on the Rimfire Central Forums is this retro looking 10/22 using a home built brass receiver, a brass butt plate and fore end tip and a beautiful Maple Mannlicher style stock.


A picture of the home built brass receiver

This Charger looks like it may have been built by Gordon Ingram....
This one is from the custom anodizing shop known as Gun Candy

Another 10/22 with exacting color coordination

Here is one from Exact Shot, that you could probably build yourself
Check out the suppressor cover on this pink & silver 10/22

This artist carved a tribute to squirrels into his 10/22 stock
This is a Mannlicher inspired stock made from Cherry wood, the 22" stainless barrel sports brass sights from Skinner and KNS. See more here

 I am guessing the owner of this gun owns a body shop?

A 10/22 race gun....
 A unique mix of blue steel and wood on this bull pup

A 10/22 Magnum built on a stainless steel Volquartsen receiver, set in a nice walnut stock with engraving.


another tactical charger



Everything about this gun is different, including the swirl paint job

Here is an interesting stock


Here is a take-down model built into a "Scout" configuration with the scope mounted forward of the action.

This custom built 10/22 was built exclusively with KIDD parts, The stock is custom air-brush painted.
I found it on the Rimfire Central forum

Another sweet looking Charger....

What appears to be high polished blued steel, on the rifle below, is actually automotive paint. The stock is a beauty as well, a very elegant looking rifle in all respects. I might like to build one like this only with a steel receiver and high polish bluing instead of paint.

The Slade Special Safari Grade 10/22:



An interesting purple target rifle built on a Volquartsen Inferno chassis


I found this unique Charger on Armslist

An under-folder stock and lots of chrome/polishing...



You had to figure someone would do this to a 10/22...painted in the Van Halen Frankenstrat motif...but where are the scratches from being dropped on stage? The worn edges? The cigarette burns? The character?
Another masterpiece from a Rimfire Central forum member, see the build details here



A custom Charger
How about this odd looking bull pup, the trigger is electronically operated.

This custom 10/22 features a wavy fluted barrel, custom receiver and a very nicely figured Monte Carlo walnut stock...

Another tactical Charger
Lance Larson has carved many 10/22 gun stocks, here are two of them:

 A close up of the squirrel one


There really is no limit to what you can do in terms of look, money or performance. Here is another custom tack driver..
Another SBR 10/22 this one with integral suppressor
An odd mix of old and new styles, octagon barrel (ported) with billet receiver & trigger group mounted to a laminated stock
Another bullpup, this one built on an aluminum stock and uses an electronic triggering system, it is from the folks at
Electronic Arms


Of course we can't leave out the dual 10/22 Gatling Gun....several companies make versions of this. One rotation of the crank handle sends 4 bullets down range....

Some of the pictures on this blog were found freely on the world wide web and are used under the guidelines of Fair Use, per Title 17 of the U.S. Code.
If you own the copyright to any of these images and wish them to be credited or removed, please contact me immediately.