Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Rimfires Ruger News: 10/22 Competition Rifle Left-Handed Model

Just FYI.


10/22 Competition Rifle Left-Handed Model

I'm not a lefty myself, but two of my kids are.

As a lefty it is nice to see. I hope it does better than Mossberg’s attempt at a left handed 500. So many 1022s out there a lot of lefties won’t bother.

Just looked at Ruger’s website and the magazines are left handed specific. That could definitely effect sales if aftermarket magazines aren’t available. Being left handed ain’t easy.

Thanks great news!

I have the right hand version of that rifle and really like it.

After all these years, a mirror image lefty. Who’d a thunk it.

Ditto.👍🏻

The chamber is tight, and can be a bit fussy about ammo, but it’s a very easy rifle to shoot well.

Best to load upon them then, while the gettin’s good.

Interesting. Its about time..

$900! Dang I was hoping for a reasonable price option.

I wonder what street prices might be?

I’m guessing close to $600 but demand may keep prices high. Maybe I can wait and they’ll build an entry level version that can be had for less than $300 like the rightys. I “need” one for the boy to practice with.

Interesting, but you could build a nice rifle for that price.

Requires left hand magazines, not compatible with standard 10/22 mags? WTF? Given that many of us have several magazines, that alone would likely be the deal killer for me. Then too, a variety of aftermarket components that would not work in the left side model.

Main market would seem to be lefties who want an accurate 10/22 out-of-the-box, not caring much about tinkering and modifying.

All that said, kudos to Ruger for once again going off the beaten path with an innovative new product, especially one for us lefties.

Yea the magazine seems to be an issue for some, but looking at it closely (Ruger has them on their website) it looks like there was no other way to design it.

It feeds to the left and has to allow ejection to the left as well. The magazine feed also appears to rotate opposite of the right hand magazine.

Anyway it's an option for those that aren't invested in the platform. To be honest I have exactly one 10/22 that I inherited from my father in law. Never shot it.

My semi auto has been a Browning SA-22 since 1967, I never got into 10/22's for that reason, but you never know I might try one.

Why not make it real simple and actually introduce the American rimfires in LH.

A RH semi is much easier to use for a lefty than a bolt.

I bought mine as soon as I saw it but had already priced out the parts for something similar, using low-to mid-range stuff on a base 10/22. Couldn’t beat the < $700 I spent on the CSC, and I came out ahead on the machined receiver with integral rail, the acess port, the dual barrel clamping, and the machined, nitrided bolt. And while I don't plan on selling it, if I did I’ll bet I’d do better than I would selling a $700 Frankenrifle. All I’ve added is a steel-core polymer buffer rod.

I'm hoping since they've invested in tooling to produce a LH specific magazine they'll come out with a few more rifles other than a niche rifle like the Competition Rifle. Maybe a more affordable base model 10/22 or, even better,, a line of American Rimfire rifles? There's a tiny bit of light at the end of the tunnel ................

There’s definitely a much better chance of seeing that happen. I’m encouraged for future shooters that won’t have to deal with the hassle of adapting to a right hand rifle.

That magazine issue and lack of aftermarket parts, may be a damn thorn in their side. I'll just keep using my right handed 10-22. Never had an issue using a right handed one anyway.

I think Paul39 is right about the target market. There’s really little to nothing that needs upgrading or customizing. I don’t recall seeing another left-handed 10/22-like rifle out there from the clone-makers. Mags are all that anyone will need to buy, aside from optics. Now that the mags will be available, maybe Kidd or others will make left-hand rifles too. Pretty sure if it was possible to build them using the original mags Ruger would have saved themselves the trouble of the special ones. Hopefully they have extras available as soon as the rifles are, maybe some high-cap ones too. Shouldn’t be too hard in this CNC world to make mirror-image versions. I’d bet a dollar tmitch is right about RARs following close behind. Not sure about lower-grade 10/22s as the receivers on those are cast, not machined like the CSC.

Its excellent news pappy, but I'm wondering how many of us left handed shooters have used the right handed versions with great success. Like some have said, there's actually positives to using a right handed 10-22. Especially with a heavy target version that is really only going to be shot off the bench. The same can be said for a right handed bolt action. Keeping in mind that a left hander using a right handed bolt action off the bench, cannot be equaled in speed by a right hander using the same rifle off the bench.. Just the facts of life right there..

My older son is right handed, but strongly left-eye dominate, so shoots lefty, including his bow. He’s been doing it so long it’s perfectly natural. All his guns are righties, unless you count his O/U.

I had a Daisy 25 pump BB gun at an early age, but my left arm was too weak to pump it from the shoulder, so I started out on the left, which has been an advantage at times. I can shoot rifles just fine from either shoulder and with both eyes open. Killed a few deer like that when turning to shoot right-handed was a problem.

As always, whatever works, works.

Pappy, have you taken this rifle apart to see what the - "Dual bedding system incorporates a second bedding lug, ensuring the receiver is securely bedded to the stock." - looks like ? Kinda' curious about this.

Here you go, with nice pics…

https://www.rimfirecentral.com/forums//showthread.php?t=1153097

There’s a rear screw and a second screw to reduce barrel droop as well. Bolt and receiver are definitely upgraded over standard parts. Kidd charges over $500 for a similar receiver and barrel, but no innards at all.

And to add to what Pappy is passing along, I really like the stock. I have the blue steel version that has a laminate stock with a thick painted finish. The stock is well sealed, the paint is durable and seems tough, has a bit of texture to grip, the inletting is precise, the barrel free floats, I took the adjustable comb off and the stock fits me perfectly for field use.

Cool, thanks !!

Very well done written.

Pappy,

How does yours shoot from an accuracy standpoint?

Haven’t really done much serious testing, just figuring out what functioned well and shot decently from the selection in my bag on any given trip to the range, then using that until the next time. For a goodly portion of the time I’ve had it, it’s had a 1x prism on top, not exactly a good sight for testing. It is easy for me to shoot well offhand, so I like to whale away on a steel flipper at 50 yards with it. Someday I might get around to seeing what it can really do, but I have a heavy-barreled CZ I’m working on for shooting groups and hopefully longer ranges. The Ruger is mostly for fun. I’d say it’s probably a 1/2 to 3/4” gun with ammo it likes, certainly good enough for my usage. When ammo supplies get better, I want to get some really good stuff to try in several of my rifles. At that point I’ll mount a suitable scope for such work on it.

It is a but fussy about what it will feed. Current Velociters won’t chamber from the mag, and some others start to hang up pretty quickly as it gets dirty. Definitely a good idea to clean the chamber regularly. Also, the manual warns against using non-standard rounds like Stingers.

I really like that stock. Although I'm left-handed and shoot that way, if the mags are specific, it doesn't make much sense in getting one.

If Begara would make the BXR in LH it would be the hands down winner over the Ruger.

It would still need special magazines. Since they want to maintain compatibility with the original, they’re stuck with the angled feed lips. I wouldn’t hold my breath waiting for it, although the existence of Ruger mags might increase the chances.

Mounted a spare Burris E1 4.5-14 yesterday. Went to the range this morning. Breezy, but the 50 is pretty sheltered. Fired 5 on another target to season a little, then 4 5-shot groups, except where I lost count with the Eleys and fired 6, 4, 5, 5. Scope set on 9 and adjusted for parallax.







Also tried some RWS SSHP, TAC, RWS HSHP, and CCI SV and Quiet 45. Those all did pretty well. The Quiet 45 put 10 in just under an inch, about an inch low. Fine for practice.

This lot of SK RM has a vertical issue, as noted in another rifle. Club and FN look the best overall.

As I said, fine for my purposes.

Center dot is 1”, small ones 5/8”.

Pappy, let me get this straight, yours is left handed? I just handled one today. It was $700.00 at a LGS. Guys were asking about "street price", there it is in this neck of the woods. I could have been the first to have one, had I chose to buy it. I was very impressed by the build quality of this ruger. Damn nice and they incorporated some of the smart design features that bergara and the like have done, like integral picatinny mount, rear action screw (I believe), and the barrel is not like a regular ol hammer forged Ruger barrel. It was fluted and had a nice muzzle brake on it. I liked the stock and the adjustable cheek rest. If it were $100.00 cheaper, I would have probably bought it. However, I had just bought a Savage MKII FVT target rifle at the gunshop next door to that one... I think Ruger went above and beyond with this left handed competition model. Still, having the loading/ejection port on the right side has its positives for a left handed shooter. Just sayin..

Mine’s a righty, but otherwise identical. I bought it as soon as they came out, after weighing the alternatives. It is a very nice package.

Those targets were shot with the best quality ammo I have on hand. Have a bit more coming that may be better, may not. Still, I’m entirely satisfied with the performance, which is right up there with my ability. Not sure I can make good use of more accuracy. Wanted to bang some steel after shooting the groups, but the ground was too hard to setup my flipper.🤬

There is a rear screw, BTW, and a second one for the barrel as well.

They also come with a decent hard case.

Great info pappy. Great shooting too. Looks real consistent. That's what I always look for. I'd rather have a rifle that likes a bunch of different kinds of ammo, than a rifle that only likes one kind. My last ruger target model with the hammer forged barrel was like that. It was a finicky bastid. I'm glad you posted the results of the accuracy you are getting with your competition model. I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised yesterday by the build quality of the left handed ruger 10-22. Yeah, $700.00 is a little high on the price tag, but that's the only one I've seen in my area, as of yet. Someone will pay that price, I'm sure.

I paid a little less than $700, but not much. Maybe $700 total with shipping and transfer fee. No gripes at all.

Found a few boxes of Club, Target, and Tenex Pistol yesterday. Will try in this one and my 457 MTR.

$900......????.....seriously??? I'll stick to my righties...... My dominant eye is my left eye, but the military taught me to be confident with my right. I have too many mags and accessories for my 10/22s to even consider that!!! It will be interesting to see what former Remington/Marlin options Ruger comes out with.....and what price point.

nice shooting Pappy!!!!

They are $700.00 from what I saw in person. They could be even less at other places. I'm thinking the price was what it was because it is a very small town where I saw it. Some prices seem to be inflated there, but they do have more of a selection. Back when no one could find AR's, another shop in this town had 2 walls of ar's for sale and at decent prices.. Both left handed and right handed models in fact....

As I mentioned in the Lefty forum, a receiver with the same features with only a barrel, no guts or stock, costs $500 from Kidd. Maybe the barrel is better than the Ruger, maybe not, but a complete rifle starts at over $1200. Add a cheap stock and even regular cheap 10/22 guts to that Kidd receiver, and you’re way over $700, and still right-handed. I have four mags, and since I’m not a competitor, that’s all I probably need. Magazine compatibility seems like an convenient excuse. A 3-pack of LH mags is $53.

Tried to find one but could not . Ended up with a left hand Savage GL

I guess I'm lost on the real advantage of an integral rail?

Integral rail is nice because it is solid. That helps in accuracy/precision. They look good too, when it's part of the rifle. I'm with pappy on this, great rifle. Like I've said before, I kind of turned my opinion around once I had one in my hand. Had I not already had a good right handed 10-22, I would have bought the left handed 10-22 competition model. $700.00 is not a bad price, if you add up all the accoutrements..

That receiver isn’t cast, it’s CNC machined, stress-relieved, and heat-treated. Has a secondary barrel locator, so the barrel is floated. Apparently it’s not uncommon for base screws on standards to end up stripping the holes. The rail is also angled for LR shooting with scopes that may not have a lot of elevation.