Home Forums Lever Action Central Rimfire Levers Ruger 96 22 mag

Saw one in a pawnshop today for $699. Seem like the 96's go for a chunk of cash. Was surprised it wasn't more.

Anybody like the 96's?

I have one. Great handling, mediocre trigger. I did have a failure to fire problem with it. It would strike the cartridge rim too far toward the edge - like almost OFF the edge! I ended up fixing it by JB Welding a .007 shim on the top of the breech bolt. This stopped the bolt from riding too high in the action. Essentially, just too much slop in it. There is a little bump on the front of the block , and that's where I put the shim. Apparently, some of them are just a bit too small. Not sure how the JB Weld will hold up, but there is no real pressure on it there. So far so good. About 100 rounds through it with no misfires and no function issues. It would shoot about 3/4" for 5 rounds, at 50, on a good day. Can't say I completely trust it yet, but it really does handle well. If you need any parts for it, they are darn hard to find. Most are unobtainable. The barrel CAN use a 10/22 barrel, but you need to cut another slot in it for the ejector.

I had one in 22LR and one in 44 Mag. I didn't end up being particularly fond of either. The 22 had to go back to Ruger for issues right out of the box. The 44 worked fine, was pretty slick, and carried very nicely, but it was not an accurate rifle.

One plus with the model is if you have decent sized hands you can work the lever without taking your hand off the stock wrist. The throw is pretty short.

I also have a Marlin 57M. The rifle is a bit larger, but a LOT more accurate. Parts are easier to find as well. The lever throw is very short, as is the Ruger.

I also have a Marlin 57M. The rifle is a bit larger, but a LOT more accurate. Parts are easier to find as well. The lever throw is very short, as is the Ruger.

Fireball,

I like the 96 in 22 Mag. Mine has been flawless since the day that I took it out of the box. It is very easy to shoot fast with he short throw lever. Although the trigger pull is pretty bad, mine is accurate enough for 100 yard varmint duty. I think the going rate is higher than what you saw on the tag by about $150.