I'm thinking about finally picking one up, but reading quite a bit about how they've used cheaper component to keep costs down. Are these as rugged as I remember from when I was a kid? (I'm especially interested in the Mannlicher, but don't know how I'd feel about a plastic band at the end of it...)

I think the Mannlicher models still have a steel end cap (just plastic for the trigger group), so you're good to go.

You can always search for an earlier one. I gave $300 for this one a year ago.

Sounds like something a lot of old guys will bitch about with no proof. Sure the trigger groups have lots of plastic, compared to my 42 year old metal trigger, but they are tighter and better, though pretty much all 10/22 triggers suck.

I have 42 year old and 5 year old 10/22's, no problems with any and I haven't seen any decrease.

Thanks for the feedback guys.

I like the KRBIBBZ style, stainless with a laminated mannlicher stock, that were made up for Wal-Mart in the mid-1990's.

IMO the plastic trigger group is a huge improvement over the old cast aluminum. It is not only tougher, but the black paint they put on the cheap cast aluminum parts was always flaking off the old ones.

I don't much like the standard 10/22's, but they do make many different versions. I like several of the sporter options with no barrel band.

https://ruger.com/products/1022Sporter/models.html