Recoil Offgrid – August-September 2019

063

ISSUE 32

OFFGRIDWEB.COM

Trigger & Controls
The standard Ruger trigger is completely full of meh.
While there are N+1 options available, we went with a
complete Volquartsen match trigger group. The break is
perfect and the reset is short, but it’s probably a bit more
than most would want to spend on a bug-out gun.
If you can afford a Volquartsen or Kidd trigger group,
go with one. However, if you can’t, the Ruger factory BX-
25 trigger groups are the baseline of acceptable.
Like many other .22LR rifles, the controls are smaller
than they could be. Adult and gloved hands can find it
hard to manipulate small magazine releases and charging
handles. At minimum we recommend an extended charg-
ing handle of any variety; we went with a Volquartsen
in this instance. For an extended magazine release, we
looked no further than Tactical Solutions.
Determination: Recommended, but shop around.

Magazines
There was a time when every extended magazine for
the 10/22 was awful. Thankfully, that time has passed.
While there are a still many awful magazines out there, if

you stick to magazines with separate feedlips and maga-

zine bodies (such as Butler Creek Hot Lips) or factory

Ruger magazines, you should be A-OK.

Determination: Recommended

Loose Rounds

We definitely don’t expect you to make an exact clone

of the rifle we’ve made. Hell, as you’ve read there are some

upgrades that we would’ve skipped ourselves if we were

starting over. Just like how not every racing mod will make

it to the street, nor would every mod we made here make

it to a bug-out build.

While we went with all premium options, there are

certainly many, many available aftermarket parts. If you

can wrap your mind around shooting .22LR at range and

for use against two-legged and four-legged critters, you

have a lot of options.

Focus on a solid action, a good trigger, and a decent

barrel. Everything else will fall into place. Though many

will scoff at the .22LR, the fact is it’s far more capable

than most realize, and is totally appropriate for a low-key

shoot-’n’-scoot bug-out plan.

TRICKING OUT

THE BRN-22

Build Specifics

BASE GUN

BRN-22 Barreled Picatinny Receiver, 16-inch heavy barrel $160

Volquar tsen Ruger 10/22 Match Trigger Group $273

Ruger 10/22 Receiver Par ts Kit, Less Trigger $45

Volquartsen Charging Handle $47

Bell & Carlson Ruger 10/22 Stock Adj. Fiberglass $332

ACCESSORIES

Vor tex 1-6x24MM PST VMR-2 MOA reticle $900

Precision Reflex Inc. 30mm Rings Standard Height Steel Rings $108

Harris Bipod $98

Harris No 6 Adapter Rail $12

Total as tested $1,975

Brownells

BRN-22

CALIBER

.22LR

BARREL LENGTH

16 inches

OAL

33.75 inches

WEIGHT

10 pounds, 10 ounces

MAGAZINE CAPACITY

10, 20, 30

MSRP

$899

URL

http://www.brownells.com