Ruger 10/22 Carbine with LaserMax Laser Review

Ruger 10/22 Carbine with LaserMax Laser Review
Part 1 - Introduction, Specifications and Summary
July 20, 2013

Once again, Ruger finds a way to expand their proven 10/22 rifle line by offering their standard carbine rifle with the new LaserMax® Laser. This new LaserMax® Laser is made specifically for the Ruger 10/22 rifle and replaces the barrel band giving you a red laser along with two short Picatinny rails for mounting other accessories such as a light. Over the years I have accessorized my various 10/22 rifles with the capability of adding lights and lasers, but about a year ago, I decided the extra weight and bulk of some aftermarket solutions was not worth the benefit. When I got my first close look at this new Ruger 10/22 with LaserMax® Laser, I knew immediately that this was the solution I had been wanting. It seems that LaserMax, working with Ruger, has created the perfect blending of laser and rifle to create an accessory that will probably be under many Christmas trees this year. The LaserMax® Laser is compact and light weight and keeps the same sleek lines of the forend. The rifle and laser combined weight is 5.0 lbs according to the Ruger specifications, but the rifle I received weighed in at only 4.6 pounds which is a fabulous light weight for this versatile rifle. The photo below gives you a good look at the LaserMax® Laser and there are many more photos in Part 3 of this review.

If you are in the market for a LaserMax Laser, there are three ways to get one. The first is that you can purchase the rifle and laser combination like the one shown in this review. MSRP on this combination is $399 with a street price around $330. Next you can purchase the laser alone at ShopRuger.com for $129.95. Last, you can find the LaserMax® Laser at various online retailer for prices that seem to be around $85.

With my first .22LR rifle being a Ruger 10/22 over 25 years ago, and now having five Ruger 10/22 platform firearms (including this one), it will be a struggle, but I will try to be as unbiased as possible during this review. But in all honesty, the addition of the LaserMax® Laser on this simple carbine version may be my favorite 10/22 platform so far. To make a point about the appeal of this LaserMax model, as soon as I handed it to my wife and turned on the laser, she said with excitement in her voice, "Oohh, I want this one!". Considering that she has to proof read all my ramblings on details that make her want to pour gasoline on herself and set herself on fire, all I could say was "Sure honey, it's yours".

Even though the real new feature on this rifle is the addition of the laser, in this review I cover the details of the entire rifle including the LaserMax® Laser. By doing this, I get a chance to document the details and performance of a current production standard carbine rifle as well.

During my reviews I like to compare my results to the manufacturer's claims where possible so the following text in colored italics was taken directly from the Ruger website on 7/7/13 and gives an Overview, Key Features, and Specifications for the Ruger 10/22 Rifle with LaserMax® Laser. The , and are my way to keep up with details that I have covered in this review with either photos, commentary or both.

Ruger 10/22 Carbine Rifle

Overview

The Benchmark for 22 Rifles – Experience the Tradition.
The Ruger® 10/22® rifle is America’s favorite 22 LR rifle, with proven performance in a wide range of styles for every rimfire application.
Ideally suited for informal target shooting, "plinking," small game hunting and action-shooting events, Ruger has sold millions of 10/22 rifles since their introduction in 1964.
With its legendary action and renowned reliable rotary magazine, all 10/22 rifles are sleek, perfectly balanced, rugged and superbly accurate.
With a variety of choices – from the standard 10/22 Carbine, to the tack-driving accuracy of the Target model, the 10/22 is still today’s most popular 22 rifle.
It looks right, feels right, shoots right and continues to perform under heavy use - inspiring the most fanatical loyalty from its owners.
With proven design, legendary reliability and the modern features demanded by today’s 22 LR shooters, these firearms are priced right to make keeping tradition affordable.

Key Features

Patented, detachable 10-shot rotary magazine features a unique rotor to separate cartridges and provide reliable feeding.
Easy-to-use extended magazine release provides smooth, no-fuss removal of the unique, flush mounted magazine - with no exposed magazine to dent and no uncomfortable protrusions at the rifle's balance point.
Positive, push-button, cross-bolt manual safety
Combination scope base adapter for both Weaver®-style and 22 "tip-off" scope mounts is provided with every rifle.
Hammer-forged barrel that is locked into the receiver by a unique two-screw V-block system.
Heat-stabilized, glass-filled polymer trigger housing assembly is precision-made of high-tech material for improved manufacturing tolerances, impact and abrasion-resistance, and unmatched ability to withstand the elements.
Aluminum receiver: A380 Aluminum alloy receiver is precision-machined, and provides long-term reliability to the 10/22 action.
Sights: Featuring blade, bold-bead front sights and adjustable, folding rear sights.
Also features: Contoured buttpad and barrel band. The LaserMax body becomes the barrel band on this model.

Specifications

Catalog Number: 10/22-RPFLM
Model Number: 11129
Caliber: 22 LR
Stock: Black Synthetic
Capacity: 10 with the magazine received and 25 if you purchase and aftermarket or Ruger BX-25 magazine
Material: Alloy Steel
Finish: Satin Black
Front Sight: Gold Bead
Rear Sight: Adjustable and LaserMax® Laser
Barrel Length: 18.50"
Overall Length: 37.00"
Weight: 5.00 lbs. review rifle weighed in at 4.56 pounds
Length of Pull: 13.50"
Twist: 1:16" RH
Grooves: 6
Suggested Retail: $399.00 with a street price of around $330

LaserMax Laser for the Ruger 10/22

This LaserMax laser is designed to work exclusively with Ruger® 10/22® Rifle models featuring a barrel band.
The bright red 635 nm continuous wave laser is visible out to 100 yards in good lighting conditions and is pre-aligned at 25 yards, but can be easily adjusted for windage and elevation when necessary.
Weighing-in at less than 2 ounces, each laser is constructed from Fiberglass Reinforced Nylon (FRN) to withstand exposure to the elements and rough handling.
Each laser comes installed with a 1/3N Lithium cell battery for approximately two hours of continuous run time.
The two, integrated Picatinny rail surfaces are perfect for attachment of additional accessories, such as a tactical light or infrared laser.
All LaserMax lasers are covered by an extended 5-year warranty.

This review is broken down into multiple parts with this page providing links to each part along with an overall summary of the specifications, pros and cons, and my final "bottom line" comments. Make sure you take time to checkout the other parts of the review because they contain many photos and lots of commentary. Also, there is an extreme amount of detail in those parts which is not covered on this page.

Ruger 10/22 LaserMax Review: Part 1 - Introduction, Specifications and Summary (this page)
Ruger 10/22 LaserMax Review: Part 2 - What's in the Box (8 photos)
Ruger 10/22 LaserMax Review: Part 3 - External and Operational Features (50 photos)
Ruger 10/22 LaserMax Review: Part 4 - Disassembly (13 photos)
Ruger 10/22 LaserMax Review: Part 5 - Internal Features (29 photos)
Ruger 10/22 LaserMax Review: Part 6 - Range Test (5 photos)

As you read these Pros and Cons below, keep in mind that it is hard to keep my particular preferences from creeping in the equation. Therefore, it is important that you take the time to look at the other parts of this review so you can decide yourself on items which may be more of a personal preference.

Pros:

The Ruger 10/22 rifle platform has proven itself over many years as being a reliable and accurate rimfire rifle.
The addition of the LaserMax Laser, which includes two Picatinny rails, removes the need for having to purchase a rail system in the future.
The LaserMax also provides the spectators a way to become more engaged in watching you shoot.
The LaserMax Laser having a 5-year warranty should give you a little peace of mind that they believe this laser should give you many years of enjoyment and use.
Throughout my range testing, I put around 500 rounds through this Ruger 10/22 rifle and I never had a singe failure to feed, fire or eject.
Clearly, this particular rifle is a shooter and I shot my best rimfire 5-shot group (0.51") ever using this Ruger 10/22 rifle.
My total group average for all twelve 5-shot groups was 0.88" which I feel is excellent for any semi-auto rimfire rifle.
Over the years Ruger has continually tweaked the 10/22 with new manufacturing methods and material to provide the greatest value possible in their 10/22 rifles.

Pro/Con/Comment (you decide)?:

The LaserMax Laser adjustment screws are extremely sensitive and getting the laser dialed in takes a few iterations.
Overall, disassembly of the Ruger 10/22 Carbine with LaserMax Laser is quick and simple. The addition of the LaserMax Laser adds another step and tool required for disassembly of the Ruger 10/22 Carbine Rifle. Since removing the LaserMax laser is required because it replaces the barrel band, you will need to re-zero the laser when you reassemble the rifle. Also, since your rifle has iron sights or if you have installed an optical sight, re-zeroing is not a major issue because you can re-zero using these other sighting methods as your reference.

Cons:

I wish the 10/22 stock came with sling swivel studs. A forward stud would be great for mounting a Harris style bipod and adding the capability of a sling would be a nice touch when out in the field and you needed your hands to be free. I feel that aftermarket studs could easily be added.

Bottom Line:

After spending time taking photos, studying the rifle, range testing and writing up this review, I have come to the decision that this rifle has become my favorite rimfire rifle to date. I think it is the combination of reliability of the 10/22 platform, coupled with the innovative addition of the sleek LaserMax Laser, along with a perfectly matched rimfire scope, and the fact that this particular rifle is extremely accurate is what has brought this rifle package to the top of my list. If you have the extra money and are looking for a great 22LR rimfire rifle, consider this LaserMax model and I feel you will be very pleased with the investment. If you already have a Ruger 10/22 that has a barrel band, you should consider the addition of the LaserMax Laser to your current rifle. I'm sure there will be one under my Christmas tree this year to install on one of my other rifles.

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