Modifying a 10/22 receiver

[Ironbar]

I got this idea from a thread I saw over on AR15.com. I could never figure out why Ruger mated a stainless steel barrel with a painted black aluminum receiver. I never liked this combo, so I did some poking around and found the info to turn my rifle into a shiny machine!

Here's the whole thing all put together:


The next couple photos show the receiver in close-up. I disassembled the rifle completely, then took the receiver and drenched it metal stripper that I got from the auto parts store. Just a word of caution, you don't want to get that crap on you. Anyway, after about 30 minutes the paint just sloughed right off. A little scrubbing with a brass brush here & there to get the nooks & crannies and I was good to go.



I then started wet sanding the receiver, first with 300 grit, then 600, then 1200. Last was a rubdown with 0000 steel wool. After the sanding regimen, I mounted my orbital buffer in a vise, spread some Mother's Aluminum polish on the bonnet and began buffing the receiver. I managed to get a pretty nice shine on it that matched my new bull barrel pretty well! I also sanded and polished the bolt, and did a little sanding on the inside of the receiver to knock down a few rough spots.



All that's left to do now is take it out and sight it in! I might be able to some time next week. Here's hoping the weather cooperates!

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[cookie]

I have seen the polishing done before and it looks really good!

 

[simon99]

That looks really good. Nice work. It goes especially well with the stock. Thanks for posting.

 

[Sgt Nambu]

Really nice, good job!

 

[erudne]

good work!
If I ever build one I'll start with an After Mkt receiver and trigger group but te one I have now is still running (w/lots of replacement parts)

 

[xlsbob]

I did the same thing. Had a stainless barrel and a beater receiver so I polished the receiver to match the barrel. Took way longer to polish mine out than I ever expected but the results are worth it to me. A bunch of parts turned into a decent rifle. There's always something you can do to a 10-22 to change it.

 

[2Wheels4Ever]

I did that with mine as well, only I took it down to 600 grit sand paper for a brushed look to match the barrel I had. It takes a while doing it by hand.

 

[Hawaiian]

I guess I cheated. I bought one with a stainless receiver.

 

[KalamaMark]

I guess I cheated. I bought one with a stainless receiver.

And that makes me curious. Pics? Supplier? Inquiring minds want to know...

 

[Ironbar]

And that makes me curious. Pics? Supplier? Inquiring minds want to know...

There are lots of folks out there who sell aftermarket stainless receivers for the 10/22. As for me, I wanted at least ONE part on the gun to say "RUGER". LOL!

 

[xlsbob]

Anymore it's easy to have a 10-22 with no Ruger parts, just depends on what you want to spend. I have from bone stock to nothing but a Ruger reciever and everybody elses parts, they're all a good time

 

[Velzey]

Very Nice!!


There is a serious problem with your workbench tho, and we need to talk...

 

[chemist]

How is the fit? If the rifle sights in low, it could be because the barrel is now a tiny bit loose in the stripped receiver, and that means it's not going to be as stable.

I wish you the best of luck, but I gotta tell you that I have a headache in my safe right now due to a barrel that's maybe 1 mil too loose, and the darn thing groups like a scattergun. The clue to the loose fit was how low I had to crank the scope adjustment, because the 10/22 secures the barrel by pulling it down with that 2-screw, V-notch thingie.

 

[Hawaiian]

And that makes me curious. Pics? Supplier? Inquiring minds want to know...

It started life as a stainless 10/22. Not much left stock on it now, but the receiver does say Ruger.

 

[Ironbar]

How is the fit?

The new barrel slipped in to the receiver fairly easily, but there was no play in it at all.

 

[erudne]

Yeah, that workbench gives the rest of us guys a bad rep!

 

[PDXSparky]

I think your thread title is very misleading. You didn't just modify the receiver, you beautified it. That is one sharp looking 10/22.

 

[Ironbar]

Why thank you sir!

 

[Velzey]

So do you think you sanded and polished thru the hard anodize? Doesn't really matter on the outside surfaces anyway.

 

[Hrethgir]

So you have a shiny SS barrel mated to a nicely polished aluminum receiver, but then went and mounted a set of black rings to the top. Back to square one! Time to polish those rings up now!