Magpul and Ruger are making it official: the Ruger 10/22 is now available with the Magpul X-22 Backpacker stock. While the two companies have teamed up with distributors to offer the 10/22 with the Backpacker stock before, they were short, limited edition runs.
Clearly the demand outstripped the supply. Now it’s a standard rifle package offered directly from Ruger. It’s not the only new 10/22 for this summer but it’s sure to be a hit everywhere.
The X-22 Backpacker stock is a minimalist design built for the 10/22 Takedown. It has a separate stock and forend that can be locked together to keep the rifle together during transport.
The overall package is short and lightweight, totaling just 4.2 pounds without ammo and accessories. The Backpacker-equipped 10/22 is a two-tone rifle with 16-inch satin stainless steel barrel and matching satin-finish receiver. Collapsed the rifle measures in at around 20 inches long.
The new 10/22 comes with a fiber optic sights front and rear and the receiver is drilled and tapped for a scope or included optics rail. The stock has left- and right-side sling swivel sockets and a storage compartment for extra magazines.
The 10/22 Backpacker comes with four BX-1 rotary magazines, one in the rifle and three in the stock. It also has a threaded muzzle and an included thread protector and is compatible with many suppressors including the Ruger Silent-SR rimfire suppressor.
See Also: Ruger Adds Three New Models to 10/22, Hawkeye and Scout Series
As expected, the 10/22 Backpacker is chambered for .22 Long Rifle. Each BX-1 magazine holds ten rounds of .22 LR and the rifle is compatible with all standard magazines and most triggers and other mods.
With a suggested retail price of $529 the Backpacker is a bit more expensive than entry level 10/22 rifles but not as expensive as higher-end models, and it’s cheaper than getting a takedown rifle and adding the Magpul stock. Of course, real-world and online prices are typically less than what Ruger advertises.
Ruger is adding five 10/22s to its Summer 2020 catalog. In addition to the Magpul Backpacker model, they’ve added a new wood-stocked Carbine bundled with a Viridian 3-9x scope, a Stars and Stripes-themed 10/22 and two 10/22 Target models with bright orange and black wood laminate stocks.
For more information about the 10/22 Magpul Backpacker and other 2020 model rifles, check out Ruger’s new products page.