Sight Rail

Now that I have some experience on the Bridgeport its time for a more challenging project.  The skunk that has ambushed me a few times now really needs to be dealt with.  The result is a renewed interest in my Ruger 10/22.  The first step was to sand and refinish the poor stock that had seen so much abuse from my teen years.  Next I felt I really needed an optics mount.  I thought how cool would it be if I could forward mount a small fixed power scope or better yet a red dot?  This would allow me to hunt the skunk in low light and quickly target his scampering ass as he makes his get away.

The truth is I just have another reason to drop a few buck on my 10/22 and start a new project.  Inspired by the success I had mounting an Aimpoint to my AR with a Swan Sleeve (A.R.M.S. 38s - EX) I wanted to recreate that setup on my 10/22.  Taking some careful measurements it was time to start carving.  I found a large block of aluminum at work and began to try to replicate the Mil-Std. 1913 rails found on the A.R.M.S. products.

Slowly a cut at a time the familiar look of the mil spec. rails began to emerge from the block.

Finally I had a rail that could mount to the 10/22.  It utilizes the four mounting holes provided on the top of the 10/22 receiver but also replaces the clamp that holds the barrel to the stock.  As of now the stock is roughly cut to accept the rail but eventually the end of the stock will be reshaped to blend better with the new look.

For now the rail is simply painted with Rustoleum flat back until I can assemble everything I will need to hard anodize the rail.

As you can see the rail will allow me to mount an optic far out over the barrel.  Pictured here is an Aimpoint Comp ML2 in an A.R.M.S. 22M68 quick release mount.  I'm positive that my rail would not actually meet the military specifications that the Swan Sleeve is built to, but it came out pretty damn good.  I have never seen a set up like this on a 10/22.

Not exactly what it will look like when its all done but this gives you a good idea of the finished product.  I might buy a threaded barrel and mount a AR flash suppressor, not only for cosmetic appearance but because there is more rust on the original than I thought, and because the iron sights will be useless when everything is done.