I don't recall precisely but I think that firearms questions are allowed within certain parameters, if I'm out of line, please delete.

I'm looking for some advice from anyone who happens to own a synthetic stock version of the Ruger 10-22 rifle, real simple, have you attached a sling to it and if so, how? I'd also be interested in learning if it's possible to replace the stock barrel band with made of something a little more substantial, like metal for instance.

Thanks.

I have a Ruger 10/22 with synthetic stock also and have been wondering the same thing. The material is rather thin at the spot where you’d normally mount a sling swivel on the stock. I’d suggest adding one of the stock/pouches (good place to keep survival supplies) that includes a swivel to attach a sling on the side, along with an aluminum band for the front of the stock that has a swivel on the side as well. After the 1911A1 the 10/22 has more after market accessories than any other gun I know of.

Cheers,
W-W

I never did it on a 10-22 but there are a lot of stocks available for them. Cabela's has a whole page of them.
Some of them come with sling mounts too.
Buying a whole stock for a 10-22 seem like a very expensive way to go though and I would likely just go with the screw in sling mounts.

I am not sure about the barrel band on them either.
I am just not familiar enough with Ruger 10-22 to comment on that.
However seeing that people do float the barrels on them and make varminter style stocks for them I end up wondering if the barrel band really does anything.
After all they didn't even put a barrel band on the 10-22 Compact model.

Maybe something like this would work? (at the bottom of the page)

http://www.gunaccessories.com/1022/parts.asp

If you google ruger 10-22, you'll come up with a large number of sites with a large variety of after-market accessories. Start your Christmas wish list now. :->

Oh yes, I've found a ton of stuff for the gun but I was hoping to find someone who had actually attached a sling swivel to the synthetic stock.

I've put some feelers out on some other forums, looks like I need to get a set of swivels that come with some self tapping screws. I might take the gun apart and see if I could conceivably reinforce the area where the screw threads have to go.

Thanks for the tips so far folks.

I am fairly sure the folks who put on the weekend rifle programs encouraging Second Amendment and a prepared militia [Appleseed?] specify use of slings and their rifle of choice is the Ruger 10/22. Their organization may have technical suggestions about outfitting your rifle.

Edit: I really do not know about their political / philosophical positions, just that they exist.

On thin plastic stock you can cut a piece of block plastic, I used a 3" piece of bulk nylon round stock i had on hand and shaped it to just about match the interior curve of the hollow stock, then measuring carefully and clamping it temporarily in place I drilled a pilot hole for the wood screw type threads on the swivel. Then I lightly coated the block with polyurethane sealant where it would contact the interior of the stock to make up for any inexactitude in the fit. Once I stuffed it back into place it was pretty easy to screw the swivel in catching the block inside the stock. It held up until I sold the gun a few years later and, as far as I know, is still good.

I've similarly gorilla glued a blank on the stock with a pre-drilled undersized pilot and then threaded the swivel stud into that. Gorilla glue is the bomb for such things, just don't use too much.

I am an Appleseed Instructor and yes we see a ton of 10/22s on the line. I own 4 of them myself. Great little training rifle.

As for the Ruger synthetic stock, there are a couple of ways you can go to attach a sling. The easiest is to get an Uncle Mikes swivel that attaches to the barrel band. The problem is that the newer barrel bands are plastic and quite frankly crap. If you go to a supplier like Numerich Gun Parts (egunparts.com) you should be able to order a metal barrel band that you will be happier with.

You can use a screw version of the swivel, but be careful depending on where you mount it how far it penetrates. You can cut off the screw if it penetrates too far. Uncle Mikes sells a swivel set with one longer screw swivel and one short one. I would also recommend that you get 1.25" swivels as it will allow you to use a wide variety of slings, including a GI web sling which is what we teach at Appleseed.

As others have stated there are tons of aftermarket stocks available. If the carbine stock is too small for you (common for many men) that may be a good way to go as you will shoot much better if the stock fits you.

I would also recommend that you replace the stock sights with something like Tech-Sights. You will be much happier.

Best of luck!

Greg