My little 10/22.... Mannlicher stock... camo... totally accurate... unless you have a specific need for a take down.... I wouldn't consider it... of course that is my opinion.... which of course... we all have one...
ot stirrer:
She's a looker Speezack.
i say go for a Marlin model 70P or 70PSS if you are looking for a take down. The sights are on the barrel, and Hi Cap mags are out there for it, and you can get the older one (70P) for less than $200 if you watch the used racks. Then again, what are you buying it for?
I currently have a 70P that was a project build (Johhny Cashed it over the last 5 years from a stock and receiver I picked up for 15 bucks at a gun show.), a 10\22 takedown and CRR, and a few AR7s, including the pistol made by Charter Arms, and they do have a purpose. that purpose is not as a precision rifle. They are a stop gap camp or survival rifle that is also good for plinking, and that's honestly about it. i use mine as a backpack gun or truck gun while out in the sticks to gather up dinner if I am going to be out overnight during hunting season, or as a means of popping a couple rabbits or squirrels when the deer ain't moving much, and i just don't feel the need to go home. I'm not saying they are inaccurate, but when it comes to the point that you have dropped $500 into a $350 rifle, you might as well have just spent the $1,000 on a Volquartsen instead.Now, the upsides to the 70P\PSS and the AR&.
Both will float, Marlin in it's case, AR7 in it's stock. The Ruger does not.
The Marlin sights are on the barrel, and if you want a peep sight on the rear, one is available, and using it is a simple as folding down the rear notch on the barrel. My 10\22 takedoen also has them on the barrel, and the same rear sight option is out there for it as well. The AR7 is only available with the receiver mounted peep sight.
All the parts to the AR7 will fit in it's own stock, including 2 mags and one more in the stock with the Henry US Survival Rifle. It will not fit with the scope on it.
The AR7 and the Marlin are more compact when taken down (The AR7 stock is only 16.5 inches on the longest part, the stock, and the thin case for the Marlin is only 24 inches long.), and cost less than the standard 10\22, and the take down model.
Both are lighter than the 10\22.
Both also have no fore end, which takes some getting use to, but it does save weight, and is truly a free float barrel. This also makes it easier, should you live in an NFA friendly state, to Form 1 or Form 4 it, buy another barrel, and SBR or Suppress it, and you still have the standard barrel so you don't need to leave it home if your travels take you to an NFA restricted state. granted, you can also just thread the barrel of a standard model, but even that's a no go in some states, and you are adding length to the rifle, where the other way lets you run a shorter barrel with a can, or just integrally syppress the rifle, keeping it the same length.
now the 10\22 has more aftermarket support than the other 2, and more goodies are made for it. you can also put together a 3 day kit, if you keep it down to just what you need, in the Ruger case\pack. Ruger also has their own mags for longer shooting time at the range, the BX Series in 15, 25, and 25 X 2. That's honestly about it.
now, the why portion for my having them, I like the take down concept, and there is just something kind of cool knowing you can fit a rifle and 2,000 rounds of ammo in a back, and only you know it's there. less than 3 pounds for the rifle and 100 rounds of ammo is nothing to carry with you when camping or hunting, and if the action is good on the small game end, I can sling the big rifle or shotgun, and use the little one to go after that daily limit instead. Or, if I Get a large,aggressive fish, i can use the .22 to pop it before bringing it into the boat (Came in handy when i was on Vacation in LA, and we caught a 3.5 foot Alligator Gar. My buddy the wife and i were with used it to do just that before we pulled it in.) All of my AR7s fit in the 15 inch long saddle bags on my bike, and the Marlin fits in my sissy bar bag, and no one knows it's there.
Take downs do have a use, and they are fun to own, but they are not fully practical either. They are nice for survival gear in a boat or small aircraft, and under the seat of the truck. That and the fun factor when folks see them is why I own them. The only major let down for me is, I rarely get to enjoy them myself, as my friends and family want to shoot them as well when i set one of them up at the range.
in the end it's your money, do with it what you will. I just wanted to advise you on the other options that exist so you can check on them as well before parting with your money.
