American Rimfire- compact vs standard?

LOP Standard 13.75
LOP Compact 12.50
Pick the one that fits you best.

22LR does not need more barrel length for velocity. I'm fine with the short LOP and prefer the smaller rifle.

If using a scope I would get the shorter of the two.

I have the compact version, no complaints on LOP. I'm not a huge person 5'10" and it fits me fine

LOP Standard 13.75
LOP Compact 12.50
Pick the one that fits you best.

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If that's the case, I'd have to change my vote to standard. If the aftermarket offers a stock made for grown ups, I'd still like the more compact barrel length, but it has to fit me.

If using a scope, then make my .22 barrel the short one. But, I might want that longer stock if I'm shooting on warm days with no padded jacket on.

I didn't even know Ruger made this. Now I kind of want one as a compliment to my 10/22. Way cheaper than the 77/22.

I believe the LOP is easily changed as is the comb height, so I would not let that give you much worry. I would go with the 18" for ease of use in the forest.

Post a range report when you've got the rifle, I am interested in one of these...

Thanks,

Matt

If using a scope, then make my .22 barrel the short one. But, I might want that longer stock if I'm shooting on warm days with no padded jacket on.

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Dude, it was 80 degrees today and it's nearly Christmas. LOL! One could just put a cheap Pachmayr slip on recoil pad on it, instant extra inch of LOP. You could take it off on the 3 days a year you get to wear a coat in south Texas. I have a pump shotgun set up that way. I bought it at a pawn shop in Port Lavaca for $170. Some ying yang cut an inch off the stock and didn't fit the recoil pad to it, gun was like new otherwise. SO, I sanded the recoil pad down to fit the stock and put a slip on Limb Saver on it. Now, I have the option for just as you said, cold days with a jacket.

This sounds like an interesting rifle. I, too, would like a range report with benched accuracy results, please.

That shorter barrel will be so much easier to handle when getting in and out of vehicles, getting into field shooting positions, carrying, shooting, cleaning, and storage.

FWIW, for offhand shooting, I've found that I do better with a rifle that's slightly muzzle-heavy at the carrying point of just in front of the trigger guard. Slightly, not a bunch. I guess that would push me toward the 22-inch.

I have the Compact in .22 WMR and love that configuration. The barrel is not a bull barrel, but it is not a pencil thin one, either. With a decent scope the gun is not a lightweight. I also prefer the shorter stock, although Ruger sells the stock modules for $19.95 for someone who wants the compact model with the longer LOP (or the longer barrel with the shorter LOP).

I would go for the longer barrel. Maybe the woods in Tennessee aren't that dense, but I've never had any problem with longer barrels in the woods around here. I'm in middle Tennessee, though, so maybe it's different elsewhere.

Thanks! I've heard that a longer bbl on a .22 makes it easier to hold steady on target? Kind of like a heavy barrel on a revolver?

I am going to go for head shots on squirrels so I'll want to be pretty steady, those little guys are quick!

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I try to take supported shots, brace on a tree, brace over a fence post, or shoot off my knees if sitting or use a set of cross sticks or monopod. There are times when it's an off hand standing shot or nothing and I've made such shots, but I try to shoot off a supported position and from a supported position, it matters not how long the barrel is. I don't find a lot of difference off hand, anyway, so to me, the convenience of the shorter barrel in the woods is a bonus. Anyway, I shoot 'em with all the time with MUCH LESS than 16" of barrel.

The 22lr doesn't gain anything with the longer barrel.

The feel of the gun swinging and coming on target is too personal to say one is/will be better.


The butt plate is what makes the 2 rifles have different LOP; not the stock.

The butt plates are interchangeable between the 2 guns.

Meaning, you can buy the compact rifle to get the shorter barrel and put the full size butt plates on it to get the longer LOP if needed.


That is what I would do because I like the shorter barrel but think that short of LOP might be too short and would like having the option of going to the longer LOP.

I ended up with a full size only because they didn't have a compact. I will say the overall size of the full size reminds me of the 22lr bolt action I grew up on and I'm not sorry I didn't go the compact route I mentioned.

I have the longer version, and like it quite a bit, but find myself wishing I'd have gotten the carbine just for the handier size. Maybe I'll add one of those, at ~ $250 it's not like it'll break the bank.