Ruger 10/22 receiver hole for cleaning rod

[bdeboode]

Morning all,

I'm thinking of getting a Ruger 10/22 to plink targets at the range, however the barrel looks a pig to clean.
I've seen some videos of people drilling holes in the back of the receiver so you can fit your cleaning rod through it.
Just wondering if anyone's got any tips/experience doing this?

Cheers,
Brent

 

[Elshad]

Very new 10/22s (model numbers 32000 onwards, built since late 2025) have the hole in the receiver drilled from the factory - I don’t think many of these have made their way over here yet though

 

[bdeboode]

Very new 10/22s (model numbers 32000 onwards, built since late 2025) have the hole in the receiver drilled from the factory - I don’t think many of these have made their way over here yet though

I wonder why they waited so long, seems a pretty obvious design flaw. Anyway I'm hoping to pick up a second hand one so I doubt I'll be lucky enough to find a new one like that

 

[8x57]

Morning all,

I'm thinking of getting a Ruger 10/22 to plink targets at the range, however the barrel looks a pig to clean.
I've seen some videos of people drilling holes in the back of the receiver so you can fit your cleaning rod through it.
Just wondering if anyone's got any tips/experience doing this?

Cheers,
Brent

They are not really a pig to clean. Even with the hole in the back of the receiver that the newer 10/22 rifle has you still need to drop the trigger unit and bolt out of the rifle so taking the action out of the stock and removing the barrel isn't that much more work.
Think about it, even the most active gallery rifle shooter only needs to clean the actual chamber occasionally. Yes keep the action and magazine clean and suitably lubricated and it will run trouble free with the right ammo for thousands of rounds, just don't allow crud to build up especially in the ejector cut out.

 

[bdeboode]

They are not really a pig to clean. Even with the hole in the back of the receiver that the newer 10/22 rifle has you still need to drop the trigger unit and bolt out of the rifle so taking the action out of the stock and removing the barrel isn't that much more work.
Think about it, even the most active gallery rifle shooter only needs to clean the actual chamber occasionally. Yes keep the action and magazine clean and suitably lubricated and it will run trouble free with the right ammo for thousands of rounds, just don't allow crud to build up especially in the ejector cut out.

Thank you, that's helpful! The videos I've been watching I haven't seen anyone actually take the barrel off - that makes a lot of sense though!

 

[Jim Hutton]

They are not really a pig to clean. Even with the hole in the back of the receiver that the newer 10/22 rifle has you still need to drop the trigger unit and bolt out of the rifle so taking the action out of the stock and removing the barrel isn't that much more work.
Think about it, even the most active gallery rifle shooter only needs to clean the actual chamber occasionally. Yes keep the action and magazine clean and suitably lubricated and it will run trouble free with the right ammo for thousands of rounds, just don't allow crud to build up especially in the ejector cut out.

Couldn’t agree more. I rarely need to clean my Ruger and despite putting thousands of rounds through it I have never cleaned the barrel.

 

[jcampbellsmith]

I cleaned my 10/22 from the muzzle. I had a plastic muzzle protector/guide.

Regards

JCS

 

[8x57]

I cleaned my /22 from the muzzle. I had a plastic muzzle protector/guide.

Regards

JCS

You lazy beggar JCS, that's cheating.

I used to clean the club 10/22s every couple of months and they got an a tremendous amount of use. I always took the barrel off but that's just me.
I found the biggest issue for reliability was keeping the magazines clean and ensuring that they were properly re-assembled as regards spring tension. My short cut was to drop them in the ultra sonic cleaner.

 

[bdeboode]

thank you for the tips! really appreciate it!

 

[Smellydog]

Don't clean the barrel and a bent cotton bud with solvent will clean the chamber plenty. The only part of the barrel that will need a clean.
Do clean the magazine but don't oil it or the trigger and action. It'll attract more shite and become unreliable sooner.

When your done with the piece of shite have it destroyed before making another human being suffer....!

 

[Taff]

One of the easiest semi guns on the market to completely strip and clean.