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Long Barreled 22 Mag.

BigBarn
Happy Holiday, and Merry Christmas to all! Just thought it would be good to start with that!
So anyway, I have a long, 12", barreled Ruger SA new model,22 magnum, that is in very good shape. I would like to have a shorter barrel on this pistol, ust for the reason of usability. The 12" barrel is great for target shooting, but next to useless when it comes to hunting, or any other use, being as it is to unwieldy at best.
My question is, can I shorten this barrel myself, or do I need to take it to qualified GunSmith, or should I be looking at sending it back to Ruger, to have the barrel replaced? I am not a qualified Gunsmith, but I do extensive gun repairs, and refinishing. I feel I am absolutely qualified to shorten this barrel, if that is a viable option to answer this question.
Bottom line, what is the best direction to go with this?

Thanks for your input!

BigBarn[:o)]

"Respect the land, and it will respect you"
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Comments

6 comments

Date Votes
  • duckhunter
    If you have a 12 in ruger 22 you have a one , or almost one of a kind. All factory long barrels 22's were 9 inches. Ergo you may have a REAL collector Ruger. For no more that the 22 rugers cost I would just buy a shorter barreled gun.

    I WOULD RATHER BE DUCK HUNTING.
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  • nmyers
    And, besides, the .22 mag was originally designed to be a rifle cartridge, & really doesn't do well in a short barrel. When fired in a short barrel, you will see a tremendous muzzle flash & a spray of powder particles due to the fact that much of the powder doesn't have time to burn before the bullet leaves the bore. Muzzle energy is greatly reduced. Just doesn't seem to me to be worthwhile butchering a desireable gun & ending up with something that may not make you happy.

    Neal
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  • Boomerang
    quote:Originally posted by nmyers
    And, besides, the .22 mag was originally designed to be a rifle cartridge, & really doesn't do well in a short barrel. When fired in a short barrel, you will see a tremendous muzzle flash & a spray of powder particles due to the fact that much of the powder doesn't have time to burn before the bullet leaves the bore. Muzzle energy is greatly reduced. Just doesn't seem to me to be worthwhile butchering a desireable gun & ending up with something that may not make you happy.

    Neal
    Listen to the man!

    Boomer

    "Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as it is by the obstacles which one has overcome while trying to succeed"

    . and the antithesis to this philosophy was uttered by Bill Clinton "I smoked it, but I didn't inhale."[V]

    NRA Life Member
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  • spasmcreek
    i have been building longer barrels (up to 18") for ruger 22 mag for years, also rechambering bisley 22 to 22 mag.....put on rifle front sight & reshape a semi-buckhorn insert for the rear....been working on ideas for a folding or skeleton detachable stock....just for fun...can't be any more awkward than carrying a rifle ??????
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  • captkirk3@dslextreme.com
    Cutting down a 12" Buntline Ruger is like turning a $500.00 gun into a $100.00 gun...I would'nt entertain the idea more than about 30 seconds...Like the Man said...leave it alone....and Buy another to take its place...Just My opinion.....Best.....

    Captain Kirk, Tech Staff
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  • BigBarn
    Ok, Ok, you guys win. All of you brought up points, and ideas that I had never entertained, and I thank you for that. And with that information in hand, I think I will make my self a handy hunting pistol, for squirrels, or opossums, or whatever. I had no idea that this pistol was worth as much as it is, so I have learned my lesson, and isn't that what you "experts are for?
    Thanks to all for setting me straight!

    BigBarn[:o)]

    "Respect the land, and it will respect you"
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