Ruger 10/22

     Notes:  This is a popular sporting rifle in the US, Canada, and Europe. It was introduced in 1964, with a stock of American beech, but a version appeared in 1989 with a walnut stock (the 10/22R).  It is drilled and tapped for a scope mount, which is normally furnished with the rifle.  The 10/22 has been updated throughout the years, and accessory kits have been made by many dealers.  It is possible to get synthetic stocks, folding stocks, pistol grip stocks, bullpup stocks, etc.  There are rumors of it being used with a silencer by assassins, and it is definitely used with a silencer for game culling.  There are whole books about modifying the 10/22, including making it into a fully-automatic version!

     In 1966, a Sporter version appeared, this version is identical to the standard 10/22 for game purposes, but has a Monte Carlo stock and no barrel band on the fore-end.  It was built until 1971, replaced by the Deluxe Sporter.  Another version which appeared in 1966 is the 10/22RBI International; this version has a Mannlicher-style stock and fore-end which extends to the muzzle, but is also identical to the standard 10/22 for game purposes.  At first, the International had a polished beech stock and came in stainless steel or blued versions, but in 1995, checkering was added to the pistol grip wrist and fore-end.

     In 1992, a stainless steel weatherproof version was introduced; this version, the K-10/22RB, has a laminated beech stock.  In 1997, a similar weapon, but with a black Zytel plastic stock, was introduced, called the K-10/22RP.  Another similar model, the 10/22RP, was introduced in 1999; this also has a Zytel stock, but has blued metalwork.  The K-10/22RB is identical to the standard 10/22 for game purposes; the two plastic-stocked versions are identical for game purposes.

     In 1996, a target/varmint version was introduced; this version, the 10/22T, has a heavy match-quality cold-forged barrel and no iron sights.  The barrel of this version is also longer at 20 inches (as opposed to the 18.5-inch barrel of most other versions).  A stainless steel version followed in 1999 (the K-10/22T).  Another version of the varmint/target, the K-10/22TNZ, has stainless steel metalwork, and the wooden stock is skeletonized with a true pistol grip.  It weighs slightly less than the standard varmint/target version. 

     The Ruger 10/22 Magnum is a version of the 10/22 Carbine firing .22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire, introduced in 1999.  It is basically similar to the 10/22 except for the changes necessary to chamber and fire .22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire, but these changes were quite great in order to keep the basic package similar in external appearance, and virtually the entire mechanism is different.

     In 2005, a rifle version of the 10/22 was released by Ruger.  The new hardwood stock is made for larger people, the buttplate is straight instead of curved, and there is no barrel band.  The barrel is a full 20 inches, and the receiver is made from cast aluminum.  The sights are changed to reflect the greater range.  The Ruger 10/22 Rifle is equipped with a Weaver-style scope base.

     Added to the Ruger line in 2006, the Ruger 10/22 Compact is a version of the 10/22 which is smaller and with a shorter barrel than even the 10/22 Carbine.  There is no word as yet as whether there will be versions in stainless steel, with synthetic stocks, etc., but the basic version recently announced has hardwood stock designed with a shorter length of pull, making it suitable for adults as well as children.  The buttstock is also of reduced width, and the fore-end is likewise narrower.  The 10/22 Compact is equipped with iron sights that have high-visibility fiberoptic inlays, and it is also drilled and tapped for a Weaver-style scope mount or rings. 

     In 2009, The Model 10/22 Tactical Target was introduced.  This version is sort of dressed up to look like a sort of faux tactical marksman’s rifle, but those same attributes make it an excellent target rifle as well as very good for taking out varmints.  The Tactical Target uses a Hogue synthetic stock and is equipped with a 16.125-inch extra-heavy profile barrel tipped with a target crown.  Atop the receiver is a MIL-STD-1913 rail, and underneath the front of the handguard is a lightweight Harris-type bipod that is adjustable for cant and height.  The working parts, especially the hammer, is designed for a fast lock time for quick follow-up shots.  The barrel is attached by a V-block system that is secured by two screws, and can be quickly removed.  (Whether a suppressed barrel is in the works is something I haven’t been able to find out, but presumably easy barrel changes are the object of this type of barrel attachment.)

     Twilight 2000 Notes: The Ruger 10/22 Magnum, 10/22 Rifle, 10/22 Compact, the versions with Zytel stocks, and the target/varmint versions are not available in the Twilight 2000 timeline.

Ruger M-44 Deerfield

     Notes: The M-44 carbine, also known as the M-99-R, was introduced in 1959 as essentially a scaled up version of the 10/22.  Modifications were fairly heavy, primarily to accommodate the larger round, and mostly revolving around the locked-breech action required to fire the much more powerful round.  The original M-44 used simple open sights in addition to being drilled and tapped for a telescopic sight.  The stock was of birch and used a semi-pistol grip and a half-length fore-end (a “half-stock”).  In 1962, Ruger added the name “Deerstalker” to the M-44, but as Ithaca also began selling a modified shotgun with the same name, Ruger changed the name of the M-44 to the Deerfield after a short patent fight.  The Deerfield is otherwise largely made of steel and works by gas operation.  The barrel is 18.5 inches, and feed is from a tubular magazine inside the fore-end.  (The M-44 is not able to chamber .44 Special rounds.)   In 1962, the rear sight was also changed to a folding leaf sight.

     Various special editions and deluxe models were also built, with enhancements ranging from gold-plated triggers and trigger guards, barrel bands, etc. to full special editions such as the much engraved “Anniversary Model” of 1985.  Some other notable special editions include the M-44 Deluxe Sporter (also known as the M-44-DSP) built from 1963-71, which had a Monte Carlo-type cheekpiece as well as sling swivels on the stock.  The M-44 Sporter (M-44-RS) of 1961-78 was essentially the same, but used a simple aperture sight (which was adjustable).  Built in very small numbers from 1964-71, the M-44 International (also called the M-44-X and M-44-RSI) used a full-length Mannlicher-type stock.  All of these special models are identical to the standard M-44 for game purposes.

     Production of the original M-44 Deerfield stopped in 1985, but it began again in 2000, under the designation of the M-99/44 (or simply M-9944) Deerfield.  It is essentially a modernized version of the M-44; the most noticeable change is the stock.  This stock is still a semi-pistol grip half-stock which is made from conventional hardwood but finished to look like fine, weatherproofed walnut; it also has a synthetic instead of a hard rubber or metal buttplate.  Also immediately noticeable is a synthetic heat shield on the right side of the fore-end.  The sling swivels have been replaced by quick-release versions, and the front sling-swivel mount can also take a limited amount of light bipods.  The rear sight is a folding aperture sight with more adjustability than the original M-44, and the front sight is a protected gold bead.  The drilling and tapping can take a greater variety of scope mounts and rings, though they are specifically designed to fit Ruger’s own line of mounts and rings the best.  (The M-99/44 is even sold with Ruger scope rings, which can take most civilian scopes sold today.)  Internally, the safety has been changed to shotgun-style crossbolt safety, and feed is from a removable rotary magazine instead of a tubular magazine.  Production of the M-99/44 stopped again in 2005, but started again in 2007.

     Twilight 2000 Notes: The M-99/44 does not exist in the Twilight 2000 timeline.

Ruger Mini-14 Target Rifle

     Notes: Due to be introduced in 2006, the Mini-14 Target version is, as the name suggests, a highly-modified version of the Mini-14 assault rifle designed for target shooting and precision hunting.  The Target version has a new stock black-laminated hardwood, with a unique shape including a cheek swell, deep pistol grip wrist, a grip for the non-firing hand, and a thick non-slip rubber recoil pad.  The barrel is of stainless steel and is longer and heavier than the standard Mini-14 barrel; it is a bull barrel 22 inches long.  At the muzzle one may attach removable counterweights of varying sizes, attached with Allen screws.  There is no flash suppressor or muzzle brake, but the muzzle is target crowned.  The receiver is also of stainless steel, and the weapon has no iron sights, instead having Ruger’s integral scope mount. 

     Twilight 2000 Notes: This rifle does not exist in the Twilight 2000 timeline.

Ruger PC-4/9

     Notes: These carbines are designed for use as self-defense weapons by campers and other casual users, normally against wildlife.  They are small carbines using pistol caliber cartridges, and in fact may use the same magazines as Ruger P-series pistols. They have several safeties and will not fire if dropped or bumped accidentally. 

     Twilight 2000 Notes: This weapon does not exist.

     Merc 2000 Notes: This is a popular weapon in Central and South America as well as the US and Canada; in fact, it has even been found in the possession of Yanamamo natives deep in the Amazon basin.