Ultimate Guide on Cleaning Your Ruger 10/22 Rifle

| Last Updated:
September 28, 2023

In this article, we'll discuss the importance, schedule, and methods of cleaning your 10/22. You need to know this because if you don't know when and how to clean your Ruger, you'll end up messing with its performance, especially its accuracy.

Rifles, just like any other machine, need to be serviced properly. In this article, you'll learn the right ways to clean your rifles, as well as some dos and don'ts while doing it.

Regular and proper cleaning of your rifle prevents it from jamming and additional wearing of its parts.

Comparison of the Best Ruger 10/22 Rifle Cleaning Kits

IMAGEPRODUCT
  • Cleaning brushes included.
  • Best overall cleaning kit for the Ruger 10/22.
  • Includes Memory Flex cables for muzzle to breach cleaning.
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  • 28 pieces in total.
  • Universal cleaning kit.
  • Best Ruger 10/22 cleaning kit for the money.
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  • Carrying case included.
  • Aluminum rods included.
  • Universal cleaning kit--can clean most guns.
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  • Basic kit for most users.
  • 16 pieces of rods, brushes, and pads.
  • Designed for .22 caliber rifles and pistols.
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  • Includes a portable case.
  • Brushes and brass rod included.
  • Used for most calibers and guns.
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How to Choose a Cleaning Kit

Finding a cleaning kit is important for your Ruger 10/22 rifle. However, knowing which characteristics and features make a kit stand out is a must. It allows you to make the distinction between a great kit and ones that fall short in some ways. Here is what you need to look for in a cleaning kit before choosing one:

Price

As a budget shopper, price will matter to you a lot. However, it shouldn’t be the only reason why you purchase the kit. You’ll need to consider the other characteristics and features, like overall quality, what’s included, and so on. Remember to invest in the best cleaning kit you can afford. Don’t ever sacrifice quality simply for the sake of saving yourself a few dollars.

How Much Do You Need in a Kit?

Some cleaning kits offer a lot of accessories. Some provide you with a good amount to get you by. No doubt that your rifle needs to be cleaned on a regular basis, but it comes down to personal preferences. How much solvent or oil do you need? How many cleaning rods and pads are necessary to accomplish your task? All of that is up to you.

Universal Kit or Just for Rifles?

There are a ton of kits out there made strictly for rifles and there are others that are considered universal--meaning they can clean rifles, pistols, and shotguns. The latter will depend on how many guns you have in your arsenal. If you have a nice mix of firearms that you use for whatever purpose, a universal cleaning kit may just come in handy.

Why is it Important to Clean Your Ruger 10/22?

The best answers to why cleaning your gun is so important are it will help maintain the accuracy and function of the rifle. Some good reasons to clean your Ruger 10/22 rifle regularly are:

  • With regular usage, residual dirt, grime, and gunpowder build up on different parts such as the trigger assembly and bolt assembly. This affects the normal function of the rifle.
  • Improper bolt function affects the accuracy of your rifle. You don’t want your shots moving off target, right?
  • Another problem which arises due to dirt, is jamming. Your charging handle and bolt assembly have to be lubricated and cleaned for optimum performance. Of course, you’re not going to fight a war with your Ruger 10/22, but jamming is still annoying. Plus, it makes you look careless and as if you don’t give a darn about cleaning your guns.
  • Not cleaning your 10/22 will also lead to improper cycling of rounds. Due to the blow-back operation of the rifle, burned gases, unburned powder, and bullet lube get sprayed into the action and then into the magazine.
  • Even though the 10/22 doesn’t have a high bullet velocity and pressure in its barrel, fouling, even on a minor scale, can affect the performance of your rifle. So, the barrel needs to be cleaned as well.
  • Prevent rust. It may sound somewhat obvious with respect to rifles, but it’s true. If you plan to store your 10/22 for a longer duration, you should clean and lube it properly to prevent rusting.

In simplest terms, if you really love your 10/22 rifle and want it to function properly, you should clean it regularly and properly.

ruger 10/22 takedown light

To be upfront, not everyone believes it’s necessary to clean your brand-new gun. Let's discuss some of the reasons you may want to.

The Ruger 10/22 rifle is sprayed with a preservative inside the barrel before leaving the factory. This oily coating inside the barrel is meant to prevent it from rusting or any other damage before it becomes operational.

This preservative coating, if not cleaned off, becomes hardened and messy with time and is difficult to clean later. At that stage, you will want to remove it vigorously with a brass brush, which, in turn, may damage your barrel.

We recommend that when you get your new Ruger 10/22, you should field strip the rifle and clean the barrel first. You can use a bore snake or cleaning rod to do so. After removing the preservative coating, lube the barrel with solvent using swab tips on the cleaning rod.

Review of the Best Ruger 10/22 Cleaning Kits

Below is a list of the five best cleaning kits for the Ruger 10/22 rifle. As you go through each one, be sure to take notes of each and every single characteristic and feature that stands out as interesting to you. If you find a kit that has the ideal features you’re looking for, then you might have a winner on your hands.

Let's take a look at some of the best tools for cleaning your 10/22. These are our top picks of the year and for good reason. Now, let’s kick off this list with our “best overall” cleaning kit: 

Best Overall:
Otis Tactical Breech-To-Muzzle Gun Cleaning System

Pros

  • Easy to Fit Most Belt Loops
  • Does a Good Job Preventing Fouling
  • Excellent for Cleaning Rifles and Pistols
  • Includes Plenty of Solvent for All Your Cleaning Needs
  • Memory-Flex Cables are Durable and Super Easy to Use

Cons

  • None

What Recent Buyers Report

A lot of users were happy with this kit. They were able to easily clean their guns, including Ruger 10/22 rifles. The memory-flex cables, according to one user, worked a lot better than most of the cleaning rods he’s used in the past. He added that they were soft, durable, and were able to fit through the muzzle.

Why it Stands Out to Us 

This is a basic universal kit that has all the basic things you need, cleaning cables, brushes, and solvents. That’s about it. However, you have just enough for any gun you might want to clean. If you have a pistol to clean, the short memory-flex cable will work for you. Plus, you have two longer cables you can use for shotguns and rifles. 

Who Will Use This Most 

This will be best used by a variety of gun owners. Since this isn’t a kit that is designed specifically for a certain gun, it will be used widely. It doesn’t matter if you own a few pistols or a single rifle like the Ruger 10/22. It’s a cleaning kit that is as basic and universal as it gets.

What Could Be Improved and Why

While there are no obvious cons to speak of, there is still the idea of adding a little something into the mix. One of those ideas would be adding another bottle of cleaning solvent. This way you’ll have not one, but two, bottles handy. That would be enough to last you quite a while.

Bottom Line

If you want a cleaning kit that is simple to use for your Ruger 10/22 rifle, then the Otis Tactical Gun Cleaning System will probably be right up your alley. It may not look like much, but rest assured, you’ll have just enough to clean any gun in need of cleaning.

Runner-up: 
Outers 28-Piece Universal Aluminum Gun Care Case

Pros

  • Works With Most Cleaning Solvents
  • Cleaning Rods are Durable and Solid in Construction
  • It Can Clean Any Type of Gun
  • Keeps Your Rifle Clean and Doesn’t Leave Any Residue or Gunk
  • Cleaning Brushes are Reliable and Don’t Damage the Barrel at All

Cons

  • Oil and Solvents Not Included
  • Some Rods May Be a Little Stiff to Move Around With
  • Some Cleaning Rods Might Be a Little Too Short for Some Rifles

What Recent Buyers Report

This cleaning kit has impressed a lot of new users, especially those who want plenty of brushes, cleaning rods, and other fixings to clean their guns. A lot of users were cleaning pistols, shotguns, and rifles (including the Ruger 10/22). The aluminum rods were nice and solid for the most part, according to most users.

Why it Stands Out to Us 

This has a total of 28 parts and accessories. It’s a kit that’s basic but has a little bit more than your average cleaning kits. So you have more pads, rods, and everything in between, so you can fulfill your cleaning needs for every gun.

Who Will Use This Most 

Expect this to be used by many shooters that own numerous guns. Pistols, shotguns, rifles, you name it. This has more than enough, compared to basic cleaning kits. So, if you want a little more than most basic kits, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better cleaning kit than this for your Ruger 10/22.

What Could Be Improved and Why

Let’s address the elephant in the room, there are no cleaning solvents or oils. These should be included so you actually have everything you need rather than trying to find a cleaning solvent that is compatible with your Ruger 10/22 rifle.

Bottom Line

If you want a basic universal cleaning kit that will give you a little more than most, the Outers 28-Piece Universal Cleaning Kit is probably what you’re looking for. You get durable rods, pads that are reliable, and of course, an even cleaner Ruger 10/22 rifle.

3. GLORYFIRE Universal Gun Cleaning Kit with Case

No products found.

Pros

  • High-Quality Accessories
  • Affordable for Most Budgets
  • Fits All Kinds of Calibers and Guns
  • Aluminum Rods are Nice and Sturdy
  • Brushes and Mops Clean Up Pretty Well
  • Superior Quality Tools
  • Very Compact and Portable
  • Tools Stay Secure and Organized
  • An Excellent All-in-One Kit for All Gun Types

Cons

  • Carrying Case Has a Cheap Feel to it
  • Cleaning Pads May Not Always Get Everything
  • Some of the Aluminum Rods Might Be a Little Shorter Than Expected
  • Warranty is Only for Three Years
  • No Labels, Which May be Frustrating for New Gun Owners

What Recent Buyers Report

This cleaning kit was a hit with most users. A lot of them were satisfied with everything that came with it. Some said it was more than enough. One user said he used this kit to clean a few pistols and his Ruger 10/22 rifle.

The pads are sturdy in quality and do a good job cleaning. The aluminum rods have proven themselves to be reliable and sturdy throughout each and every cleaning.

Why It Stands Out To Us 

This is a kit with a lot of stuff you’ll need for cleaning your entire gun collection. It’s the kind of kit that will have all your bases covered. If you want a kit that will last you a lifetime, this might be the kit that will definitely have your back for a long time, especially when you need to clean your guns as regularly as every 500 or so rounds (depending on which gun you use). It might be more often if you’re using a rifle or shotgun.

This kit is a large, universal cleaning kit applicable to shotguns, rifles, and pistols, with secure slots for each piece and room for solvent and cleaning oil. It includes three solid brass rods for 170270 caliber rifles, pistols, muzzleloaders, and shotguns, 14 brushes, 9 mops, 12 spear-pointed jags, 4 slotted patch loops, 1 black power jag, 3 muzzle guards, 3 utility brushes, 3 accessory adapters, 4 polishing cloths, and 50 3x1 ½” cleaning patches. The cleaning jags and slotted tips are all made from high-quality brass and nylon plastic, ensuring a long-lasting product.

It is compact and easily portable. It’s a snap to take this case anywhere on the fly and the secured tools won’t dislodge during transit, even with rough handling. All rods are reinforced and purport to be three times stronger than the average rods on the market. Overall, this kit is a monster and is excellent for owners with many guns who find themselves needing a tool for every occasion.

And if that wasn’t enough, it comes in two color variations, green and black, and includes a three-year warranty—we’d always prefer lifetime, but with quality tools like these, you probably won’t need it anyway.

Who Will Use This Most 

This will be used by those who have a lot of guns. If you have a wide variety of pistols, rifles, and shotguns, you’ll have enough pads and accessories to ensure that everything is clean from the inside and out. If you want a kit that pretty much has it all, this one stands out as the best choice for you.

What Could Be Improved and Why 

The case should be a little stronger. Instead of some flimsy material, it should be made from something sturdier, like steel or polymer. At the same time, it should give each accessory and pad more security so they don’t move around while you’re carrying the case itself.

Bottom Line

If you want a cleaning kit that will last you quite a while, the GLORYFIRE Universal Gun Cleaning Kit will probably be exactly what you’re looking for. With so many pads, rods, and other accessories, you’ll have plenty of stuff to work with for quite a while.

An excellent choice for seasoned gun owners or those just starting out, this quality kit has everything you need in a secure and portable package. We’d prefer a lifetime warranty over three years and labels for those new to gun maintenance, but this is an excellent kit overall whether you’re treating yourself to the kit you’ve always wanted or gifting it to someone else.

4. Allen Company Ruger Rimfire Gun Cleaning Kit, .22 Caliber Rifles & .22 Caliber Pistols

No products found.

Pros

  • Fits Most Muzzles With Ease
  • Fits All of Your Cleaning Needs
  • Cleaning Rods are Super Durable
  • Brushes Don’t Scratch or Damage the Barrel
  • Cleaning Pads and Brushes Do a Good Job, Leaving Nothing Behind
  • Very Compact, Portable, and Lightweight
  • Excellent Value for Owners of These Gun Models
  • Tools Stay Securely in Place and Organized with Snap-Holds
  • Tools are All of Great Quality, Very Sturdy, and Long-Lasting
  • Great for Gun Owners Who Need Specific Tools for .22 Caliber Rimfire Rifles and Handguns

Cons

  • Some of the Brushes Might Be Too Small
  • Some of the Cleaning Rods Might Be Too Short
  • Rods Might Not Be as Durable as Some Expect
  • No Warranty
  • No Labels for the Tools

What Recent Buyers Report

This kit is a basic .22 cleaning kit that has made users quite happy. They were able to clean their rifles and pistols with ease, without damaging the barrel or inner workings. One user said he was able to clean his Ruger 10/22 rather quickly and the rod was a good enough size to help him clean out the entire barrel.

Why it Stands Out to Us 

Once again, we go back to the basics. This kit is small and doesn’t have a lot of each thing you need. But it’s enough to get you through a few cleaning sessions. Since it’s small in size, it will definitely be great for you to take on the road. So, if you need to do some cleaning on the fly, at least you know that you’ve got a cleaning kit that will get the job done, no matter where you are.

A thorough cleaning kit designed specifically for .22 caliber Rimfire rifles and handguns, The Allen Company Ruger Rimfire Gun Cleaning Kit gives you everything you need and nothing you don’t, so you won’t be weighed down with tools for guns you don’t own.

It includes jags, bronze brushes, slotted tips, cotton swabs, cleaning patches, and cleaning brushes. We particularly like that it includes a very high-quality, multi-piece bronze rod with a handle, which is well-made and should last a long time.

An easily portable kit, it’s very tightly packed, exceptionally small, and includes a handle. Pieces snap into place, ensuring safe transport no matter how it’s handled or carried. While it might not seem important, it’s also nice that it has a clear case cover, which allows you to look at your tools without opening the case, a great feature for quick reference. While labels would be nice, this kit is specialized, so it’s less important than on a massive tool set which can quickly become confusing, even to seasoned gun owners.

Who Will Use This Most 

Expect this to be used by hunters and target shooters alike. These are two kinds of shooters who will usually prefer a .22 caliber pistol or rifle. While it’s small in size, you can have it on-hand if you’re out in the field or out at the range. It’s got all you need for when you’re on the go.

What Could Be Improved and Why

This kit should include a container of cleaning solvent or oil. That way, it will be good enough to save you some time, rather than waste it trying to find the best oil or solvent that won’t damage your gun. You should have just enough to get you through a few cleanings.

Bottom Line

If you own a .22 caliber and want a cleaning kit that will work perfectly, the Allen Company Ruger Rimfire Cleaning Kit might be just what the doctor ordered. It’s a basic on-the-go kit that will definitely be your kind of thing if you want a kit that is easy to transport from one place to the next.

Owners of .22 caliber Rimfire rifles and handguns need to look no further than this cleaning kit. While we’d prefer tool labels and a warranty of some kind, this high-quality, specialized kit ensures you’ll have a long-lasting tool for whatever job comes your way.

5. Wydan Gun Cleaning Kit - Universal Cleaning Kits

No products found.

Pros

  • Built to Last You Many Years
  • The Cleaning Rod is Quite Sturdy
  • Fits Handguns, Rifles, and Shotguns
  • Brushes Don’t Damage or Scratch the Barrel
  • Cleaning Pads Do a Great Job Keeping the Barrel Clean
  • Tools are Exceptionally High Quality
  • Tools Stay Securely in Place and Organized
  • Comes With an Extra Zippered Carrying Case
  • One of the Most Compact Cleaning Kits, Weighing Only 8 Ounces
  • A Great Universal Kit for a Variety of Handguns, Without a Lot of Non-Essentials

Cons

  • It Doesn’t Come With Any Oils or Solvents
  • The Rod May Be Too Short for Some Barrels
  • Some Cleaning Rods and Adapters May Not Fit Some Muzzles
  • No Warranty at All
  • No Labels for the Tools

What Recent Buyers Report

Many recent buyers were happy with the kit. One user said this basic kit was enough to cover all of his cleaning needs, especially when he had a Ruger 10/22 and a few pistols as part of his gun collection. The brushes do a good job cleaning up every inch of the barrel and inner workings of most guns. 

Why it Stands Out to Us 

The kit has a single cleaning rod, but can definitely get the job done, regardless of how many guns you plan on cleaning. Once again, this is a basic kit that is small enough for you to take on the go. Thankfully, this kit is nice and sturdy. On top of that, all the accessories will stay in place and won’t move around too much.

A thorough kit, the Wydan Gun Cleaning Kit is an impressively basic but strong offering, including everything needed for pistols and guns, including most calibers of handguns: .22, .357, .38, 9mm, .40, .44, and .45s. Including the basics, you’ll get five bronze brushes, five mops, two plastic slotted tips, and two brass rods.

What we truly love is that the brass rods have a full 360-degree swivel tip, making cleaning your barrels super easy. This is one of those small, quality-of-life innovations that goes a long way and eradicates big frustrations when it’s time to clean your weapons.

The case is compact, small, utilizes padding, and includes a special case with zippers for extra security—all coming in at a surprising half-pound in weight! With a weight like that, you’ll have no problem transporting or storing it anywhere you’d like.

The individual pieces snap into place, so you can safely take them anywhere without them becoming loose. While we’d like tool labels, the kit is still simple enough for this not to be a huge issue.

Who Will Use This Most 

This will be great for those who have a few extra guns, other than the Ruger 10/22. You’ll have enough cleaning pads to work with and will probably last you a few cleaning sessions. That’s typically about a year or so, considering you’ll need to clean your Ruger 10/22 once every 5,000 rounds.

What Could Be Improved and Why

Obviously, some cleaning solvents and oils must be included here, along with some extra rods, as well. One may not be enough, considering that it might be a little too short for some gun barrels (and too long for others). Either way, there should be additional rods measured in different lengths.

Bottom Line

If you want a cleaning kit that you can take with you on the go, the Wydan Universal Gun Cleaning Kit will probably be something worth investing in. If you have a few guns to clean, this is the kit you need to ensure that your guns remain reliable and good-to-go for a long time. 

Striking a balance between simplicity and excellent tool quality, this cleaning kit is perfect for gun owners who own a variety of handguns and want the tools to clean all of them, but in a small package. While there are no warranty or tool labels, this kit is a high-quality and affordable.

When to Clean Your 10/22

Different people have different opinions on a cleaning schedule. Some say that you should clean your 10/22 after 500 rounds, others say you should do it after 5,000 rounds.

It actually depends from person to person and their own experience. The best answer is - "it depends."

If you are a benchrest shooter aiming for minute groups, you might like to do a cleaning after every 100 rounds. Some people clean their rifles when they begin to malfunction. Some do it daily, following the military rule.

If you don't use your rifle in humid or soggy environments, the only reason to clean your rifle is fouling. Different grades of ammunition have varying fouling affects.

A quick visual inspection of your rifle allows you to decide whether to clean it or not. If the parts look dirty, a cleaning session is definitely required.

The frequency of cleaning also depends on what kind of cleaning you do. If you clean your rifle frequently using patches and solvent, you won't need to use a brush.

It is, however, recommended that you clean your 10/22 every time you use it, especially if you are not a regular shooter. That's because  your rifle spends more time on the rack and may become vulnerable to rusting.

Regular cleaning also ensures proper feeding, firing and ejection operations. Don’t forget that your guns are a complex machine, and like any other machine, they need proper maintenance.

Steps to Cleaning Your 10/22 Rifle

Before we begin the step-by-step process, let's take a look at the parts we are going to clean and the tools we will need.

What Parts Will Get Cleaned

The Tools We Need To Clean Our 10/22:

  • Gun Cleaning Solvent
  • Aerosol Spray(optional)
  • Lubricating Oil
  • Bore Snake (Used Instead of Cleaning Rod)
  • Cleaning Rod
  • Cleaning Rod attachments: Swab, Metal Brush, Slotted Tips/Patch Tips
  • Rags
  • Small Brass or Plastic Brush
  • Q-Tips
  • Flat Blade Screwdriver
  • Small Hammer(for Ejecting the Pins)
bore snake for cleaning your 10/22

The task is divided into three parts: disassembly, cleaning, and reassembly. You don't have to field strip your 10/22 entirely. The magazine, trigger assembly, and bolt assembly don't need to be stripped. However, you can disassemble and clean them if you want to.

Before you start disassembling the rifle, ensure you have taken all the appropriate safety measures. Keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction. Remove the magazine and optic sight (if any), lock the bolt back, and check the chamber to ensure there is no round in it.

Disassembly of Your Ruger 10/22 Rifle

These simple steps will help you disassemble your rifle sufficiently to clean it:

  1. Loosen the front band screw and remove the front band.
  2. Loosen the screw under the barrel stock.
  3. Push the safety button so an equal amount is exposed on both sides. Now, slowly swing the rifle mechanism upwards from the stock.
  4. Remove the pins keeping the trigger and bolt assembly together. This should separate the trigger assembly from the bolt assembly for proper cleaning.
  5. Remove the bolt and charging handle.

Cleaning Your Ruger 10/22 Rifle

Cleaning The Barrel And The Receiver

When cleaning the barrel, it’s advisable to use a muzzle guard to keep your barrel in position. This prevents you from damaging the crown (inside end of the barrel) while cleaning it. If you don't have the muzzle guard, your hands can serve equally well. Just handle it with care.

  1. You can either use the bore snake or the cleaning rod with patches to clean your barrel. Here, we’ll use the cleaning rods because the bore snake need to be washed after every use as the dirt and grime stick to it. If you do not have the muzzle guard, you may prefer the bore snake to prevent yourself from damaging the crown. It makes for a little less work. Carry on with the rod if you’re not skeptical or acquainted to firearms.
  2. Fix the bore brush attachment to the tip of the cleaning rod and apply some bore cleaner solvent on it. Now, push the rod down through the barrel. Once the brush has passed through the barrel, remove the bore brush and slide back the rod. Do not pull the rod backward with the metal brush on it, because it may damage your barrel. Once you pull out the rod, attach the metal brush again, and repeat this step 5-6 times, until the barrel is clear of dirt and grime.
  3. Remove the bore brush from the cleaning rod and attach the patch tip to it. Now, put a clean, dry patch over the tip and slide the rod through the barrel. Once through, replace the patch with another one. Repeat this process 4 or 5 times, until you are satisfied that the barrel is clean.
  4. Take a clean patch and lubricate it with lube oil. Put this on the patch tip and slide it through the barrel. Repeat this process with new lubricated patches 3-4 times.
  5. Use a soft metal wire brush and solvent to clean the receiver. Dry the breech and receiver with a clean rag. Clean the extractor channel and oil these parts lightly to prevent rusting.
hoppes gun oil

Cleaning The Trigger Assembly

The trigger assembly is the least likely to get dirty unless you wander through the woods a lot. So, there's probably no need to disassemble the trigger assembly for cleaning, you can do it as a single piece.

  1. Spray the aerosol liquid over the intact trigger assembly. You can strip the assembly and apply aerosol spray if you want to.
  2. Let the assembly soak for five minutes. Meanwhile you can clean the other parts.
  3. Take a dry rag and clean up the assembly to make sure no liquid or dirt remains on it.

Cleaning The Bolt Assembly

The bolt assembly plays a vital role in maintaining the accuracy of your 10/22. It is quite easy to clean, even though it has quite a few components.

  1. Use swabs or Q-tips soaked in the cleaning solvent to clean the bolt assembly.
  2. Use dry rags or Q-tips to remove the excess solvent from the bolt assembly.
  3. Apply two drops of lube oil to fresh Q-tips and apply it to the bolt.

Cleaning the Magazine

Cleaning and lubricating the magazine are essential because they lead to proper feeding of rounds while shooting. Here, we are not going to disassemble the magazine, because it is not required. Moreover, no lubrication is needed inside the magazine - that could actually attract gunk and create sludge. So it's better not to take it apart.

  1. Use a soft metal/nylon brush (an old toothbrush would do) to clean up the magazine. Remove dirt, grime, and any powder residue.
  2. Use Q-tips dipped in gun cleaner solvent to remove any residual dirt. Clean thoroughly so that no dirt or grime is left.
  3. Use dry Q-tips to remove any excess solvent from the magazine. Use a dry rag to ensure that no solvent remains on or inside the magazine.
  4. Use a drop of lubricating oil on each side of the rotary magazine shaft.

Assembling the Rifle

Now that we are done cleaning your 10/22, let's assemble it. Since we haven't stripped down the rifle to nuts and bolts, it can be assembled easily.

  1. Turn the receiver upside down, insert the charging handle from the ejection port, and align it in the receiver.
  2. Slide the charging handle all the way back to align it and put the bolt assembly in place. Replace the bolt stop pin.
  3. Attach the trigger assembly to the base of the receiver and put all the pins back in place.
  4. Wipe a small amount of lubricating oil over the barreled action to prevent rusting.
  5. Attach the action with the stock and put the front band back in place.
  6. Wipe the entire rifle with a lightly oiled rag to protect it from rusting.

This video guide goes beyond our recommendations in some areas but helps illustrate what we've explained.

Conclusion

Cleaning your 10/22 regularly will maintain its accuracy and functionality. How often you clean your rifle depends on your usage. It is a good practice to clean your guns after every few uses. However, if you find this difficult, at least clean your 10/22 after a couple of shooting days.

If you are looking to store your 10/22 for a longer time, don’t forget to wipe some oil over it and make sure you use air dehumidifiers in your gun cabinets.


Michael Lutes

Michael Lutes is the managing editor and owner at Gun Mann. He is a veteran, gun enthusiast, 3 gun competitor, and 2a advocate. Mike has a passion for innovation and education across the industry to create great content, training, and insights from the best and brightest.

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