Rifle Review: Davidson’s Ruger 10/22 Takedown Backpacker

When it comes to semi-automatic 22 rimfire rifles, there’s a short list of iconic models that have really made their marks over a span of decades. These would include, in no particular order, the Remington Nylon 66, Marlin Model 60, Browning SA-22, and of course the Ruger 10/22. Of those, the Ruger is certainly the most-accessorized, with available aftermarket triggers, barrels, stocks, magazines, etc. Fortunately for us, Davidson’s has teamed up with Ruger and Magpul to create a really cool Backpacker version of the 10/22 Takedown rifle.

The 10/22 is a compact, handy rifle and I’ve been using them for more than 30 years, but this is my first experience with their Takedown model. And ya know what? I really like it.

First, some specs:

• Model: Ruger 10/22 Takedown Backpacker
• Davidson’s item number: 31138
• Stock: Magpul Magpul® X-22 Backpacker in Flat Dark Earth (includes cheek riser)
• Front Sight: Williams Firesight Green Fiber Optic
• Rear Sight: Williams Firesight Red Fiber Optic adjustable
• Barrel: Satin Blued Steel
• Barrel Twist: 1:16″ RH, 6 grooves
• Threaded Muzzle (1/2″-28) with thread protector
• Receiver: Alloy with black satin finish
• Receiver drilled & tapped for scope mounts
• Scope base adapter included for both Weaver and “rimfire tip-off” scope mounts.
• Weight: 4.5 pounds spec. (Mine weighs 4.55 with all 4 empty magazines)
• Barrel length: 16-3/8″
• Overall Length Assembled: 34-1/8″
• Approximate dimensions in Backpacker mode: 19-3/4″ x 5-1/2″ x 1-5/8″
• Magazines: Includes 4 10-round magazines (3 stored in stock)
• Oversized magazine release
• MSRP: $514

Taking Stock

The Magpul X-22 Backpacker stock is a thoughtful and cool creation in and of itself. Here are the specs:

• Platform: Ruger 10/22
• Butt Pad Dimensions: 1.53 X 5.0 in.
• Compatibility: Factory Ruger® 10/22 Takedown® 22 LR receivers
• Length of Pull: 13.75 in.
• Weight: 18.25 ounces
• Width of Butt, max: 1.5″
• Width of Forend, max: 1.625″
• Width of Stock, max: 1.625″
• 60 degree grip angle from bore axis
• MOE SL nonslip rubber butt pad
• Comes with interchangeable standard and “optic height” cheek risers
• Integrated storage compartment in the grip
• Hinged storage in butt stock capable of storing three spare magazines
• Unique locking interface to attach the barrel assembly to the stock body when being transported
• Optional QD sling mounting capability

I’m about as grown as I’m gonna get, but certain things still make me kinda giddy, and this rifle is one of them. Yes, a takedown rifle is cool, but one that stows the parts together is way cooler. And this stock is really pretty nifty.

Something about the balance makes it nice to pick it up by the pistol grip while it’s stowed together.

Instead of the “Uncle Mike’s” type of sling studs I’m used to seeing on my hunting rifles, this one is set up for a more tactical approach. Once the steel inserts (not included) are installed in the holes in the stock, pushbutton sling swivels like this one can be used.

The Magpul X-22 Backpacker stock makes the most of the 10/22 Takedown, allowing considerable functionality in addition to allowing the two main parts of the rifle to stow together.

Stowing the barrel is easy, as is removing it to reassemble the rifle. Stock parts are well-fitted and have a nice texture; not too rough, but still easy to grip.

There’s even water-resistant storage in the pistol grip. Perhaps the stock’s biggest flaw is the storage cap (which they call a “grip core”), which doesn’t stay attached when open. I can’t say I really mind that for myself, but people have proven they can and will lose any and all gun parts that are not somehow attached.

That said, I don’t believe anyone will accidentally lose this cap on account of it falling out. The orange o-ring seal makes it a tight fit.

I measured a good 3-1/2 inches of storage depth beyond the space occupied by the cap.

I received this rifle the day before I went on a hunt, and it was sort of a last-minute thing. After I got it home, I started looking around at the stock just taking it all in. At the time, I knew nothing about this model.

When you see a latch on a rifle stock, you naturally open it up to see what’s inside. So I did — expecting to find some sort of empty storage area.

Imagine my surprise when I opened it up and was faced with three spare 10-round magazines! Awesomesauce.

Yep — this rifle comes with a total of 4 10-round Ruger rotary magazines.

There’s a removable divider, which can be removed (there’s a place to store it so it doesn’t get lost) so you can store one mag and a box of ammo, if you wish.

Yep, I’ve gotta say this is one nice stock for this rifle. I like the Flat Dark Earth (FDE) color, too. My main dislike is that I have to really shove my face way down on the cheek rest in order to aim it, so it could use a smidge more drop.

If you have a 10/22 Takedown and you don’t have this stock, well that’s kind of a bummer. But you can buy one. It will work with sporter and bull barrels, and it’s currently listed on the Magpul website for $109.95 in black, gray, and FDE.

The Rifle

When the time comes to take your 10/22 Takedown apart, it’s a real piece of cake. Slide the locking lever forward, and with the bolt pulled back either slightly or all the way, rotate the barrel 1/4 turn clockwise (as viewed from the rear of the firearm). Then slip the barrel out of the receiver. Done!

The first time you assemble the barrel to the receiver, you should adjust the knurled knob to remove “slop” between barrel and receiver. I failed to do this before I fired it for the first time, and the fit between barrel and receiver was a bit loose, but it fired every time and was accurate enough. It tightened it up nicely when I actually followed the adjustment directions.

The Ruger Takedown system is pretty nice, and I believe it’s the fastest, easiest takedown system I’ve used.

I like the sights. This is no surprise, as I’ve long been a fan of Williams gun sights, but I do have some qualms about the way the rear sight hangs back to the rear. This is not much of an issue when the gun is assembled due to its close proximity to the receiver, but when nested for transport it would be fairly easy to snag the rear sight on something. Of course, the outermost things will always be your sights when it’s stowed, so care must be taken.

As usual for a 10/22, the front sight is dovetailed into an integrated steel riser. Finish is as expected for a Ruger: Serviceable but a tad rough. The included thread protector works well when you’re not running a suppressor.

This rifle was zeroed just fine from the factory, but the sights are so low that I almost can’t get my cheek low enough on the butt stock to properly see the sights. So the comb of this stock seems to be a smidge on the high side.

End of thread protector is flush with muzzle when installed.

The crown is deeply beveled to protect the rifling, and on a takedown rifle there’s no reason the crown would ever be damaged by a cleaning rod.

The painted alloy receiver is drilled & tapped for mounting optics or a peep sight. I have a Williams peep sight installed via the rear two holes on my old walnut-stocked 10/22.

Ruger includes a scope base and four screws. The base will accept Weaver-style scope rings or the narrow dovetail “tip-off” scope mounts often used for rimfire scopes.

If you install a scope, you may wish to swap out the cheek rest, a.k.a. butt stock storage compartment lid, with this one.

I really like this rifle, and I almost wish I didn’t because I might have to buy it instead of sending it back.

That said, I’m not a fan of the extended magazine release. I find it easier to remove a 10/22 magazine the old-fashioned way; simply grab the magazine with thumb and forefinger, naturally pushing in the mag release with the thumb, and pull it out of the rifle.

With the extended release, there’s no way you can actually grab the magazine to pull it out, so I’ll have to re-train myself in order to use this one well.

I like the way it stores, I like the way it goes together, and I like the way it shoots. The trigger pull is not nearly as bad as it could be, weighing in at a mildly-creepy 5 pounds. I do appreciate the grooved surface Ruger now uses on these triggers.

This little rifle is fun, practical, and good-looking. All four of the magazines functioned just fine, with the gun giving me only one hiccup; while rapid-firing cheap bulk ammo, I got a single stovepipe jam. I was just happy they all went bang; some of the older bulk-pack 22 ammo isn’t super reliable.

If I had to complain about anything, it would be that the cheek rest is a tad too high for comfortable aiming, and the extended magazine release is going to take some getting used to. Other than that, this is a nice portable popper that you can cram in your backpack to take on a trip, along with plenty of mags stored right there in the stock.

I don’t always fall in love with the firearms I test, but in this case there’s some definite affection involved. Ya think they’ll take a 1977 walnut-stock 10/22 in trade for it? Me neither…

Give the Davidson’s Ruger 10/22 Takedown Backpacker a good hard look if you’re in the market for a takedown 22.

Russ Chastain

Editor & Contributing Writer Russ Chastain is a lifelong hunter and shooter who has spent his life learning about hunting, shooting, guns, ammunition, gunsmithing, reloading, and bullet casting. He started toting his own gun in the woods at age nine and he's pursued deer with rifles since 1982, so his hunting knowledge has been growing for more than three and a half decades. His desire and ability to share this knowledge with others has also grown, and Russ has been professionally writing and editing original hunting & shooting content since 1998. Russ Chastain has a passion for sharing accurate, honest, interesting hunting & shooting knowledge and stories with people of all skill levels.