Want bang for your buck? You could probably make all these changes for less than $70.
10/22 Recoil Damper
Great little add-on. On a stock ruger 10/22 the bolt stop is mettal. After every shot the mettle bolt slides back and bangs on the mettle pin. If you replace that mettle pin with a $5 rubber recoil damper the pinging with disappear and the action will be a lot smother. The down side is it makes disassembling the gun a much bigger pain in the ass. Re-installing the damper usually involves a rubber mallet and obscenities. Ultimately its worth it.
10/22 Automatic Bolt Release
For anyone buying a new Ruger 10/22, I would suggest buying a whole trigger assembly that already includes the automatic bolt release plate. This saves you from having to disassemble your trigger assembly (which is NOT a beginner move) and scores you a great trigger. If however you have an older 10/22, where the trigger is actually acceptable, this is a great addition.
Anyway, once installed all you have to do is insert a mag and pull the bolt back to release it and you are ready to roll. It makes the gun operate a little more like big boy guns (with the exception of the bolt not locking back when empty).
10/22 Allen Take-down Screw
Another nice to have. I personally hate flat head screws. I have no idea why anyone would voluntary use one. This replaces you take down with a hex. That is nice to have just from a maintenance perspective but if you are competitive, you can use a torque wrench to insure consistency.
10/22 Extended Bolt
Some people do this for looks. I did it it for two reasons. 1) I find it easier to grab this thing than the stock bolt handle. 2) the added weight helps to smooth out the action.
10/22 Extractor
Ah the extractor. There is very little that sucks more than a Ruger 10/22 that wont extract. Here is the trick. There is a minor difference between the older 10/22 and the newer in terms of extractor spring length. So (if you have a newer gun) when you install your fancy new extractor, keep your stock spring. Changes are the spring that came with the extractor is shorter for the older model of guns. If you spring is not packing enough power you will have jam after jam.
