Fab Defence Stock Conversion Kit

America’s most iconic 22 rimfire semi-auto rifle, the Ruger 10/22 is still the best selling 22 LR auto-loader around. For we Brits it also holds a significant place in our shooting history, as after the handgun ban it became the rifle of choice for many Practical and Action shooters and probably saved these disciplines and more too! And I reckon that there are very few of us who have not at one time owned one and still do.

Stiff competition

It is also said of the 10/22 that it has more after-market accessories for it than any other rifle. For many years, it reigned supreme, as there was little true competition that could truly match up to what it offered. Primarily, its customisation ability and feed system, the latter offering 10, 25 and even 50-round drum mags. However, the world turns and the advent of 22 AR15s and other militarytype clones, has eroded its position.

Truth is, one 22 semi-auto is very much like another, but what perhaps does separate them is the furniture and therefore handling and shootability. And over the years I’ve seen some weird and wonderful stock options for the 10/22. But, with the love of telescopic butts, pistol grips and Picatinny rails, it’s no wonder the 22 AR has made great in roads into our sport.

Fighting back

The 10/22 has the magazine design and capacity sorted, but next to an M4 AR22 can look a bit dated, so if you want to sex up your Ruger, an after-market stock is a must! On test, is the FAB Defence M4 PRO R10/22 Ruger Collapsible Stock PRO Conversion Kit. FAB are a big name in this area and this model is impressive. They offer two versions; the PRO and STANDARD, only separated by the former’s ventilated 6061 T6 billet aluminium handguard with upper Picatinny rails. The price difference is £72.10 and given what it offers is; money well spent!

FAB Defence say: ‘This unique stock offers the perfect combination of a classic bench-rest design with a modern tactical versatility and buttstock features.’ It’s made from a lightweight, fiberglassreinforced polymer composite and available in black, olive drab or desert tan and offers a 25-year, limited lifetime warranty.

Rigid and

The build is good and rigid with a large, rectangular forend with integral bracing struts, it’s scalloped and textured along the sides and base with three Picatinny rails. There’s a ½-length, integral at 6 O’clock and two shorter section up front and 3 and 9 O’clock, so good for lights, lasers, vertical grips and bipod adaptors; most of which FAB Defence already offer. Unusual, is the removable trough in the barrel channel, which will accept heavier or fully moderated tubes or give a generous free-float.

At the rear of the action void, there’s an AGM500 FK Mossberg 500 solid piece pistol grip and folding butt. The GLR16-S is a telescopic, 5-position (CAR15-type) stock and a solid design with fold-down recoil pad that exposes twin storage compartments for batteries and cleaning kit in the hollow buffer tube. Compared to similar designs, the GLR16-S is exceptionally rigid and rattle-free. It’s locked by a press-in catch on the right and folds to the left. There are also four, cup sockets (two per side) for QD sling swivels; annoyingly, the forend does not have any! The pistol grip is full and well-shaped for the palm with textured sections at the front and sides with a chequered rear. There’s also a storage trap, inside are four screws and an Allen key to attach and stabilise the rear Picatinny, receiver rail.

Street legal

Viking Arms (Ruger importer) kindly supplied a standard, 19”, stainless 10/22 and with the FAB stock fitted and folded the minimum length is 28.5” so 3.5” over the UK legal law limit. General build quality and mouldings are excellent, wherever screws go into the material, brass thread inserts are used. As the original, a single screw holds the barrelled action securely in position.

Fitting is a doddle; first, remove the four, long screws that retain the aluminium handguard and take it off. Then, take the barrelled action from the stock and if you have the new-type longer rear sight, remove it. If your rifle is older it will have the shorter, block with fold-down leaf and this is accommodated for by a cut-out in the rail section.

Now, drop the barrelled action into the new stock, it’s a firm fit and needs a little pressure, but bolts down securely. Remove the Ruger’s scope rail and 4 x screws and re-position the handguard and fit the screws loosely, then use the supplied screws and Allen keys to attach the rear Picatinny rail to the receiver and then tighten them all down evenly and you’re done. The standard barrel is a near touch fit in the channel, which is fine, but if you have a heavier/wider tube, you can remove the inner section of the trough by three Allen screws in its base.

In use

Overall, this is one good design with plenty to get hold of on the forend, although if you have long arms you will end up gripping the two short Picatinny sections, which are removable. The telescopic butt gives a full 3” of LOP adjustment and the tyre-pattern pad really grips into the shoulder pocket and general integrity is excellent. Pleasingly, the buffer tube is aluminium and not plastic! I fitted up the stock with a Hawke Frontier 30 1-6x24 with Tactical Dot reticle in medium height mounts and the slight butt angle gave an excellent head and eye/scope position. Equally so with their 1x25 Spot-On Red Dot sight. I’ve used a few similar stock systems over the years on my 10/22s but this one is by far the best!