Blackdog Ruger 10/22 magazines

I don’t know about you but I’ve done the whole Ruger 10/22 thing since the pistol ban – heavy/light barrels, different stocks etc. As this rifle initially became the surrogate handgun (post ban) it was pressed into service in Mini and Action Rifle and the club shooting scenes. One of the requirements was for a high capacity magazine and back then the Butler Creek 25-rounder was the only game in town. Over the years more after-market feeds systems have been developed, some good, others… well you know…

Fits Most

Blackdog magazines now offer hi-capacity units for the 10/22 and what I have here is a 25-round banana clip and a 50-round drum. The former looks like the Butler Creek with plastic feed lips and the ability to clip two together (up/down). The drum is of more interest, though from past experience with other systems I was a bit dubious! However, I have used their 22 AR15 mags before and been most impressed with their feed and reliability.
The drum is a general design that with different adaptors fits most 22 ARs, though not all. The build goes for an opaque outer casing that feeds up to a 10/22 mag bloc, inside is a sprung drum/sprocket with 50 slots for the rounds. At the top rear is a cut-out with finger slots that allows you to hold the spring tension as you load it. Inside is a short, flexible belt of dummy ammo, which acts as the follower to feed the last few cartridges.

Under Pressure

To fill; take the pressure off the spring by winding the drum back a little (as described) then drop in a few rounds and repeat until its full. This is easy enough and no real hassle! Then it’s just a case of plug and play. Feed proved very reliable with the ability to let the whole mag go with no hassle; less of course the occasional duff cartridge, which is something you live with in a 22 rimfire semi. The 25-rounder is your standard thumb-buster in terms of filling but proved as reliable as the drum.
In all I put 200-rounds through the drum and 100 through the 25-shot banana clip with no problems. The 25 is probably the most practical in terms of courses of fire/use etc, the 50 though impressive looking and not too heavy or bulky is none the less a bit much. Unless of course you are shooting an unlimited match with no mag changes, but it is a lot of fun to have that much firepower.
Though this one is for the Ruger 10/22 the Blackdog drum is also available for other 22 rimfire semis like the SIG522, S&W M&P 15/22 etc. Overall well made, reliable and fun.

For: Well made and reliable
Against: Not a lot
Verdict: Some of the best after-market 10/22 mags I have ever used

PRICES:
Black dog 25-round magazine £27.95
Blackdog 50-round drum £80