The Barrel Band of the 10/22 is probably the most controversial and debated part when it comes to upgrading the rifle. Some say the band is necessary; others claim itโs purely cosmetic.
Here, weโll learn about the truth regarding the barrel bands of a 10/22.
Weโll also learn about the best 10/22 barrel band upgrades available on the market today.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks for Ruger 1022 Barrel Bands
- OUR TOP PICK: Picatinny Barrel Band
- RUNNER-UP: Tactical Innovations Barrel Band
- BEST BUDGET OPTION: Ruger 10/22 Barrel Band Polymer Synthetic
Comparison of the Best Ruger 10/22 Barrel Bands
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Best Budget Option  |
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What Makes a Great Barrel Band?
Knowing the characteristics and features of a great barrel band will help you make the distinction between one that is the best compared to those that are considered unreliable and crappy. The last thing you want to do is find one that will end up being a disappointment. Hereโs what youโll need to know about what makes a great barrel band stand out:
Superior Durability
The best high-quality materials should be used, like steel and aluminum which are two of the best you can find. The reason is that they are proven to be durable and can take on all kinds of impact and abuse. Plus, you want something tough enough to hold the barrel perfectly together. If you want your band to last you a long time and be strong enough to hold the barrel in place, find one with tough materials.
Picatinny Barrel Band is made of high strength glass filled nylon.
Quality Should Always Trump Price
Money may be an issue for you. However, whether youโre on a budget or have money to play around with, you need to hold quality to a high standard. But if money is tight, you need to find the best barrel band you can afford when it comes to quality and performance. Donโt sacrifice quality for the sake of saving a few dollars.
Easy To Install
Installation can either be easy as pie or a major pain. You want to go with something that will take you no more than a few minutes to install with the right kind of tools. We chose barrel bands that we know can fit this criterion since a lot of Ruger 10/22 users possess some level of gunsmithing skills. But a great barrel band is something that will take minimal time to install.
What Purpose Does the Barrel Band Serve?
Primarily, the barrel band binds the action of the rifle to the stock. It is there to strengthen the rifle assembly so the barrel doesnโt detrimentally fly off the stock. Apart from the barrel band, thereโs only one screw which holds the stock to the action of the 10/22 rifle. No doubt, the barrel band provides added strength to this connection.
The stock with the barrel band also adds to the looks of the Ruger 10/22 and makes them look more like pre-WW2 era guns. In some cases, they have also been reported to affect the accuracy of the rifle. However, individual discretion matters in this case.
In other rifles - those specifically designed for military combat use - they are used to keep the action in place while soldiers use bayonets. Yes, thatโs another purpose of the barrel band. It grips the action tightly, so when a soldier performs slashing and cutting maneuvers, the assembly stays firm. Hopefully, you wonโt have much use for a bayonet on your 10/22! In some cases, the barrel band may also serve as a front sling shackle.
Quick Take - The Best 10/22 Barrel Bands
These are our recommendations for the best 10/22 barrel brands:
Review of the Best Ruger 10/22 Barrel Bands
The following is a list of the five best Ruger 10/22 barrel bands. As you go through each one, take note of the characteristics and features that catch your eye. This way, youโll have a good idea of which ones stand out as the ideal barrel band for you. If you find something that fits your ideal description, youโve found a winner.
Here are some of the best 10/22 barrel bands available on the market. These bands can be used to spruce up the functionality and usability of your 10/22. Now, letโs begin by taking a look at the first item on our list:
Best Overall:
Picatinny Barrel Band
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Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
A lot of recent buyers were quite satisfied with this barrel band. They said it made customizing their rifles a lot easier than before. They had no complaints about the barrel band and said it could handle almost any 10/22 accessory they have equipped.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This barrel band is built strong. Not only will it hold your barrel in place, but it will work along with your favorite Picatinny rail. These Picatinny rails are probably the best when it comes to customizing your rifle into something that will stand out. Of course, some of the most popular accessories for this rail are your scopes and optics. Sometimes, flashlights are a necessary accessory for nighttime use. Simply put, this barrel band is like a multi-purpose tool for your rifle that you never knew existed until now.
The Picatinny Barrel Band, as the name suggests, has Picatinny rails on three sides. Made from high-grade plastic, this barrel band can be used to add up to three accessories to your 10/22 at once.
The band features two screws at the bottom, which can be tightened to fit perfectly on the stock. You can attach a bipod to the base rail, a laser to the left rail, and a torch to the right rail at the same time.
The band flexes a bit upon firing so it is not really meant for very rough use. However, if you want to use multiple accessories at once with your 10/22, this band would suit you best.
Who Will Use This Most
This will be used by the 10/22 user that is considering the idea of customizing their rifle into something that will stand out as the envy of the range. More importantly, they are probably customizing it so it can be more accurate and precise in shooting at small game targets. Either way, this barrel band will handle your favorite accessories if you choose to customize your rifle.
Bottom Line
The Picatinny Barrel Band is probably one of the best barrel bands on the market for those looking for a factory replacement. If you want something tough, that allows for easy customization, and will make your rifle stand out even more, youโd be hard-pressed to find anything else quite like it.
Runner-up:
Tactical Innovations Barrel Band
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
A lot of new buyers enjoyed having so many colors to choose from. But regardless, they were happy with their ability to install this easily on their 10/22 rifle. They also foundthat the barrel band stood out nicely on their rifles even without any additional accessories included. One other user said it attaches quite nicely on his shooting bipod.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This has different kinds of finishes available at your disposal. Some say that a barrel band is not needed because it only exists for looks. However, Pike Arms took that general skepticism and leveraged it. As a result, this is a barrel band that not only looks good but makes for a good accessory you can use to stabilize the barrel and use it for customization purposes.
This metal band is from Tactical Innovations. It is a replacement for the standard factory barrel band in case you break it, lose it, or want to change its color.
This barrel band has been manufactured from billet aluminum. It is available in eight different colors, from satin blue to fire red. It features a simple hex screw at the bottom which can be tightened using an Allen key.
The price of this barrel band is quite low, so you may consider buying several colors to play around.
Who Will Use This Most
If you care about aesthetics, we wonโt judge you. This is the barrel band for you if you want your Ruger 10/22 to look good. But remember, it has other purposes aside from making it stick out aesthetically. If you want to customize your rifle and have limited options, a great barrel band will be your kind of accessory.
Bottom Line
The Tactical Innovations Barrel Band will probably be your best option if you want a good-looking band to hold it all together. By that, we mean your accessories or even the rifle barrel itself. Donโt think for a moment that a barrel band is just for show.
Best for the Money:
Ruger 10/22 Barrel Band Polymer Synthetic
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyer Report
A lot of recent buyers were quite happy with the barrel band. Most of them were able to install this in a matter of a few minutes. They were able to add on some accessories like optics for the purpose of better accuracy. One user said that he uses his Ruger 10/22 for varmint hunting and managed to land his kill shots consistently from about 150 yards out.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This barrel band is made from a high-quality polymer. So it can handle a good deal of impact and will stay secure throughout so many rounds. If you want a nice accessory that will not just be for show, this might be what youโll need for some minor customization.
One of the most debated parts of the Ruger 10/22 is probably the barrel band, with many opinions out there regarding whether the band is necessary or just an aesthetic choice. If youโve ever removed the band because you think itโs strictly cosmetic, you should know that it does, in fact, serve a purpose. You may either use a factory band, such as this band or purchase a third-party band.
The Ruger 10/22 Barrel Band binds the stock and rifle action. Aside from the band, there is a single screw holding the stock to the 10/22โs action. Having this band improves this connectionโs strength. As you might expect, the band clamping the barrel and stock means that when a round is fired, the recoil is confined to the barrel, improving accuracy.
On the other hand, some argue that it generates more recoilโusers should test for themselves, as everyone will have a different opinion on this. Either way, the effect should be minimal in either direction.
Of course, it is also aesthetic and makes the rifle look like a pre-World War II era rifle. Part of the reason is that these bands used to help hold bayonets.
Since many users have either removed the band at some point or purchase a Ruger 10/22 without the band, purchasing this band is a great idea. Itโs incredibly inexpensive. Additionally, the default band adds almost no weight.
Who Will Use This Most
This will likely be used for the purpose of customization. So if you have some sights that you want to add on for the sake of a small accuracy boost, this little unit will get the job done. It doesnโt matter what application you use it for, it will come in handy in more ways than one.
Bottom Line
If you want a barrel band that you want to use for anything other than just for looks, this barrel band, in particular, is exactly what youโll need. This accessory is not one of those something for nothing types.
Incredibly inexpensive, this barrel band improves the connection between a stock and the rifleโs action while giving a bit of classic flair. Some may argue itโs unnecessary, but with a price so low, why go without it?
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
New users were quite happy with this barrel band. They were able to install this within a few minutes without any issue. One other user who typically uses a bipod said the barrel band is solid and cooperates well with the bipod. He said it doesnโt bow or bend when itโs connected and still allows him to move the rifle around fluidly.
Why it Stands Out to Us
Letโs face it, factory default barrel bands are a disappointment and they donโt stand out as reliable and excellent in quality. They even wonโt be able to work with some accessories like bipods. This could be because of ill-fitting products or lack of strength to handle some accessories like bipods and scopes. However, this being made from high-quality materials can work with any accessory you use for your Ruger 10/22 rifle.
This is a good-quality barrel band made of machined aluminum. It is a good choice for people who donโt like plastic bands. This band is solidly constructed, so it doesnโt flex.
This band features an integrated sling loop and two Weaver-style accessory rails. Slings up to 1.25 inches wide can pass through the sling loop. The band has a reversible design which allows you to place the sling loop on either side of the rifle.
The side rail has a single slot and the bottom rail has two slots which are good enough to mount a bipod. This band has a machined finish compared to its counterparts, which appear to be cast. A single screw on the base of the band is used to attach it to your 10/22.
Overall, this has a solid construction with a notable and diverse functionality. It fits all models of Ruger 10/22 Rimfire rifle.
Who Will Use This Most
This will be best-used by those who might plan on adding a small accessory to their rifle. A prime example of these include optics or even flashlights. If you plan on boosting the accuracy of your rifle or something that will allow you to navigate dark corners at night, this barrel band might be your best possible option.
Bottom Line
The Pro Mag Tactical Barrel Band is tough, easy to customize, and will blow any factory default barrel band right out of the water. Donโt be surprised if you can add on a great optic or a flashlight to this band all while itโs main duty of holding a Ruger 10/22 barrel in its place.
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Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
Most recent buyers were quite satisfied with the barrel band itself. They called it a high-quality and lightweight unit that can handle all sorts of accessories. One user said that using this barrel band, he was able to attach a really good sling to his rifle. Some have opted for flashlights and some small optics to make their rifles stand out in terms of performance.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This band clamp is one of the simplest designs of all the barrel bands out on the market. Itโs easy to install and wonโt loosen up on you at all. So you can install this and forget it and then follow it up with an accessory of your choice. This will work for a lot of Ruger 10/22 hunters who will need something to attach slings to. Why is that important? Letโs get to that right now.
Personally, it never crossed my mind that I might need a choice of seven colors in anodized aluminum for my replacement 10/22 band clamp, but hey, it takes all types to make up the world. For a minor accessory, this product is actually quite impressive. Being machined from a billet of 7075 aluminum means it's about as high-grade as an aluminum component can be.
The strength and durability are equal to those of many steel alloys, making it a huge improvement over the factory original Ruger band clamp. It is certainly a lot more reliable if you plan to mount a sling. It also helps to keep the weight down to a frisky 0.6 ounces. The band clamp is nicely beveled, giving it a bit of character, while removing the hard edges susceptible to knicks and scratches. Even the bolt it comes with is a nice little tactile hex-key item. The color options include black, silver, gold, green, red, blue, and my favorite, purple.
Who Will Use This Most
Most hunters who utilize a sling will be able to have their hands free for other uses while hunting. For example, you can use your binoculars for the possibility of setting up shop for a good old fashioned game of โsit and waitโ. And of course, youโre going to need your hands to carry back your successful kills.
Bottom Line
The Ruger 10/22 Band Clamp is another example of why factory default barrel bands are not the best thing to have for your rifle. This is durable and easy to install and it will handle your favorite accessory of choice. If you need something that will make customization a breeze, this barrel band is the best replacement for a factory default that just doesnโt cut the mustard.
What more could you want from a band clamp than lightness of weight, strength equal to that of steel, and a bit of self-expression? If classic black isn't your thing, have fun picking a color. Whichever one you choose, you can rest assured that your sling swivel is in safe hands, especially compared to Ruger's original factory plastic band clamps.
Upgrading Your Barrel Band
Upgrading with aftermarket products can help you improve the usability of your Rimfire. Modern-day barrel bands allow you to use them as a sling shackle or to mount add-ons like optics, lasers, and lights without interfering with the front sight.
Like any other upgrade, your rifle needs testing for barrel bands, as well. Different weather and environmental conditions can make a difference - and so can your tastes. Itโs not a case where one is a clearly superior product.
Is a Barrel Band Worth it?
Do you really need the barrel band? Maybe, maybe not. Itโs not absolutely necessary, for sure. But this is a case where you canโt determine the worth of an object until you see if it meets your tastes. Thatโs definitely true with barrel bands for your 10/22.
It may seem to be a worthless decorative piece of metal to someone. They claim itโs simply metal or plastic eye candy hearkening back to World War II-era rifles.
The most common pro-barrel band argument is that Ruger must have put it there for a reason. After all, why would they waste money on a non-essential part that would cut into their profits?
Like humans, the amazing quality of rifles is that every piece is different. You have to test and check the workings of your own rifle - and your own preferences - to get it into its perfect working state.
Many do believe that barrel bands affect the accuracy of a 10/22 rifle. The band clamps the barrel with the stock. Once a round is fired, recoil and harmonic vibrations are generated inside the barrel.
The particular barrel of your gun might also affect your choice. With lighter barrels, this may affect the group size. Heavier barrels like the 20โ bull barrel donโt need clamping because of their heavy weight and improved capability to handle harmonic vibrations. Not using a barrel band is called a free-floating barrel.
To check whether your gun needs a barrel band or not, youโll have to test it accordingly. Fire some shots with the band on your 10/22 and some shots after removing it. Check the overall group size of these two phases. This should help you decide.
In many cases, the barrel band is a matter of choice, not a necessity. It takes experimentation to see how your gun works and what you like before you make a choice.
Conclusion
A barrel band can no doubt be an important accessory of the Ruger 10/22 rifle. If youโre unsure about using one, test your rifle with and without the barrel band. This will let you know what works best for you and your gun.
Aftermarket upgrades of barrel bands are quite effective. They can provide increased stability and can also give you the liberty to use shooting equipment like lasers and lights on the rails. Buying a new one would not burn a large hole in your pocket. They are inexpensive and you may consider buying an upgrade without thinking twice.
