The Ruger 10/22 needs no introduction to most shooters. It is one of the most popular semi-autos of all time. Part of that success is Ruger’s efficient rotary box magazine and the endless number of copies that truly set the 10/22 apart. There are many great 22 rifles out there, such as the Marlin Model 60 or the Browning SA-22, but that magazine system set the 10/22 up as not just a .22 rifle but one you can make your own. Follow along as we explore the world of 10/22 mags to see which might be best for you.

My Ruger 10/22 carbine loaded with a Ruger BX-25 magazine.

Ruger 10/22 Mag Evolution

Ruger first produced the 10/22 in 1964, and over seven million have been made since then. It seems as if everyone has one or three in their collection and for a good reason. The little carbines are comparatively inexpensive, remarkably reliable, lightweight, and accurate. There is also a cottage industry of aftermarket parts rivaled only by the famed 1911 and the AR-15 platforms.

10/22s magazines, like 10/22s, are like potato chips; it’s hard to have just one. For most of its production run, however, Ruger only made stock 10-round magazines. In that vacuum, a host of aftermarket companies emerged to supply cheaper magazines and higher capacity magazines. You can stick with ten-round flush fit magazines, twenty-five round extended “banana clips,” and even fifty-round drum mags. It was not until 2009 that Ruger decided to produce extended mags of their own.

The Ruger factory magazine lineup: Left to right, the BX-25 x 2 (for a total of 50 rounds), BX-25, BX-15, and the standard 10-round rotary magazine. There’s something for everyone from Ruger!

The 10-Round Rotary

Each Ruger 10/22 mag is equipped from the factory with a 10-round rotary magazine. These are time tested, incredibly robust, and reliable. Sometimes, though, we yearn for more than just the standard. So many of us take things to the next level, and Ruger was brilliant for recognizing that.

One of the pleasant aspects of the factory 10-round magazine is that it fits flush with the bottom of the carbine yet still offers a respectable capacity. Still…we sometimes yearn for more.

So, it often seems that aftermarket products don’t live up to the expectations that OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) products do. Doesn’t it suck when you plunk down your hard-earned cash for a product that doesn’t meet expectations? Then you’re stuck trying to return it, or in some cases, you give up, and it goes into that box in your closet with the other junk that you don’t want to throw out (because, dammit, it was expensive), but that you know you’ll never use. That is how some aftermarket 10/22 magazines are.

Now Ruger has the BX-15, a fifteen-round extended magazine that gives you greater capacity without too much hanging off the bottom of the rifle. But if you need the extra firepower, the BX-25 25-round magazine should do the trick. If not, the BX-25×2 will certainly satisfy. It consists of two BX-25 magazines bolted opposite each other to have extra ammo on the rifle for a faster reload.

Happily, I can report to you that Ruger’s extended magazines will not need to make their way into such a Box Of Forbidden Gadgetry, and for two reasons: They work. Damn well! Ruger takes care of its customers, so they’ve got your back even if you have issues.

Construction of The Ruger 10/22 Magazine

Each type of Ruger extended magazine is made from very thick, sturdy plastic. They are not flimsy in any way, shape, or form. In addition, all have stainless steel feed lips, which increases feeding reliability.

Stainless steel feed lips and an anti-tilt follower, along with heavy construction, make the Ruger mags ultra-reliable.
Ruger says that anti-tilt followers are made from “high-lubricity polyacetal for consistent reliability.” And as I mentioned, they DO work well! The springs used in all their magazines are stainless steel. The magazines can be disassembled for cleaning if necessary, as well.

Ruger advises that these magazines will work in all 10/22 rifles, SR-22 rifles, .22 LR Ruger Precision Rimfire Rifle, .22 LR Ruger American Rimfire Rifle, .22 LR Ruger 77/22 rifle, and .22 Charger pistol. Do you like versatility? I can’t imagine much that’s any more versatile than fitting all of those models! Another stroke of genius by Ruger was having one type of magazine do so many of their firearms! Other gun makers could take note of this and follow suit!

10/22 Mag: 15 Rounds

Are ten rounds not doing it for you? No problem, What about the BX-15 fifteen-round magazine. Yep, they make ’em! And they’re pretty cool because they don’t hang down under your carbine very far. Granted, they’re several times longer than the 10-rounders, but that’s because the 10-rounders are of the rotary type. But the 15-rounders are not bulky and are of a convenient size. Plus, having 15 rounds on tap is nothing to sneeze at. So, pick up several of these, and you’re all set for a fun day at the range. The 15-rounder is a nice balance of compactness and capacity. It might just be ideal!

10/22 Mag: 25 Rounds

Are 15 rounds not floating your boat? Well, gosh and golly! There are other options. Namely, a 25-rounder! Most people realize that the .22 is not a powerhouse cartridge, and that’s the truth. However, it’s not to be laughed at, either, as cemeteries are filled with people who found out the hard way that the .22 LR can cancel a person’s birth certificate.

In my mind, having 25 rounds of .22 LR is a decent start to defending oneself should the need ever arise. And if it doesn’t, then it equates to a whole lot of fun on the target range. With a 10/22 mag on hand, I believe it elevates The Ruger 10/22 Magazine into a decent defensive category.

I don’t typically tout the .22 LR as a tremendous defensive round. However, with 25 of them on tap and a few spare magazines, you’re talking some serious holes in bad guys. As an aside, if used indoors, the .22 LR rifle is a lot quieter than larger calibers, which would save your hearing. So less noise and muzzle blast is a good thing going for it.

10/22 Mag: 50 Rounds?!?

What’s that? Aren’t twenty-five rounds quite enough for your taste? Fine, you greedy bastard, Ruger has a little something for you! How does 50 rounds sound? They’ve molded two 25-round magazines together for a total of 50 rounds. Mind you, it’s not 50 rounds successively, as you’ll have to stop when one of the 25-rounders has run dry, eject the mags and flip them, then start on the other 25 rounds.

As one end of the magazine is inserted into your carbine, the other end will be hanging down with bullets exposed in the feed lips. The 10/22 mag includes a dust cover to keep out crud and gunk in the event you’d be dragging the magazine through the nasties. This dust cover is a sort of hard, rubber-like substance that is stiff yet pliable.
*chortle/snort*

A removable, hard rubber cover protects the exposed end of the BX-25 x 2, so you don’t drag it through the mud.
In use, it’s a simple matter to eject one end of the mag and flipping the other end upward and into your magazine well. Although I have to admit, it’s neat having 50 rounds carried on board your carbine at once. Keeping one or two of these around for defensive purposes would be prudent should you feel the need.

A total of 50 rounds on board with the BX-25 x 2 magazines. Badass! My personal favorite, though, is the 25-rounder. It supplies a good amount of ammunition in the rifle and is light and sleek enough not to get hung up on things.

I have a few of these magazines and can tell you that they are great items to have around. Of course, this setup isn’t something I’d pick to drop into a hot LZ with, but for defending the old homestead against garden-variety invaders, I’d be good with it. If you haven’t invested in additional Ruger 10/22 magazines yet, I recommend picking up some of these. The prices are quite reasonable so that they won’t break the bank.