Sniper Rifle? Assault Weapon? You decide!

[Romulus]

Being out of the loop for the past week, I only got to scan 1a2b3c's "hunting/sniper rifle" thread and the semi-auto flame war that went on.

This got me to thinking about how to classify my "new" Ruger 10/22.

For the unsure, the 10/22 is a semi-auto magazine-fed rifle, caliber .22lr. Since it uses a detachable magazine and fires "as fast as I can pull the trigger," some might claim it to be an "assault rifle" akin to an AK-47, even though it doesn't have a bayonet lug or a pistol grip.

This was how it looked about a year and a half ago when I bought it, except that I bought it used with a 3x-9x scope:



With the interest in increasing the accuracy of my target shooting, I installed a special match hammer that makes the trigger pressure needed to fire a shot much lighter than the "plain" factory trigger. Just this past week, I have installed a free-floated heavy "bull barrel" and a new composite stock (to accommodate the larger barrel). $130 total for the improvements. A picture similar to what my 10/22 looks like is below (same brand of barrel and stock, different scope):




The VPC says that the addition of a match trigger, optics, and heavy barrel makes any rifle "too accurate" than is needed for "civilian use":
"One shot One Kill"

No single feature marks this special class of purpose-designed and purposebuilt
sniper rifles. Rather, the true sniper rifle is an amalgam of specific design
features that make it “a bit better in many ways than its off-the-rack cousins to be
an overall significantly more accurate weapon,” according to Maj. John L. Plaster
(USAR), who is perhaps the preeminent sniper authority writing in the gun press today. . .
Such “purpose-designed” and “purpose-built” sniper rifles are designed and
manufactured for the purpose of killing human beings at more than five times the
range hunters shoot deer.

*snip*

We used the second test very sparingly—there are probably many
more such crypto-sniper rifles than we name. When defining
sniper rifles under the second criterion, the entire design of the
rifle was considered. Manufacturers and gunsmiths focus on four major
groups to achieve the uniform performance essential to a sniper
rifle’s precision: the receiver and action, which together
constitute the working mechanism by which the gun is loaded and
fired; the barrel; the stock; and the sights and mount.

For example, special attention is given to the “action,” the
moving parts that feed the round into the chamber of the barrel,
cause it to fire, and extract the empty casing after firing. . .
In recent years, however, a number of semiautomatic sniper rifles,
particularly in the heavy and intermediate calibers, have gained favor.

*snip*

Sniper rifle trigger mechanisms are designed to operate extraordinarily smoothly.

*snip*

(S)niper rifles often have so-called “bull” or “target” barrels.
These barrels are heavier and fatter than the usual sporting rifle
barrel. They may be “free-floated,” so that no part of
the barrel touches the stock beyond the receiver. Distinguishing
sniper rifles from sporting rifles, sniper authority John Plaster
notes that some hunting rifle manufacturers free-float all but the
last two inches of the forearm tip. “This,” he advises, “may result
in acceptable accuracy for hunting, but it is not appropriate for a
sniper rifle.”


*end*

In the meanwhile, the VPC also says this about "assault weapons":
"Bullet Hoses"

3. Civilian assault weapons are not machine guns. They are
semiautomatic weapons. (Since 1986 federal law has banned the
sale to civilians of new machine guns.) The trigger of a
semiautomatic weapon must be pulled separately for each round fired.
It is a mistake to call civilian assault weapons "automatic weapons"
or "machine guns."

4. However, this is a distinction without a difference in terms of
killing power. Civilian semiautomatic assault weapons incorporate
all of the functional design features that make assault weapons so
deadly. They are arguably more deadly than military versions,
because most experts agree that semiautomatic fire is more accurate—
and thus more lethal—than automatic fire.

*end*

So, what do I now own? A "sniper rifle," or a "bullet hose?" I own a
specially modified semi-auto weapon that is probably more accurate
than my abilities can handle.
Enhanced Accuracy + Semi-auto action = "world's most dangerous firearm"?:shrug:

[Superfly]

1. I've got a Butler Creek 30 round magazine for the 10/22

if you are interested...

Ooops, sorry, I should have said "clip"

[Romulus]

2. sorry: over 20 = banned in MD (eom)

[Superfly]

3. SOB! And I live right next door

in gun-utopia VA...

[1a2b3c]

8. not a clip

Its called a bullet hose.

[Redneck Socialist]

4. So "what do [you] now own?"

A really nice rifle. Happy shootin'

[alwynsw]

5. You own a sporting arm

The VPC says that the addition of a match trigger, optics, and heavy barrel makes any rifle "too accurate" than is needed for "civilian use":

These folks obviously have never hunted or shot competitively. Try bringing down a mule deer at 700-800 yards or more without optics. Or try hitting the 10 ring in a 1,000 yard competition with iron sights. I usedta could and did. Not any more. Getting old is a bitch.

[Romulus]

6. Update

As another poster has helpfully pointed out, the pending "expanded assault weapons" bill in the Senate has this tidbit:

"`(L) A semiautomatic rifle or shotgun originally designed for military or law enforcement use, or a firearm based on the design of such a firearm, that is not particularly suitable for sporting purposes, as determined by the Attorney General. In making the determination, there shall be a rebuttable presumption that a firearm procured for use by the United States military or any Federal law enforcement agency is not particularly suitable for sporting purposes, and a firearm shall not be determined to be particularly suitable for sporting purposes solely because the firearm is suitable for use in a sporting event.'


It seems that the Israeli military uses a suppressed version of the 10/22 for "sniper" duty
http://www.isayeret.com/weapons/sws/ruger/ruger.htm



In 1987, the Intifada - the Palestinian uprising against the Israeli regime in the Territories - broke out, and involved mass violent clashes between Israeli security forces and Palestinians protestors. As a result, the Israeli security forces needed a weapon with a more potent firepower then the standard riot control metal covered rubber round, but at the same time less lethal then the standard issue 5.56 mm round of the M16/Galil assault rifles. So the Israeli Defense Force (IDF) searched for a 0.22 caliber accurate rifle that will be used to take out the key protest leaders by shooting them in the legs.

The Ruger 10/22, fitted with a X4 day optic, a full length suppressor and a Harris bipod was selected for this role and was due to be issued to all infantry oriented units, including both special and conventional forces.

*snip*

In the recent Israeli-Palestinian clashes began in 2000, the Ruger resumes it's original role as a less lethal riot control weapon. However, it's usage in this role was rather controversial this time. After several incidents involving the death of Palestinians by the Ruger fire, the IDF conducted a field experiment in the Ruger at the IDF Sniper School in Mitkan Adam under the supervision of the IDF Judge Advocate General (JAG). The test showed that the Ruger was more lethal then thought especially in upper body injuries. Also, since it's suppressed and was considered less lethal by the troops, the soldiers were much more likely to use the Ruger loosely then intended.

As a result of this test, the JAG reclassified the Ruger as a lethal weapon.

*end*

Hmmm, the Israelis get most of their hardware through DOD military aid programs, or at least the money to pay for the hardware . . .



I wonder what the implications are for the 10/22 owners in America, many of whom probably think the "strengthened" AWB doesn't affect them?

[alwynsw]

7. All of this concern about sniper rifles and crime

Let's see: What's the average distance for a police shootout with a criminal? 7 feet or so according to our local sheriff - I called.

How often are crimes committed at mean sniping distances? I can't find any. Neith can our local sheriff. I'm certain that there have been a few. The shootings last year were all done at well under the 500 yard+ sniper ranges. Same for the Ohio shooter in recent weeks.

It's a buzzword being used to further brainwash the uninformed.

[MrSandman]

9. and the average range for a police sniper shot:

83 yards.

Five times the range of a deer rifle?

[beevul]

10. "So, what do I now own?"

You now own a finely customized small caliber sporting rifle.

And a pretty nice one by the information presented.

Any legislation that would effect the status of its legality would get alot of people unhappy. The cost of passing such legislation would make the losses after the AW ban look minor.

[beevul]

11. This phrase...

""`(L) A semiautomatic rifle or shotgun originally designed for military or law enforcement use, or a firearm based on the design of such a firearm, that is not particularly suitable for sporting purposes, as determined by the Attorney General."

Makes me verry uncomfortable (moreso than the rest). Anyone else not comfortable with this?

What if an AG "determines" only single shot weapons are "suitable"?

Do they have any guidelines to follow?

[MrSandman]

12. These appear to be the guidelines...

"In making the determination, there shall be a rebuttable presumption that a firearm procured for use by the United States military or any Federal law enforcement agency is not particularly suitable for sporting purposes,...


a firearm shall not be determined to be particularly suitable for sporting purposes solely because the firearm is suitable for use in a sporting event.'"


The answer...not really.