Topic: 10/22 vs 22 Charger

[ShaneQPS]

Hi,
 
I have a query in relation to a firearm I'm examining which is fitted with an Archangel 5.56 Pistol stock system.  With the stock system removed I discovered that what I would call the normal Ruger upper receiver is all plastic and thus there is no serial number or Ruger stampings present.  I'm trying to determine if I'm dealing with a member of the Ruger 10/22 family with a shorter barrel or a 22 Charger.  Is there anything unique to the design of the Charger, which I would be able to identify as different to a 10/22.  The 22 Charger would be classified as a different category of weapon to a shortened 10/22 in our jurisdiction.
 
Regards,
 
Shane.

[Kevin Warner]

The Archangel 556P polymer stock system completely surrounds the 10/22 or Charger receiver.  If you remove the stock system you should find the Ruger receiver with the normal markings and serial number.

[Evan Thompson]

Thanks Kevin.

[Shane]

I would be surprised and very interested if there were a commercial manufacturer for that receiver.  Looks to me like someone took a normal 10/22 receiver (Not necessarily a Ruger.  Could be Magnum Research or Dlask or no-name available on Brownells), put some tape over the markings, and then made a cast of it. 
 
Does it fire?

[CConn]

Any possibility somebody's playing with their new 3D printer?  Just a thought.

[ShaneQPS]

There may be merit to the tape and cast theory.  Initially I had assumed I was dealing with a non-ferrous receiver with apparent tape placed over the serial number and manufacturer markings. I set about to remove the tape, when the tape wouldn't budge it became apparent that the criss-cross pattern was part of the receiver and hadn't been painted over, some sanding confirmed I was dealing with plastic.  Since I first created this post, a further identical firearm was located amongst the submitted items.  Once the Archangel stock was removed from the second firearm, again the receiver was plastic with the apparent tape marks within the cast.  Both firearms functioned okay, although the Archangel stock was retarding the movement of the bolts slightly.  The plastic doesn't seem particularly strong though, one receiver cracked whilst I was trying to tap the upper rail of the stock system off. 
 
I'm now considering if the barrelled actions are assembled from parts with the stock system added and not something that was produced by Ruger.
 
 

[Evan Thompson]

This could be a great AFTE paper and/or presentation.