Clark Custom Guns is selling original factory 10/22 metal trigger housings for a very fair price. Apparently, they bought out Ruger's remaining supply when Ruger made the shift from metal to plastic trigger housings for the 10/22. I have one coming...will order a couple more if it looks to be in good shape... http://www.clarkcustomguns.com/RugerOEMtrigger.html
Well, the trigger housing showed up today. Clark warned me that they are a little rough in texture, and they were right. I started bead-blasting the housing, and it's taking some time. I'll finish up with a second bead-blast session, which is removing the black finish and also smoothing out the texture. It's more time-consuming than I thought it would be, but it will come out nice when I apply a baked-on finish of flat black KG Gun Kote. My bottom line on this product...I probably would not buy another one. They aren't used, but they are from the final run Ruger used for their metal trigger housing molds, which explains the rough texture.
Most the 15 complete 10/22's here have the alloy ones. Even a few extras but have yet to find any issues with the polymer ones. Heck, Kidd's trigger kit is specifically designed for the polymer housing.
Years ago Ruger sued a company manufacturing 10/22s for copy infringement and won. This company was reproducing 10/22s with metal TGs and blued barrels. It was probably a better 10/22 approximation than the current polymer 10/22s. KMO did you make any closeup pics? I'd love to see the rough finish.
I recall an issue they had against MKII copies but not the 10/22. Were that the case, they'd have a LOT of lawsuits going. Any details on this suit?
Sorry, I did not take any photos. I would compare the texture to 180-grit sandpaper...pretty rough. Clark's employee thought these were finished with a powder coat, but I've never had such difficulty bead-blasting a powder coat finish off of metal before. I should have the remaining black finish bead blasted this morning, and then I'll have some hand finishing before applying my baked-on finish. Then I'll have to decide which 10/22 to mount it on...probably my target rifle...
KMO I have stripped several trigger groups using Aircraft paint remover spray instead of bead blasting. Yes it did the job but it took some work. Perhaps there isn't an easy way to strip TGs? BTW, I have no memory who Ruger took to court for copying their 10/22 but I read it in a book on the history of the 10/22. The book is at my library. I'll have to go read a little next week to remember.
AMT Lightening 25/22, same company made the MKII clone. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AMT_Lightning_25/22
Ever finish a project and then wonder why you ever even started it? This aluminum trigger housing was way too much work for the end product. No one can really tell the difference, now that it's all back together. I guess I'll just have to tell everyone that sees my target rifle to feel the trigger housing so they will know it's not plastic. LOL...oh well...
KMO I think we both spent too much effort stripping TGs. We should have taken an easier route. 1st spray the TG with aircraft paint remover aerosol. 2nd we should have bead blasted it after all the coat was softened. People do notice quality.
Have a couple here I've thought about stripping and it'll be done with aircraft stripper. Use it at work and it's just eats stuff (makes wonderful burning sensations on skin too. ) If that doesn't show a good base to clean up for the silver color underneath, it'll just go into the paint booth and get taken care of there.
