I acquired a Ruger 10/22 Carbine rifle, which was Made in USA by Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. (NYSE: RGR), as a quasi-gift not long ago but really haven’t put it to good use or made modifications to it until now.
Backstory
In late 2023 I joined Bass Pro Shops as a club member and have been accumulating points to use at the store instead of needing to use federal reserve notes (aka US Dollar). So, I used some of my store points to trade for a Locking Swivel Set (GTSW313), proudly Made in USA by GrovTec, to attach a sling to the rifle.
I like the GrovTec swivel set because it has 1.25” loops. This width will accept military-style slings such as the GI Sling recommended by the nonprofit organization Project Appleseed (Liberty • Marksmanship • History), which I might join next year:
On April 19, 1775, at Lexington and Concord, American colonists stood with muskets in hand and faced down the British forces that were trying to seize their arms. The colonists did it with grit, determination, and superior marksmanship. They were real marksmen: nobly and ably putting their skills on the line in pursuit of liberty.
At Project Appleseed™, we are dedicated to keeping these timeless values alive. Project Appleseed offers a unique opportunity to unlock your potential in marksmanship while immersing yourself in the rich tapestry of American history. Begin your personal journey, hone your shooting skills, and deepen your understanding of our shared history. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced shooter, we welcome you to join their transformative program. Step onto the firing line, connect with the stories of our nation’s past, and unlock your potential with Project Appleseed.
Project Appleseed’s web page (AppleseedInfo.org)
Nonetheless, for those who don’t know, the Ruger 10/22 has a reputation similar to that of the Kawasaki KLR 650 or Suzuki DR650 motorcycle—highly customizable, affordable, durable, basic technology, loyal user base, and good at many things. With this in mind, I wanted to have a proper sling on it, such as the M1 Garand Cotton Rifle Sling that @GunBlue490 expertly discusses in that YouTube video.
Sling Installation
The sling installation was easy and only required about 10–15 minutes.
Tools Used
The tools I used included the following:
- Drill and bits (5/32″ and 7/32″)
- Center punch
- Ruler
- Screwdriver (H3.5 mm); and an extra small one
- Tape
- Thread lock
Instructions
I essentially just followed the instructions provided by GrovTec:
- Place stock in a padded vise with trigger guard assembly facing upward and measure to locate rear swivel at 2″ to 2–1/2″ from butt plate or recoil pad. [I didn’t use a vise; also, I used a centerpunch to mark the spot to drill.]
- Drill a 5/32″ dia. hole to a depth of 7/8″. [I put tape on the drill bit as a guide.]
- Drill a 7/32″ dia. hole to a depth of 1/8″ through the same hole.
- Screw in 3/4″ wood screw with spacer. Note: Use a nail, a .140″ dia. pin, drift punch, etc. DO NOT use swivel to put screw into place. [Prior to screwing in the screw, I applied thread lock into the hole and onto the screw. Then, I used a small screwdriver to insert into the screw’s hole to turn the screw. I could have used a second spacer, but one was still fine.]
The above directions are for mounting of the rear swivel stud. The mounting of the fore end swivel stud was self-explanatory for my rifle because it has a fore end band. GrovTec included a convenient adaptor, so I just unscrewed the band and inserted the adaptor, no drilling required.
Sling Installed
And here’s the Ruger 10/22 rifle with a sling attached.
My Ruger 10/22 Carbine Rifle with a sling attached.
Note, I only installed 1″ locking loops that were already in place on a used sling. I’ll save GrovTec’s 1.25″ loops for when I acquire a GI Sling.
Ezekiel Reference
Back in May I shared a blog post about The Indigo Girls whereby I referenced its song, “Jonas & Ezekiel,” and made a very compelling argument regarding mass psychology.1Update: Since my post gathered a lot of attention, the account of the YouTube poster (@k2kimbro | Ken Kimbrough) appears to have been suspended, voluntarily or otherwise. Moreover, that 1991/1992 video of the Indigo Girls playing at Austin City Limits with Amy Ray wearing Confederate Flag-adorned shorts has seemingly disappeared from the public Internet. Just days ago, though, that video was readily available on numerous sources, with lots of user comments, and for many years prior to this time! When I shared it on Facebook, I wrote that I would make another blog post referring to the Ezekiel quote in the movie Pulp Fiction (archive). The quote in the movie is just an artistic interpretation of the Bible’s Ezekiel 25:17 passage. Although, before I share the quote in the movie, I want to provide some background context.
For the past few years, I’ve commented about the varmint, especially the Whistle Pigs (groundhogs) that wreak havoc in my garden. I wrote a few times that they seem oblivious, or outright defiant, to my obvious warnings to them. I believe they are slightly dim-witted animals, unlike wolves, coyotes, and raccoons, for instance.
Anyway, the quote in that movie written by Quentin Tarantino comes to mind when I see the ground hogs. Yes, groundhogs, because the mama and papa groundhogs made three, maybe four, little groundhogs this spring. They live under my neighbor’s shed. He almost seems to like them and have no intention of removing them. Though, he did give me permission to “take them out” with the rifle if they become more of a nuisance by destroying my property and garden.
That said, I generally say something to one or more of the groundhogs along the lines of this:
The truth is you’re the weak. And I’m the tyranny of evil men. But I’m tryin’,
My typical verbal warning to Falls, the ground hogRingoFalls. I’m tryin’ real hard to be a good shepherd.
Falls, the mama groundhog, generally just ignores me; sometimes she and the little ones do scurry off to their shelter under the shed to then re-appear after I go indoors.
Meet Falls, the Groundhog
Meet Falls, the groundhog. May 2025.
I should point out that Falls, the groundhog is a knickname we—a FB pal and I—decided to give to the mama groundhog. It relates to a song by Interpol, “Pioneer to the Falls.”
Pulp Fiction’s Ezekiel Quote
According to AI assistance, “In Pulp Fiction, the character Jules Winnfield [portrayed by Samuel L. Jackson] references a passage from the Bible, Ezekiel 25:17, which speaks about being a good shepherd and protecting the weak. This theme is central to his character development as he seeks redemption and a more righteous path.”
There’s a passage I got memorized. Ezekiel 25:17.
“The path of the righteous man is beset on all sides by the inequities of the selfish and the tyranny of evil men. Blessed is he who, in the name of charity and good will, shepherds the weak through the valley of darkness. For he is truly his brother’s keeper and the finder of lost children. And I will strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious anger those who attempt to poison and destroy my brothers. And you will know I am the Lord when I lay my vengeance upon you.”
I been sayin’ that shit for years. And if you ever heard it, it meant your ass. I never really questioned what it meant. I thought it was just a coldblooded thing to say to a motherfucker ‘fore you popped a cap in his ass. But I saw some shit this mornin’ made me think twice.
Now I’m thinkin’, it could mean you’re the evil man. And I’m the righteous man. And Mr. 9-millimeter here, he’s the shepherd protecting my righteous ass in the valley of darkness. Or it could be you’re the righteous man and I’m the shepherd and it’s the world that’s evil and selfish. I’d like that. But that shit ain’t the truth.
The truth is you’re the weak. And I’m the tyranny of evil men. But I’m tryin’, Ringo. I’m tryin’ real hard to be a shepherd.
Pulp Fiction’s Ezekiel quote. Transcription compliments of Scott Distillery’s (Scott Myers) Medium post.
By the way, here are archive links to the Medium post and YouTube movie scene, just in case either one “disappears” from the public Internet.
Power of the Ruger 10/22
A lot of people say the Ruger 10/22 is not a “real gun” but something in between a BB gun and a real gun. I agree that it’s not that powerful relative to typical hunting rifles, but it shouldn’t be underestimated.
One main reason people underestimate the rifle is really a projection about the abilities of the users of the rifle and guns, generally. The Ruger 10/22 rifle can be highly effective in the right hands, though.
It reminds me of investing and trading. One doesn’t need a high IQ to perform well; rather, one needs a stable temperament.
Buffett is known for thinking carefully when those around him are losing their heads. “Success in investing doesn’t correlate with IQ,” he has said. “Once you have ordinary intelligence, what you need is the temperament to control the urges that get other people into trouble in investing.”
Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking (by Susan Cain) via fs.blog
Likewise, with a Ruger 10/22, one need not be a sniper-like marksman; rather, one needs to be like a Zen Master who can control his emotions and exude calmness in the face of imminent risk and danger. Those who can better mange the surge in adrenaline will be able to have better shot placement, all else equal (Ceteris Paribus). Of course, this is much easier said than done, just like managing temperament in investing.
Allow me to better convey this concept about staying calm by using everyday, Average-Joe parlance.
Stay Calm as Yusuf
Consider a hypothetical scenario:
You find yourself alone in the bush with just one round left in the magazine of your beloved Ruger 10/22…and a bear suddenly begins to rush you.
What do you do?
Well, you stand your ground like a Boss…and stay calm as fuck Yusuf!2Archive of twitter post.
And, for a real world example, it’s been shown that the little Ruger 10/22 can neutralize an attacking bear with proper shot placement. The problem is, when a bear or other threats are presented, the vast majority of people receive a surge of adrenaline and get shaky hands, and some begin to panic. At that point, having a more powerful rifle at-the-ready is better because it can neutralize a threat even when a shot is very poorly placed.
Case in Point
Consider people who “put down” farm animals either to process the meat or because the animal is ill. A person who can remain calm and is skilled with using a 10/22 would be better equipped to put down an animal in the most humane manner possible for the circumstance.
As such, witness how accurate and calm Oz, the Kiwi Homekill Guy is when performing his job with a Ruger 10/22 at the farms of his clients in New Zealand. Admittedly, because of a low threat profile, Oz has the calmness of Buddha himself while conducting his farm job.
[Warning: the link to the next video may be unsettling to some, so keep in mind that these animals don’t suffer after receiving a properly placed 10/22 shot, and Oz explains this point further in the comments of his video]:
Here’s a video of Oz using a Ruger 10/223Here’s the archived link to the video since the powers influencing Google and YouTube might “disappear” this aged, controversial content. with CCI stinger ammunition. Be mindful, in advance, that Oz owns a business in New Zealand that helps process farm animals for clients. In the video, he only takes one shot per animal with a Ruger 10/22, and that one shot is able to drop massive, 2,000+ pound, thick-skulled cows not unlike how a young Mike Tyson was able to drop bigger boxers in a ring. One and done.
Closing Words
In closing, I’m looking forward to participating in Project Appleseed and perhaps joining one of the local hunting clubs to build upon my skills.
Who knows, maybe I’ll even join other OG Patriots like 59-year-old former Superman actor Dean Cain4OG refers to “old guys,” including Dean Cain, who is also part Gaelic, like me (e.g., ancestry tied to Ireland, Scotland, and Wales); we have the same surname, too. Lastly, Superman doesn’t refer to Nietzsche’s Übermensch in this context. That’ll be for a future post. and join ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) as a criminal investigator or special intelligence agent, given Kristi Noem, the Secretary of Homeland Security, just removed the age limits to join ICE. Previously one had to be younger than 40 years old to join ICE.
Nevertheless, I’ll make more modifications in the future to my awesome little Ruger 10/22, including adding a scope and perhaps some Big Beautiful magazines.
And, yes, I’m still considered a good shepherd to the weak whistle pigs.
Footnotes
- 1Update: Since my post gathered a lot of attention, the account of the YouTube poster (@k2kimbro | Ken Kimbrough) appears to have been suspended, voluntarily or otherwise. Moreover, that 1991/1992 video of the Indigo Girls playing at Austin City Limits with Amy Ray wearing Confederate Flag-adorned shorts has seemingly disappeared from the public Internet. Just days ago, though, that video was readily available on numerous sources, with lots of user comments, and for many years prior to this time!
- 2Archive of twitter post.
- 3Here’s the archived link to the video since the powers influencing Google and YouTube might “disappear” this aged, controversial content.
- 4OG refers to “old guys,” including Dean Cain, who is also part Gaelic, like me (e.g., ancestry tied to Ireland, Scotland, and Wales); we have the same surname, too. Lastly, Superman doesn’t refer to Nietzsche’s Übermensch in this context. That’ll be for a future post.
