Magnum Research MLR-1722 MagnumLite Review:

Caliber:  .22LR

Capacity:  10 round detachable magazine; will use any magazine for the Ruger 10/22 rifle

Action:  Semiautomatic SAO

Front Sight:  None

Rear Sight:  None

Price:  These run around $550 new. I got a heck of a deal on this one new for $400.

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This page is under construction. Full review coming soon.

The subject of this review is the rifle in the photo.

Modifications Stage 1:

• Replaced the black Hogue stock with a ghilie green model of the same stock ($90)
• Provides the same function as the original black stock, which I really liked, but this one looks a lot cooler.
  
• Leupold PRW scope rings ($45)
  
• Leupold VX-I 2-7x28mm ($180)
• Harris Ultralight Bipod Series 1A2 Model LM ($70)
• I tried the same size model that swiveled and hated it. It adds more bulk and weight to the rifle and I didn't like the fact that it moved. I can level the rifle by adjusting the legs. Others may like the swiveling model but I did not.
  
• Bulter Creek front and rear scope covers ($10 a piece)
• Cheek-n-Stock cheek rest ($35)
• This makes the rifle much more comfortable. The scope sits too high to achieve a good cheek weld, even with low rings. I had to hunt around to see through the scope correctly. This rest added about 1/2" and put my eye right where it needs to be. And it's very comfortable. The rest simply wraps around the stock and secures to itself via hook-and-loop fastening surfaces. The tacky surface of the Hogue stock assures the rest does not move.
• Total as shown below:  $840
  

KID single stage trigger. IT IS AWESOME and well worth the money. Unfortunately it didn't function well with my rifle. The hammer failed to engage the sear during recoil and rode the bolt foward. However, I began to experience the issue with my Volquartsen, Ruger OEM groups and Magnum Research reworked Ruger group as well. When I replaced the Ruger OEM extractor with a Volquartsen unit all malfunctions disappeared completely. I think it was an unfortunate coincidence that malfunctions began when I tried the KID group. But KID was very helpful and gave me a refund on the unit.

Modifications Stage 2:

• Replaced the  Hogue stock with a Revolution Tundra stock from here ($115)
• I really wanted a heavier wood stock to balance out the light barrel and for a cool look.
  
• This stock came with swivel studs installed and I think it's a great value.
• I did have to sand out the barrel channel to get it to fit my Magnum Research rifle.
• I called the manufacturer when it didn't fit and he stated the MR rifle was just different enough not to fit but I like it enough to modify it instead of return it.
• It took a few hours with 150-grit sandpaper and and 7/8" dowel rod but the result was well worth the effort
  
• Tactical Innovations Super Charging Handle ($30)
• I think it looks a lot better than the Magnum Research one and it functions very well
• Tactical Innovations Receiver/Stock Takedown Cap Screw ($5)
• A must-have part.
• The hex head is better than using a flat head driver because the bit doesn't slip out and mar your stock.
  
• Volquartsen Exact Edge Extractor ($10)
  
• My rifle functioned flawlessly for about 1000 rounds then I began to get stovepipes routinely.
• I tried different trigger groups, charging handles, 5 different OEM Ruger 10-round magazines and even sent it back to Magnum Research but nothing seemed to fix it.
• I finally got it to the point where it only seemed to happen with the 9th or 10th round and I realized that when the magazine was fuller there must have been enough energy to force spent casings clear of the action.
• That meant the empty casings were not being extracted/ejected well enough.
• I knew it couldn't be the ejector because I tried 4 different trigger groups and each has the ejector installed in it. That left the extractor.
• I had purchased a Volquartsen unit because I knew Ruger OEM units (Magnum Research uses Ruger OEM bolt assemblies) were unreliable.
• I thought I had already installed it but realized I never did because the gun functioned well.
• As soon as I replaced it the malfunctions completely disappeared.
• I know it's throwing the cases out with more force because it's leaving a lot more brass markings on the charging handle than the OEM unit did.
• This is a really easy/cheap part to replace and I suggest you do it whether you think you need it or not.
• Volquartsen Trigger Group Assembly 2000 ($190)
• Both the Magnum Research reworked unit and this one performed very well. I only kept the Volquartsen group on the rifle because I prefer its look and it seemed to reset more consistently.
• Magnum Research reworked aluminum-housed trigger group ($85)
• The rifle originally came with a stock Ruger OEM plastic-housed unit which left a lot to be desired. Magnum Research sold me this unit for $85 and I was really impressed with it, especially for the money. This group gave me identical groups the to Volquartsen trigger group.
• Power Custom Extended Magazine Release Ruger 10/22, 10/22 Magnum Titanium ($25)
  
• I really like the look and functionality of this part.
• Power Custom Extended Automatic Bolt Release Ruger 10/22 Titanium ($13)
  
• I really like the look and functionality of this part.
• Volquartsen Recoil Buffer ($9)
• Total with Magnum Research reworked trigger group as shown below:  $1,007
  
• Total with Volquartsen trigger group as shown below:  $1,112
  

This photo shows the reworked aluminum-housed trigger group from Magnum Research. Magnum Research sold me this unit for $85 and I was really impressed with it. This group gave me identical groups the to Volquartsen group. I only kept the Volquartsen group on the rifle because I prefer its look and it seemed to reset more consistently.






This photo shows the Tactical Innovations charging handle I replaced the stock charging handle with.


This photo shows the profile of the Volquartsen trigger group. I think it looks pretty neat. The magazine and bolt releases look different than a stock Volquartsen because they were replaced with Power Customer titanium units. I like the serrated surfaces and contrasting look with the black trigger group.


Target shot on 02JUL2010. The right targets and top/bottom in middle were shot prone with a bipod to show the rifle's capability. The others were my wife and I just messing around. All distances were 75 feet which is the maximum of the indoor range near me.


This target was shot on 10DEC2010 indoors at 75 feet prone with a bipod. I think this rifle performs very well and does it consistently.


A close-up of the best group from the target above.

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