Desert Trek Tech 22

From its basic, beech-stocked, sporter roots, Ruger has moved its 10/22 in just about every direction (heavy barrels, target, take-down, tactical, etc). However, the gun industry has pushed it even further, and today, you can build one with zero Ruger parts, all done to improve looks and performance, with the former sometimes being more important than the latter! But, and despite its reputation, it has become a bit of a boring rifle, with more makes displaying more curb appeal!

False face

However, there is one area where this 54-year-old excels. Removing a single screw to take off the stock reveals a barrelled action, complete with trigger mech housing (TMH). It’s this blank page of a design that has spawned yet another direction, which is the ability to look like something else.

I have seen kits that mimic the HK 36, Tommy Gun, AR15, and even the German MG42 machine gun. However, the Bullpup (BP) layout is also popular. This does away with the traditional butt, moving the action back to give a compact package. But there’s no such thing as a free lunch!

Bang up-to-date and with some promise is Desert Tech’s TREK-22. They make BP centrefires, and in 2022, launched a shell for the 10/22. It’s no copycat, but a unique design. Visually, it’s a bit like the ill-fated British MkII SawFly, which never saw the light of day!

The Marmite syndrome

Like Marmite, any BP splits opinion dramatically, as you either love or hate it. My initial thought was that it was a bit different, but seemingly well thought out. So, let’s see, and without prejudice, what it brings to the party.

The importers, Viking Arms, supply complete rifles, but the TREK-22 is also sold as an upgrade kit. It’s a 2-piece clamshell design made of injection-moulded, impact-resistant, glass-reinforced polymer. Colour options include grey, olive drab green, and flat dark earth (FDE).

When a barrelled action with an 18.5” barrel is fitted into the kit, the overall length of the rifle is reduced to 26.75”, compared to the 37” overall length of a standard 10/22. Weight is also reduced by 7%. There are 13 M-LOK slots moulded into the forend for accessory rails, but none are included.

It’s worth noting that UK law prohibits any firearm less than 24” in length (total length, muzzle to butt pad) and any barrel under 12”, which is even more relevant with a BP.

10+1

There are no modifications required to fit the barrelled action. 10x transverse screws and nuts hold the shell together, two of which replace the original TMH pins. Adding to this is the original 10/22 action screw and a washer that goes up from the base. This tensions the action against an integral bracer.

The light barrel of the 10/22 is a tad flexible, which might affect group sizes. Tightening down the screws consistently helps to add some stability, as does the vertical stock bolt. Note, over-tightening the two that replace the TMH pins will bind or decelerate the action.

The kit shows a straight layout, with a butt that has a slotted, angled shoulder plate that can store 2 x Ruger 10-round rotary magazines. Underneath is a socket for a QD swivel and a single-point sling. The angled, integral pistol grip looks a bit vestigial, but there’s enough to get hold of. The trigger guard is about an inch forward and is big enough. Including an in-guard cross-bolt safety would have been a good idea, but they didn’t!

No lefties

The forend can accept barrels up to 0.920” in diameter and is hand-filling and comfortable. Plus, there’s no problem fitting a moderator either. The TREK-22 ejects and cocks on the right side only, so lefties take note! Although covered by an outer shell, access to the bolt, chamber, and mag well is unchanged. On the left side of the stock is a slot for viewing the serial number.

Two areas of the generic BP layout must be considered. Firstly, the trigger pull has to use a transfer bar, which often gives a mushy and heavier feel. Desert Tech says their system reduces the weight from 6.25 to 4.5 lbs. Most serious 10/22 users usually swap out the factory trigger and fit something better, which certainly helps. Secondly, the straight-line stock dictates your head position, so you will need to consider eye/scope height alignment and tall mounts.

Observations

Unlike most BP rifles that use a pistol grip, or thumbhole stock, the TREK-22’s short, angled grip, gives a dictatorial ‘thumbs-up/over’ hold. This has possibly been done to allow the easier use of hi-cap (banana) magazines. And/or make the rifle California-legal, as they have banned pistol grips on guns like this.

Two aspects of the design became immediately apparent. Firstly, the trigger was breaking at a firm 4-5 lbs. Not amazing, but not too bad for an out-of-the-box 10/22! I expected it to get worse due to the remote trigger, but it felt about the same. I was a little bit impressed! A consistent technique always helps, but a better solution would be an improved aftermarket mechanism.

Secondly, there’s only about an inch of barrel sticking out in front of the forend, so it would be all too easy for your supporting hand to slide forward. There’s a slight hump moulded in at the end to stop this, but it’s not enough. Solutions would include an angled or vertical foregrip, or a moderator!

Putting it all together

Assembly is easy. You just remove all ten screws (not forgetting the nuts on the other side) to split the two halves. The trigger linkage drops onto two pivot posts inside the L/H shell. Next, remove the TMH retention pins (there’s storage for them inside) and drop the complete barrelled action in. Then, align the rear trigger bar with the rifle’s trigger.

Position the RH shell and locate all the screws. It’s best to start with the TMH ones, and then tighten them down evenly. Finally, fit the original stock bolt. The Picatinny rail is moulded into the top of the LH shell. On my example, some screws were proud once tightened down, which was annoyingly noticeable, but a kiss with a file will sort that.

Fully bombed-up

I opted for a moddy, as that’s what most people will do. I can see the attraction for action-type shooting, and it would make a great little truck gun for bunnies. Glass-wise, Viking Arms supplied a Leupold VX-3 HD 4.5-14x50 scope, which I fitted in a Vortex cantilever mount (back to front), giving me a workable head position and eye/scope alignment, as you need a minimum of 2” of vertical clearance from the Pic base to the centreline of the body tube. Red dot sights and even irons are also an option.

Bare-backed, you can really feel the weight at the rear, which makes it stable in the shoulder, and even with a big scope and moddy, it balances around the trigger guard. The oddest thing for me was my firing hand grip, as there’s no provision to wrap your thumb around like on a conventional stock system. I found placing it on top, in front of the breech, the most natural position.

Access all areas

In use, you have easy access to all of the 10/22’s controls. Ruger’s hi-capacity BX mags went in and out well enough, as did the 10-rounders, helped in all cases by the extended mag catch they now fit as standard. As this is a blow-back semi-auto action, you will get gas and debris coming out as the bolt opens up. Thankfully, it was not excessive, as I have experienced with other guns, but exacerbated a tad by a moderator, which increases back pressure.

Range time

To see how it shot, I picked two very different loads of 22LR. Lapua’s Midas + is a quality match load and off the bench was printing 0.911” @ 50 yards. For a standard semi-auto, that’s pretty impressive. At the other end of the scale, CBC’s hollow point, high-velocity fodder was less impressive at 4”, and goes to illustrate the variations between ammo compatibility with different action types.

End game

Overall, a pretty good 10/22 BP conversion kit, and it’s easy to fit too, taking me about 5-mins. There’s been a fair bit of thought gone into the design to make it practical, as opposed to just cosmetic, and I have to say I rather like it. OK, the trigger is good for what it is but needs a bit more finesse. I would also like a larger hand stop on the forend, plus including some M-LOK adapters wouldn’t go amiss either. Testing showed not to expect target-type accuracy, as it’s not that sort of gun, but also it’s more than just a bit of fun.