The Ruger model 10/22 carbine is an autoloading rifle chambered for the 22 Long Rifle cartridge. It is recoil operated and uses a 10-shot rotary magazine. Retracting the bolt handle cocks the internal hammer and compresses the recoil spring. When the bolt is manually released, it moves forward (driven by the recoil spring), strips a cartridge from the magazine. if a loaded magazine is in place, and chambers the cartridge. The bolt is held against the chambered cartridge by the recoil spring.
When the trigger is pulled, the hammer is released and strikes the firing pin. The firing pin indenLs the cartridge case rim and ignites the priming compound inside the rim. This ignites the powder in the cartridge case and a great w~lume of gas is instantly generated. which acts on the interior of the cartridge case in all directions.
Because the bullet offers the least resistance, it moves out of the cartridge case and exits the muzzle. The bolt then moves rearward automatically, extracting and ejecting the fired cartridge case, and at the same time cocking the hammer and compressing the recoil spring, etc., as described above. Once the trigger is released, the rifle is ready to fire again.
Each time the trigger is pulled and released, the same cycle is repeated until there are no more cartridges in the magazine or in the chamber.
The rifle will fire if there is a cartridge in the chamber and the trigger is pulled, whether or not there is a magazine in place! Removing the magazine does not unload the rifle. Never assume the rifle is unloaded. Visually inspect the chamber and the magazine each time the rifle is handled to be certain there are no cartridges in either.
All models have the same basic operation mechanism and include the following features with which the gun user should be thoroughly familiar. NOMENCLATURE

Operation of Safety

The Ruger model 10/22 carbine has a cross-button safety which is located in the forward portion of the trigger guard. The safety can be operated only when the hammer is cocked.
The safety is "on" when it protrudes fully from the right side (the bolt handle side) of the trigger guard assembly. In this position the sear is blocked, and the gun cannot be fired from a normal pull on the trigger.
The safety should always be in the "on" (safe) position except when the shooter is actually firing the gun. The safety should be moved to the "on" position whenever the shooter ceases firing, even temporarily.
The safety is "off" (fire) when it protrudes from the left side of the trigger guard assembly. When the safety is off, the red band shows on the safety button, but do not totally rely on the appearance of the red band to indicate that the safety is off. In poor light or if dirt is present, the red band may not be visible. If the safety is "off" and the trigger is pulled, the rifle will fire.
The safety is held in its "on" or "off" position by a plunger that is under spring tension. When the safety is moved to either the "on" or "off" position, a distinct "click" should be heard. Frequently check the position of the safety to be certain the safety has not been inadvertently moved. If the safety seems to move too easily, or if the click is not heard when the safety is moved, the rifle should be discontinued from use and returned to the Newport Service Department for repair.

Bolt Lock

The bolt lock is located in the forward section of the trigger guard . The bolt lock is the manually operated means of retaining the bolt in the rearward (open) position. When the bolt is locked open, the rifle is in an inoperative safe condition for inspection of the chamber, cleaning, etc.
To lock the bolt open:
Retract the bolt handle to its extreme rearward position and, while holding it there, press in on the lower section of the bolt lock. Release pressure on the bolt handle and it will move forward a fraction of an inch, and then be locked in its open position.
To release the bolt:
Retract the bolt handle to its extreme rearward position and then press in on the upper section of the bolt lock. Release the bolt and it will move fully forward.
NOTE: Simply retracting the bolt will not disengage the lock. The bolt lock must be deliberately pressed up while the bolt is held fully to the rear. Only then will the bolt close when released. This is designed to prevent accidental release of the bolt from its open position.