(A gently modded 10/22 with IDF forces in 2000)
Posted on 10/19/2015 9:38:32 AM PDT by Perseverando
Ever since their beginnings in 1948, the Israeli Defense Force has had to think outside the box to come up with weapon's systems, therefore it shouldn't surprise you that for the past 20 years the Israelis have used a (much-modified) 10/22 for use in both special operations and in security operations.
(A gently modded 10/22 with IDF forces in 2000)
The background
Going back to 1987, the IDF purchased a quantity of Ruger 10/22s for use by security forces in the Palestinian Intifada, a violent uprising in the West Bank and Gaza Strip that led to a number of deaths on both sides. Hallmarked by rock throwing, molotov cocktails, and slingshots by the Palestinians (backed by the PLO, Fatah, the Popular Front, the Democratic Front and the Palestine Communist Party), no less than 60 Israeli military and police were killed by 1993.
This led the Israelis to go a bit harder from rubber bullets and tear gas-- the traditional less-lethal tools of the age, and use .22LR rifle fire aimed at the legs of armed intifada participants, as a next step. It seems it's hard to keep your motivation to throw rocks with a 40-grain round in your shin.
The guns used by the IDF at the time were standard wooden-stocked 10/22s modified by the Italian firm of Sabatti with a heavy bull barrel encased by an integral suppressor that looks all the world like a 6 D-Cell Maglite. Drilled and tapped for a full-sized Weaver base, the gun was given a 4x optic of various manufacture and a Harris-style adjustable bipod forward.
(Use of the 10/22 always seems to be in conjunction with other soldiers armed with M16, Tavor or Galil rifles)
It's not known just how many of these guns the Israelis picked up, but they have been widely seen in the West Bank and Gaza for the past two decades.
Their use, however, was controversial an in 2001 they were ordered restricted from use as a "less lethal" weapon.
(AP Photo)
"The mistake was that the Ruger came to be seen as a means of dispersing demonstrations, in contrast to its original purpose as a weapon in every respect," said a senior IDF officer at the time. "The ballistics of the bullet are different from those of regular bullets, and as a result, it is liable to cause excessive damage when used indiscriminately."
Then in 2008, the guns were brought back online and have been used extensively since then with a different set of rules of engagement that restrict the use of them in circumstances where lethal force is authorized.
An Israeli border guard aims his 10/22 during clashes with Palestinian protesters following an anti-Israeli protest after the weekly Friday prayers on September 18, 2015 in the Israeli-controlled area called H2, in the West Bank town of Hebron. Note the BX-25, well-worn stock and receiver, and improvised cheek pad. Image by Hazem Bader/AFP
Wait a minute...Don't they consider US the insurrectionists?
A good choice. The expensive part of the weapon is the ammo.
Suppressed, the loudest noise would be the action clacking a new round into the chamber.
Wouldn’t it be wise for the IDF to aim for more important parts of young jihadis? One would think of the effect on morale for young Achmed’s friends to be seeing him suddenly unable to sire more terrorists.
In Israel?
Crush your enemies, see them driven before you, to hear the lamentations of their women.
Dedicated barrels are avaiable for the Aguilla Sub-Sonic Sniper round. 60 grains?
I believe Rex Applegate prescribed a .22LR to the center of mass of the biggest loudmouth in a riot for crowd control.
Oops, I got two Ruger threads mixed up...
Ruger Selling “State Compliant” Rifles
The 22-caliber rimfire rifle. This weapon, properly sighted and equipped with a noise suppressor, may be used with surgical delicacy to neutralize mob leaders with risk to other members of the group, without noise and scant danger of death to the subject.
"To Ride, Shoot Straight, and Speak the Truth", Jeff Cooper, (1988)
edit - “without risk to other members...”
Col. Cooper had one of his short articles on using a suppressed .22 Magnum to disperse violent crowds just like what is being done now. That was at least 20-25 years ago. Someone was paying attention.
It’s the Take Down model. I want one!
Col. Cooper certainly had his opinions... and was entitled to every last one of them.
For a lot less money one could keep a .22 bolt gun with a long-enough barrel loaded with standard velocity ammo. I think it would hurt about the same. Not real sexy but functional.
IMHO? I thought it was proven science.
Those weren’t goldfish.
Those were gold plated piranha.
Got 22’s?
Two Years LATER...
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