Israeli Ruger 10/22 Suppressed Sniper Rifle Page 1 of 2

Home 10/22 Articles Custom 10/22 Links Search

Ruger 10/22 Suppressed

Sniper Rifle

Sniper Weapons System - from left to right Ruger 10/22 suppressed, IMI Galil Sniper
Rifle and a Mauser 86SR.

The Ruger 10/22 is a fully suppressed 0.22 caliber semi auto sniper rifle with a 10 rounds rotary magazine.

In 1987, the Intifada - the Palestinian uprising against the Israeli regime in the Occupied Territories - broke
out, and involved mass violent clashes between Israeli security forces and Palestinians protestors. As a
result, the Israeli security forces needed a weapon with a more potent firepower then the standard riot
control metal covered rubber round, but at the same time less lethal then the standard issue 5.56 mm round
of the M16/Galil assault rifles. So the Israeli Defense Force (IDF) searched for a 0.22 caliber accurate rifle
that will be used to take out the key protest leaders by shooting them in the legs.

The Ruger 10/22, fitted with a X4 day optic, a full length suppressor and a Harris bipod was selected for this
role and was due to be issued to all infantry oriented units, including both special and conventional forces.
However, as often happens in the shoestring budget IDF, financial problems prevented the weapon's mass
distribution, and it was mainly issued to Special Forces (SF) units. Moreover, instead of using the rifle as a
riot control weapon, as originally intended, the Israeli SF deployed the Ruger 10/22 more as a "Hush
Puppy" weapon used to silently and effectively eliminate disturbing dogs prior to operations.

In the recent Israeli-Palestinian clashes began in 2000, the Ruger resumes it's original role as a less lethal
riot control weapon. However, it's usage in this role was rather controversial this time. After several
incidents involving the death of Palestinians by the Ruger fire, the IDF conducted a field experiment in the
Ruger at the IDF Sniper School in Mitkan Adam under the supervision of the IDF Judge Advocate General
(JAG). The test showed that the Ruger was more lethal then thought especially in upper body injuries. Also,
since it's suppressed and was considered less lethal by the troops, the soldiers were much more likely to
use the Ruger loosely then intended.

As a result of this test, the JAG reclassified the Ruger as a lethal weapon. As a lethal weapon, the usage of
the Ruger in riot control is much more limited today. In the IDF Center Command it was completely
prohibited to use and the IDF South Command it's deployment was cut down dramatically.

Civilian sniper with the Ruger 10/22 sniper rifle (right),

Designated Marksman (middle) and a spotter (left) during
the Israeli-Palestinian clashes in the Occupied Territories
May 2000.

http://www.ruger1022.com/docs/israeli_sniper.htm 8/13/2005
Israeli Ruger 10/22 Suppressed Sniper Rifle Page 2 of 2

Operator armed with the Ruger 10/22 Suppressed sniper

rifle during the Israeli-Palestinian clashes in the Occupied
Territories, October 2000.

Same caption as above. Note that the sniper has a Sig

Sauer handgun tacked in his vest.

Article and Photos used by permission from isayeret.com, The Israeli Special Forces Home
Page

Comments, suggestions, contributions?

Contact me here Web Master

http://www.ruger1022.com/docs/israeli_sniper.htm 8/13/2005