Ruger Scout .223

[Sixshot6]

They don't have to be 16" over here, just have to have a minimum 12" barrel and when the stock is closed the overall is 24"+, like usual (so in practice the barrel may well be over the 12").

No other reason to have a longer barrel than that (apart from aesthetics perhaps and possibly shootability ).

I was thinking of other things, Caledonian Classic arms is bringing in some 22 lr VZ61's and the barrel has to be 16 inches for that and the stock fixed as it's too short when the stock folds with a 12 inch barrel and still too short with a 16 inch barrel sadly.

[Mattnall]

Yeah, gotta keep that 12"/24" think going.

Similar thing; 10/22s with the short (12") barrel are fine unless you put a folding stock on. Then the overall is too short.

[rufrdr]

I swapped out the metal Ruger magazine for an Accuracy International poly magazine and the Ruger rear sight for a NEGC sight with easy windage adjustments. Really happy with this carbine!

[channel12]

Also, I get the feeling that other countrys' laws are why we have all these 22 look-a-likes (MP5, UZI, etc.) with a very long 16"+ barrels that would look so much better chopped down to nearer 12".

Correct, 16" minimum barrel length in the US, anything less means it's a SBR and as the US is a bigger market than the UK we get US spec 16".

Short-barreled rifle (SBR) is a legal designation in the United States, referring to a shoulder-fired, rifled firearm with a barrel length of less than 16 inches (40.6 cm) or overall length of less than 26 inches (66.0 cm). In the United States, an SBR is an item regulated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (BATFE) as an NFA firearm. In the absence of local laws prohibiting ownership, American civilians may own an SBR provided it is registered with the BATFE, and a $200 tax is paid prior to taking possession of or creating the firearm.

[rufrdr]

The polymer trigger guard bothered me so I purchased a Pacific Tool and Gauge aluminum assembly. It was a tight fit but not so tight that tapping it in place with a nylon hammer couldn't overcome the tightness.

Looks better and presumably will be more durable.