With .22-caliber firearms gaining in popularity, author Mike Detty decided to review a pair of Magnum Research Inc.’s Magnum Lite rifles (in .22 LR and .22 WMR) for the 2014 GUN BUYER’S GUIDE. While Magnum Research Inc. is well known for its Desert Eagle variants, Detty was quickly impressed with the company’s lightweight rifle designs as well.
“At first glance you’ll realize that both rifles possess more than a passing resemblance to the Ruger 10/22 semi-automatic rifle. In fact, the rotary magazines that accompany each rifle are actually of Ruger manufacture and labeled so. It appears as though MRI took the Ruger design and used it as a starting point to build their rifles,” says Detty in his review. “But what really sets the MRI rifles apart from the Ruger rimfires are their proprietary barrels. Their incredible light weight is responsible for both guns being so light and handy. MRI uses a very thin barrel insert (consisting of the rifling and chamber) and then wraps carbon graphite around it until a diameter of 0.920 inches is achieved. Besides the weight savings, the carbon also adds stiffness and rigidity.”
The synthetic stocks of the Magnum Lite rifles also caught Detty’s attention as both led to easy handling in the field. “Both of my samples were outfitted with synthetic stocks. The .22 LR rifle weighs just 4.25 pounds without any optics and possesses an incredible balance thanks in part to the revolutionary patented graphite bull barrel. But the ambidextrous Glacier Ridge polymer thumbhole stock is also a weight saver. It has a very comfortable pistol grip and a comb height sufficient enough that a solid cheekweld can be obtained while shooting with a scope,” notes Detty. “The Magnum Lite WMR rifle is outfitted with a Hogue OverMolded stock, which gives it a more traditional appearance. It also possesses a good balance, and the rubbery texture of the stock provides the shooter with a secure shooting grip.”
For more information on the MRI Magnum Lite .22 LR & .22 WMR Rifles magnumresearch.com or call 508-635-4273.
To read the full article on the MRI Magnum Lite .22 LR & .22 WMR Rifles, check out the 2014 GUN BUYER’S GUIDE, available on newsstands April 29, 2014. To subscribe, go to personaldefenseworld.com/buyers-guides
