Desert Tech is a firearm manufacturer in Utah that is known for making some of the highest quality bullpup firearms in the US and they just released a bullpup conversion for, arguably, the most popular rifle in the US; the Ruger 10/22. For those of you who don’t know, a bullpup is a firearm where the trigger is located in front of the action of the gun. This design shortens the overall length of the gun and shifts the weight rearward. As the name suggests, the Trek-22 achieves both of these for $299.99, making it easier to carry around in a pack while hunting or hiking, and allows it to be conveniently stored during other activities where space is limited, such as offroading.
Features and Specifications
The Trek-22 is just a stock, not a firearm. To complete the system, you need to remove a Ruger 10/22 from its factory stock and place it within the Trek-22. This process was very simple, guided by very easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions. Once installed, the overall length of the rifle is reduced by 10.25″, but still falls into the legal category of a rifle because of its 26.75″ overall length utilizing an 18″ barrel (a 16″ barrel is also compliant). Due to its impact-resistant glass-reinforced polymer construction, the weight of the Trek-22 is also 7% less than a wooden 10/22 stock. It also has a few more quality-of-life features, such as integral magazine storage in the buttstock, M-Lok attachment points in the forend, and an integral optics rail.
- MSRP $299.99
- 10.25″ shorter
- 7% lighter than wooden stock
- 26.75″ overall length with 18″ barrel
- impact resistant glass reinforced polymer construction
- integral mag storage fits 2 10-round mags
- rear sling stud
- improved trigger pull
- M-Lok attachment points
- integral optics rail
Trek-22 Stock Testing Afterthoughts
As you may have guessed, bullpup firearms can be a hot topic of controversy and argument among the gun community, but I’ve always been intrigued by this unique twist on firearm function and aesthetics. A common argument against the bullpup design, in general, is ergonomics: Desert Tech has opted to retain similar ergonomics with the Trek-22 to that of the Ruger 10/22. They do this by keeping the same Length of pull and grip angle as the original design. Relocating the receiver behind the trigger certainly changes the way the gun is operated, but it would take minimal use to get accustomed to it. During my testing, it quickly became reflex to reach toward the rear of the gun to operate the bolt, bolt release, and safety.
Thanks to mechanical advantage, the trigger pull of your stock Ruger 10/22 is reduced from a 6.8 lb average to a 4.5 lb average, as stated on Desert Tech’s website. I tested this trigger pull claim with a scale and saw improved results, but my Factory Ruger 10/22 came in with an average trigger pull weight of 4.5 lb and the Trek-22 conversion yielded a trigger pull weight of just under 4 lb on average. Both measurements were taken at the bottom of the trigger shoe where the mechanical advantage is highest, which may be why my results differed from Desert Tech’s. The overall feel of the trigger on the Trek-22 was fantastic. It was crisp and had no more travel and creep than the factory trigger that it works synergistically with. This trigger linkage mechanism was very well designed and executed.
I would have loved to see how shooting the Trek-22 suppressed would feel, specifically because the action is located right beneath your face. Shooting suppressed typically increases back pressure within the system, which results in gasses puffing out of the action and into your face. Unfortunately, I did not have a 10/22 that would accept a muzzle device to test this. Shooting unsuppressed, however, was quite pleasant in this regard. I went through several hundred rounds in rapid succession and didn’t experience any discomfort.
Because I was reviewing the stock, and not the rifle specifically, I did not do an accuracy test that you would expect to see in a rifle review. However, I did want to look at the accuracy of the system due to the way the optic mounts to the stock and not the receiver. I noticed that the barrel/receiver had a bit of side-to-side play within the Trek-22 stock. I assumed this would affect the accuracy of the system. Unfortunately, I was right. I bet Desert Tech could solve this issue with a stronger (probably metallic) interface between the stock and the receiver to abolish this bit of play in the system, but it would undoubtedly make the stock cost much more. I’m certain that this was a sacrifice they intentionally made and a nuance they are aware of. Below, you’ll find an accuracy test that I shot from a distance of 50 yards. The top target is the control group, where I had set my zero. The middle target was shot after I pushed the muzzle to the right side of the stock, and the bottom target shows how the point of impact again shifted when I pushed the muzzle to the left side of the stock. Yes, I’m aware these groups aren’t amazing, but It shows undeniable evidence of this point of impact shifting due to external force being applied to the muzzle in-between groups.
Final Thoughts
I am a fan of the bullpup design. I’ve had several bullpup rifles in the past and even made my own bullpup conversions. The Trek-22 was a design well executed. I would have liked to see more consistent accuracy results through the abuse of the rifle system, but my satisfaction depends on my perspective of the intended application of this system: If it was for precision applications, It would be a flop. However, I see this as a plinking machine that you purchase just to have a good time, and it fits that role very well. Do you get bored while hiking? Slap this baby in your pack and take several breaks during your trip to shoot cans and squirrels. Want a small gun to keep in your truck for shooting at junk just because it makes you smile? The Trek-22 is perfect. Do you want a rifle to compete in NRL22-sponsored events? Yeah… you should probably buy something different. Overall, I enjoyed my time with this gun and I think many others would as well.
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I believe it was Townsend Whelen who said “only accurate rifles are interesting.”
For similar Dollars, or less, one can buy a Walther G22 Bullpup .22 with a 20″ Lothar Walther barrel which produces sub moa results. American Rifleman got as small as .37″ at 50 yards. You can consistently hit golf balls at 100 yards with a G22. The G22 is however a straight up Mama Dog to disassemble etc.
I own a ZK-22 Bullpup kit (look it up if you are unfamiliar), and it’s patterned off of the PS90. It’s considered a collector’s item now and I would still compare any new 10/22 kit to the ZK. Mine locks down tight on the action/barrel has a bull barrel and and can put them in a ragged hole at 25 yards and is very accurate out to 100 yards. The trigger pull is long and heavy on the ZK, there is no ability to lock back the bolt and it’s heavy.
That said, this one sounds like garbage even if the trigger is better. I would consider an upgrade to the ZK, but this looks like a downgrade.
“Because I was reviewing the stock, and not the rifle specifically, I did not do an accuracy test that you would expect to see in a rifle review.”
WHAT!!
Then show the results at 50yds, a 5.5 inch shift?????? (8.5 x 11 paper for targets) ACCURACY my ya know.
Then the audacity to say, “Slap this baby in your pack and take several breaks during your trip to shoot cans and squirrels.”
Sorry, nope not sorry!!
An impact shift like this is a HARD Fail!!!
The article should be saying, “Don’t buy this, it stinks!!”
Yes, it looks cool. But the test is where the bullets hit the target/meat!
A pretty aggressive reply to basically say that the review gave you great information to make your own decision. You’re welcome, I guess.
Would pay extra for a system that bolts the receiver to the stock and a trigger group designed for a bullpup.
Terrible design! I like the idea behind it but it looks like one of the horrible California compliant rifles. They really should have made a grip you can get your thumb around. I can already imagine how awkward this thing is to shoot with your thumb just resting on the side of the gun. Top it off with a receiver that’s loose inside the chassis, no thanks! Go back and redesign it and we’ll see you next year for the improved version!
Looking at the way the ejection port eject straight out to the right, Blow back from a suppressor should not create any problems for a right handed shooter, Yes for a lefty, the ejection port is right under their chin and neck and the hot cartridge and gases are blown into a closed pocket.
Way cool, way overpriced, I paid less for the 10/22.
It’s all just plastic, $129 sounds about right and still leaves a lot of room.