Attendees and instructors of the Revolutionary War Veterans Association’s heritage and marksmanship program known as the Appleseed Project have been modifying .22 semi-automatic rifles into a very specific form for years now, adding aperture iron sights, sling swivels, an enhanced magazine release, and a web sling to create what is known as the Liberty Training Rifle.

Marlin released a 795-based LTR this past year (we’re still trying to get our hands upon one), but Ruger has always been resistant to building a factory-custom rifle tailored for the program… until now.

Sorta.

You see, Ruger had a customer design contest to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Ruger 10/22, and an Appleseed instructor entered his version of a Ruger 10/22 based LTR. Other Appleseed instructors and attendees (of which there are over 100,000 now) voted for the rifle in the design contest and the result was that Gary from Michigan’s design won the contest.

And here it is at the SHOT Show.

The contest winner (we’ll call it the “Ruger LTR,” whatever the factory calls it) uses the same modular stock system found in the Ruger American Rimfire, with sling swivel studs installed.

The receiver features both an aperture rear sight and a Picatinny rail, and features an extended magazine release.

The front aperture sight is protected, and features a screw-off flash hider that can easily be replaced with a suppressor for those of you who have them.

The rifle is light, well balanced, and weatherproof. It should retail about $439 according to the factory rep.