Tandemkross, likely America’s most prolific creator and supplier of accurizing parts, accessories and specialty tools for rimfire competition firearms, has a new barrel for Ruger’s modular 10/22. Not just a new barrel, but perhaps the newest .22 Long Rifle barrel concept since fluting and carbon fiber, Tandemkross introduces its Spitfire assembly featuring a thin stainless steel barrel supported by a tensioning aluminum shroud.
Match-grade barrels are, of necessity, stiff in order to resist warping under the heat generated from rapid sustained firing, which causes bullet impacts to wander away from point of aim. But “stiff” means “heavy,” which is not desirable in some rimfire competitions. Solutions to making barrels stiff yet not too heavy include machining longitudinal or spiral flutes into the outside of the barrel, or wrapping a slim, lightweight barrel in carbon fiber.
Engineers at Tandemkross took another approach, using an aluminum shroud to apply tension to the outside of what the company calls an “aggressively slim” barrel. The shroud provides stiffness and support rather in the manner a box girder bridge supports a roadway or railway, while the shroud’s aluminum construction keeps weight down. At 11½ ounces, Spitfire’s 16½-inch barrel and shroud assembly weigh less than a pound, a significant weight savings for rimfire shooters competing in fast-paced, shoot-and-move games. The shroud’s M-LOK cuts permit adding accessories, such as an Eagle Eye fiber-optic sight set, also offered by Tandemkross. Outside diameter of the shroud is .920 inch, the same as a standard bull barrel, so the Spitfire will fit any aftermarket stock that accepts a bull barrel.
Tandemkross elected to go with a standard SAAMI chamber in the Spitfire for semi-automatic reliability. The barrel breech face is hardened for durability, while the muzzle is threaded to accept a brake or suppressor. Guns don’t have to be ugly, and it appears the Spitfire is going to be the fashion queen at whatever matches it may appear. Tandemkross is offering barrels in black (PVD) and gold (TiN), as well as in bright stainless, which can be combined with black or red anodized aluminum shrouds, making a half-dozen possible color combinations.
Cost of the Spitfire assemblies ranges from $299.99 to $334.99, depending on the color combination selected, and can be ordered directly from Tandemkross now. Spitfires will be available at retailers beginning first quarter of 2025. Visit the Tandemkross website for more information. Additionally, Shooting Sports USA will evaluate the new Spitfire and give readers a full report.
