Project Appleseed

There are a lot of misconceptions about how the OEM bolt lock/release works on the 10/22. Some people say, "fiddle with it until it works"; others say, "press UP to lock, press BACK to release". Neither of these is correct. There is a correct way, which works every time:

To operate the OEM bolt lock, use the 4-step method. The four steps are:
1.   Bolt Back: pull the bolt handle back with index finger or thumb.
2.   Bolt Forward: pull the bolt handle back, then release it to spring forward. Don't "ride the bolt" forward, as this can cause misfeeds.
3.   Blade In: Press the bolt lock lever (a scalloped or triangular "blade" between the trigger guard and the magazine release) in towards the trigger guard. It will necessarily move diagonally back-and-up because it pivots on a pin.
4.   Blade Out: Release the bolt lock lever.

To lock the bolt back: Do the steps in this order: 1-3-2-4. After Step 3, holding the blade in, allow the bolt to creep forward. As you feel it catch on the raised bolt lock, release the blade. The pressure of the bolt against the lock keeps the lock from descending.

To release the bolt: Do the steps in this order: 1-3-4-2.  When you release the blade with the bolt fully back, the bolt lock descends below the bolt, allowing the bolt to pass over it.

You can operate the bolt lock one-handed with the right hand if you hook your thumb over the bolt handle, allowing your fingers to curl under the stock; you can then operate the blade with your middle or ring finger. If you have iron sights, you can even do it left-handed.

When you have a student who is struggling with the OEM bolt lock, teach him this four-step method and have him practice it three times while you watch (with an empty rifle, of course). He will never have a problem with it again.

For discussion and visualization purposes, the bolt release instructions from the manual:

I find it much more easy to press the TOP of the bolt lock blade toward the trigger when locking the bolt and the BOTTOM of bolt lock blade toward the trigger when releasing the bolt.

Most new shooters mash the blade in the center for both and it rarely works. 

To lock the bolt:
While holding the bolt in its rearmost position, push and hold the bolt lock.  Ease the bolt forward, then release the bolt lock.  The bolt is now locked open.

To unlock the bolt:   
While holding the bolt in its rearmost position, push and release the bolt lock.  Ease the bolt forward.  The bolt is now released. 

I am aware of the Ruger manual, and still I find the distinction between "up" and "back" unhelpful because the lever doesn't really move in those ways. By breaking the process down into four discrete steps, I have found this method to be foolproof, if not idiot-proof. Every student (of dozens) I have taught using my approach has had 100% success after a two-minute instruction session. That's good enough for me.

Foolproof is really tough to achieve; idiot-resistant is much more do-able. ...
Sorry; I just couldn't resist!!