Inexpensive .22 caliber rifles that are modified to resemble military rifles are nothing new; the Stevens 87M was an early attempt to create a visually modified .22 rifle for military training, and today you can find many .22 LR weapons modified to look like almost any military rifle you want.

Few, though, look as good as the Kingston Armory rifles.

Kingston Armory, of Liberty, NY, makes rifles based on the 10/22 action that resemble the M1 Garand and (new for 2015) M14 rifles; indeed, calling them “visually modified 10/22s” is stretching the truth; Kingston Armory makes their receivers in-house from 4140 steel, which helps lend a very correct-feeling heft to the rifles.

From behind, the Kingston Armory rifles really do look convincing; the sights are National Match Garand and M14 sights and are as excellent as the originals, which really takes these guns out of “visual clone” territory and makes them trainers in their own right. In fact, the guns feature many new-production Garand and M14 parts, including stock fittings, gas blocks, sling swivels, etc.

That means you can – aside from loading for the Garand model – use and shoot the Kingston M1 and M14 .22s just like the originals. The rifles accept plentiful 10/22 magazines, and come with their own visually modified magazines to complete the look.

At $699 a piece, these guns are reasonably priced, if you are someone who wants a unique, good looking .22 that would be all the rage at an Appleseed shoot. Many will find that seven hundred dollars is too much for a .22, but I honestly was surprised the price was so low given the high quality of the wood and the 4140 receivers made in-house.