I go in streaks with my shooting interests. Shotguns for a while, handguns for a while, bolt and lever action rifles... getting back into my 10/22s again. They are just fun, solid little guns. Of course, each time I get into the 10/22 mood, it usually means buying more aftermarket parts.
Between my two 10/22's, going back to my teenage years, I've bought:
10 scopes
6 stocks
5 muzzle devices
4 sets of scope rings
4 slings
3 extended magazines
3 rotary magazines
3 extended magazine releases
3 automatic bolt releases
3 bolt buffers
3 comb-raising products
2 barrels
2 red dot sights
2 trigger kits w/ shims
2 slip-on recoil pads (for length)
2 scope mount bases
1 drop-in trigger
1 set of tech-sight peep sights
1 laser sight
1 MagPul angled foregrip
1 heat shroud
1 limbsaver barrel deresonator
1 extractor kit
...and probably other useless stuff I'm forgetting. Definitely wasted money in there, but in the grand scheme of life, not too terrible. I was poor as a teenager, so at least the junk I bought was inexpensive junk.
Not that anyone asked, but a few lessons I've learned...
Triggers
If I changed only one thing on a 10/22, it would be the trigger... either with a hammer & spring kit, drop-in assembly, or sending it to someone like Brimstone Gunsmithing. Or DIY if you have the knowledge (I don't).
Stocks
After a lot of stock swapping, both of my guns ended up in Hogue stocks. Sturdy, nice grip, sling swivel studs, and straighter buttstock provides better checkweld with optics than the factory stock (a Beartooth comb kit fits nicely if you still need a higher comb).
Barrels
The factory barrels are better than they get credit for. The factory triggers hinder accuracy more than the barrels. I tried a carbon fiber bull barrel. Didn't like it and I went back to the factory barrel.
Magazines
Avoid double stack magazines. The 30-rounders I've tried (Ramline and Champion, I think) are both worthless. The Ruger 10-shot rotary magazines and BX-25 magazines have worked really well.
Misc. Parts
The automatic bolt release, extended magazine release, and bolt buffer are inexpensive, easy to install, and worthwhile. (I believe new 10/22s come with extended magazine releases).
Muzzle brakes are mostly pointless on a .22, but a steel one adds a few ounces out front, which may increase stability slightly when aiming.
Sights
Among cheap rimfire scopes, I like Simmons better than Tasco, Bushnell, or Barska. Their 4x scope has longer, less critical eye relief. Holds zero well too. With any of the cheap 3-9x32 scopes, the image gets dark around 7x and higher.
Burris's Droptine 2-7x35 rimfire scope is pretty nice among moderately priced scopes (got mine for $135) and 2-7x covers all my plinking/hunting needs.
For reduced weight, I prefer a Leupold 2.5x20 scope (6.75 oz.) to red dots. The red dots were a little lighter, but a low powered scope seems more versatile.
AO scopes are fun to try, but they come with added cost and weight, and their advantages are largely wasted on a hunting/plinking gun where shot distances change frequently.
Tech-Sights are the best iron sights I've ever used (I've also tried Williams, Skinner, XS, and Marbles sights on other guns)
