Volquartsen Summit Review: A Straight-Pull .17 HMR Rifle Sure To Surprise

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I think it’s safe to say that Volquartsen Firearms has the precision rimfire market pretty well figured out, and they’ve spent the last 50 years proving that their products all have three things at the core: they’re well-crafted, handcrafted, and made in the USA. All of that is true about the Volquartsen Summit rifle.

Given the reputation that Volquartsen has worked to build over the past half-century, my expectations for this rifle were high. Put succinctly, I was not disappointed.

The Summit is a toggle-lock straight-pull rifle that comes from the same family tree as the Ruger 10/22. Originally designed and manufactured by Precision Weapons Systems, production was taken over by Volquartsen in 2018.

Truth be told, I wasn’t looking for a Volquartsen when I set out in search of a straight-pull rifle in .17 HMR. It was only after months of searching for a Browning T-Bolt with a threaded barrel and coming up empty every time that I actually learned about the Summit.

Decisions Made Easy

The more I looked into the rifle, the more I knew that it was what I actually needed. Having owned other Volquartsen guns, I knew the quality was there. Plus, the Summit line is almost infinitely customizable right from the factory and that’s saying something considering that aftermarket 10/22 parts are literally everywhere.

If you want the decisions made for you, there are seven standard configurations available. A barreled receiver is also an option, or you can go the full-custom route, which is what I did.

The rifle I ended up with has a CNC-machined superlite anodized aluminum receiver equipped with a rapid release magazine lever and a 16.75” lightweight carbon fiber barrel threaded 1/2x28, all nestled in an AS-1 laminated stock. I chose black for all of my component colors and blue for the stock, which I think really makes the whole thing pop. Without an optic, the gun weighs six pounds. When fully outfitted with a suppressor, rings, scope, and loaded mag, my Summit weighs in at just under eight pounds.

You could also opt for a stainless steel receiver with an 18.5” stainless steel bull barrel for a gun that comes in around eight-and-a-half pounds. You can choose your style of fluting or opt to forgo it.

Ergonomics and Finishes

The receiver has an integrated picatinny rail that spans its entire length, and there are no iron sights. It’s worth noting that with the AS-1 stock, I found the comb a bit lower than expected and had to get a pair of low rings for my scope as the medium rings I had anticipated using were a bit too tall for achieving the optimum sight picture.

The toggle-lock on the action is easily manipulated by a generously sized vertical bolt handle that is angled and checkered for quick and easy operation. While not my preferred method of operation, I did find it easy to run the gun’s trigger with my middle finger and reserve my thumb and index finger for operating the bolt. If that’s how you like to do things, then you’ll find it to be a very enjoyable experience with the Summit.

The rapid release for the magazine is ambidextrous, and you have the option to leave both sides on or remove the one you don’t use. Since the gun is cousins with the 10/22, it feeds from Ruger 10/22 Magnum magazines that hold nine rounds of .17 HMR.

The magazines fit flush to the receiver and, with the AS-1 stock at least, are actually a bit recessed. This means that ejection of an empty magazine is effortless when the gun is held level on a horizontal plane. If, however, you want to remove it with the gun at a more vertical incline, it can take a bit of jiggling to get it to drop free. That said, it’s not an issue with the weight of a loaded magazine, just an empty one.

Loads of Fun

To say that the gun is an absolute joy to shoot would be an understatement. The website says that the curved trigger breaks at 1.75 pounds, but the average for my testing came out to 1.4 pounds and it breaks like glass every single time. When equipped with my BANISH 22 suppressor, the gun is stupid quiet for a .17 HMR and recoil is essentially nonexistent.

“No, I’m not a good shot, but I shoot often.” That’s what Teddy Roosevelt once told a reporter, and it’s something that I think applies to me, too. I tell you that to say that the Volquartsen Summit rifle shoots far better than I do. At 100 yards from a rest with 17-grain Federal ammo, my groups were less than an inch consistently.

In real world applications, the rifle performs excellently for my main use, which is critter control. Using the top edge of the bottom pane of the double-hung window in my office as a rest, I rolled an armadillo with one shot at 102 yards. As I said, I’m not a good shot, but when I saw that destroyer of yards at that range, I had no thoughts of needing to let it get closer before shooting. I surmised that the Summit would correct my errors, and I was right.

The flat bottom of the forend on the AS-1 stock is also perfect for resting on the folded down windshield on my side-by-side so that I can easily pick off the aforementioned armadillos when I’m cruising around on the farm.

Cost and Value

Volquartsen quality comes at a price. The seven standard configurations of the Summit rifle range from $1,405 to $1,751 and a barreled receiver is $1,275. Cost will vary considerably if you go the complete custom route, and my build was $1,470.

Whether you choose a standard configuration or go the custom route, the guns are all made to order. If you need a rifle immediately, then this gun isn’t for you. However, if you want something that is well-crafted, handcrafted, made in the USA, and you don’t mind a bit of a wait, then the Summit will not disappoint.

It doesn’t matter if you’re a seasoned competitive shooter or you’re looking for a rifle to get your kids or grandkids started on; this rifle can do the job. I told you I shoot often, but the Summit has started making me think that I actually might be a good shot after all.

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