a 10/22 dry fired can put a ridge on the barel (and or damage the pin ) with seems to hold the cartridge away causing missfires , ive done a couple where the barrel needed to be re flatened then the work a treat ..
I went through the same process and wnded up with a CMMG
Tried most of what else was around at the time and well they didnt feel right if i was buying one now i would probably get Baldie on here to nake one as close to the 22 straight pull ive just bought from him .
If you like diffent there is also the Beryl ak full metal http://www.rusmilitary.com/html/firearms_beryl22.htm
good fun and accurate