Winchester 9422

[MLB]

In my recent research into the Model 94, I came across the Model 9422. Being more of a bolt-action guy than an autoloader, I like the idea of a Model 94 chambered in .22lr. Anyone have any experience with it?

[TMan]

Well, I don't, but hopefully in the near future I will. I've always loved the looks and action of the 94, but never bought one. According to their web-site, the 9422 is being discontinued.

Since 1972, Winchester® has built one of the most famous and best loved rimfires on the market: the Model 9422. More than just a rimfire rifle, it is a foundation for learning accuracy, safety and building good memories. Model 9422s are appreciated by firearms aficionados and first-time buyers alike. The smooth, fluid action, special target crowns for improved accuracy and excellent fit and finish were all the evidence necessary to show that they were built to higher standards than other rimfires. Now, after 33 years, production of the time-honored Model 9422 is ending. The tooling is being retired, and the production line at the New Haven, Connecticut facility will stop. Never again will you have the opportunity to purchase rifles like these final production 9422s. In a well-deserved final applause, a special, limited edition run of only 9,422 will be produced in a Tribute Series, and 222 in the Custom Edition. Do not delay in selecting your rifle, you won’t get a second chance.

I wasn't aware that they made a 22 version of the 94. If you go to their web-site; www.winchesterguns.com/index.asp and click on the 94, which I've done several times recently, there is no mention of the 9422. You have to click on "All Product Lines", which will give you a click to get to:
www.winchesterguns.com/prodinfo/catalog/category.asp?cat=004C

I don't want a collectors model, but if my dealership can get me: www.winchesterguns.com/prodinfo/catalog/detail.asp?cat_id=524&type_id=047&cat=004C then I'll go for it.

Thanks for posting this. It reminds me of some saying about he who hesitates is lost. Anyhow, you get a big Well, since you are a guy, and I don't live in San Francisco, I hug would be more appropriate, but we only have a Smiley for a kiss, not a hug.

[MLB]

This being my son's 5th birthday, I was actually thinking of picking one up for his use when I feel he's old enough. I might have to make sure it gets some exercise once in a while though...

Regarding the kissing, hugging, or other kudos; next time you're in the area (or if I ever make it out to Texas), I like Guiness.

[TMan]

mlb said:

This being my son's 5th birthday, I was actually thinking of picking one up for his use...

Thinking of your son and buying for him... You make us all so proud of you. ;D

Actually, I did think of my grandson (13) when I bought the Ruger Bearcat. I shot it a couple of times, but I was very inaccurate with it. My instructor was there the last time I shot it and said: "It is too small for your hand. It is shifting because you aren't pulling the trigger straight back." It went into storage.

Just remember to tell your wife that you are buying it for him now because it is being discontinued. Another thing to tell her is that it will last forever and increase in value. He will pass it on to his son who will in turn pass it on to his son, et al. Over time it will develop a tremendous sentimental value because it was once owned by Great-Great-Great Grandfather: your son. (Be prepared with a box of tissues as she starts to tear up. That is good for some points too. If you do this well enough, she will suggest you buy a gun for youself too).

My grandson is riding around his Dad's backyard (he has an acre) on a Honda XL-75 that I bought for his Dad when he was 12. That gives me a lot of joy: thinking about his Dad's turf being torn up the way mine used to be. There are some joys in these "golden years".

[MLB]

I'm taking notes TMan. Thanks.

I have to get to my local shop to see what the "get real" price for these are. Winchester web site says $500 - $2300 depending on grade.

[TMan]

If I were you, I would not go for the more expensive ones. I think the extra cost is for cosmetics. You want something that people will shoot - right?

I normally would go for the most expensive, because my wife has trained me that way, but when the changes are cosmetic, then I'm not interested in the frills. If the trigger group was vastly improved, then I'd consider it, but not this year, I've blown the budget, and school/property taxes are coming up next month.

[TMan]

MLB, I got an e-mail from my dealer this morning. They still had the old ones listed on their web-site, but have since removed them. She was able to get me the cheap version of the Legacy for $449. I'll pick it up next week.

Hmmm, me, a gun, jet-lag... maybe they should evacuate the DFW metroplex. ;D

[MLB]

Wow, that was quick! I'm going to have to cut this out. That's the second gun you've bought that I've mentioned.

Unfortunately, the old Olds Intrigue had some rear suspension issues that I could not fix myself. So my funds available for guns will be depleted for a little while. Ah well. I may have to live vicariously through TMan...

[TMan]

Okay, what was the other one?

That is kind of rare about the rear suspension. Usually they are relatively trouble free since they are just along for the ride. Unless you've been carrying something heavy in the back - like a mother-in-law. ;D

So do I need to put you on some sort of a retainer to find guns that I like? I'm really getting interested in some of the old surplus items.

www.samcoglobal.com/rifles.html has a lot of interesting stuff that ain't too expensive. I need money for taxes. I won't be buying anything expensive for awhile, unless Somery talks me into the S&W 500.

[MLB]

Long long ago, I unintentionally talked you into a Ruger MKII Competition Target. It's not quite up there with the S&W M41, but nice nonetheless. (Take a look, it's buried under the P22, the ugly gun, & the Trailside )

Regarding the suspension, it started with an oil change. My wife mentioned that it was riding funny, and when I went to rotate tires, I noticed the broken coil spring. Replacing coil spring leads to worn strut, then of course you need to do both sides. After messing with all of that you need to do an alignment...

Some days, I think I'd be better off with a horse. (or a hog, which I did take advantage of today.)

[TMan]

mlb said:

Long long ago, I unintentionally talked you into a Ruger MKII Competition Target. It's not quite up there with the S&W M41, but nice nonetheless. (Take a look, it's buried under the P22, the ugly gun, & the Trailside )

Ah yes, I remember you got yours about the time I bought my 10" one (must have taken one of the wife's estrogen pills by mistake). I liked the pictures and what you had to say so much about yours, I had my dealer get me one.

You know how they have those IQ tests where you pick the item that doesn't belong? Okay, here goes:

Question: Of the group quoted above, which gun does not belong?

[5ontarget]

Did you hear that, that is the sound of another thread drifting madly off course....

mlb said:

I may have to live vicariously through TMan...

I think all of us on this board do a little bit.

Tman- your interest in Mil-Surp surpises me and scares me a little bit. With your taste for the fine crafted guns, I'm surpised to see your interest grow for the mass produced, grunt's guns. At the rate you aquire fine/high-end handguns, I fear how fast the arsenal will grow when you really get into the Mil-Surps. Much cheaper, easier to find, and easier to obtain with a C&R/FFL3. You may have to turn that pool of yours into an arms bunker/ammo depot

My interest came from 2 directions, history and affordability. Unfortunately for me, my list of "to aquire" is longer than my bank account, and the storage space I have.


My guess to your trivia question is the P22. The rest are geared more for target practice. I've only shot the Rugers, and Walther, and I know it is hard to compare the two. You've never seemed too happy with the P22.

[TMan]

5ontarget: bullseye!!! MLB didn't mention the Mosquito or the Walther PPK/s, but they are in the same class as the P22 (so are the J-22's

I really like the old military stuff. I've had a tremendous amount of pleasure shooting the SKS. The Nagant made my trigger finger sore, but I wanted it because of the way the cylinder moved forward to seal the gap before firing. The CZ-52: another interesting animal, but a horrible trigger and a bear to reassemble after a complete take-apart.

If you look at the prices of the Mil-Surplus stuff, you could buy a ton of it for what I paid for the X-Five. The problem is where to store it. (Currently, the X-Five, which I didn't finish cleaning, is partially on the kitchen table and partially in my wife's jewelry save.) Rifles take up a lot of room. With the acquisition of the 9422, getting back to the subject of this thread, I'm getting down to one more rifle unless I figure out some other way of storing the less expensive ones, or coming up with more off-sight storage.

Okay, drifting again - those of you that are living vicariously through me better stock up on penicillin.

[TMan]

Hey guys, you know I was just joking about that penicillin in that last post. Sorry, but I just couldn't resist. ;D

[MLB]

A thread adrift is better than one that's dead.

I'm sure you'd find plenty of offers for that off site storage you mentioned. I'd probably end up holding a Jennings on one hand and a P22 in the other. Good Grief!

[TMan]

Back to the subject: I picked it up today. It comes in their regular Winchester cardboard box, but then it has a red cardboard sleeve over it that says: Model 9422 Tribute-One of 9,422. They use the same sleeve whether you buy the High-Grade or Special Edition version.

On the left side of the rifle it says: "Model 9422 Tribute".

From their web-site:



Model Model 9422, Special Edition Legacy Tribute
Item Number 524047103
Caliber / Gauge 22 L-LR
Magazine Capacity 15 LR
Barrel Length 22 1/2"
Nominal Overall Length 39 1/8"
Nominal Length of Pull 13 1/2"
Nominal Drop at Comb 1 1/8"
Nominal Drop at Heel 1 7/8"
Nominal Weight 6 lbs.
Rate of Twist 1 turn in 16"
Metal Finish Blued
U.S. Suggested Retail $551

[MLB]

The pistol grip verision must feel a bit better. "My" 94 has the traditional straight stock.

[TMan]

I took it to the range yesterday. After I completed my range officer training, I took it out of the case and started shooting off-hand while standing. It was shooting about 6" high at 25 yards. At this point my instructor came over and suggested that since the gun was new, I should be shooting it off sandbags. So, I went and got some sandbags, put several in the front and then one in the back. I couldn't hit anything. I was shooting Shoot-N-C targets and there was nothing to "C".

I looked at the rear sight and saw that it was up all the way. Well no wonder. I then brought it all the way back and up two clicks. I was then hitting the target, but I was all over the place. I really couldn't see the front sight.

I stood up and started shooting again. Not bad. The groups weren't too tight, but that was because of me, not because of the gun.

My instructor stopped by again and said: Not bad. I explained to him that I couldn't hit squat off the sandbags. He laughed and asked me if I had "progressive lenses". I said yes, and he explained that off the bags it was forcing me to look through the top part of my glasses so the front sight was out of focus. When I was standing, I was able to raise my head and get the sight into focus.

With the exception of one ejection failure, the gun performed well. The problem I had was knowing when the gun was empty. I was loading 15 rounds, and then I would count the shots. At one point I thought I should take off one shoe because I obviously couldn't count to 15. I don't like it with a rim-fire and I hear a click and no bang.

The bolt has two "extractors" that grip the bullet while it is loading it. It is kind of cool, but what would you expect - the Winchester 94 was another John Moses Browning product.

[MLB]

I received a Winchester catalog in the mail yesterday. While perusing it, I noticed that they also offer a version of the Model 94 chambered in .410, the Model 9410 of course.

I never realised how many versions there were.

[TMan]

MLB, before you buy a 9422, you might want to take a look at the Henry Rifles. I was looking at a Henry Golden Boy today. This particular model had the large loop lever, which I don't particularly care for. I previously bought a Henry Pump .22LR, and I'm impressed by it. If I was to buy another lever action, I think I would buy a Henry.

I was also impressed that when I asked them a question via e-mail, I got a reply from the company's president the next day. Yeah right, it was more than likely from his administrative assistant, but having his name on it was a nice touch.

Another interesting .22LR is the Thompson Center semi-automatic. It has fiber optic sights, which for people my age, is a big plus. Yes, you can always add sights to a gun, but "adding" costs dollars and you already paid for the sights that came with the gun. I'm not too wild about buying guns and then buying replacement parts. Between the Rifle Basix trigger and the Volquartsen Sear, I have over $125 worth of parts in the Ruger 77/22.

It is like buying a new BMW 325 and then adding in a new cam, headers, supercharger, HD clutch, etc. So after adding $20,000 - $30,000 guess what you have: an expensive 325. You would have been better off to buy an M3.

However, I must confess that although I haven't done it yet, I find the thought of buying a Ruger 10/22 and then modifying it somewhat seductive.