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Cowgirl Corner: Winchester 9422 excellence

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North Country Gal
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Cowgirl Corner: Winchester 9422 excellence

Post by North Country Gal » Wed Apr 18, 2018 7:01 pm

Wasn't planning on buying another rifle, but ...

You know how that goes. Yup, couldn't pass up this 9422, made in 1975, just like our other 9422, also, by coincidence, made in 1975. The difference, with this new one, is its condition. It is truly mint all the way. For the $500 we paid for it, we could turn right around and sell not for a profit, but, of course, we won't. I enjoy shooting 9422s too much and they are getting harder and harder to find.
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So what's the big deal about the Winchester 9422? One, is construction quality. All walnut and steel, no plastic or alloy anything. It rivals the Marlin 39 in that respect. Moreover, the wood to metal fit on this gun rivals any lever gun I've ever owned.

Another is the butter smooth action. The action is much easier to cycle than a Marlin 39. I'd rate it's ease of operation right there with a Henry.
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Last is accuracy. Haven't shot this one, yet, but I have no doubt it will shoot with our other 9422, which, is right there with our Marlin 39s.

Another plus for this gun is its early vintage. In the early days of the 9422 (the first 9422 was made in '72), Winchester spent a lot of money on an ad campaign to explain why they were charging so much for the 9422. Their competition was the Marlin 39, also a very expensive gun for a 22. Winchester went to great lengths, then, to turn out a quality product.

In the last years of the 9422, in the 90s, Winchester was struggling and, to keep the price competitive on the 9422, that made some changes. The biggest one was to start using the larger 22 mag receivers for both the 22 LR versions and the 22 mag versions. When using the 22 mag receiver on the 22 LR guns, they discovered that the gun would not reliably cycle 22 Shorts, however. These later guns will be stamped 22 S - L - LR with the S stamped over or just 22 L - LR with no S. Not a big deal, perhaps, but 9422 fans do prefer the correct sized receiver on the earlier 22 LR versions, not to mention that it is nice to be able to shoot 22 Shorts, now and then. I may do that with this one, just for fun.
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Our weather will be warming up, later this week, so I will report back on how this nice 9422 shoots, as well as a report or two on some other guns. In the meantime, will have to decide what I'll do for sights on this one. Nice thing to think about on such a fine 22 lever gun.
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RetiredSeabee
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Re: Cowgirl Corner: Winchester 9422 excellence

Post by RetiredSeabee » Wed Apr 18, 2018 7:52 pm

Once again the Northwoods Gun Whisperer shows her talent is powerful.
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Re: Cowgirl Corner: Winchester 9422 excellence

Post by PT7 » Wed Apr 18, 2018 8:11 pm

Not too often would I think this :idea:
If this rifle were mine, that beautiful wood & steel would be hanging on a special wall display!

"Not a shot...barrel never hot!" ;)
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~Пока~

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Re: Cowgirl Corner: Winchester 9422 excellence

Post by Sailorjerry » Wed Apr 18, 2018 11:28 pm

Congratulations & Great find! My first rifle was a 9422, Christmas of 1979, at the age of 13. Best 22 rifle ever made; in my humble opinion. She's with me for the long haul and I look forward to teaching my Grandson how to shoot with it. He's only 3 now and will have to wait a few years.
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Re: Cowgirl Corner: Winchester 9422 excellence

Post by Mistered » Thu Apr 19, 2018 12:03 am

The action is much easier to cycle than a Marlin 39.
No doubt true - I recall handling and cycling a 9422 I ALMOST bought new in 1977 and remember it being buttery smooth - much more than the Marlin 39A I bought many years later. I'll say the Marlin 39 and the Winchester 9422 are the pinnacle of lever .22 quality. I think the Marlin may have have the nod as the 'better' gun only due to time in grade.
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Re: Cowgirl Corner: Winchester 9422 excellence

Post by North Country Gal » Thu Apr 19, 2018 10:23 am

Thanks, folks.

I agree that the Marlin 39A has the tradition behind it. Very few rifles can even come close in that respect. It's still the same basic action from the first ones made in the 1890s. It's been around almost as long as 22 rimfire cartridges. It's essentially an 1894 Marlin with a few wrinkles for shooting 22 LRs.

The 9422 action is all modern, by comparison. It was designed from the ground up around the 22 LR. It has no counterpart in any of the centerfire Winchester lever guns. One feature I forgot to mention is that the 9422 can also be taken down with one screw, similar to the Marlin 39. makes for easy cleaning and maintenance.
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Re: Cowgirl Corner: Winchester 9422 excellence

Post by Henry88 » Thu Apr 19, 2018 2:23 pm

Beautiful gun NCG.

My M70 was made about that same time; bought it new in Miami. Always loved the 9422 from a distance; just never had the money.

That M70 is still the only centerfire rifle I have, save a few Mausers my dad brought home I never shot.

And I never owned a lever action until I got the H001, and it's amazing how the Henry follows the same lines as the Winchester, especially with the front sight hood on. One thing immediate, no humongous screws holding the receiver cover on. The 9422 looks so much cleaner, and up close I'm sure that bluing (?) is something to behold. To lock that away in a safe would be a crime...........
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Re: Cowgirl Corner: Winchester 9422 excellence

Post by RanchRoper » Thu Apr 19, 2018 4:47 pm

That is a beauty. Good find.
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Re: Cowgirl Corner: Winchester 9422 excellence

Post by Shakey Jake » Thu Apr 19, 2018 8:55 pm

Nice lookin' .22. I love shooting .22's easy on the pocket and fun ta'boot.
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Re: Cowgirl Corner: Winchester 9422 excellence

Post by Mistered » Thu Apr 19, 2018 10:53 pm

Lets also not forget the Browning BL22 - another excellent .22 rifle and I actually owned one of these at one time - but sold it due to the fact it was too small for me and I did not like the trigger traveling with the lever - and the subsequent finger pinch. Otherwise a GREAT rifle.
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