What do you guys think of the Winchester 22 Mag lever gun?

[Canuck Bob]

A guy just offered me a 22 Mag Winchester lever. I am looking for a nice 22 lever and the Mag suits me fine. Are these well made or post-64 style with stamped parts and roll pins?

[meanc]

Own one. Very reliable. Shoot it well. Really like it.

[Old Savage]

Super, take it - been looking for one for years at the right time.

[Hobie]

I think I'd like to have one... I can remember the first 9422M I ever saw at Homestead Gun Shop in Harrisonburg. Didn't have the money then.

[rjohns94]

I have one, a recent addition and love it.

[Canuck Bob]

I'm leaning hard toward buying. Is $450 a decent price?

[pokey]

very nice piece.
a little expensive to feed,though.

meet mine.

9422m.JPG

[Canuck Bob]

Nice rifle Pokey.

I don't drink, do drugs, or womanize, well not for many years anyway, so a 100 rounds of 22 mag on a Saturday keeps me from other very expensive hobbies some men foolishly indulge in (I once sold my guns to pay a divorce lawyer, now thats expensive).

Reports suggest these little rifles handle like the Win 94. Now that is some compliment. I understand they are slick actions as well. Sounds like I'm talking myself into another rifle.

I got a 10/22 but it is not much fun anymore. I've really moved on to levers exclusively it seems.

[pokey]

Reports suggest these little rifles handle like the Win 94.

true story, very similar in weight, size and handling .

[gamekeeper]

I've had two and they were both excellent, I only sold them because of our stupid UK gun laws.

[kenken0269]

I picked one up about 4 months ago and love it. You can't go wrong with it. Shoots really good.

[L_Kilkenny]

Can't speak for quality myself but the 9422 mag is a gun that pulls me into 2 opposite directions. First off, I'm not a fan of the .22 mag. With the newer hyper velocity .22lrs out there like the velocitors you aren't gaining that much with the magnum. IMO, about 50 yards extra range in both trajectory and energy. But on the opposite side of things I think the 9422Ms, the 9622Ms and the Henry .22M pumps have an appeal to me I just can't explain. If the price was right I'd take one and more than likely enjoy it.

LK

[rangerider7]

I have a Winchester 9422 M and love it!

[Rimfire McNutjob]

Of course, he could be talking about a Winchester 255 and not a 9422M.

[JB]

Of course, he could be talking about a Winchester 255 and not a 9422M.

Good point. I'll jump on the 9422M bandwagon though. Mine is more accurate at 100 yards than many of the 22 mag bolts I've shot. I've fired a couple 9422M's that weren't as accurate, so I'm assuming I just got a good one.

[Tumbleweeds II]

I bought one of those several years ago, and traded it even up for a Ruger No. 1 after they were discontinued. The 9422m is a nice rifle, but the .22 WRM is pretty useless around here unless you're a deer poacher. Buy it if you want it, you can enjoy it until you get tired of it and it will make a nice trade-in.

[RIHMFIRE]

if its a 9422m.....grab it

[Canuck Bob]

It is a 9422M XTR from the earlier days. I'm going to confirm the s/n but it is a straight stock with no checkering and the rifle has some miles on it.

I too have mixed feelings about the 22M. With the capability to send 40 grains down range at +1800. 30 gr at 2200, and Federal 50 gr at +1500 offers a step up over the 22 LR.

If I buy it I'll install my Leupold 2.5X UL scope. The gun will punch paper to 50 meters and tin cans to 75 m with a 50 m zero so range is not important.

[COSteve]

While I think that a Winchester 22mag levergun would be fun to own, I just can't talk myself into buying one because of the ridiculous price of 22 mag ammo. The cheapest price I can find for 22 mag ammo is $69.95 per box of 500 (Fiocchi 40gr. Hollow Point Ammo) which works out to 13.99¢ per round.

The thing is, I can load my 357mag or 38spl+P or a 38spl wimpy load with a 158grn JSP, plated, or moly coated lead bullet for between 13.10¢ and 13.60¢ per round. A 125grn round is even cheaper. At that price, I can't see getting a separate 22 mag platform, especially because the Winchester is the same size and weight as my Rossi 357mag.

[L_Kilkenny]

It is a 9422M XTR from the earlier days. I'm going to confirm the s/n but it is a straight stock with no checkering and the rifle has some miles on it.

I too have mixed feelings about the 22M. With the capability to send 40 grains down range at +1800. 30 gr at 2200, and Federal 50 gr at +1500 offers a step up over the 22 LR.

If I buy it I'll install my Leupold 2.5X UL scope. The gun will punch paper to 50 meters and tin cans to 75 m with a 50 m zero so range is not important.

Couple thoughts/questions here.....

Are the XTRs the ones with the laminated brown stocks? Always liked those a lot.

Pretty sure the 40 grainers are closer to 1900 by the book but still with a couple of 40gr. .22LRs at 1600fps plus (again, by the book) things are a lot closer. And while the light weight magnums step out at a good clip they lose gas fast. On top of that for a 50 yard paper puncher and plinker a .22M seems to have ZERO advantages over the LR and some very big disadvantages. If you truely want a under 100 yard paper puncher and plinker bide your time and get a .22LR 9422.

Steve, I understand what you are saying but there are lots of times when I just don't want to reload or patrol up brass. I don't think a .22M is the answer and centerfires are better but.................

LK

[COSteve]

Steve, I understand what you are saying but there are lots of times when I just don't want to reload or patrol up brass. I don't think a .22M is the answer and centerfires are better but.................LK

I hear ya on that. Even though cost wise it just don't make sense to me, I've got a itch about owning one myself. I'm just intrigued by the performance of the little 22 mag. If the cost of ammo was 2/3 of what it is currently, I'd jump on one tomorrow.

I guess my 'cheap button' was pushed and that little voice in my ear is saying, "It ain't worth the ammo cost." That said, I've looked at the little Henry H001Ms as well as the Winchesters 22 mags and so far, not withstanding the itch, I'm sticking to my 357 ..................................... so far.

[Canuck Bob]

I have zero experience with the 22 Mag. I took the velocity numbers off of Federal's website. They make the 50 grain load and this would be the one I'd shoot.

I can buy at $10.50 a box of 50 so that makes it $21/100 or .21 per round according to a website with a local store. It seems that 17 HMR are running about $26-27/100. That got my attention! I think if I was carrying the rifle as a working gun on a tractor and not shooting it alot it would make a great farm nuisance problem rifle. However for a high volume shooter it is a concern.

It is interesting to note that hardly anyone complains about 17HMR costs on the rimfire forums but will automatically mention 22 Mag costs. But $2 or more for a 10 shot magazine load might be a deal breaker. I just realized my 32-20 will send 100 gr down range at +1500 all day long and beat the price with cast.

Thanks guys for some sound advice.

[horsesoldier03]

I dont have one, but I have been thinking about it. I have issues dropping $500 for a supped up .22. IMO, I would be more inclined to go with a .357 / .38 carbine. I reload for those calibers and IMO it gives you cheap shooting ammo and has a broader range of versatility. All that being said, I have never shot a winchester lever that I didnt like.

[Ji in Hawaii]

I think the 9422 is the only levergun dba Winchester/USRA didn't mess up trying to fix something that wasn't broken.

[3leggedturtle]

I have both Henry 22Mag and Puma 357. Love'em both but for different reasons
The Henry is slimmer and carries better. Dont have to worry about chasing brass. Wouldnt wanna shoot a deer except in survival situations. But 100 rounds of 22 mag is easy to carry all day. 357 lever like a 25/20 is a must have. But i have spent time shooting dirt clods and rocks out to 300 yards or so. Dont take much to get hang of it, And i dont have to look for brass, so can burn up 12 rounds as fast i can or want too Shoot a good 12 pack is $15-16 How long does that last? dont stay cold very long when you carry it all day If you cant tell i love the 22 mag. Only bad thing about it is I waited until 2006 to buy one!!

[Canuck Bob]

Well I decided to wait a bit and the gun sold. Finance and oppurtunity rarely coincide in my life.

I''m sold on the LR 9422 however and will own one some day.

In the end the 22 Mag wasn't different enough from my 32-20 handloaded down a bit. It was no comparison loaded up a bit. Cast and fast powder suggests that a cheap casting set-up will offer ammo at close prices. 3 cent powder charges, 4 cent primers, 7 cent gc cast 110 gr bullets or 9 cent commercial 96 gr cast no gc, 23 cents for XTP, and 5 cents to amoritize my gear over 5000 rounds to 50% of its remaining costs, 10 cents a case amortized over the life of the case offers reasonable cost.

29 cent load for cast GC or $14.50 per box
31 cent load for comm. cast or $15.50 per box
45 cent load for 100 gr XTP or $22.50 per box

Clear choice for me.

[COSteve]

I just don't see why 22mag ammo can't be made for say, 10¢ per round or less in a bulk pack. That's twice as much as a bulk pack of 22lr and I think that it would sell well. If they did, I'd buy a 22mag levergun that very day. However, at their current cost of about 4 times the cost of 22lr and 1½ times the cost of my reloaded 38spl or 357mag, I just can't see them for now. One can hope though.

[Lastmohecken]

They don't make those Winchester 94/22 mags anymore and they are getting higher all of the time. If you can get one for $450.00, get it, I doubt you will loose money on it, if you decide to sell later.

I have owned a nice checkered stocked one, for a few years now, and I love it. It kills a lot better then a 22 long rifle.

And it's true you can down some bigger rifles, but the .22mag is legal to carry a lot of the year, when the .357 is not, in my state, but it's not a plinking round, it's a hunting round, and that is where it shines.

[Blaine]

A real kick*axe rifle...Mine is not ever for sale, or It's little bro the 22lr 9422

[Idiot]

Hey pal, that's an excellent rifle, chambered in a very useful cartridge, offered at a good price. Don't be stupid and stingy - buy it.

[Washita]

The 94/22M is a great little rifle--I love mine. I use it for Pistol Cartridge Cowboy Silhouettes. I also have a Rossi 1892 I bought for this, but so far have ended up using the .22 Mag. Lotsa fun to shoot, zero recoil, accurate, ample power and I don't have to pick up brass. At my advanced age I really appreciate this--bending over gets a little harder every day!

So far as cost is concerned, handloaded .38/.357 vs. .22 WMR is just about a wash unless you cast your own bullets, which I don't. I did it many years ago and may do it again some day, but not now.

[El Chivo]

it sounds to me like it would be a great hunting round - better range and trajectory, more likely to hit on small game. For hunting, ammo cost is usually a non-issue, your gas and other expenses are much more significant.

For target shooting though, ammo cost is a consideration. Figure a shot a minute and add it to your range fees and gas. Here 22lr will give you a much longer day at the range. So I would go by which use pertains to you the most - do you hunt or punch paper?

I was going to get a 22 mag to take hunting as most critters know the range of the 22lr. But I got a .243 instead, so I can use it for deer or critters. It's for hunting only, so what if it's $2.00 a shot?

[pricedo]

Sold a 9422M in 2003 that was of good solid construction & a good shooter but I needed the cash.
Didn't use it much because of the high cost of .22 WM ammo..........was always sorry I didn't buy a 9422 ......if it had been a 9422 I would have kept it.
Little did I know that the New Haven plant was fated to go belly up 3 years later in 2006 & the gun would become a collectors item.