I was in my favorite local gun store this weekend picking up a few things. A friend of mine who works there showed me the 2005 Winchester catalog, and told me that after 30 some years Winchester is discontinuing the 9422 line of lever actions. Apparently the machinery and tooling for producing them is wearing out, and Winchester isn't going to replace all the equipment.

For 2005, Winchester will be making three different additional series which will be priced above the regular series of rifles in .22 LR, .22 Mag, and 17 HMR calibers. There will be only a few hundred "Tribute" models with engraved and gold filled receivers, and fancy select walnut in each of the calibers. These will sell in the $2000+ price range.

There will be a few thousand "High Grade" models in each caliber. These will also have engraved receivers and fancier wood. They will sell for somewhere in the $800+ price range.

There will be one other line priced a little higher than the standard models, but I don't remember what that one was called. All the rest of the 9422 line-up from this year will still be produced in all there calibers.

This store is one of the largest gun dealers in Ohio, but they think they will only be allocated one each of the "Tribute" models for 2005. If any of you think you want one, it might be good to contact your local gun dealers now. I had my buddy put me down for one of the "High Grade" models in .22 Mag, since I don't have a .22 Mag lever action now.

This is kind of surprising since Winchester probably sells more 9422's than some of their regular '94 models. Kinda sad too.

Lets see. High priced, fancy models produced on machinery that's worn out? Winchester must be hoping that these guns are never fired. Maybe the tolerances will be within their specs but I would never pay a premium price for one of these, knowing what I do now.

My opinion, of course.

Just bought a used 9422, straight stock, 20 inch barrel, 22 WMR for $269. The gun doesn't look like it has been fired much. Very good shape. The stock and forearm are that shiny looking polyurethane stuff....will probably strip it down and redo it in a deep walnut color and sorta satin finish. The stock isn't checkered at all so it may have been a replacement. intend to use it for target shooting and some hunting possibly. We'll have to see how it shoots first. In the light of the original post, glad I bought one now. I have a 9422 Legacy in .22LR that is scoped and a super shooter at 50 yds. kinda sick at 200 yds though. Intend to use the .22 magnum with iron sights on the indoor range at 25 yds thru the winter months for plinking fun times. I use a Marlin 25 MN bolt action, .22 WMR for shooting 200 yds at the outdoor range.

Called USRA. They said they are preparing their 2006 catalog, and the 9422 is in it. They said there will be some changes to the .22 LR version in 2006, but the .22mag and .17HMR versions will remain the same.

Yes, they are pricey, but they are good guns.

I think it would be cool if USRA would reintroduce the Model 1873 in .22LR.

I think it would be cool if USRA would reintroduce the Model 1873 in .22LR.

I'd be the first in line to buy one with a 24" Octagonal barrel and a nice casehardened finish on the receiver.

wrj4,

Considering that the 2005 catalog hasn't been released to the general public yet, I think if you check back with Winchester, it was the 2005 catalog they were telling you about.

wrj4,

Considering that the 2005 catalog hasn't been released to the general public yet, I think if you check back with Winchester, it was the 2005 catalog they were telling you about.

Rest assured, the 2005 catalogs are printed. The only thing being worked on for the 2005 catalogs is distribution.

The guy on the phone was definitely talking about the 2006 catalog. He was talking about doing the design work for it, and that they were putting the 9422 into it. Think about it. They spend months just deciding what the catalog will look like, along with advertising for the year that will reflect the themes in the catalog. It has to be approved by everybody from marketing to the legal department. After prelininary approval, it takes lots of graphic design work and so forth before the 2006 catalog is presented for approval, revisions, final approval and printing. You don't wait until November then throw stuff like that together at the last minute. Before they start any of that work, they have to know what is in the catalog, and they know the 9422 is in the 2006 catalog.

Rest assured, the 2005 catalogs are printed. The only thing being worked on for the 2005 catalogs is distribution.

The guy on the phone was definitely talking about the 2006 catalog. He was talking about doing the design work for it, and that they were putting the 9422 into it. Think about it. They spend months just deciding what the catalog will look like, along with advertising for the year that will reflect the themes in the catalog. It has to be approved by everybody from marketing to the legal department. After prelininary approval, it takes lots of graphic design work and so forth before the 2006 catalog is presented for approval, revisions, final approval and printing. You don't wait until November then throw stuff like that together at the last minute. Before they start any of that work, they have to know what is in the catalog, and they know the 9422 is in the 2006 catalog.

<hehe> Yeah! BUT...the 480/475 is in the Marlin catalog and on their website...but try to order one.....in print...doesn't mean "truth" or "fact," necessarily, as those wanting that particular Marlin gun have discovered. I would imagine that could also be said of almost any of the gunmakers. There is many a slip between the catalog and the lip, so to speak! ;)

It is true that all the gun makers offer things that are produced infrequently and in small quantities. For example, a few years ago, I tried to get a Ruger Red Label O/U in 28 gauge. I called a dozen distributors, and they all told me that Ruger makes them in batches, few and far between, and good luck finding one. Never did get one. Might be able to get one now, but now I am not looking.

As far as discontinued guns go, the USRA guy said they ARE changing the 22LR version in 2006, right? So really, we agree that the current version of the 9422 (at least in .22 LR)will no longer be made after 2005. They apparently are still going to offer something called the 9422, but it will be different.

We'll know the REAL story in 2007, right?

OMG... 2007?? Gads, let's see....that's 3 years from now...I'm 67 now....that will make me 70...geesh, my social security will run out before then!! :rolleyes: or I might have altzheimers by then...if so, I won't miss anything then! :D

I have seen the 2005 winchester catolog and the only model 94 in there is the 30-30. the rest are being discontinued which should be annouced and the shot show. the plant the makes the 94's is closing its doors.

I have seen the 2005 winchester catolog and the only model 94 in there is the 30-30. the rest are being discontinued which should be annouced and the shot show. the plant the makes the 94's is closing its doors.

I have a Mod 9422M with under a 10,000 serial no. It was the first 9422 sold in El Paso county, Texas, in 1972, the year it came out, and were not yet available. The Number is
F-98** , has had 1 box of shells fired through it, and is vertually new, and still in the box with all the papers.

Cook's sporting goods in El Paso, Texas got two 9422s, one a .22 LR, and mine which is a .22 WMR . There was a waiting list for the 9422s and a friend of mine was the manager of the store, and called me on Sunday when the store was closed, and asked me which one I wanted, to which I answered both. He laughed, and said I could have only one of them, I took the .22 Mag.

As far as the 9422s now, I wish they would discontinue all but two. Both somthing they don't make today! I wish they would offer two models Both with case colored action, streight gripp, octegon barrels, one with a 16" barrel TRAPPER, with a saddle ring , and a 24" octigon barreled , full length magazine tube RIFLE, both chambered in .22LR, and .22 WMR, and can the things they make today.

With the popularity of COWBOY guns today those two would sell like hotcakes on a cold morning! I know I'd buy one of each in a heart beat! :cool:

I suspect USRAC isn't discontinuing the current 9422 because of worn tooling. But because it is an all forged and machined gun. Hense, expensive to make.
More than likely, after the special runs are made and gone, they will introduce an "improved" 9422. One made with a cast aluminum receiver, filled with MIM parts and or plastic. And I'll bet my fat old tom cat it will have a rebounding hammer and a safety.

Just my take on things.

Joe

Well, looks like the guy on the phone at USRA and I were full of beans. I thought I was getting it straight from the horse's mouth, but the guy I talked to was out of the loop. The "Winchesterguns" web site clearly says 2005 is the last year for the 9422. Oh, well. I guess I had better get a 9417 now if I ever want one.

Maybe the Henry has hurt the market for them. The Henry is a nice handling, good looking gun. The finish and the wood are actually pretty good. Most people looking at it and a 9422 would see a big price difference, and everything else on the outside would look about the same. It is a lot cheaper because it uses a pot metal frame with what is essentially a cosmetic steel shell over it. It is an obvious cosmetic ripoff of the 9422, without all the steel parts.

I wonder what sort of 22 rimfire USRA will offer in its place? They still make the high wall, I guess, but an $800 22 LR is almost not in the picture at all. Time will tell.

On the other hand, the guy on the phone did say that the 9422 was changing for 2006. Maybe it's being replaced by something similar, but more competitively-priced.

my buddy that is a "winchester advisory center" said he believes they will remake the 94 series but it will be a cheaper version and the collectors will want the originals

And since the 9417 is not in the 2005 catalog it might be nice to have one in the future. So I bought one maybe somebody will appreciate it someday.

Sometimes I wish gun collecting would fall out of fashion. There are a lot of nice guns out there that a shooter like me cannot afford to own because they are all sitting in collectors' gun safes, never to be fired again.

Distributors are all selling out of the 9417. I did manage to cobble onto one for about $20 more than wholesale, for my brother's COLLECTION!!! I am going to insist that he shoot the d***ed thing!

Oh, well. THere are other nice 17HMRs out there.

Just came back from shooting my 9422M to see how it does accuracy wise. Bought that gun years ago and never shot it much. It had a 2-7 power scope on it with fine crosshairs and it shot about an inch to inch and a quarter at 85yds. I decided to take the scope off of it (like it alot better that way) and see how good I could shoot it then. I could still put every shot in the 1" bull at 50yds. from the bench. I can't wait to take it rabbit hunting.