I have the opportunity to pick one up for ~$100. I've never owned one and just wondered if any members here had some thoughts to share. Thanks.

I have had a 190 since about 1975. It's a fun trim gun to shoot and it works very well with a good scope.
When I first got mine it worked good for awhile then started to malfunction.
I talked to a gun smith who told me to remove the forearm and tighten the barrel nut.
The barrel nut was loose and tightening the nut solved the problem.
A little lock tite will keep it snug.
Disassembly is straight forward just push out the plastic pin and the trigger group drops right out.
The bolt can then be lowered and removed. However it is a bear to get the spring and bolt back into the frame. I use a short piece of coat hanger placed into the hole and work the spring down into the receiver. Then try to add the plastic rod and bolt. Good luck with that.
The price of $100 seems fair as most seen here in gunshops are at least $150.
I still take mine out to plink and with a Simmons 22 mag scope and CCI Blazers it makes nice little groups on the target.

Bruce

I remember my brother having a 190 many years ago. He had nothing but problems with it. Ended up practically giving it away. After witnessing his experience, I wouldn't give $100 for one.

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Misty

I picked up one about 15 or 20 years ago.
I bought it for $55 because it didn't work. After disassembly and cleaning out enough lead and brass shavings to make a battery it worked just great. I gave it to a friend of mine who needed a good rifle, and he's had it ever since. I did clean it for him a couple of years ago, and it was nasty again.

I guess that is a good deal. $85.00 or so would be better.
It's likely you'll have to give it a thorough cleaning to make it reliable.

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Lost it all in a boat accident

My daughter had one for a while; I degunked it and got it into working order, but being one of Winchester's post-64 guns, it was an exercise in cost-cutting. She unloaded it for about $75 and we got her into a Ruger 10/22 which is better designed and has all sorts of aftermarket options.

My Dad has a 290 he bought in the '60s and has never had a problem with it, except he had to have a scope mounted due to his failing eyesight. It shoots very good too and likes the Winchester Wildcat ammunition.

In 1978 you could buy a 190 with a small scope for $69 and the 290 for $79.
The gun is very easy to handle and the tubular magazine means you don't need to have extras.
Occasionally you might have a jam, but a couple of pulls on the bolt is about all it takes to clear.
Let us know how it works out for you.

Bruce

I had a brand new 190 back in the early '70s. I must not have been too fond of it because I didn't keep it very long but I never had any problems with it. IIRC, it would shoot shorts, longs, and long rifles.

It 'twas not to be...

The cocking bolt was very loose and bent? The wood was buggered and rough, and the action was extremely dirty. Dirty like there was something to hide...

Many thanks for everyone's input. I fully expected to post pics and a range report but sometimes it just doesn't happen the way you expect. I researched the 190/290 enough today that I think I will someday purchase one. I just want a better specimen than the one I held today.

The 190 was not one of Winchester's best efforts. It was a 1964 replacement for the M63, I believe, and used every cost cutting method they could incorporate to make it cheaper. Aluminum receiver, stamped parts, plastic parts, etc. They will not stand the test of time if used hard or often.

I mean, it's OK to have one but you probably ought to have something else as your main .22 rifle. You only need to compare one to a M61,2, or 3 to see the difference in quality materials and workmanship on these pre'64 guns.

Bought a new 290 in 1974 from Winchester - Hong Kong while in Thailand. Paid money, completed paperwork, and rifle was delivered back in USA. Two months later Post office refunded my purchase price for failing to deliver the rifle.

I have no idea about details, I just cashed the MO. Sold the rifle 10 years later -- it was not much to begin with and even less when I sold it. A 22 LR needs better than minute of buffalo accuracy.

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S&WHF 366