winchester 9422 why prices so high?

I was wondering why the prices are so high now on the 9422. I see the 22 mag models over 1000.00 and the 22 lr starting at 800.00 . would like to get another 22 lever, but at these prices are they worth it. Do you think the prices are peaking and going to come down or are they going to keep increasing? thanks

I have owned two 9422 rifles. The first was a 9422 Classic between 1990-1995. With it I could shoot pine cones off the branch of yellow pines ... pine cones big enough for the children at church to use them to make Christmas trees for their mothers. It was never used with anything but the factory iron sights. It would hold 10 shots from a benchrest under 1.25 inches at 50 yds. using CCI Mini-Mags. It was faultless. For some reason I let it go.

I now own a 9422 XTR. It is in every respect perfect. In every respect it is the equal in accuracy to the earlier 9422 Classic. The quality of fit/finish are impeccable. It's feeding, firing, ejection ... all are without any fault regardless of the ammunition used. My brother bought this rifle in the early 1980's. Last year he decided he was going to trade it off for a pistol. We worked a deal ... he got a G-19 and a S&W 15-22. I got the 9422 XTR.

Is the 9422 worth what people are charging for them? Well, as the old saying goes, "They an't making them any more." Marlin 39A's are gone. Henry's are excellent rifles in every respect. A nice one is not cheap. Winchester is ... for some of us ... it resonates. Maybe that is why some will pay the price for a 9422. For me, it was a chance to keep a extremely nice rifle in the family rather than see it get swapped off for a pistol worth maybe $500 or so. It is worth the price. It is to me. A rule I've followed is to buy what matters to me at the price that I value the item. For instance, when my identical-twin brother was going to sell his Remington 03-A3, such rifles were commonly available in good condition for about $300. I gave him more than that for the rifle. Come 4/20, it will be 13 years since he died. I will always be thankful that I bought that rifle from him. A the first vintage military rifle match I ever fired, a fellow competitor looked at the score I shot, looked at the rifle (which is gorgeous) and offered me $600 cash on the spot. I declined the offer. The rifle is worth far more than money to me.

A couple of years ago I found a Colt SAA .22 LR/.22Mag. Nevada Commerative revolver which I bought for my newborn grandson. Down the road, he will have this 9422 rifle. It will come with plenty of the best quality .22 LR ammo I can afford. Sincerely. bruce.

Keep increasing.......The 9422 was a QUALITY rifle that Winchester made unlike the junk that followed......the breech block is remenicent(sp?) of the Winchester 61......And Its all machined steel and Walnut(some came with laminate)......Same length and almost he same feel of the legendary 94...The 9422...Marlin 39 and the Browning BL-22 are good buys and will last and last.

When they stop making something and the supply has been purchased... it becomes a sellers market. Additionally, Winchester has gone through buy outs, reorganization and such which makes many purists consider a newer Winchester is not a true Winchester. Same with S&W and the lock thing... just not what it used to be and us stubborn guys want the real deal.

It's just like most other guns (or any other retail item). People like them when they're available as new production, maybe used one that belonged to a parent or older sibling. Time goes by, then by the time they are able to afford one they are no longer made, and a bunch of other people about the same age have the same idea...prices go up accordingly.

The Henry .22 lever is a wonderfully smooth and accurate rifle. As far as Winchester 9422s being "worth" more every year...I often wonder the same thing about Colt "snake" revolvers. It is a supply and demand thing for sure.

As good as the Browning BLR and the Marlin 39, but it carries the Winchester name. In some cases it is a status thing. Either of the first two will shoot as well and last as long and are just as well made. But neither has Winchester stamped on it. Would rather have any of these three then a Henry.

Saw a 1876 Winchester in 22LR at the gun show last weekend, but did not have the $5K for it.

AJ

9422's are great guns! I wish that I still had mine but that is one that the ex insisted on keeping. They are high quality and well built.

Why are 9422 prices so high? Because some people are willing to PAY that much to own a fine piece of American history and craftsmanship.

Randy

I bought a Henry .22 mag and have been well pleased with it, shoots as well as my buddy's 9422.

and you're still stuck with a henry.....

I've had them and handled them. They aren't worth today's premium prices. The prices are high because "they ain't making them anymore." No other reason.

Look at the Browning BL22 Grade II. The checkered stock version.
The Marlin 39 is a great rifle, as well.

Bear in mind that the 9422 was a "Top of the Line" rifle for Winchester. Their best design, best materials and best craftsmanship went into these. If you take one apart and tap the receiver, it rings like a bell.
Part of the high prices is because they don't make them anymore, partly because they are highly desirable, but mostly because they are worth it.

I have a 9422 that I bought years ago. It is one of my favorite firearms. I wouldn't trade it for 2 Henrys or Marlins

They're very popular with Cowboy Silhouette shooters>

Great quality indeed! Just wish I had been smart enough to buy one

wow!! sounds like everybody thinks they are a great gun and most think worth the price you would have to pay today to own one. My gun shop just got in two, one is a 22 mag and the other is 22lr. have not priced them yet but I have first crack at them. if price is right I will have to decide, 22 mag or 22 lr, don't think I can swing both.

Mg2wall said:

wow!! sounds like everybody thinks they are a great gun and most think worth the price you would have to pay today to own one. My gun shop just got in two, one is a 22 mag and the other is 22lr. have not priced them yet but I have first crack at them. if price is right I will have to decide, 22 mag or 22 lr, don't think I can swing both.

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Work out a payment plan and buy both. You will not be disappointed. Shoot them both decide which one you like the best and sell the other or keep them both.

What's wrong with the Henry levers? I've never owned one,but every one I have shot has been a joy. I own a couple of Winchesters (9422 and a 94AE .357) and they are nowhere near as smooth as the equivalent Henrys.

The Winchester model 9422 was a return to real quality when it was first introduced in 1972. Its action was a spinoff of the old Model 61 .22 pump action, which had a sterling reputation for reliability. The cartridge was under total control from magazine to chamber. The 61 became too expensive to produce by the old methods, and was dropped from the line in 1964. However, with the introduction of modern CNC machinery, Winchester could make the 9422 more economically and still maintain high quality.

A final run of "Tribute" models was made in 2005, and 9,422 were made. I was fortunate enough to find one, new in the box, and I still have it, unfired.

I later picked up a .22 WMR version, and it's extremely accurate to way out there. While I could scope it, it would seem way out of place on the rifle, and I'm confident enough that if I can see it at 100 yards, I can hit it with open sights.

I have another in XTR configuration, made in 1980 and chambered for .22 LR, which is illustrated here:



I devoted a chapter to the 9422 in my book 101 Classic Firearms. It's truly a classic and one of the finest .22s ever produced under the Winchester name. It's no wonder that prices today are escalating for these gems.

John