Winchester Model 9422 "XTR" 1978 vintage with catalog (pics)...

[canoeguy]

Part of the fun of collecting firearms is getting the accessories and literature that goes with them. I got this Winchester Model 9422 "XTR" a couple of years ago, a beautiful rifle that shoots like a dream. The rifle every kid wanted when they were growing up but couldn't afford. The serial number puts it in the first year the "XTR" models were introduced, 1978. The XTR's had a glossy stock, highly polished metal, a fancier model. I recently picked up a 1978 Winchester catalog, which introduced the XTR models. Here's some pics....

Rifle with the pup Geraldine playing in the background:

1978 catalog cover:

Introducing the 9422 "XTR":

I have heard that the 9422 mechanism has a lot in common with the Model 61 pump action rifle, is that true, Winchester fans?

 

[jag312]

Years ago I had a chance to buy lightly used one for $175. I passed on it. I eventually bought one, but it cost more than a little bit more than $175. The sound you hear is me kicking myself. Now I want to buy one as a present for my friend's oldest boy.

 

[dmar]

Canoeguy, nice rifle, and very cool that you have the brochure...

I really like the 9422s, just something about them... A few years ago, I decided to buy two of them, one for me, and one for my son, when he's old enough to shoot it...

 

[MNruss]

I've had a thing for these for a long time.
I've owned about 10 - still own 5 or so.
I liked them so much I had a good 'smith cut one down to "trapper" length. - ONE year later USRAC/Winchester came out with them!
If the model 94 is it's daddy, the model 61 is it's momma, for sure.
The M61 bolt LOOKS interchangeable, tho I've not tried it.
It is very sure-feeding, & will usually feed flawlessly upside-down, sideways, whatever.
Regards
MNRuss

 

[anglaispierre]

My 9422 dates back to 1973, pre- XTR. It is the S-L-L-R version, so it can take Shorts, Longs and LRs, but I have only ever used LRs.

The only problem I have with it is that the magazine tube plug or inner tube sometimes turns and the plug can then fall out. This happened once when I was out in the field. If I hadn't noticed I could have kept on walking and maybe lost the tube and all the ammo. It takes less than a quarter turn for this to happen. This problem is particularly noticeable when the magazine is not full. I suspect that the reason for this is that the spring in the plug is too weak to exert enough pressure to keep the pin at the end of the plug in the locating lug of the outer magazine tube. The red plastic magazine follower offers very little resistance when pressed. It seems that the solution would be to knock out the pin, remove and replace the spring and replace the pin. At the moment I can load 15 cartridges, each taking about 1" of the tube. A stronger spring might reduce this number, but that is not a problem for me. My only worries are that once the pin has been removed and replaced it could fall out because it is no longer a tight fit, and that trying to knock it out could damage the tube of the plug which is just a thin tube.

Anyone else had a similar problem.

Other than that I think it is a nice rifle, easy to use and easy to strip down for cleaning.

 

[VAdoublegunner]

Great rifles! I have 3 of them. I wish one was an XTR model, but it is not. One is an earlier model, one is the next to last year they were produced, and the other is a 9417. A local sporting goods store was bought out by Dick's and they promptly sold everything decent they had in stock to replace it with their schlock. Some great deals were to be had. I bought a 9422 for less than $250 and the 9417 for $275. The latter still remains NIB. Winchester discontinued all of them the next year.

The 9422 is easily one of the favorites when taking new shooters out, even compared to the Marlin 39 which is a great rifle in it's own right. I think it is the lighter weight and smoother action of the Win that garners it more favor. They all shoot quite well!

Anglaispierre, I know what you mean about the mag tube falling out. I solved it by putting a very thin o-ring on the end of the tube, between the locking pin and the knurled knob. It provides just enough tension to help keep it from turning and a firmer lock.

BTW, canoe guy, I have that catalog and also the 1976 one from when I bought my first Model 70. Man, I used to drool over that 9422 XTR!

 

[anglaispierre]

Anglaispierre, I know what you mean about the mag tube falling out. I solved it by putting a very thin o-ring on the end of the tube, between the locking pin and the knurled knob. It provides just enough tension to help keep it from turning and a firmer lock.

I'll try that.

 

[gunlovingirl]

Nice. I have a Winchester 94/22 magnum XTR. I believe mine dates to early 80s.

 

[canoeguy]

Misty,

You have a pretty rifle there, with it you can compare the differences in the later "XTR" models, yours has finely cut checkering, while my stock is plain.

I'd love to find another 9422 in "shooter" condition, one with a few dings and scrapes, something I wouldn't mind taking out in the field or canoeing....

 

[Peter M. Eick]

Mine s one of the XTR's with engraving. Really nice wood on it but this picture does not do it justice.