Winchester 9422: A Pinnacle Lever-Action Plinker

For a lot of guys and gals, Winchester’s 9422 (1972-2005) was pretty much the peak of lever-action rimfires, and I must confess I agree with them. By 1991, more than 600,000 9422s had been produced. By the end of the run, that number is estimated to be around 850,000.

Later in the course of its production run, the 9422 was also offered in .22 Mag. (9422M), .17 HMR (9417) as well as the XTR upgrade with select walnut and nice checkering. In the mid-1980s, the company introduced a 22.5-inch version featuring a pistol-grip configuration more in keeping with the centerfire Model 64 rifle rather than the Model 94 carbine.

There were also several other variants under the U.S. Repeating Arms banner including Big Loop, Trapper and laminate-stocked versions.

The .22 Mag. version was what an old Canadian hunting buddy of mine used for years as his truck gun. It was topped with low-end variable scope and accounted for all manner of critters up to coyote size out to 150 yards.

Limited Edition

I recently had the opportunity to shoot a minty commemorative 9422. Winchester—and later U.S. Repeating Arms—made a few such limited-edition versions of the 9422 with varying degrees of embellishment. The number of these is not as high as of the iconic centerfire Model 94, but it was enough to pay tribute to various entities and personalities. These covered the Boy Scouts of America, including the ultra-limited Eagle Scout issue; Annie Oakley; and this 1982-vintage specimen commemorating the Los Angeles Police Department, admittedly an organization not usually associated with .22 lever guns.

This upgraded version features a silver medallion in the stock with the LAPD’s “To Protect and To Serve” motto, which has graced innumerable squad cars over the decades. There’s also the inscription “Father-Son Special Issue” on the barrel just below the semi-buckhorn rear sight.

I shot this borrowed specimen with 29-grain Super-X .22 Shorts as well as .22 Long Rifle Power Points. The Winchester ran like a champ with both the big ones and the little ones—for the most part. The only problem I experienced was with the short brass clearing the ejection port when I got too gentle in throwing the lever. Loaded up with shorts, it’d be tough to think of a better gallery-gun plinker.

The only real problem I had in shooting this LAPD 9422 lay in the fact that it took more commitment than I bargained on to overcome the “it’s too pretty to shoot” instinct. However, the rifle’s owner wanted to see how it shot, so I was able to proceed with a clear conscience.

Accuracy and Ergonomics

The trigger pull was 2.5 pounds with only a hint of takeup. On paper, the rifle lived up to its reputation for accuracy from a sandbag rest. Using the issue open iron sights, the Long Rifles shot consistently under an inch at 25 yards, and I managed a lone 1.5-inch five-shot cluster at 50. I could’ve improved on that—or at least equaled it on a consistent basis—with a scope, which is easily done thanks to the 9422’s side-ejection design and grooved receiver. However, the rifle’s owner was understandably less than enthusiastic over the prospect of defiling his nearly new-in-box treasure with tip-off mounts and glass.

Regardless, it didn’t take long to appreciate the 9422’s ergonomics. At six pounds, the “LAPD Special” exhibited the legendary handling characteristics of the .30-30 Model 94—and weighed a half-pound less. The tubular under-barrel magazine holds 15 Long Rifles or 21 Shorts—and 17 Longs if you can still find any. The 9422 features a nice short lever throw. If speed shooting is your thing, you can crank ‘em out just as fast as you can reacquire the target.

Since the 9422 is so well suited to offhand plinking, we spent an enjoyable half hour or so busting clay birds on a sand berm at 60 yards or so. If I had a less collectible sample and wanted to hunt small game with it, I believe I’d want to hang a compact low-power scope on it.

While Winchester’s .30-30 Model 94 met its demise in 2006, it later enjoyed a resurrection in several variants through Miroku as well as FN. Unfortunately for fans of the 9422, there has been—as of yet—no such second lease on life. But it’s certainly worth hoping for, although it appears to be an unlikely prospect at this time.

Aging Like a Fine Wine

The 9422 was never an inexpensive item. By 1982, 10 years into its production cycle, the base model retailed for $276; that translates into a little over $872 today. For now, finding a nice used one is well worth the hassle. It’s a great .22, and I’m by no means in a minority by thinking so.

Unsurprisingly, commemoratives are more likely to be found in minty condition than standard models, but anything—commemorative or not—in nice shape can run from $1,200 to $2,000 and beyond at auction or in the used rack.

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