Winchester 61 or 9422?

[4570Tom]

Hi All,
One of the LGSs has both a Winchester Model 61 pump and a 9422 listed for sale on their website. Both look to be in nice condition, though I haven’t seen either one in person. Was wondering what people’s experience is with either or both of them for both functionality and “fun factor”. Use would be mostly plinking with perhaps an occasional foray into the squirrel woods. Neither is cheap, with the 9422 being the more expensive of the two. Thanks.

 

[silicosys4]

9422.
Lever action .22's will always be more desireable than pumps, imo.
The 9422 is the best .22lr lever action ever made. Lighter and handier than a 39a, more accurate and better designed than a BL-22, higher quality than a Henry.

 

[Bullet Bob]

Is the 61 for sale one with a grooved receiver for a scope, or not?

 

[jmr40]

94-22.

 

[MarshallDodge]

9422.

I have a pump 22 and wish I had my 9422 back

 

[Jeff olson]

If the 61 is in 22 magnum, forget about the 94/22. Otherwise, the 94/22 from an investment standpoint.

 

[Spug]

For a fun gun my vote is for the 61. Pump action .22s are the cat's meow. I have two Rossi clones of the Model 62 (similar to the 61 but with exposed hammer), one in .22 LR that also takes shorts, and one in .22 mag. Great guns. Also have a nice Browning .22 lever action as well as other levers and other .22s, but the pump 22s are the ones I tend to grab for quick plinking or occasional pest control. I'd go with whatever action type is most attractive to you.

 

[Rodfac]

Son #2 has had a 9422 since he was 12...he's now 45 and it's been an accurate, fun rifle for him and literally a dozen of his friends.

That said, my M-61 is the most accurate, hunting type .22 rifle I've ever shot. Mini-Mag solids and HPs will cut nice neat 3/8" groups of 5 at 35 yds from an improvised rest. I scoped it years ago with one of those long lost Redfield 3/4" .22 scopes in 4x. It's a fun combination, light weight and a joy for all to use.

Here's a pic. The peep sighted pump with it is a M-62 Winchester, that I prefer even though it's not quite as accurate as the M-61. HTH's Rod

​

 

[eastbank]

i have both and like them, i don,t think you could go wrong with either one. if you can swing both, get them.

 

[Mosin77]

I like the Winchester 61 myself. But I like the 62 more, just because of the more mechanical nature of the action. The 61 is a better gun from a technical point of view though because your sight line isn’t interrupted by the hammer at any time.

The 9422 is a lovely 22. Be aware that you can get the same “fun factor” from a Henry for a lot cheaper. The Winchester might be too nice for you to take out and really run, which is where they excel.

 

[Seedy Character]

Can't go wrong with either.


Love a good lever, but a 61 is funnest, fastest, smoothest .22 you will ever have. The 62 is an extremely close 2nd.

I would be all over a sweet 61.

 

[Armored farmer]

I have a 9422XTR Classic .22mag. The smoothest action, of my several leverguns.

 

[.45Coltguy]

9422.
Lever action .22's will always be more desireable than pumps, imo.
The 9422 is the best .22lr lever action ever made. Lighter and handier than a 39a, more accurate and better designed than a BL-22, higher quality than a Henry.

I have a 39A and really enjoy it, but, totally agree here.^^^ Those 9422's are slick.

 

[ms6852]

I have a 9422M which is a 22 magnum. I would choose the 61 because I don't have one and they are just as much of a fun shooter and less expensive than the 9422. But if you have the money, buy both, can't go wrong.

 

[Pat Riot]

One thing I always do when considering whether or not to buy an older gun is look for spare parts that I think may need replacing at some point.

I look for springs and common wear parts. If parts aren’t available anywhere I sometimes pass on guns for that reason if the gun looks well used.

Here are two links for Gun Parts Corp for the two guns you’re considering.

Winchester 61
https://www.gunpartscorp.com/gun-manufacturer/winchester/rifles-win/61-win

Winchester 9422
https://www.gunpartscorp.com/gun-manufacturer/winchester/94-22-series/94-22

 

[Armybrat]

I have a 9422XTR Classic .22mag. The smoothest action, of my several leverguns.

My 9422XTR .22lr is the smoothest action of any lever gun I’ve ever handled.
Love those 62s too.

 

[Rubone]

61 for me, levers don't excite me...

 

[Gordon]

You did not mention prices.In this case , that and details like grooved model 61 receiver ( more desirable) or .22 mag either one and condition would be the deciding factor for two great guns. In .22 lr the 94-22 is worth more condition being the same.In .22 magnum the 61 is about parity in value with the 94-22 mag in same condition. If either are under $700 or so or both for $1200 buy them

 

[rabid wombat]

if you can swing both, get them.

This ^^^

I do have a bias…was weaned in part on a 61, so I vote with my heart…..

 

[Rex in OTZ]

If they are both winchester.
Both great choices.
As for the hunter aspect, the pump action will stay on target a little better as opposed to the leverdrop motion you have to open your hand a bit more than with a Marlin 56 levermatic.
But thats nitpicking minutia.
The 9422 is the apex of rimfire levers You can never go wrong with the 9422.

 

[Space Ghost]

Never had a pump action .22 so I can't comment on them, but my 94/22... well, I love the hell out of that thing. Yeah, they are pricey these days, as they have become somewhat collectable, but they are so well made.
Moreso that anything coming out nowadays. Hell, they even have controlled round feeding... in a .22lr lever gun.
Not an expert, but I don't know of ANY lever gun, of ANY caliber, from ANY manufacturer... (other than the 94/22) that has controlled round feeding.

 

[czhen]

One of the biggest life dilemma. The 9422 is like a time machine takes you to the past when you are shooting it. So smooth and enjoyable. I don't have the 61 but a Winchester 1890 which constantly call my range cady to jump on it. For me, any choice will make you happy.

 

[silicosys4]

Never had a pump action .22 so I can't comment on them, but my 94/22... well, I love the hell out of that thing. Yeah, they are pricey these days, as they have become somewhat collectable, but they are so well made.
Moreso that anything coming out nowadays. Hell, they even have controlled round feeding... in a .22lr lever gun.
Not an expert, but I don't know of ANY lever gun, of ANY caliber, from ANY manufacturer... (other than the 94/22) that has controlled round feeding.

View attachment 1152544

Savage 99 has controlled round feed.



https://www.outdoorlife.com/story/guns/life-and-times-of-the-savage-model-99/

 

[eastbank]

sorry, but i would not put a henry in the same room as my .22lr xtr 94/22.

 

[Rex in OTZ]

The only mfg that would go thru the expense of milling a steel receiver rimfire would be some place with cheap labor the Brazilians, Chinese or Philippines.
A steel receiver .22 leveraction could be made in the USA, but itd be a $1200 base model.
Same if made in Italy or Spain.
Doubt even a Turkish made model fabricated in steel would be of reasonable price.
Thats why you dont see many.
ROSSI and TAURUS made all steel pumps but not and levers.
Browning BL-22 is a steel receiver.
But your in the upper tier price of the average rimfire rifle.