Winchester 490 magazine interchangability

[gt350pilot]

A number of years ago I inherited a Winchester model 490 .22 rifle from family. It is in pristine condition including the original box and receipt. I have really grown to love shooting the gun but there is one issue. The only magazine I received with it is a 5 rounder. A search on the internet looks like the model 490 was not a particularly popular model and only ran for a few years. Because of this the 10rd magazines specifically labeled for a 490 are quite expensive compared to your typical, readily available Winchester magazines.
I know that some of the more common model magazines will fit and work properly. I compared magazines a couple years ago with a friend with quite a few Winchester 22's. I found one of his common model 10 round magazines worked perfectly. I wrote the model number down with the hope of getting a few mags for it, but moving and raising two little kids let to this valuable information getting misplaced. To make matters worse, this friend has moved to Montana and darn it if he didn't take all his guns with him.
I have tried to find information regarding an interchange but haven't had much luck (but not exactly an internet guru.
Can anybody point me to in the correct direction? Greatly appreciate any help. Thanks everybody.

[dfletcher]

A number of years ago I inherited a Winchester model 490 .22 rifle from family. It is in pristine condition including the original box and receipt. I have really grown to love shooting the gun but there is one issue. The only magazine I received with it is a 5 rounder. A search on the internet looks like the model 490 was not a particularly popular model and only ran for a few years. Because of this the 10rd magazines specifically labeled for a 490 are quite expensive compared to your typical, readily available Winchester magazines.
I know that some of the more common model magazines will fit and work properly. I compared magazines a couple years ago with a friend with quite a few Winchester 22's. I found one of his common model 10 round magazines worked perfectly. I wrote the model number down with the hope of getting a few mags for it, but moving and raising two little kids let to this valuable information getting misplaced. To make matters worse, this friend has moved to Montana and darn it if he didn't take all his guns with him.

I have tried to find information regarding an interchange but haven't had much luck (but not exactly an internet guru.
Can anybody point me to in the correct direction? Greatly appreciate any help. Thanks everybody.

I have a Winchester Model 490 too. And like you I think the price for a 10 round magazine is way too high and tried to figure out a way around it. The difference between magazines for the 490 and the other Winchesters - 52, 69, 75, etc, is that the mag for the 490 secures on the rear edge as opposed to the side. I don't think magazines for any other Winchester will work. If you check the Numrich Arms website (I have) I think you'd find that if there were some sort of cross capability it would be listed.


I have a bunch of 5 and 10 round mags for the 52, 75 & such and tried to cobble something together. A raised cut in the edge, using epoxy to attach a metal strip. Given enough time & effort I think it could be done, I just don't have either.

[Heretodaygonetomorrow]

I have a Winchester 490 too.

And, I have both 5 and 10 round magazines for it.

I believe that the Winchester 190 and 290 semiauto .22 rifles are from of the same basic design as the 490 (the 490 is the fancy cousin).

So a magazine from/for a 190 or 290 should work fine in a 490.

[TRAP55]

About 2/3 down the page, 10 rounder $25

http://www.blueridgegunparts.com/rifle.html

There was a factory recall on these, but it might only be on the early ones. A call to Winchester will tell.

http://www.firearmsid.com/Recalls/FA_Recalls%205.htm#WINCHESTER,%20MODEL%20490,%20.22%20CALIBER,%20SEMIAUTOMATIC%20RIFLES

[gt350pilot]

Thank you for the information regarding the magazine. I will be giving them a call tomorrow (no online purchasing it appears). Appreciate the heads up.

As for the recall, I found out about that in my research when I got the gun. My rifle has the stamp that was placed on it when the repair was done by the factory. I even have the invoice in the original box from when my wife's grandfather sent it in. Got to love thorough record keeping.

[TRAP55]

If Blue Ridge is a bust, let me know, I "might" have two more sources.

[gt350pilot]

Called Blue Ridge this morning and they no longer have any on hand. They stated that that list is over 7 years old. Unfortunately, no luck.

Any additional help would be very much appreciated

[TRAP55]

Should have asked who was making the ones they were selling.
No luck here, found two places with the 5 rnd mags, $45-$50!
The only other gun it interchanges with, is a Sears Model 6C "American", and it's a house brand Model 490. There's a Canadian version Sears 6C too, but it's a Savage.