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Winchester 9422 - Elegant, Smooth, Standard of Excellence
I have what I consider the three best 22 lever actions ever made: Winchester 9422, Marlin 39A, and the Browning BL-22. If those are basketball players, I would consider 9422 to be Michael Jordan, Marlin 39A - Shaq - robust but a little rough, and BL-22 - Steph Curry - fast shot and nimble.
The XTR Classic is different from the other 9422, in that it has a pistol grip (curved), curved metal butt plate instead of straight rubber butt plate, and blued pistol grip plate. Not sure what the purpose of the metal butt plate and metal pistol grip plate are for...if anyone knows, I'm all ears. Can do some major damage jabbing someone with the metal butt plate though. It's dang sharp and heavy. No problems shooting with the metal butt plate. Actually comfortable since it's curved; it fits around my deltoids.
I've read about and watched videos raving about how awesome the 9422 was. But one thing that stopped me from buying it was the straight stock. From shooting the BL-22, which has the straight stock, I know I'm not a fan of straight stock. It puts my wrist at an awkward position that hurts and also puts my trigger finger at an angle that makes me pull with the side of the index finger instead of the fleshy part of the finger, which I prefer.
But here comes the XTR Classic, which was manufactured between 1985 to 1987. It has a curved pistol grip! I would have preferred some checkering for better handling, but I'll take a curved pistol grip any day.
So when I saw it in the marketplace, I jumped on it.
Accuracy: Not a fan of buckhorn sights, but once I got used to it, I tore up the bullseye with it.
Ergonomics: It's not like a the BL-22 that I can shoot freehand standing up. The 9422 has some heft to it. My arms were tired after shooting few rounds standing up. I preferred shooting it on the bench. The action is butter smooth and the lever felt strong unlike the BL-22 that feels a little flimsy and the Marlin 39A that's a little rough. It's pleasurable working the action. Can be forceful or gentle and works just as well. The action has no wobble. It's precise.
Craftsmanship: This is an heirloom. It's worthy of being passed down generation to generation. The wood is gorgeous and the bluing is deep.
Reliability: Had this for a month and shot few hundred rounds. It eats every kind of 22LR or 22 Shorts. Had no malfunctions. Haven't shot 22 Longs through it yet.
Parting Thoughts: I wish the barrel was shorter so I could shoot it freehand. It's 22 inches. The BL-22 shines in that respect. Also, the 22 pump carbine is a great alternative since the 16 inch barrel makes it very versatile.
I have what I consider the three best 22 lever actions ever made: Winchester 9422, Marlin 39A, and the Browning BL-22. If those are basketball players, I would consider 9422 to be Michael Jordan, Marlin 39A - Shaq - robust but a little rough, and BL-22 - Steph Curry - fast shot and nimble.
The XTR Classic is different from the other 9422, in that it has a pistol grip (curved), curved metal butt plate instead of straight rubber butt plate, and blued pistol grip plate. Not sure what the purpose of the metal butt plate and metal pistol grip plate are for...if anyone knows, I'm all ears. Can do some major damage jabbing someone with the metal butt plate though. It's dang sharp and heavy. No problems shooting with the metal butt plate. Actually comfortable since it's curved; it fits around my deltoids.
I've read about and watched videos raving about how awesome the 9422 was. But one thing that stopped me from buying it was the straight stock. From shooting the BL-22, which has the straight stock, I know I'm not a fan of straight stock. It puts my wrist at an awkward position that hurts and also puts my trigger finger at an angle that makes me pull with the side of the index finger instead of the fleshy part of the finger, which I prefer.
But here comes the XTR Classic, which was manufactured between 1985 to 1987. It has a curved pistol grip! I would have preferred some checkering for better handling, but I'll take a curved pistol grip any day.
So when I saw it in the marketplace, I jumped on it.Accuracy: Not a fan of buckhorn sights, but once I got used to it, I tore up the bullseye with it.
Ergonomics: It's not like a the BL-22 that I can shoot freehand standing up. The 9422 has some heft to it. My arms were tired after shooting few rounds standing up. I preferred shooting it on the bench. The action is butter smooth and the lever felt strong unlike the BL-22 that feels a little flimsy and the Marlin 39A that's a little rough. It's pleasurable working the action. Can be forceful or gentle and works just as well. The action has no wobble. It's precise.
Craftsmanship: This is an heirloom. It's worthy of being passed down generation to generation. The wood is gorgeous and the bluing is deep.
Reliability: Had this for a month and shot few hundred rounds. It eats every kind of 22LR or 22 Shorts. Had no malfunctions. Haven't shot 22 Longs through it yet.
Parting Thoughts: I wish the barrel was shorter so I could shoot it freehand. It's 22 inches. The BL-22 shines in that respect. Also, the 22 pump carbine is a great alternative since the 16 inch barrel makes it very versatile.
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