Mike, 

They are, indeed. I remember quite vividly the day I walked into old Nix’s garage store for some reloading supplies and saw several of them vertically racked along the wall. Very obviously rimfires, from the visible loading gates in their magazine tubes, I picked one up thinking Marlin must have delivered an order of Mounties. 

When I saw the hangtag and the cut checkering, I was stunned – my last sight of a new Winchester rimfire had been one of the 100 Series and its burnt-in “basketweave” decor in chairleg wood.

I whipped out plastic so fast I cut my finger and bought the one I’d picked up for young son.  Today, he is teaching his kids to shoot with it and it’s still in beautiful condition, although a long way from “unfired.” 

At some point, we replaced the Williams 5D that we’d installed in the receiver grooves with one of the bright little Leupold Compact 1″ scopes in a set of Weaver Tip-Off mounts. 

You know the 9422 action uses the same “overhead summersault” cartridge feed designed by Bill Roemer for the Model 61 pump.  That thing shucks a mixed tube of shorts, longs, and long rifles without a bobble!

I only wish I’d bought two of them.

I’ve been far more cursed by “Would-be Buyer’s Remorse” than the others, at least in the Winchester bid’ness. 

My sob story is about a 9422 I whiffed on in 1999.  Whenever I had to return to Moskva-on-the-Colorado, I always went out of my way to stop at McBride’s.  Jack had passed on but Joe was carrying on the trade and had a nice selection of new things to see and admire. 

One of which I’d never seen before and not since — A 9422 with green/brown/red WinCam laminated furniture and a bright nickel plated receiver. No garish etched animals or ghastly  faux scroll, just a carnival of colors- – it made you happy to see it. 

I remember thinking, “If this were a 22 Magnum I’d buy it.” Because I had several 22 rimfires already and thought I didn’t “need” another one. RETARDED THINKING! 

Even as I was waiting to get on northbound Interregional and head home, I had a twinge of remorse but suppressed it and patted myself on the back for my self restraint. 

And I never saw another one like it again.  

Ben said
Alright you guys…  we’ve all had “non-buyers” remorse.  It even happens after crazy trades too.  I traded a dead mint first year 9422 in 22 Magnum last fall for a nice, used 1977 Nickel Python & $350. boot…. I had a very, very insane price on the rifle (ie: no intent of selling…).  The guy said he had to have it & made the offer.  While I don’t regret the trade, I wish I still had that 9422.  🙂 

PS  BRP… maybe you can bring a nice 9422 Magnum to Cody… I’m sure I have something you need!

  

Colt Pythons have surely fluctuated lately.  Not long ago they were pushing 5 to 6K for real nice ones. Lately they have dropped some.  Not knowing anything about the 9422’s I bet the Colt may still be worth more?

Good question, Chuck.  I’ve got an ’86 6″ BSS in the box I bought new from Oshman’s on my birthday.  I’ve watched prices decline when wondernines were being introduced and then go skyward when Colt’s got out of the revolver business.  People when nuts. They’re nice revolvers but Five Large is an awfully big chunk for a stock factory handgun with rubber grips. To me.  

Last time the NRA Convention was here I got to see and handle the new Pythons and anyone who does that can see why the originals have gotten more reasonable in price.  Colt fanatical collectors swear up and down they’re “not the same” – next they’ll discover steam — but the changes are really for the better.  

If I weren’t in downsizing mode, I’d be very tempted to get one of the new 3″ versions. Better still, the new 44 Anaconda is for all the World an enlarged Python and not a giant Mark V, which has got to be an improvement. 

The new lockwork may not be “hand-fitted” but it sure does feel like it and the additional beef on the frame is all to the good.  The classical “I” frame on the old Python can loosen up, although it probably won’t go out of time,  if you insist on blasting off a large number of 1500 fs magnums. 

You younger guys ought to do the right thing and get one of each.  And a 9422.  You know, the 9422 was a good seller for Olin’s WRA before the gunmaking assets were sold to USRAC in ’81. They were being made in the new, smaller facility up the road from the old red brick complex, and used some amount of computer numeric controlled machining that had been installed to make the gun.  

Paul, you had no reason to regret that deal and still don’t.  

Chuck said
Ok, I’ll look for it.  I always come home with a bunch of cards for my stacks.

  

It was Ed Cote.  He is a long time So Cal Antiquarian.