Thread: winchester wildcat 22lr semi auto, any experiences?

Anyone got one of these? I held one in guncity a year or so back and was impressed at how light and comfortable it was to hold, but not sure if the plastic will have the durability of my old 1985 10/22 with probably 100,000 rounds through it and still going strong.

I'm considering a new 22lr semi for typical rough handled farm use (no safe queens around here), and as I tend to not like scopes on 22lr and do like the aperture sights on this wildcat I'm wondering if I might go buy one. Any experiences would be appreciated.

They are made in Turkey by a production partner of Winchesters , so definately not an American Winchester.

Having said that , if the fit is right and the price suits - grab one.

this might work better than buying a whole new rifle just for apeture sights, unless its more about just buying a new rifle, I am in no position to pass judgement there.

https://www.deltamike.co.nz/product/...e-hole-sights/

Originally Posted by longshot

this might work better than buying a whole new rifle just for apeture sights, unless its more about just buying a new rifle, I am in no position to pass judgement there.

https://www.deltamike.co.nz/product/...e-hole-sights/

If I end up buying a new 10/22 I'll probably go with something like that, good option for scope mount also if anyone wants it. But would not work for my old girl 10/22, receiver top has already been rescrewed for mounts twice and is showing it's age, and front site is all so smashed up from decades of abuse no new front sight is ever going on there. But yeah mostly about buying a new s/a 22 as one of my sons is coming back to the farm and likes my old 10/22 so might get something new for my shooting.

I think a 10/22 is a better platform but they are a lot more expensive than they used to be. The Wildcat is great for a Turkish gun in my opinion. We haven't had a ton come back with issues and looking at the list the ones that did come back mainly came back because of issues with the magazine which were easy fixes.

The 10/22 is something that I really have a love/hate relationship with. I had one, once - it was bloody accurate until you missed everything for a couple of mags and then back on song. It had personality, no one could work out what the hell was wrong with it or what caused it to go off song for the next 15 or 20 odd rounds. And when it was off song, minute of barn door... I eventually sold it (it was holding a decent group when the guy took it away). Never brought it back so must have been ok with it.

I saw one of those wildcats up at the range the other day, looked ok and seemed to gook for what it's worth.

Originally Posted by Coop

I think a 10/22 is a better platform but they are a lot more expensive than they used to be. The Wildcat is great for a Turkish gun in my opinion. We haven't had a ton come back with issues and looking at the list the ones that did come back mainly came back because of issues with the magazine which were easy fixes.

@Coop don't suppose you know if the winchester 17wsm xpert bolt action is coming soon to NZ?
Sorry for the thread steal

Originally Posted by csmiffy

@Coop don't suppose you know if the winchester 17wsm xpert bolt action is coming soon to NZ?
Sorry for the thread steal

Nah, no idea sorry. Looks like it was at 2024 Shot show. Good rule of thumb for any new release in the US is to allow well over 12months till we see it in NZ. We aren't the importer for Winchester so it won't really be on our radar till it lands with NZ supplier.