I've been wondering about this ever since they stopped production of these awesome little 22's (they stopped production when they reintroduced the Model 70 again I think in 2009). My dad and grandpa bought me one for my 11th b-day. It has very nice reddish colored wood on it, and looks eerily similar to a Mosin Nagant. For a $200 rifle it shoots very well. At 50 yds. w/ Blaser 22 competition ammo (which is relatively cheap) it shot a 5 shot group about the size of a quarter. From the information I could gather Winchester was not even making them here in the USA, instead they were being made by Tula in Russia. So that is what I am wondering. Why did Winchester stop making such a great 22?

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- Re-Armored M91/30 Mosin Nagant made by Izhevsk in 1943
- T/C Venture .270 Win. w/ Bushnell Scope
- S&W Model 22a w/ Red Dot Sight

I think I'm doing pretty good for buying that many firearms at 15

Probably didn't make enough money off them would be my guess.

I would bet Tula makes the same gun for someone else, just like the Chinese you find the exact gun with several differant badges.

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I aim to be a straight shooter!!

Over the past -30- some years, Winchester has done some very strange things. Seems like they introduce a certain model of rifle or shotgun (like their .22 Rifle Model 320 & 310) produced them a few years and then discontinue production. This has also occured with some variations of their Model 70rifles. Like what hapen to models: 670, 770, 70 Ranger, as well as some of their model 94's?? All were good sellers but they stop making them.

Well in this case my Wildcat will be a collector's dream

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- Re-Armored M91/30 Mosin Nagant made by Izhevsk in 1943
- T/C Venture .270 Win. w/ Bushnell Scope
- S&W Model 22a w/ Red Dot Sight

I think I'm doing pretty good for buying that many firearms at 15

They are a neat little rifle but by the time that rifle was made, Olin was simply licensing the Winchester name out to companies that would make a rifle and put the Winchester name on it.

Sadly, Winchester is basically gone. Others own the name and guns are made in plants not owned by Winchester. I don't know if it will ever be a collector's item, but it is a curiousity. Hang on to it!

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Be popular? Heck, I have enough friends.
and...
"That way lies madness".

I belive "Winchester's Wildcat" was made in Russia. I sure would like to see Winchester [IF they still exist] to re-introduce their Model 320 Bolt Action in .22 LR. Great little .22 rifle!!

I think the simple answer is that "new and improved" ( I use that term very loosely, in this case ) is often the key to sales. I'm not saying it is in the best interest of the consumer, actual gun buyers, but how else do you explain some of the gun-making decisions of the last 20-30 years?

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Ask me about QDMA.

Alright, thanks guys. At least we know some possibilities.

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- Re-Armored M91/30 Mosin Nagant made by Izhevsk in 1943
- T/C Venture .270 Win. w/ Bushnell Scope
- S&W Model 22a w/ Red Dot Sight

I think I'm doing pretty good for buying that many firearms at 15