Editors’ Picks 2019: Winchester Wildcat .22 LR Rifle

by
posted on April 5, 2019
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
edpicks24.jpg

Winchester Repeating Arms, for the first time in many years, has added an autoloader to its product lineup. The Wildcat, a blowback-operated semi-automatic chambered in .22 Long Rifle, will feed from 10-round rotary magazines of Winchester’s own design, however, it is also compatible with both Ruger 10/22 magazines and the various aftermarket designs that follow the 10/22 pattern. Weighing only 4 lbs. despite an 18" barrel, the Wildcat shaves ounces due to its skeletonized, thumbhole polymer buttstock and willowy contours. Sights consist of a fully adjustable ghost-ring rear incorporated into an integral Picatinny optic rail and a ramped post front. Depressing a button just behind the rear sight allows the striker-fired bolt and trigger assembly (which Winchester calls the lower receiver assembly) to be removed from the receiver. Doing so permits the Wildcat to be cleaned chamber-to-bore, as is ideal for all firearms. winchesterguns.com

Latest

Smith & Wesson Night Guard revolvers
Smith & Wesson Night Guard revolvers

New for 2026: Smith & Wesson Night Guard Revolvers

Smith & Wesson brings back the Night Guard series of revolvers in .44 Special and .357 Magnum.

Battle On The Border: Pancho Villa’s Raid On America

In March 1916, Americans living in the quiet town of Columbus, N.M., suddenly found themselves attacked by Mexican bandits, and many citizens sought to arm themselves and fight back, both during the raid and afterward.

The Armed Citizen® Feb. 9, 2026

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

Swiss Armed Forces Select SIG Sauer P320s

Swiss Armed Forces select a domestically sourced SIG Sauer P320 as standard issue.

Preview: Reptilia RECC-E Carbine Stock

Versatile and exceptionally lightweight, the polymer RECC-E SR-15/M4/AR-15 Carbine Stock from Reptilia provides a constant, uniform cheek weld across a generous range of settings for length-of-pull...

The MAT-49: France's Mid-20th Century SMG

After World War II, the French military was left with a hodgepodge of leftover submachine guns. After several years, the army consolidated on a standard service rifle, the MAS-49, and a standard submachine gun: the MAT-49.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.