Winchester Model 290

Winchester Repeating Arms Company · Rifle · Discontinued · 1965

Also known as: Winchester 290, Model 290 Deluxe

Overview

The Winchester Model 290 is a semi-automatic .22 rimfire rifle produced by the Winchester-Western Division of Olin Corporation. Chambered to feed interchangeably from .22 Short, .22 Long, and .22 Long Rifle cartridges via a tubular magazine, it operated on simple blowback action and was aimed at the affordable plinking and small-game market. The Model 290 was the up-market, checkered-stock counterpart to the plainer Model 190, sharing the same receiver and mechanism.

Specifications

Weight (empty)2270 g (80.1 oz)
Overall Length1003 mm (39.49")
Barrel Length508 mm (20.00")
Action TypeBlowback
Firing MechanismHammer Fired
Trigger TypeSingle Stage
Magazine Capacity15 rounds
Magazine TypeTubular
Muzzle Velocity330 m/s (1083 fps)
Muzzle Energy141 J (104 ft·lbf)
Effective Range100 m (109 yd)
Barrel RiflingRight Hand
Rifling Twist406 mm (15.98")
Number of Grooves6
Frame MaterialSteel
Barrel MaterialSteel
Stock MaterialWood
FinishBlued

Calibers

Features

Variants

Service history

Operators

Production

Production years: 1965-1973

Manufactured by the Winchester-Western Division of Olin Corporation; sold alongside the economy Model 190.

Origin

Country of origin: United States

Discontinued: 1973

Notes

Part of Winchester's 1960s-70s rimfire family (Models 150, 190, 250, 270, 290) that shared common internal parts including the tubular magazine assembly. The Model 290 Deluxe added higher-grade checkered walnut furniture.

Background

A staple of the American 1960s backyard and farm plinking scene, the Model 290 let a shooter mix .22 Short, Long, and Long Rifle rounds in the same tubular magazine, making it a flexible and inexpensive small-bore rifle for a generation of first-time shooters.