Winchester model 290

dr_jpeg · 08-22-2005, 07:06 AM

Someone gave me a Winchester 290 semi-auto .22 rifle which was rusted. When I brought it to my favorite gun shop to have it cleaned up they told me that they won't repair that gun because it is notoriously unreliable and will probably break again after a short time. Is this true? Is it a piece of junk?

Big Dog · 08-22-2005, 09:00 AM

The weak point of this particular design (the Winchester 190/290/490) is the way the barrel mounts in the frame. It is prone to becoming loose, and is difficult to fix. Eventually, it shoots loose again. I have heard of owners JB Welding the barrel into place, but this is rather extreme.
I'd suggest either relegating it to the display rack, or maybe parting useable parts out on Ebay.
It was a cheaper gun, and has no collector value.

NRAEric · 08-22-2005, 05:01 PM

Thats kind of interesting. I thought Winchesters were high quality.

08-22-2005, 07:06 AM	#1
dr_jpeg Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 2 Trader Rating: (0)	Winchester model 290 Someone gave me a Winchester 290 semi-auto .22 rifle which was rusted. When I brought it to my favorite gun shop to have it cleaned up they told me that they won't repair that gun because it is notoriously unreliable and will probably break again after a short time. Is this true? Is it a piece of junk?

08-22-2005, 09:00 AM	#2
Big Dog Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Tallahassee, Florida Posts: 10,059 Trader Rating: (0)	The weak point of this particular design (the Winchester 190/290/490) is the way the barrel mounts in the frame. It is prone to becoming loose, and is difficult to fix. Eventually, it shoots loose again. I have heard of owners JB Welding the barrel into place, but this is rather extreme. I'd suggest either relegating it to the display rack, or maybe parting useable parts out on Ebay. It was a cheaper gun, and has no collector value. __________________ Moderator of: AR15/M16, M14/M1A, New/Beginning Shooters and Militaria/Collectables.

08-22-2005, 05:01 PM	#3
NRAEric Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 42 Trader Rating: (0)	Thats kind of interesting. I thought Winchesters were high quality.