Rifleman Review: Winchester Wildcat 22 SR

Winchester Repeating Arms introduced its Wildcat .22 semi-automatic in 2019, providing an updated rimfire rifle with many innovative design features for rimfire enthusiasts. Two years later, the Wildcat 22 SR provided a suppressor-ready variant for those who wanted a quiet report and reliable operation with a suppressor attached. Watch our American Rifleman Television Rifleman Review segment above for all the details on this cutting-edge .22.
"Now, going on inside this gun, there are a lot of engineering solutions to problems that .22s have. First of all, you can't have a gun without a good magazine," said Mark Keefe, NRA Publications editorial director. "So their magazine looks like a 10/22 magazine, and this gun will take BX25 magazines and other aftermarket Ruger magazines, but there are some differences going on here. There's a metal plate here for the last-round bolt hold open, and then these guys also have the same patent on the magazine developed for the Browning X-bolt, so you end up with a thumb wheel that allows you to take tension off as you're loading."
The Winchester Wildcat is also capable of accepting all standard Ruger 10/22 magazines, but these will not lock the bolt back after firing the last round. Additionally, Winchester makes it easy to operate its Wildcat. Removing magazines from the well just in front of the trigger guard can be done in one of two ways. There's a traditional release latch located just forward of the magazine well that can be pulled rearward to remove the magazine. There is also a bright-red latch located just above the magazine well, and pulling the latch to the rear allows the magazine to fall from the well.
"They've made extensive use of polymers throughout this thing, so this gun weighs 3.5 lbs., which, frankly, is interesting, because the trigger is 5 lbs., 3 ozs., so the trigger pull weight is actually heavier than the whole gun unloaded," Keefe said.
Despite the light weight, there are plenty of features on the Wildcat. The upper receiver features a machined rail for mounting optics, but the rifle also comes with a set of integrated iron sights. Additionally, the bolt can be locked back with one of two controls, either a latch located on the front portion of the trigger guard or a bolt hold-open latch located on the left side of the receiver. The innovations don't end there, though.
"Taking this gun apart is actually a lot easier than you might think, and that's one of the chief criticisms of the Ruger 10/22," Keefe said. "You can't clean it from the rear because, of course, it's a solid receiver. So what Winchester did was combine the take-down mechanism with a way to get a bore brush in the back."
Simply pushing the recessed button located at the back of the receiver simultaneously drops the removable internal components and provides clearance for a bore brush and cleaning rod to enter the chamber through the rear of the action. Additionally, the removable receiver component comprises the serialized portion of the firearm. It also includes an Allen wrench that provides users with an easily accessible tool kept with the firearm that allows for further disassembly and rear sight adjustment.
"My hat is really off to the guys at Winchester," Keefe said. "We've had .22 semi-automatic rifles for more than a century, but I got to tell you, when it comes to using engineering to solve problems, the Wildcat is where it's at."
To watch complete segments of past episodes of American Rifleman TV, go to americanrifleman.org/artv. For all-new episodes of ARTV, tune in Wednesday nights to Outdoor Channel 8:30 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. EST.
Winchester Wildcat 22 SR Specifications
Importer: Winchester Repeating Arms Co.
Manufacturer: Istanbul Silah (Turkey)
Action Type: blowback-operated, semi-automatic, rimfire carbine
Chambering: .22 Long Rifle
Receiver: matte-black polymer
Barrel: 16.5"; 1:16" RH twist
Magazine: 10-round, rotary, detachable box
Sights: windage-adjustable white-dot rear, fiber-optic front
Trigger: single-stage; 5-lb., 3-oz. pull
Overall Length: 34.25"
Weight: 3 lbs., 13 ozs.
Stock: polymer; length of pull, 13.5"; drop at heel, 2.5"; drop at comb, 1.5"
Accessories: owner's manual, lock, thread protector, two hex wrenches
MSRP: $290

[@tommylitchfield3450]

In the words of the Late, GREAT Paul Harrell..... "Stop, Wildcat!! No!! Don't do it!"... right before it committed Seppuku via Ruger 10/22 for losing its rear sight on Day One, Hour Zero... Critical Failure.

[@Lampropeltis]

But can that be remedied? Is there an aftermarket rear sight that would do a better job to replace it with? Thanks.

[@FestusBro]

This is my new favorite .22 rifle. Now they have come out with a woodstocked version known as the Wildcat Sporter. Yes it is made in Turkey. I have no issues with Turkey.

[@KD-lb9bg]

Hopefully the quality of their rifle is much better than the quality of their 22lr ammunition.

[@romeoalphafoxtrot9517]

Basically any of their rimfire ammunition. It's pretty much garbage! I quit using it years ago. I did, however order one of the Wildcat .22 LR rifles. It should be at my FFL soon.

[@karlmason6145]

Can't tell you if the durability is great yet, however I can say it is the best cycling 22 I have ever used, and is far easier to clean properly.

[@karlmason6145]

​@romeoalphafoxtrot9517 what is the good ammunition? I know a few others that ate definitely worse.

[@georgetorrise5775]

It's was bad. It has gotten better

[@3tvet]

Almost every semiauto .22 Rifle or pistol on the market utilizes a polymer stock. I do not believe they would sale more utilizing aluminum and steel, as you say, which would cause the rifle to be more expensive and therefore sell less than its competitors. If you want wood and steel buy a Henry. If you want a light, handy, easy to maintain and affordable rifle, buy this Winchester.

[@randymagnum143]

So sad there is no model 60 or 795.

[@jeff1806]

Whats going to make this rifle a competitor to the Ruger 1022 is its capability to take 10/22 mags. I think they made another 22lr rifle but it only took their proprietary X mag which was super expensive for a 10 round. And they only made a 10 round mag.

[@Lampropeltis]

I’ve seen reviews where the rear sight falls off. Can that be remedied?

[@Hamann9631]

I was hoping to see how to reverse the reversable safety.

[@tominva4121]

I keep hearing stories of the Rear Sight falling off on these, and getting lost.

[@karlmarz5236]

Mine did, first day. Replaced it with a red dot.

[@Theylive4213]

Simple use loc tite blue and it's good. Same with a $200 Spyderco pocket knife, you have to lock tite the pocket screw or they work their way out to lose that knife. Nothing is perfect or perfection especially a $200 firearm.

[@nathanieltodd6711]

Aren’t they imported from Turkey??

[@davidsawyer6003]

According to Shooting Times "The Wildcat is manufactured by a company in Turkey called Istanbul Silah. While this name may not be familiar to American shooters, the company is a very successful international arms manufacturer." Much better than being made in China, at least Turkey is a NATO partner.

[@XngGen]

Marlin still the best 22 LR out there hands down.

[@macknewman835]

I have a new 10/22 and a 1977 model 60 Marlin. I love them both but I grew up with Marlin . 22s. They've all been tack drivers. I'm partial to the heavy 22" barrel on the Marlin.

[@davidjones9518]

I own all three Ruger hard to beat all the way around never jams up no matter how dirty the gun😊

[@Z7d3nR4]

Will those magazines fit in the 10.22?

[@kiwipom51]

No they don't but the Ruger mags fit the wildcat

[@1219Regan]

They both magazines are interchangeable. They only thing is the Winchester Wildcat magazine won't hold the bolt open after the last round is fired.

[@randymagnum143]

How much did this review cost FN?

[@robertwatson818]

Poor "review". Lots of mentiion of gadgets--peachy keen features but----how does it group and is it reliable?? Reliability is paramount

[@arch3088]

No thanks. I will keep my Ruger.

[@davidjones9518]

Ruger nu 1 I own all three marlin an Winchester

[@davidjones9518]

Ruger never jams

[@SlickCat]

I see broken plastic parts in your future 😖

[@jasoninglis4013]

Just brought mine so far it a fail cocking handle snapped off during firing and the mag fell to bits on second load

[@kjw882]

The quality of the rifle is exactly what you'd expect from Turkey, garbage. While it can be a fun little rifle, it is definitely cheap, especially the forend pic rail cover. Broke that flimsy pos the first time removing it. I feel like the 10/22 will last a lifetime while the wildcat will last a couple years if careful.

[@NatureBoy736]

That’s just a rail cover, my bro dropped his ruger 10/22 and broke those cheap factory flip rear sights. Also the 10/22 is a good rifle they didn’t make it simple to take apart to clean. The wildcat seems like an all around better rifle.

[@randymagnum143]

File it with the junk plastic remington. Uninspired crap.