Winchester Wildcat 22 FDE, the versatile and easy-to-clean .22 Long Rifle autoloader

If one speaks of autoloading rifles in .22 LR, it is unlikely that the first name that comes to mind is Winchester, yet in the American manufacturer's catalogue, in addition to lever-action models such as the very recently introduced Ranger, we can find the Wildcat, offered in five different versions.

The Winchester Wildcat 22 is a blowback semi-automatic .22 LR rifle with single-action trigger, fed from a rotary magazine with a capacity of 5+1 or 10+1 cartridges. In this it does not differ at all from the standard models already on the market; the difference lies in the type of construction with removable lower receiver and the versatility of the polymer stock with pistol grip.

Winchester Wildcat 22, a modern and versatile .22 LR gun

The Winchester Wildcat features a lower receiver assembly which, after checking that there are no rounds in the chamber, can be easily removed from the underside of the stock by simply pressing a button located at the rear of the action. The trigger and bolt assembly, which form a whole, can then be cleaned and lubricated with ease, and it is also much easier to pass a brush through the rear hole in the action to clean the barrel.

That's not all: by separating the trigger/bolt assembly from the rest of the rifle, the Wildcat can be transported safely and any repairs are also simplified. The bolt release button, on the other hand, is located in front of the trigger guard and allows the action to be locked open for safety when storing or transporting. The magazine can be separated from the action in two ways: by pulling back the release located in front of the magwell or by pressing both of the two red-coloured buttons visible on the sides of the receiver. The manual safety is instead engaged by pressing the button located behind the trigger guard, easily reversible to the delight of left-handed shooters. The design of the skeletonized polymer stock is fully ambidextrous too, with a pistol grip carefully designed to offer support and grip for both right and left-handed shooters. The comb riser is black and like the thick recoil pad contrasts nicely with the basic Flat Dark Earth color of the polymer stock. The stock surface is relatively rough, while the grip areas are smoother and grooved to provide a firmer and more immediate purchase. The stock features Front and rear sling eyelets.

The sights of the Winchester Wildcat consist of a ghost ring rear sight combined with a ramped post front sight. A long Picatinny rail on the top of the action allows the mounting of conventional or electronic optics. A short Picatinny rail is also present on the fore-end underside and allows the attachment of a bipod. It is normally invisible because it is covered by a snap-on protective cover.

The Winchester Wildcat comes in two barrel lengths: 420 mm (16.5 inches) or 457 mm (18 inches) and in both models the muzzle is threaded for mounting a silencer (where permitted) or other muzzle accessories. The weight of the unloaded Winchester Wildcat is 2,000 grams.

With its Wildcat, Winchester has certainly succeeded in creating an autoloading rifle in .22 Long Rifle suited to the tastes of the bundless US market and objectively endowed with some unique and interesting features such as the tool-less removable lower receiver, the double magazine release system and a truly ambidextrous all-round stock.

The suggested price in Europe is 581 euro.

Winchester Wildcat 22 FDE technical specifications and price

For more information please visit the Winchester website.