GunsAmerica

Quick Look

The Winchester Model 1890 was introduced in the late 19th century and became a hallmark of American rimfire slide-action rifles. Designed by John Browning, it offered reliable .22 caliber performance for small-game hunting and target practice. Today, it holds a special place among collectors and historical firearm enthusiasts.

Why It's a Top Choice

Designed by renowned gunsmith John Browning
Extremely reliable slide-action mechanism
Chambered in multiple .22 rimfire variants
Classic octagonal barrel and walnut stock
Highly collectible with enduring vintage appeal

Key Variants

Winchester 1890 First Model

Features solid frame; early production ideal for collectors of pre-1900 firearms.

Winchester 1890 Second Model

Improved disassembly system; popular for light field use and ease of maintenance.

Winchester 1890 Third Model

Final iteration with minor receiver updates; most commonly found and widely purchased.

Competitor Comparison Table

Feature	Winchester 1890	Remington Model 12	Marlin Model 20
MSRP (historic)	$15 (early 1900s)	$13	$12
Capacity	15 rounds (.22 Short)	10-15 rounds	10 rounds
Weight	~6 lbs	~5.5 lbs	~5 lbs
Optics Ready	No	No	No
Trigger Type	Single-stage mechanical	Single-stage	Single-stage
Notable Pro	Exceptional craftsmanship and widespread availability	Compact, smoother action	Lightweight, budget-friendly
Notable Con	No standard mag for .22 LR	Fewer units in circulation today	Less collectibility

Best Use Cases

Historic and collectible firearm collections
Target shooting with .22 Short, Long, or Long Rifle (varies by model)
Youth firearm training and rimfire introduction (under supervision)
Small-game hunting with applicable variants

FAQs

Can I shoot .22 LR in all Winchester 1890 rifles?

No. Some were chambered only for .22 Short, Long, or Winchester Rimfire; check markings carefully.

What is the production era of the Winchester 1890?

Winchester produced the Model 1890 from 1890 to 1932, with over 750,000 units manufactured.

How does the action work on the Winchester 1890?

It uses a pump-action (slide) mechanism hand-cycled by the user, feeding from a tubular magazine.

WINCHESTER 1890 22 for Sale