Some of the reasons why we are drawn to particular objects are probably buried deep within imagined situations.  For many of us, those imaginations lie far in the past and relate to material things that were beyond our means at the time.  For example, it might be that someone who was young in the 1950s could imagine being a good writer if only a Parker 51 fountain pen were available, but such a pen sold even then for $15 or more depending on finish and nib.  However, the Esterbrook that I used back then sold for $1.95 and that was the actual pen in hand.  So, we made do with what was available.  When it came to my introduction to the world of rimfire rifles, that was achieved with a Winchester Model 90 pump chambered for the .22 Short.  That rifle was carried many miles and cherished.

            In 1965 Winchester introduced a new .22 autoloader, the Model 290.  It featured a tubular magazine that could hold 21 rounds of .22 Short, 17 .22 Longs, or 15 .22 Long Rifle cartridges.  The aluminum alloy receiver was nicely rounded and the stock and forearm had pressed checkering.  It was a handsome rifle (at least to me) and I wanted one.  In 1964, Ruger introduced the Model 10/22 autoloader that has been produced in a bewildering array of configurations that have been sold by the millions.  In fact, it is second only to the Marlin 60 in terms of the number produced.  The Winchester 290 was discontinued in 1973. 

            With severe competition in the market place, Winchester introduced the Model 190 which differed from the 290 cosmetically but it could be sold at a lower price.  The Model 190 was produced from 1967 to 1980 with the number of both 290 and 190 models totaling approximately 2.1 million.  As I studied the annual Winchester catalogs (no longer produced in this electronic age) in the late 1960s and 1970s, I fancied myself wandering around in the timber along the river carrying a Winchester 190.  For some reason, probably because I liked the advertisements and could not afford one then, that rifle resonated with those imaginations that lingered from my youth.

            Eventually, a Winchester 190 made its way to me.  Although I have read of shooters whose Winchester 190s do not function reliably, mine has never had such an issue.  Rimfire autoloaders are notorious for being finicky about functioning with different brands of ammunition, and I have had such problems in some rimfires, particularly with autoloading pistols.  On the Winchester 190, the barrel is attached to the receiver by a lock nut or ring that encircles a flange and tightening it pulls the barrel back into the receiver.  Although I have had no such problem, others have reported that the ring can loosen slightly.  If a scope is mounted on the grooved receiver and attachment of the barrel to the receiver is not rigid, accuracy will suffer.  With several types of ammunition, my Winchester 190 will give five-shot groups measuring approximately one and one-quarter inch at 50 yards.  Such accuracy is not stellar, but it is sufficient for plinking and small game hunting.

            The stock and fore arm on my Model 190 are rather plain walnut.  I have often thought of altering the shape to produce a better pistol grip and a fluted comb, but I want the rifle to look just is did in those old Winchester catalogs and the way that it did when I became infatuated with the model.

            There is an old saying that the whole is the sum of its parts.  Although that may be true of a hammer, try to convince someone who is infatuated with a Colt 1911 that the famous pistol is a collection of metal parts.  The complete pistol evokes an image that relates to trekking in remote places or perhaps even in battle scenes.  It makes the bearer complete so it becomes a part of the makeup of the user.  Our possessions are part of who we are or at least who we envision ourselves to be.

            So what is so special about the Winchester 190 that I wanted long ago?  Well, first of all it is a Winchester.  To me in those days a rifle almost always meant a Winchester.  Is it the most accurate .22 that I own?  No, that would be an Anschutz 141 or Ruger 77/22 bolt action sporter.  Does it function more reliably that any other .22 autoloader that I have?  No, that would be the utterly reliable Ruger 10/22.  Does it have the most elegant fit and finish of any of my .22s?  No, that would be my Winchester 9422 Legacy lever action.  So why is the Winchester 190 a special rifle?  The answer is that it is a rifle that was part of a dream and an image before other rifles came on the scene.  Therefore, even though other .22s may be “better” in some ways, they cannot occupy the same space in the dream bank.  Alas, I now have the rifle that I envisioned carrying long ago, but the area where I grew up is now largely under water.

            A very special firearm need not be an exquisite model, but it will probably be one that occupies a special niche in your dreams and memories.  I suspect that many readers have an empty space in the dream bank that is related to a firearm that was wanted or perhaps one that “got away” or “I wish I had that one back.”  Perhaps it is not too late, but as is the case with firearms in general, the price has escalated greatly.  Specimens of the 190 or 290 seem to be listed for $200 up, and in some cases way up.  My old Winchester is a special rifle.

The Winchester 190 is a sleek, stylish .22 rimfire.

Unusual among autoloaders, the Winchester will function with Short, Long, or Long Rifle cartridges.

For thorough cleaning, the entire trigger assembly can be removed by driving out a pin located above the trigger.

The rear sight on the Winchester 190 is the traditional blade type.

The bead sight has a white metal insert.

Being able to use Short, Long, or Long Rifle cartridges increases the versatility of the Winchester 190.