Given how short the barrel is, I don't see what the advantage of shooting 22 mag would be in this gun. The muzzle velocity of the Mag would be only marginally higher than an 22LR, which the addition of a plethora of muzzle flash.
I can confirm that the 96/22 and the 10/22 magazines are interchangeable, model # or not. Also my 25-round bananas will work in both.
Admittedly, though, a lever-action rifle with the banana mag looks a little odd :-)
I didn't know they made this model, either. And I thought that a NIB 96/22 was a good score last year!
I'll have to keep an eye out for one of those. It would be a great upgrade from my Taurus 94.
My 96/22 LR is fast becoming my favorite rifle. The action is as smooth as butter (and it was that way from the factory). The iron sights work well at 25~50 yards, and it's fun as heck levering through a 25-round magazine.
What's not to like?
I cannot believe how much shooting fun I am getting out of this rifle. It even shoots decent groups like this 25 yarder (iron sights).
Even at 100 yards, I can put about 40% of 'em in an 8" circle (trying to improve that however).