Any chiappa 1886 owners

[Arthur Morgan]

Looking at getting a chiappa 26" barrel 1886 as winchesters have seemed to nearly doubled in price. Anything i should look out for? I've shot a couple before and they were real nice but I've also heard of lemons. Anyone with experience?

 

[NorthBorder]

I don't have a 1886 but I do have a Chiappa Spencer and it is a beautiful gun. Fit and finish is very nice and it is a solid piece. I have seen a lot ot their high end rifles in my LGS and they seem to be made very well. I have seen a few lower end guns that did not look like anything I would have. Good luck with your purchase.

 

[ATCDoktor]

I have had two Chiappa 1886 ridge runners.

I had problems with my first one and (in the spirit of full disclosure) it had been a T&E gun that had been used at SHOT show and passed around amongst gun scribes and internet reviewers for test evaluation so there’s no telling how many rounds where through it.

My LGS bought all of Chiappa’s T&E Ridge runners (4 blued and 4 stainless) and sold them for $800.00 for the blued ones, $899.00 for the stainless ones.

As that was half what they were selling for new (and they were still covered by Chiappas warranty) I snapped up a blued one.

With regards to issues on my first Ridge runner the first issue that cropped up was that the hammer would follow the bolt home intermittently, (mailed off, fixed and returned home n their dime).

The second issue manifested itself as a result of the rifle being a “takedown” model.

What happened with mine is that the two halves of of the rifle “unscrewed” under recoil (unbeknownst to me) and there was enough of a headspace issue that when I fired a fairly stout load in it it bulged the chamber.

It was mailed off to their stateside repair facility, evaluated, they (repair facility) recommended replacement, Chiappa HQ (in Italy) wanted to see the rifle before they would approve replacement, the repair facility shipped it back overseas, Chiappa HQ replaced the rifle for free.

On this second “send back”, it took a year to complete but they did make it right as they determined that (somehow) the locking feature for the takedown feature had failed.

The second rifle has been accurate, reliable and trouble free and I have used it to take many hogs:



And a single coyote.

Now some would look at the problems I had with my rifle as reason to stay away from Chiappa’s but for me it was an example of how they stood by their product and their customer.

They (Chiappa) ended up swapping a brand new gun for a used gun that had passed through no telling how many hands before I bought it.

I wouldn’t hesitate to buy another.

 

[halfmoonclip]

Can't speak to their lever guns, but I've a couple of their Rhinos, and have been pleased with the workmanship.
Considered one of their lever guns, but they were the same money as the ricer Winchesters.
Moon

 

[ms6852]

When I bought my Sharps I had an opportunity to check the action out between the Chiappa 1886 and the Pedersoli. The action on the Pedersoli was buttery smooth compared to the Chiappa but it would only be a matter of time where the action on the Chiappa would be a lot smoother through use. The rifle was a solid built.

 

[Arthur Morgan]

I have had two Chiappa 1886 ridge runners.

I had problems with my first one and (in the spirit of full disclosure) it had been a T&E gun that had been used at SHOT show and passed around amongst gun scribes and internet reviewers for test evaluation so there’s no telling how many rounds where through it.

My LGS bought all of Chiappa’s T&E Ridge runners (4 blued and 4 stainless) and sold them for $800.00 for the blued ones, $899.00 for the stainless ones.

As that was half what they were selling for new (and they were still covered by Chiappas warranty) I snapped up a blued one.

With regards to issues on my first Ridge runner the first issue that cropped up was that the hammer would follow the bolt home intermittently, (mailed off, fixed and returned home n their dime).

The second issue manifested itself as a result of the rifle being a “takedown” model.

What happened with mine is that the two halves of of the rifle “unscrewed” under recoil (unbeknownst to me) and there was enough of a headspace issue that when I fired a fairly stout load in it it bulged the chamber.

It was mailed off to their stateside repair facility, evaluated, they (repair facility) recommended replacement, Chiappa HQ (in Italy) wanted to see the rifle before they would approve replacement, the repair facility shipped it back overseas, Chiappa HQ replaced the rifle for free.

On this second “send back”, it took a year to complete but they did make it right as they determined that (somehow) the locking feature for the takedown feature had failed.

The second rifle has been accurate, reliable and trouble free and I have used it to take many hogs:
View attachment 1117902
View attachment 1117903
View attachment 1117904
And a single coyote.
View attachment 1117905
Now some would look at the problems I had with my rifle as reason to stay away from Chiappa’s but for me it was an example of how they stood by their product and their customer.

They (Chiappa) ended up swapping a brand new gun for a used gun that had passed through no telling how many hands before I bought it.

I wouldn’t hesitate to buy another.

Good to hear. My main concern has been that i may be better off saving up for a winchester but cant get behind the current prices of them when a Turnbull is only $1000 more and is made to order and available in 50-110 (which for some reason i have lots of brass for)

 

[Arthur Morgan]

When I bought my Sharps I had an opportunity to check the action out between the Chiappa 1886 and the Pedersoli. The action on the Pedersoli was buttery smooth compared to the Chiappa but it would only be a matter of time where the action on the Chiappa would be a lot smoother through use. The rifle was a solid built.

Thought about the Pedersoli as they're really nice, but I don't care much for pistol grips and love a good crescent butt. Nice to know they're solid.