Chiappa Double Badger Update

[spazzy]

I am still unsure where to post this, but half the gun is a rifle so here goes...

I bought a chiappa double badger on a whim as a completing my first year of pharmacy school present to myself. Its a 22lr/.410 over/under. Once I got it sighted in it shoots great, I am probably the limiting factor with irons. The shotgun barrel patterns great. Over the summer I put probably 300 22lr and about a box of birdshot through it. No problems so far, other than my dwindling supply of 22 ammo

The only change from stock is that I added a shell holder, the 22 shells can go in my pocket but the .410s sit much nicer in the holder.

I took it out hunting for the first time this morning, bagged a pair of squirrels, not too bad for about an hour walk in the woods. Lots of leaves still on the trees so the .410 came in handy.

I couldn't find a whole lot of options for a combo gun and this was by far the cheapest, at this point I am very satisfied. It is very short/handy gun and a dream to carry in the woods.

 

[CarJunkieLS1]

Dang that looks like a nice little gun you have there. I like it and if I ever see one I'll probably snatch one up if its cheap enough.

 

[spazzy]

I don't remember exactly what I paid, but it was less than $275 new from an online gun store.

 

[bigfatdave]

I've been considering one of those as a fun gun - thanks for the report

 

[yipper]

defective

I purchased a Chiappa double badger which I received on 22 September 2014. I first fired it, approx. 50 rounds, on 24 Sept. It was difficult to open the action but I thought it would get easier with use. I fired another 30 rounds the next day, and by that time the action could only be opened with considerable difficultly.

I requested and received a return authorization from Chiappa. They signed for receipt of the firearm on 1 Oct. 2014.

As of this morning (17 Dec. 2014), they have not attempted any repair, nor offered a replacement or refund.

 

[Scooter22]

I would certainly get on their A** about that. I was considering getting one. They seem like a nice compact combo gun but almost 300 bucks seems steep. I'll wait and see if I can find a used one. Good luck on your repair.

 

[spazzy]

The action on mine was stiff to open at first, there was a burr on one side of the action (see circled area in photo) but with time, opening and closing it is way smoother now.

Sorry to hear you had trouble, I am still loving mine.

The only other issue I have, is that there isnt room in the trigger guard for heavy gloves with the double triggers. It makes shooting in the colder months a bit of a challenge.

Scooter: When I was shopping this was the cheapest around. I looked at the Savage 42 (hated the synthetic stock) and it just felt cheap to me and almost $100 more. I checked out used savage model 24s but didnt find one locally for a decent price.

 

[spazzy]

Another update:

Shooting the double badger and my Marlin Model 60 in the same plinking session I found that the triggers are not even in the same league. The double badger's .410 trigger is crisp with not a lot of travel and breaks cleanly. The 22 trigger on the other hand is terrible, gritty, super rough and has a long travel compared to the .410 trigger or my model 60s trigger.

The 22 barrel trigger is good enough for plinking/close hunting shots but I had trouble with any precision shots on my last trip to the range.

The gun still absolutely brings a smile to my face every time I take it out of the safe but just something to be aware of and I may take it to a smith to be looked at in the future

 

[wally]

As of this morning (17 Dec. 2014), they have not attempted any repair, nor offered a replacement or refund.

At least they didn't just send it back three months later without fixing the problem as they did with my 1911-22.

 

[PapaG]

I wish savage had made their new combo look as nice as this. I have an original Stevens with Tenite stock and a 24DL, and a 24V both with walnut and all three are good looking, reliable, accurate guns. Good luck on the service.