Chiappa SAA 1873 .22/.22 mag question

[TexasPatriot.308]

I bought a brand new Chiappa 1873 .22/.22 mag revolver this weekend, read the instruction manual, not much there. I own several single action revolvers, all Ruger big bore so single action is not new to me. Question is I go to half cock and cylinder turn freely, then of course go to full cock ready to fire, but if you let up for an instant, they cylinder will block up, cant do anything with trigger or hammer, got to pull out ejector rod and free cylinder so I can return hammer to full cock or hammer down....what is going on, anyone know what the cure to this is?? I bought this little revolver to dispatch feral hogs in traps cheaply.

 

[MedWheeler]

I don't have a Chiappa, but I do have two of the Heritage RR revolvers, about a tick above the Chiappa on the food chain. After reading your post, I went and got one of them to see if I could figure out what you're saying and possibly duplicate the problem.

What I'm not sure of is what you mean when you say "let up for an instant"; are you meaning that, as you draw back to full cock, you stop before actually getting there and let the hammer move even slightly forward? I'm assuming that's what you're saying. However, I cannot replicate the problem and I can't say for sure if it's because I don't know exactly what you mean or because the revolvers are different. No matter how I handle my gun's hammer, I can still complete its draw back, or lower it to half-cock (or even to rest.)

 

[TexasPatriot.308]

I went out and shot it Monday, first with .22 mag cylinder, 10 rounds, 2 did not fire even though I could see mark on rim, about half of the others sent fragments back into my right cheek....so much for that, .22 lr cylinder worked on all 10 rounds. My problem still persists, the cylinder will lock up and only way to either go to full cock or rest hammer is to release cylinder and start again....I think it is POS.

 

[MedWheeler]

Yep. Sounds like you got a bad one.

You can dispatch feral hogs almost as cheaply with a Hi-Point C9.

I do like my Heritage Rough Rider revolvers, though. I also have a Ruger but, admittedly, I haven't shot it yet. I keep forgetting I own it, and it's been maybe two years..

 

[Jim K]

I seem to remember someone saying a while back, "you get what you pay for". Sometimes you luck out and get something cheap AND good, but don't count on it.

Jim

 

[MedWheeler]

^^ Helpful.

 

[ECVMatt]

I tried some of the less expensive .22 single actions and was never pleased with them. I intended to "store" them in my vehicles and only use them as needed. I finally gave up on this idea because they were generally unusable. Despite the many good reviews online, I did not get the same results with mine. I patiently searched the local pawn shops for a used Ruger single six and finally found a good deal on a convertible. Sorry this has not worked out, but you might try the used gun market.

I just found this review and found it very similar to the OP's experience:

http://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/20...review-chiappa-firearms-1873-saa-22-revolver/