Range Report: Chiappa 1911-22
This is a summary of my first outing with my new Chiappa 1911-22 pistol. (
http://www.1911-22.com/) I purchased it on the 24th of April, at the Chantilly gun show. Cost was $275. on the table, so less than $300. out the door. I pondered the purchase decision quite a while, having heard about the gun a few weeks ago. End result: it followed me home. If you want to know the details (weight, specs, etc.) please go to their website.
The woman at the desk said that, fir the first 100-150 rounds, only use about 5 or 6 in the magazine. I thought this was unusual, but as the owner's manual alto talked about a break-in period of about 200-300 rounds, I figured I take it slow. That would get me used to loading the mag, and the feel of the firearm in my hands, rather than just grabbing and going full-bore.
Well, after work Monday, I thought a bit of 'stress relief' would be in order. So armed with my trusty Master Card, I took a trip to the local Wal-Mart to see if I could get lucky on some ammo. SCORE! I got a brick of Federal, and 50 each of CCI and Remington Win-Mags. (for my Ruger single six. All win-mag stayed safely in the box. I only fired .22LR this trip out) The brick was $18.95 for 550 rounds. Another reason to like the -22! So with my ammo in hand, and some paper printable targets to cut, it was off to the range.
The objective of this trip out was to slowly break in the weapon. I wasn't even planning on doing in the sighting in this time, just send rounds down-range to break in the mechanisms. This was just as well, because one of the things we discovered was the rear sight was tight in the slot, and needed a few 'loving taps' to persuade it to move. (note to self: bring small hammer to range for use as 'alignment tool'.)
I loaded the first 5 rounds into the magazine and slapped it into the well. hitting the slide release allowed it to slap forward with a decisive 'clack' to chamber the first round. With a paper target at 7 yards, I took aim at the center spot and squeezed it off. One of the things that concerned me was the relatively 'loose' fit of the slide as it cycled. I thought there would be marks of the slide scraping the frame and basically making it look 'ugly', but those fears turned out to be unfounded.I think this is one for taking outside, and if a little sand or gunk gets in the way, it'll go right on working as advertised. i guess thats part of the reason this design has been around for so long!
The trigger pull was a bit stiff, with a noticable 'hump' about half-way through. This turned out to be one of the MANY safeties, the one that prevents the hammer from moving if the slide is not all the way forward. Hopefully this will wear down as the time passes. I found that if I did not release the trigger fully, and kept it 'behind' this hump, the pull was light and the groupings were much tighter. From the factory, it was shooting to the left. As I didn't plan on sighting it in, I felt I could live with it for today.
End results: It was FUN. I did 100 rounds slowly to break in the magazine and the firearm, and then turned it over to my older son for 100 rounds of 'just make noise' (He had just did 50 through his .357, so the .22 was almost like shooting marshmallows out of a straw.) He liked the feel of the gun in his hands, the way it fit in his grip and the weight of it. For having fun with cheap ammo, I'm more than satisified. Out of 200 rounds of Federal Ammo, the only alibies was a single stovepipe on round 87. All fired cleanly, cycled the firearm well, and cut paper as advertised. Overall I am pleased with my purchase, and I hope it'll last a long time! As it's a 'standard' 1911 design, I'm hoping I can get some kewl parts to hang on it, to make it even more fun!
, but I'll let you know.
I love .22 pistols 
