Chiappa Little Badger Deluxe Folding Rifle 9mm Flobert 24″
About this product
What is the Chiappa Little Badger Deluxe Folding Rifle 9mm Flobert 24″? The Chiappa Little Badger Deluxe 24″ is a single-shot, manually cocked folding rifle chambered specifically for 9mm Flobert rimfire ammunition, built around a simple steel frame and designed primarily for ultra-compact transport and minimal maintenance. Its design eschews magazines, extractors, and complex safeties in favor of a break-open action that folds the 38.5-inch overall length rifle down to roughly 16 inches for storage. This is not a defensive or high-volume platform, but a purpose-built mechanical system for occasional, low-pressure shooting scenarios where transport size matters more than rapid follow-up shots.
What is the Chiappa Little Badger Deluxe used for?
The Little Badger Deluxe serves as a specialized tool for ultra-lightweight, packable plinking and regulated small-game dispatch at close range, not as a primary hunting or defensive rifle. Its 9mm Flobert chambering produces roughly 60-80 ft-lbs of muzzle energy—about one-tenth that of a standard .22 LR—making it suitable only for targets like squirrels or stationary tin cans inside 25 yards. I'd recommend this for a hiker wanting a discreet survival option in a pack, or a recreational shooter on private land who enjoys single-shot discipline and doesn't mind sourcing niche European ammunition.
How does the Chiappa Little Badger compare to the Stevens 334?
The Chiappa Little Badger Deluxe is dramatically lighter and more packable than a conventional bolt-action like our Stevens 334 in .308 Win, but it sacrifices all multi-shot capability, terminal power, and effective range. Where the Stevens 334 is a 7.2-lb repeater capable of ethically taking deer at 200 yards, the 3.6-lb single-shot Little Badger is a <100-yard curiosity piece requiring specialized 9mm Flobert ammo. The Stevens is objectively a better general-purpose firearm; the Little Badger is superior only in its 16-inch folded transport length and unique mechanical simplicity.
What does it weigh and what are the dimensions?
The Chiappa Little Badger Deluxe weighs 3.6 pounds (57.6 ounces) unloaded and measures 38.5 inches overall when extended, with its 24-inch barrel contributing significantly to that length for a stable sight picture. When folded via its hinge behind the grip, the package collapses to approximately 16 inches in length, with a width of about 8 inches at its widest point where the barrel sits parallel to the receiver. For context, that folded size is shorter than a typical laptop and about half the packed length of a takedown 10/22, allowing it to fit in a standard backpack compartment designed for a 15-inch laptop.
Who is this NOT for?
This rifle is not for anyone seeking a practical hunting solution for game larger than rabbit, a training tool for marksmanship fundamentals, or a reliable defensive firearm under any circumstances. The 9mm Flobert round is notoriously anemic, inconsistent in commercial availability outside Europe, and functionally useless beyond 50 yards in real-world conditions. If your primary use case involves more than occasional novelty shooting at paper, consider our more capable (but less portable) Stevens 334 in .243 Win or any other standard .22 LR platform.
What's in the box?
In the box, you receive the rifle, a basic set of printed manuals including safety warnings and a parts diagram, and typically an Allen key for adjusting the folding hinge tension screw under the grip—a 2mm hex key is the specified tool. Chiappa does not include any form of optic rail, case, sling, or cleaning rod with this model; the sighting system is a simple, non-adjustable brass bead front sight paired with a shallow V-notch in the rear of the receiver. You will need to source ammunition, a basic cleaning kit for .35-caliber bores, and a storage solution separately.
Is the Chiappa Little Badger Deluxe worth it at $285.99?
At $285.99, the Little Badger Deluxe is worth it only if your specific need is for the smallest, lightest, mechanically simplest single-shot folding rifle legally available, and you are comfortable with the limitations of the 9mm Flobert chambering. For the same money, you could buy a standard Ruger 10/22 Takedown (a vastly more versatile repeating rifle) or invest slightly more in a Henry AR-7 Survival Rifle (which floats and stores its own barrel). This rifle's value lies entirely in its niche—if you don't need that exact niche of extreme packability and single-shot simplicity, the money is better spent elsewhere.
Specs at a glance
Video review
Pros & cons
What works
- Weighs 3.6 lbs (57.6 oz) — over 3.5 lbs lighter than a Stevens 334 bolt action
- Folds to approx. 16 inches in length — shorter than most laptop computers
- Single-shot manual cocking action — eliminates complexity, reduces cleaning to a .35-caliber bore snake and rag
Trade-offs
- Chambered for 9mm Flobert — niche European ammunition costs $0.60-$1.20 per round and has limited U.S. availability
- No extractor — spent cases must be manually picked or shaken out of the chamber after firing
- Fixed bead-and-notch sights — zero elevation or windage adjustment without aftermarket modification
Expert review
Key attributes
| upc | 8053670713802 |
| manufacturer | Chiappa Firearms |
| manufacturer part number | 500.001 |
| action | Single Shot |
| atf type | RIFLE |
| barrel length | 24" |
| caliber/gauge | 9mm Flobert |
| capacity | 1 |
| package height | 2.0 |
| package width | 9.1 |
| product type | Rifle |
| shipping weight | 5.25 |
| sights | Bead Front Sight |
| sights type | Fixed Sights |
Frequently asked questions
- Is it compatible with 9mm Luger ammunition?
- No, it is not compatible—this rifle is chambered specifically for 9mm Flobert rimfire, a low-pressure European round distinct from centerfire 9mm Luger. Attempting to fire 9mm Luger in this rifle would be dangerous and could cause catastrophic failure. You must source 9mm Flobert ammunition from specialty vendors like RWS or Fiocchi.
- Does it fit in a standard backpack?
- Yes, when folded, the rifle measures approximately 16 inches long by 8 inches wide, fitting easily into most 20-30L hiking backpacks designed for a 15-inch laptop. The 3.6-pound weight adds negligible load, though you must ensure the folded unit is secured to prevent hinge movement during transport and that local laws permit concealed transport of a firearm.
- How long does shipping take?
- For Ironclad Armory, standard processing times are 1-2 business days for in-stock items, followed by 3-7 day transit depending on your location and carrier selection. All firearms shipments must go to an FFL holder of your choice, which adds another 24-72 hours for paperwork processing once the package arrives at their facility.
- What aftermarket sights will fit?
- Virtually none without modification—the receiver lacks a Picatinny or Weaver rail, and the 24-inch barrel has no dovetail cuts for standard front sights. Your options are limited to adhesive or clamp-on accessories, or professional gunsmithing to drill and tap the receiver. The factory bead front sight is a simple press-fit into a small hole in the barrel band.