Chiappa Little Sharps .22 LR 24″ Single-Shot Rifle
Video review
Expert review
About this product
What is the Chiappa Little Sharps .22 LR 24″ Single-Shot Rifle? It is a faithful, reduced-scale reproduction of the 1874 Sharps falling-block hunting rifle, chambered exclusively for the .22 Long Rifle cartridge and built for deliberate, precision-oriented shooting. This isn't a tactical or high-volume rifle; it's a purpose-built instrument for the shooter who values mechanical tradition and fundamental marksmanship skills above raw speed or capacity. Built with a hand-oiled walnut stock, color case hardened receiver, and a 24-inch octagonal barrel, it represents a specific era of American firearms design, replicated with modern manufacturing tolerances.
What is the Chiappa Little Sharps .22 LR used for?
The Chiappa Little Sharps is best suited for precision target shooting, formal training in fundamental rifle marksmanship, and small-game hunting where legal. Its single-shot falling block action forces a deliberate shooting cadence, making it an excellent tool for coaching new shooters or for advanced shooters wanting to refine their fundamentals under pressure. With its authentic period-correct sights and double-set trigger, it's also a legitimate and popular choice for cowboy action rifle competitions in specific categories that require a single-shot rifle.
How does the Chiappa Little Sharps compare to the Stevens 334 Rifle?
The Chiappa Little Sharps offers a completely different shooting experience focused on tradition and discipline, not practical field utility. While a bolt-action like the Stevens 334 in .308 Win provides a 4+1 detachable box magazine and faster follow-up shots for hunting, the Little Sharps is a single-shot .22 LR designed for ritual and precision. The Stevens 334 is objectively better for actual deer hunting where multiple shots or a more powerful chambering are required, while the Little Sharps is superior for teaching trigger control and sight picture due to its double-set trigger system and lack of a magazine.
What does it weigh and what are the dimensions?
The rifle weighs 5.50 lbs (88 oz or 2.49 kg) and has an overall length of 37.60 inches (955 mm), with a balanced feel that settles solidly into shooting bags or off-hand. The barrel alone accounts for 24 inches (610 mm) of that length and is a distinctive octagonal profile, measuring approximately 0.875 inches across the flats at the muzzle. For storage or transport, you'll need a hard case with an internal length of at least 39 inches (990 mm) to accommodate the rifle safely without binding on the sights.
Who is this NOT for?
This rifle is not for a shooter seeking a plinker, a varmint rifle for high-volume pest control, or a first and only rifle for defensive use. It requires manual loading of each .22 LR cartridge directly into the chamber, a process that takes a practiced individual roughly 3-5 seconds, which is glacial compared to a semi-automatic rifle. If your primary goal is inexpensive casual shooting with friends, a standard 10/22 or a Stevens 555 shotgun for clays would be a more practical and social choice.
What's in the box?
Out of the box, you receive the rifle itself and a standard owner's manual, but no optics, mounts, or cleaning kit are included. The manual covers basic disassembly, maintenance, and warranty registration. Expect to spend an additional 15-20 minutes upon receipt performing a detailed inspection and proper lubrication before first firing, a standard procedure I recommend for any firearm from a responsible manufacturer.
Is the Chiappa Little Sharps worth it at $1366.99?
At $1366.99, its value is entirely subjective and tied to your appreciation for historical mechanics and specialized shooting disciplines, not cost-per-round. This price reflects hand-fitting, finishing processes like color case hardening, and machining an octagonal barrel—all labor-intensive operations not found on a $400 synthetic-stock bolt action. If you view a rifle as a functional piece of mechanical art and a tool for disciplined practice, it justifies the cost. If you view it purely as a means to put holes in paper efficiently, it does not.
Specs at a glance
Pros & cons
What works
- Double-set trigger provides a crisp, sub-1 lb pull when engaged—ideal for precision target work.
- 24-inch octagonal barrel (610 mm) provides a long sight radius and inherent stability for offhand shooting.
- Color case hardened receiver is not a film or paint; it's a period-correct, durable surface treatment that resists wear.
- Precise tang-mounted diopter rear sight allows for minute-of-angle (MOA) adjustments for windage and elevation.
Trade-offs
- Single-shot only—loading each .22 LR round directly into the chamber adds 3-5 seconds between shots versus a magazine-fed rifle.
- Walnut stock is hand-oiled but not sealed; it requires periodic maintenance with oil or wax to prevent drying in arid climates.
- Right-hand configuration only; left-handed shooters must adapt to the ejection port and lever on the right side.
- No factory threading for suppressors—requires a costly aftermarket adapter and gunsmith work.
Key attributes
| upc | 8053670710702 |
| manufacturer | Chiappa Firearms |
| manufacturer part number | 920.188 |
| action | Single Shot |
| atf type | RIFLE |
| barrel length | 24" |
| caliber/gauge | .22 LR |
| capacity | 1 |
| color | Color Case |
| model | Little Sharps |
| package height | 2.4 |
| package width | 9.3 |
| product type | Rifle |
| safety | Automatic |
| shipping weight | 8.4 |
| sights | Adjustable |
| sights type | Adjustable Sights |
Frequently asked questions
- Is it compatible with a suppressor or 'can'?
- Yes, but only with a threaded barrel adapter, which is not standard and must be purchased separately from a specialty machinist like D.W. King or a similar custom shop. The rifle's 24-inch octagonal barrel is not threaded from the factory, and having it threaded requires a skilled gunsmith who can properly index and cut threads on the octagon profile without compromising the front sight. Expect this modification to cost between $150-$300 plus the cost of the adapter itself.
- Does this fit a standard .22 LR scope mount?
- No, it does not accept standard Picatinny or Weaver bases. The receiver is drilled and tapped for proprietary mounts that match the curvature of the Sharps-style action. Companies like DZ Arms and SSK Industries manufacture correct scope mounts and peep sight bases for this model. You must specify the Chiappa Little Sharps when ordering; using a mount for a full-size Sharps or other replica will not fit correctly.
- How long does shipping to an FFL take?
- For in-stock items, processing and shipment to your chosen Federal Firearms License (FFL) holder typically takes 2-3 business days after order verification and compliance check. Transit time via common carriers like UPS or FedEx is an additional 2-5 business days depending on your location relative to our warehouse. Your FFL will contact you when the firearm arrives, at which point you must complete the ATF Form 4473 and pass the required background check before taking possession.
- Can I return it if I don't like the trigger?
- No, Ironclad Armory does not accept returns on firearms unless they are demonstrably defective in materials or workmanship, as per ATF regulations and our policy. The double-set trigger is a specific feature of this design; its light, crisp pull—often breaking at under 1 pound when set—is intentional. We strongly recommend handling this model at a dealer or range day before purchasing if trigger feel is a primary concern.