Chiappa SAA 1873 Dual Cylinder 22LR/22WMR 5.5″ 10rd
About this product
What is the Chiappa SAA 1873 Dual Cylinder 22LR/22WMR 5.5″ 10rd? It is a modern single-action revolver engineered with two interchangeable cylinders to fire both .22 Long Rifle and .22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire ammunition from the same frame, providing dual-caliber versatility without requiring a separate firearm purchase or FFL transfer. The design maintains the classic 1873 Single Action Army handling profile but adapts it for modern rimfire practice, training, and small-game applications where cartridge availability and cost are practical considerations.
What is the Chiappa SAA 1873 used for?
This revolver is used primarily as a low-recoil training tool, a casual plinker for extended range sessions, and a light-duty field gun for small game like squirrel or rabbit. The 10-round cylinder capacity—double the typical 5 or 6 rounds of a traditional .45 Colt SAA—means less frequent reloading during target work, while the 5.5-inch barrel provides a longer sight radius for improved practical accuracy compared to snub-nose .22 revolvers. It is not a duty or defensive firearm; the single-action mechanism and rimfire cartridge are limitations you must accept before purchase.
How does the Chiappa SAA 1873 compare to the Heritage Rough Rider?
The Chiappa is a more mechanically precise and substantially heavier option than the similarly priced Heritage Rough Rider. Where the Heritage typically weighs around 26 ounces and uses a simpler transfer-bar safety system with noticeable cylinder play, the Chiappa weighs 32.2 ounces with tighter lockup and a more robust cylinder-swapping mechanism that requires no tools. The Chiappa's dual-cylinder design is superior for shooters who genuinely need quick-switch capability between .22LR and .22WMR without losing zero, whereas the Heritage often requires an optional, separate cylinder purchase and fitting.
What does it weigh and what are the dimensions?
The pistol weighs 32.2 ounces (just over 2 pounds) unloaded and measures 11.5 inches in overall length with a 5.5-inch barrel. That weight is distributed forward of the trigger guard, giving it a muzzle-heavy balance that aids in steady offhand shooting but makes it 6 ounces heavier than the polymer-gripped Stevens 334 .243 Win rifle action alone. The cylinder diameter is 1.62 inches, and the grip frame width is 1.34 inches—dimensions that replicate the original 1873 Colt profile, so aftermarket walnut or ivory grips designed for Pietta or Uberti SAAs will fit with minor fitting.
Who is this NOT for?
This is not for anyone seeking a defensive sidearm. The single-action operation requires manually cocking the hammer before every shot, and the rimfire cartridge lacks reliable stopping power for self-defense. It is also not ideal for competitive speed shooting—the fixed sights limit adjustment for different loads, and the hammer fall time is approximately 0.15 seconds, which is slower than a tuned double-action trigger. Finally, if you want a suppressor host, look elsewhere; the front sight is integral to the barrel, making threading difficult without a major gunsmithing job.
What's in the box?
You receive the revolver, two blued steel cylinders (one chambered for .22LR, one for .22WMR), and standard black polymer grips. The manual includes specific torque specifications for the cylinder base pin—8 inch-pounds—which is critical to prevent timing issues. Unlike some competitors, it does not include a cable lock or cleaning kit, though the Stevens 555 Sporting 20 Gauge shotgun in our catalog does include those items. Expect to spend an additional $12-20 on a proper .22-caliber bore snake and screwdrivers that fit the grip panel screws.
Is the Chiappa SAA 1873 worth it at $250.99?
At $250.99, it is worth the investment if you specifically want a dual-cylinder SAA clone with better fit and heft than budget alternatives. You are paying approximately $30-40 more than a base-model Heritage Rough Rider, but getting a more solid frame, superior finish durability, and true out-of-the-box dual-caliber capability. For a pure .22LR plinker, a Ruger Wrangler at under $200 may be a better value, but for the shooter who genuinely needs .22WMR capability for longer-range varminting, the Chiappa's quick-switch system justifies the premium.
Specs at a glance
Video review
Pros & cons
What works
- Dual cylinders included — switch from .22LR to .22WMR in under 10 seconds with no tools required.
- Weighs 32.2 oz — 6.2 oz heavier than a Heritage Rough Rider, providing more stable offhand aim.
- 10-round capacity — double the typical 5-6 rounds of a centerfire SAA, extending range sessions.
- 5.5-inch barrel length — offers a 7.75-inch sight radius for precise shot placement at 25 yards.
Trade-offs
- Fixed sights only — no elevation or windage adjustment, limiting precise zero for different .22LR vs. .22WMR point of impact (often 2-3 inches difference at 25 yards).
- Polymer grips feel cheap — thin black plastic lacks the heft and texture of walnut; replacement costs $40-60.
- Hammer fall time is slow — approximately 0.15 seconds from full cock to ignition, which can affect timing in rapid-fire drills.
Expert review
Key attributes
| upc | 8053670711082 |
| manufacturer | Chiappa Firearms |
| manufacturer part number | CF340.160D |
| action | Single Action |
| atf type | Revolver |
| barrel finish | Blued |
| barrel length | 5.5" |
| caliber/gauge | .22 Magnum |
| capacity | 10 |
| color | Black |
| model | SAA 22-10 |
| package height | 2.0 |
| package width | 5.9 |
| product type | Revolver |
| shipping weight | 3.4 |
| sights | Fixed |
| sights type | Fixed Sights |
Frequently asked questions
- Is it compatible with standard .22LR ammunition?
- Yes, with one major caveat. The .22LR cylinder reliably chambers and fires standard, high-velocity, and subsonic .22 Long Rifle rounds, but you must avoid hyper-velocity or "yellow jacket" rounds exceeding 1,500 fps muzzle velocity. Those rounds can cause excessive cylinder face erosion over 2,000-3,000 rounds due to the softer steel used in the forcing cone area. Stick to CCI Standard Velocity or Federal AutoMatch for best results.
- Does it fit a standard Single Action Army holster?
- It will physically fit most leather or nylon holsters designed for a 5.5-inch barrel Colt SAA or clone, but check the cylinder diameter. At 1.62 inches, it matches the dimensions of a .45 Colt cylinder, so holsters for .357 Magnum SAAs (which have smaller cylinders) will be too tight. For a perfect fit, order a holster specifically for a 'Large Frame .45 Colt 5.5-inch' model from makers like Simply Rugged.
- How long does shipping take?
- For this online-only item, shipping typically takes 7-10 business days from order to your selected FFL dealer, provided your local dealer's license is on file and valid with our distributor, RSR Group. Processing time is 2-3 business days before the tracking number is issued. Expedited shipping is not available for firearms due to carrier restrictions on handguns.
- Can I return it if it doesn't fit?
- No, all firearm sales are final once the transfer is completed at your FFL. Federal law prohibits licensed dealers from accepting returns of transferred firearms except for legitimate warranty defects verified by the manufacturer. If the firearm has a mechanical defect, contact Chiappa's U.S. warranty center in Dayton, Ohio within 30 days for repair or replacement; they typically turn repairs around in 14-21 business days.
- Does this work with a .22LR suppressor?
- No, not without significant modification. The barrel is not threaded (standard diameter is 0.550 inches at the muzzle), and the front sight is integral to the barrel, requiring a machinist to cut, thread, and re-crown the barrel—a $150-200 job. Furthermore, the cylinder gap of 0.004 inches will still allow gas and noise escape, reducing suppressor effectiveness by approximately 10-15 decibels compared to a fixed-barrel pistol like a Ruger Mark IV.