Chapparal "76"'s quality

[Doc Waxham]

All I have read the post on the problems with the Chapparal and Uberti 76's. I am looking to buy a Chapparal in either 50/95 or 45/60 is there any new word out there or has anybody had any recent problems with what they purchased. Any input will be appreciated.

Doc

[the missing link]

I have 2 Caparrel 76`s. One whith 26" barrel in 45-60, and one with 22" barrel in 50-95. They are both real fine guns, and i rate them as better than the Ubertis. The wood are oil rubbed and look realy autentic, and not as the artificial look on Ubertis wood.
The action are thight and smooth. The barrels are simply 1. class. The muzzle end are  perfecktli crowned. The muzzles on the ubertis look like they are sawed of with a hacksaw. So i can just recommend the Chaparrel.

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[Hilo Willy]

I have 3 Chaparrals a '76 in 45-60 with 28" tube, a '73 carbine and a '66 short rifle.  Besides the sights on the 76 and 73 being iffy the only real problem I've had has been the trigger return spring on the '66.  I contacted Charles Daley/KBI as that is what was stamped on the barrel--sais they had to order one (4 weeks ago).  I sent an email to Chaparral in Italy asking for a parts source and they asked for my mailing address to send the parts.  We'll seee who wins the race parts from Harrisburg PA or from Italy (I live outside of Phila PA)

I like my '76 -- I replace the front sight (original was a bent brass blade) with a small globe.  The rear sight was of dubious quality -- ladder type but the cross piece kept sliding down - this I replaced with a cheap vernier tang.  The gun shoots well enough to keep all the shots on a 9" paper pie plate at 100 yds. I still working on smokeless loads with TrailBoss and IMR 4198.  I get a lot of compliments on the gun at the range--kinda stands out in this day of black plastic stocks and bazillion round mags that shoot pea sized bullets. 

Bottom line I'm not sorry I bought a Chappy and if I had some money I'd get another '76 (the '66 and 73 are to be turned into match rifles for Cowboy Action Shooting)

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[evodude]

I own 3, a .40-60 26", and two .50-95's, one 24" and one 28", and am pleased as punch with all 3. They group well, with  the .50-95's both shooting average 4 1/2 to 5" groups at 100 yds. Had to do a little polishing on the sear notch on the .40-60,which is a Charles Daly by Chapparal to get the hammer to clear the half notch safety location, but theyre a snap to work on. If you havent yet, check out CDNN 's website out of Texas, they sell them for $699.00 and thats about the best price you can find anywhere! Have fun.

[Rebel Dave]

Hello Guys
I am in the same boat as Doc,.... I am contemplating the purchase of an 1876 Chaparral,  in 45/60, and am kind of worried, after all the posts here, and esl-where, about all the negativity, that has been posted on the chappys.  Would like to here something new, either way, on them. How long have You guys had your Chappys,???.
Thanks for the replys.

Dave C.

[evodude]

Ive had my three Chappy's for around three years, my .40-60 has had 300 or so rounds through it, my 28" .50-95 has had 600 or so rounds through it, and my 24" .50-95 only 100 rds. All are real accurate, and Id buy another one in a heartbeat, Im looking at a .45-75 24" on CDNN. BUT, if youre that concerned about it, Id stay away from them. Spend the extra $500 and get a Uberti or Taylor. Remember, though, they may have issues as well!

[Rebel Dave]

Thanks evodude
I talked to my local gunshop today (5-4-09) and I have him looking for a 76 Chaparral in 45/60 for me. I'll go from there, and keep you all informed. Hope to get the 26 in bbl.,  I think 22 bbl, is to short, as I want to use it for some type of long range plinking and also deer hunting. 

Thanks Dave C.

[evodude]

That 22" sure does carry nice! If I were going hunting I'd fer sure pack my 22". Dang, you may need to buy two!!

[Rebel Dave]

Evo
Yeah that is a good thought about Two(2), but I be in the dog house, for a long time with Mama.
I've got an early Marlin 1895, that I've had for years, and it has a 22 in Bbl, and its real easy to carry in the woods. It's my main hunting rifle in the  Northerm Wisconsin woods.

Dave C.

[Dirty Brass]

I asgree Rebel Dave. One thing I learned a long time ago trapsing through Wisconsin hard woods is, ya' don't need a 26" barrel. 50 yard shots are the norm, and lighter is better. (especially now that I'm retired!) I cut my 28" 45/75 down to 24" for just that reason....

[Grizzly Adams]

I own 3, a .40-60 26", and two .50-95's, one 24" and one 28", and am pleased as punch with all 3. They group well, with  the .50-95's both shooting average 4 1/2 to 5" groups at 100 yds. Had to do a little polishing on the sear notch on the .40-60,which is a Charles Daly by Chapparal to get the hammer to clear the half notch safety location, but theyre a snap to work on. If you havent yet, check out CDNN 's website out of Texas, they sell them for $699.00 and thats about the best price you can find anywhere! Have fun.

Hi Evodude.

Have you had any problems obtaining parts from Charter for your Chaparrals or from Charles Daley?  Who is warranting the CDNN uinits?

[Joss House]

I'm in for one!  

Fortunately I am a hobby gunsmith and in light of many not so positive reports of the quality of the Chaparral on some forums, I took a gamble and ordered a 45-60 28" bbl today from CDNN. The price of $699 was reasonable even if it needs smithing. I'll give a report once it arrives and I disassemble it to examine the quality of workmanship. I'm as excited as a kid in a toy store.

[Grizzly Adams]

I'm in for one!  

Fortunately I am a hobby gunsmith and in light of many not so positive reports of the quality of the Chaparral on some forums, I took a gamble and ordered a 45-60 28" bbl today from CDNN. The price of $699 was reasonable even if it needs smithing. I'll give a report once it arrives and I disassemble it to examine the quality of workmanship. I'm as excited as a kid in a toy store.

Excellent !  Looking forward to your report.  FWIW, I was visiting with a buddy of mine this afternoon in regards to his Chappy SRC in 45-60.  He has some small complaints, but none that relate to the accuracy of same carbine.

[ndnchf]

Joss - lookin' forward to your eval.  I've wondered if Chappy quality has improved with the later production versions.  My Uberti is top notch, but those Chappy NWMP carbines have my eye too

[evodude]

Oddly enough, I recieved a pin for my .40-60 toggle link from Angelo just yesterday. That 76 is one made for Charles Daly by Chapparal, and when it arrived last year, I opened it up to reduce the angle of the 1/2 cock notch on the hammer. If you squeezed the trigger steadily, sometimes the hammer would catch at the half cock and youd have to recock it to fire, half cock being the only safety feature on these. I noticed a toggle link pin had worked its way out a tad, and I took the toggle assembly out and set the pin and re-peened it in place. I was concerned that if it did come out all the way, it would be gone, because it would drop out of the bottom of the action. I called Chaparral and talked to a gent named Nichola and described my concern. He told me he'd get a new toggle assembly off to me and just replace the old one entirely. well, it took around a month, but I recieved only the pins, but they were the wrong ones! Didnt really bother me, though, because my peen job is holding fine. I contacted them via internet and talked to Angelo, described to him what I needed and in around a month, recieved a packet containing all the pins associated with the toggle link assembly. At least they didnt request me to send the gun in for repair- I wouldnt do it out of fear theyd replace it with another gun- this one shoots like a house on fire!! I dont know where they get their barrels, but all three of mine are incredibally accurate for an open-sighted gun. I guess to answer your question Griz, Im pretty happy overall with those folks, they tried to satisfy my needs twice, and although communications are slow, they do respond to you. I think for the money, you cant beat their product- Id buy another one in a heartbeat.

[Rebel Dave]

Hello Guys

My local dealer rounded up a 1876 Chaparral for me in 45/60, with 26in Bbl, for 828.00 w/tax out the door. It should be here the end of next week. I can't wait.
I picked the 45/60 cause I have tons of 45/70 cases, to make them from.

I will post on the findings of this arm when I get it and check it out, and keep you all informed.

On another thought, I was on the Italian Chaparral site, and was looking at the specs for the  different chaparral calibers. They have the dimensions of all the 76 Chap calibers on it.
Where is the U.S. Chaparral site now,???. Charter  dosn't mention chaparral on their site, and the Chaparral site is no more, unless I have the wrong address.

Rebel Dave aka Dave C.

[Grizzly Adams]

Where is the U.S. Chaparral site now,???. Charter  dosn't mention chaparral on their site, and the Chaparral site is no more, unless I have the wrong address.

I understand that Charter is no longer handling the Chaparral 76.  The scuttlebutt I am hearing is that Charter was supposed to have an exclusive on the 76, but the ASM folks in Italy started making the rifle available to other distributor like Charles Daley, CDNN, and TriStar. Charter will only service the rifles they actually sold - no others.  Someone correct me if I am wrong!   Please! 

Let's hope someone like VTI will pick up the parts supply for ASM/Chaparral.

[Hoof Hearted]

I understand that Charter is no longer handling the Chaparral 76.  The scuttlebutt I am hearing is that Charter was supposed to have an exclusive on the 76, but the ASM folks in Italy started making the rifle available to other distributor like Charles Daley, CDNN, and TriStar. Charter will only service the rifles they actually sold - no others.  Someone correct me if I am wrong!   Please! 

Let's hope someone like VTI will pick up the parts supply for ASM/Chaparral.

Well.................
It was only a matter of time that Nick Ecker at Charter would be out of the Chapparal business
And none too soon! The man never and I mean NEVER kept his word to me (about 40 times)
My guess is he is the main reason that Chapparal has such a bad reputation here (yea I know about ASM also).
But it's not like we all didn't try to warn them

Hope your purchase goes well and if you have moderate skills you should be fine, now that you know what to expect.
Good luck on ya!

HH