Experienced opinions desired

[Black River Smith]

I really need and want your opinions on caliber and barrel length.

I am a believer in authenticity but now I must live with availability.  I can only afford a Chappy from CDNN.  In their catalog they list 28in original length in 45/60, only.  26in - in 40/60 and 45/60.  Now original to me, would be the 28in in 45/75 which is what I would have gotten last year, if I had been able to.  PS - I have shot enough 45-70's so I would be interested in something new.

I will have to buy moulds for either caliber so that factor equals out sort-of.  I can mod a Lee for 300 grn for 45cal but buy new for the 210 grn 40cal.

I have read the 45/60 can be rechambered that would also work but would be done down-the-road.  People told me the barrels are iffy and that I should buy a 40 and then have it rebored and rechambered as another option, later.  But I read on here that the barrels are very accurate, comments???.  

So, based on this information, please give me your best opinions, before I order.  Unfortunately, I can only buy one, or else I would buy the 28 and mod and buy the 40 for easy fun shooting and light hunting.

Thanks
BRS

[ndnchf]

IMHO, don't buy a Chappy.  There have been a number of folks happy with theirs, but a lot have been very unhappy also, due to the poor quality control.  Read through this forum and you'll see many problems with Chappys.  Do you really want to have all that aggravation?  In the long run you would be much better off waiting while you save up more money to get a good Uberti.  No manufacturer is perfect and a problem can arise with any of them.  But Uberti's have far fewer problems and there is a good repair and support network available if needed. 

Just my two cents worth... 

[MJN77]

Chaparral Arms has been out of business for several years now. So no parts available. Chaparral has a reputation for horrible QC. The ones that CDNN is selling is old stock. Buy at your own risk.

[Silver_Rings]

BRS,

I have 2 Chappies I bought from CDNN and I am happy with both.  For what I paid for my Chappies I am happy with the quality.  My first Chappy 76 was in 45-60 with 28" barrel and is what I would recommend.  The 45-60 is an easy round to load and the brass is much cheaper.  Brass for either round can be hard to find.  The Chappy 45-75 has the Italian chamber, which has the shoulder further forward.  This allows the case to hold more powder but the shorter neck limits the length of bullet you can load before the base of the bullet protrudes in to the powder area. 

Silver Rings