The Chiappa LA322 Bandit Bootleg is a Turkish made, tube-fed 22LR and it’s what happens when you take a traditional rimfire lever action and shrink it down until it fits in a daypack. It is a 12 inch barrel “Mare’s Leg” style firearm that occupies a weird but fun space in the market. This lever action is designed for portability and quick plinking.
Most compact lever guns are fixed, but the LA322 uses a single large thumb screw on the right side of the receiver that allows for you to take it down. This allows the gun to break into two pieces for mildly more compact storage. Realistically, the takedown is more useful on versions that have a stock.
Specifications
- Caliber: .22 LR
- Barrel Length: 12 inches
- Capacity: 9 rounds (tubular magazine)
- Action: Lever-action takedown
- Weight: Approximately 4.4 lbs
- Sights: Hooded front blade, adjustable buckhorn rear
- Finish: Matte black with black wood furniture
- Price: Around $400 CAD
Usability
Without a full stock, you are giving up accuracy. Some might choose to shoot with like a pistol with 2 hands on the grip while others will have their support (left) hand up on the forend. For small game hunting, this means your effective range is much shorter than a standard rifle. However, for a trapper or a backpacker who needs a “just in case” rimfire for a grouse or a rabbit, the weight and size are hard to beat.
The action is generally smooth enough, though Chiappa’s rimfire actions can feel a bit clunky compared to a more premium, broken-in rifle. The takedown screw is captured, so you won’t lose it in the grass when disassembling the rifle. One quirk of the LA322 design is that the lever remains attached to the front half of the gun when taken down, which can leave the internal linkage exposed if you aren’t careful how you pack it. I wouldn’t remove the grip or take this rifle down as it exposes the rifles guts to the air.
Aftermarket and Potential Modifications
The aftermarket for the LA322 is relatively thin compared to the Ruger 10/22 or even the Henry rimfires.
- Optics: The receiver is grooved for 3/8 inch dovetail mounts. You can add a small red dot, which actually helps with the awkward “no stock” aiming.
- Furniture: Since it is based on the standard LA322, some users have experimented with swapping the birdshead grip for a full-size stock
Competitors
The primary rival is the Henry Mare’s Leg.
- The Henry typically has a smoother action out of the box and a higher level of fit and finish.
- The Chiappa wins on practicality because it is a takedown and usually comes in at a lower price point.
- The Heritage Settler is another budget option, but it lacks the takedown feature that makes the Chiappa stand out.
Conclusion
The Chiappa LA322 Bandit Bootleg is a niche tool. It isn’t going to replace your dedicated squirrel rifle, but it is one of the most portable .22 LR firearms on the market that isn’t a handgun. If you value the takedown capability and want a “truck gun” that can disappear into a backpack, it is a solid, budget-friendly choice.
Pros:
- Extremely lightweight and compact.
- Budget-friendly compared to American-made rivals.
- Toolless takedown is very convenient but not very useful with such a short stock
Cons:
- Difficult to shoot accurately at distance without a stock.
- Lower magazine capacity than the full-sized LA322.
- Very small ejection port might be prone to jams
