Chiappa Resurrects the M6 Survival Gun w/ 10+ Caliber Options
TFB’s staff scoured SHOTShow 2014 for all the latest, but the show is so big, something is bound to slip through the cracks. One such gem is the pictured Chiappa X-Caliber, the 12-Gauge version of Chiappa’s M6-22, a 20-Gauge replica of the Springfield M6, a .410/.22 over/under survival rifle for US Military air personnel.
The X-Caliber adds some noted improvements over the M6 Aircrew Survival Weapon, namely separate triggers for the shotgun and .22, enhanced trigger guard, better loop and post sights, and three picatinny rails for sights, lasers, and accessories.
The real advantage of the rifle is that it is a true multi-caliber system. The X-Caliber includes 8 steel adapters from Gear Up’s (X Caliber) system, which converts the 12-gauge smooth-bore into a rifle for 8 separate pistol calibers including: .380 , 9 mm , .357Mag/.38SP , .40 S & W, .44 Mag, .45 ACP , .410/.45colt, and down-sizes to .410 and 20-gauge for a total of 12 calibers. Gear-Up has tested .223 and .308 inserts.
The butt-stock includes space for 3 12-gauge shells and (1 taken up by a factory cleaning kit) and 5 .22 rounds. The barrels are both 18.5″ and feature M1-style adjustable sights. The front post is fiber optic. The X-Caliber retails for $749.00 (including the full insert kit), while the .20-gauge M6-22 expects to priced up $375.00 (no inserts).
Rest assured, we will request a sample for review. This may just be the ultimate survival weapon…
Author’s note: The title photograph comes from the RockyMountainBushcraft blog, who has excellent coverage and hands-on impressions of the combined rifle/shotgun here.
One of TFB's resident Jarheads, Nathan now works within the firearms industry. A consecutive Marine rifle and pistol expert, he enjoys local 3-gun, NFA, gunsmithing, MSR's, & high-speed gear. Nathan has traveled to over 30 countries working with US DoD & foreign MoDs.The above post is my opinion and does not reflect the views of any company or organization.
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The X-Caliber option seems to offer a huge amount of versatility that will probably make a lot of end users very happy, and is deserving of further consideration, although I personally prefer the basic 20-gauge / .22LR weapon for the sake of straightforward simplicity ( after all, it is supposed to be a survival rifle ). The X-Caliber's detail improvements --- specifically, the sights, trigger guard and separate triggers --- are all desirable features, but I'm not too sure about the need for Picatinny rails in a basic survival rifle. They are nice to have, but are they really necessary in the truest sense of what a survival rifle is supposed to be? I guess the jury is still out on this topic since there are so many pros and cons involved.
X caliber system = A 'poor man's' version of the Gaugemate Pocket Arsenal series, but with an extra $50 premium -oh and with one ‘less’ caliber option!
The almost exact same system is available directly from manufacturer
Gaugemate http://www.gaugemate.com/ad... , except Gaugemate also happen to offer ALL of their caliber options separately, in addition to one -which is not available in 'X caliber' set, but most people wouldn't be bothered with and never wish for in a "survival' situation: or ever heard of; the very rare .22LR caliber!