SHOT Show 2012: Chiappa Designs First Delayed Blowback 1911

4
SHOT Show 2012: Chiappa Designs First Delayed Blowback 1911
The Chiappa .45 DBB challenges orthodoxy with a delayed blow back design. It promises increased accuracy and reliability without the custom price tag.
The Chiappa .45 DBB challenges orthodoxy with a delayed blow back design. It promises increased accuracy and reliability without the custom price tag.
The Chiappa .45 DBB challenges 1911 orthodoxy with a gas delayed blow back design. It promises increased accuracy and reliability without the custom price tag. Chiappa unveiled the pistol at SHOT Show 2012. Photo by Corey Graff

Chiappa has challenged orthodoxy again with its 45DBB, a delayed blowback 1911, unveiled at SHOT Show 2012.

It makes perfect sense when you think about it. But apparently no one has yet dared to … think about it. Or at least no one has felt brazen enough to radically tinker with the guts — that is, the very design — of Browning's timeless 1911. Until now.

Chiappa (pronounced “Kee-ah-Pah!) has designed a delayed blow back 1911 — and it's none too surprising that it comes from those ever-daring folks from Italy, the same people that had the guts to bring to market the Rhino, which is just about the strangest-looking revolver in the world.

The delayed gas blowback design of the Chiappa 45DBB operates via gas port holes cut into the barrel assembly. Photo by Corey Graff
The delayed gas blowback design of the Chiappa 45DBB operates via gas port holes cut into the barrel assembly. Photo by Corey Graff

Strange-looking, sure, but it's hard to argue with the results. Some say it's the best wheelgun you can buy today.

It could be that the company will be rewarded again for thinking outside the box. While this new 1911 sticks to plain-Jane orthodoxy in the looks department, it's what's under the hood that will make some die-hard 1911 traditionalists take notice. Some will cheer, while others will spin in circles and vomit pea soup.

Designated the Chiappa 45DBB (for Delayed Blowback), President Ron Norton was happy to give Gun Digest a first peek at the innovative semi-auto on opening morning of SHOT Show 2012, the gun industry's trade show being held this week in Las Vegas, Nevada.

A 1911 re-design is a radical concept for sure, but this one could arguably make John Moses Browning proud.  Norton thinks that it'll be competition shooters who'll notice its benefits. But when he started talking about decreased recovery time shot to shot, I immediately started to think about tactical shooters and defensive gun uses.

Here's how it works. The Chiappa 45DBB is designed with a locking lug positioned on the bottom and aft end of the barrel assembly. This lug is pinned to the frame. There are small gas port holes cut into the barrel that drive the delayed blow back action of the slide. 

“It's like the difference between a Remington Model 1100 and an 870,” Norton said.  

According to him, the pistol's inherent design yields very fast cycle speeds. This is due to its shorter travel and reduced barrel assembly movement (which, again, is locked down). It's said to give accuracy in a production gun that would normally require extensive machining and hand-fitting to acheive.

The Chiappa .45DBB sports classic looks and an innovative action - innovative by 1911 standards.
The Chiappa .45DBB sports classic looks and an innovative action – innovative by 1911 standards. Photo by Corey Graff

Yet, because it doesn't rely on “tightness” â€” one traditional means employed  by machinists to improve accuracy in the 1911 — it can boast both accuracy and reliability.

Reduced recoil is another benefit touted, although Norton was careful to say that the recoil will be “less or equal to” that of a traditional 1911.

Platform Breeds Interchangeability

One additional thing the Chiappa 45DBB promises is interchangeability between calibers.

Norton says the company is developing conversion kits for the gun that will allow you to switch between .45ACP, .22LR and 9mm.

There'll be no gunsmithing involved; you'll simply drop in and pin the new barrel to the frame assembly and off you go.

The Chiappa .45DBB will retail for less than $800 for the full pistol, and the conversion kits are expected to go for under $400.

Time will tell what say the shooters about the Chiappa 45DBB. But methinks it's a testament to both a classic design — and to those who dare to tinker.

For more information, visit chiappafirearms.com.

44-Targetposters-pack-GD-reduced-300

Next Step: Get your FREE Printable Target Pack

Enhance your shooting precision with our 62 MOA Targets, perfect for rifles and handguns. Crafted in collaboration with Storm Tactical for accuracy and versatility.

Subscribe to the Gun Digest email newsletter and get your downloadable target pack sent straight to your inbox. Stay updated with the latest firearms info in the industry.

4 COMMENTS

  1. Actually, Chiappa is late to the party when it comes to “tinkering with the guts” of the 1911.

    First off, we have the rotary-barrel-lock Obregon from Mexico. Then, a number of “gas operated” and “delayed blowback” conversions from both individual gunsmiths such as Jim Boland and Jim Hoge (the “Avenger”), and small companies such as Network Custom Guns. Let’s not forget the Springfield Armory, Inc. “Linkless” with its Star Super-type cammed barrel lug (no link, “linkless,” get it :-)?) and its Peters Stahl progenitor.

    One review circa ’03 (https://www.thefirearmsforum.com/showthread.php?t=4487) found the delayed-blowback system tested had brutal recoil. It will be interesting to see how Chiappa’s design fares.

    Regards,

    Walt Kuleck

    Author,
    The M1911 Complete Owner’s Guide
    The M14 Complete Assembly Guide
    The M1 Garand Complete Assembly Guide
    The AR-15 Complete Assembly Guide
    The AR-15 Complete Owner’s Guide
    Coming soon: The M1911 Complete Assembly Guide

  2. Interesting, it basically uses the same gas-delay system as the Steyr GB. Unfortunately, I doubt that they will be any more successful than the NCG Gas Gun, a gas-delay conversion for the M1911 that was based on the HK P7.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.