Chiappa Little Badger .17 HMR 16.5in Threaded Rifle
Video review
Expert review
About this product
The Chiappa Little Badger .17 HMR 16.5in Threaded Rifle is an ultra-compact, foldable break-action single-shot rimfire carbine engineered for minimalists who demand absolute portability from a field tool. It is designed from the ground up for tasks where every ounce matters, using a wire-frame steel skeleton to achieve a declared overall weight of just 2.9 pounds while maintaining a 16.5-inch barrel for proper .17 HMR velocity. The threaded muzzle at 1/2x28 allows for direct compatibility with standard rimfire suppressors, making it one of the few options in this configuration that avoids adapter headaches.
What is the Chiappa Little Badger used for?
Its primary use is as a dedicated pack-gun for survival kits, backpackers, trappers, or ranch hands who require a reliable vermin-control tool that adds negligible bulk. The single-shot break-action mandates deliberate, accurate shooting—ideal for dispatching small game or varmints where follow-up shots are rarely needed. When folded to its 20-inch transport length, it stows easily in a vehicle door pocket, ATV crate, or the included nylon bag, ready for opportunistic shots at distances well beyond the effective range of a handgun.
How does the Little Badger compare to the Stevens 334 Rifle?
The Little Badger is fundamentally better for pure portability and suppressor-ready convenience, while the Stevens 334 in the .243 Win or .243 Win — our editorial take is superior for precision and rapid follow-up shots on medium game. The Stevens 334 is a full-power, magazine-fed bolt action weighing nearly 7 pounds with a 4-round capacity; the Little Badger sacrifices all that for a 2.9-pound foldable footprint and a 31-inch overall length when deployed. Choose the Little Badger for a tool you will actually carry all day; choose the Stevens 334 for a rifle you will shoot from a stable position.
What does it weigh and what are the dimensions?
The rifle weighs a declared 2.9 pounds (approximately 46.4 ounces or 1315 grams) with an overall length of 31 inches when the wire stock is extended. When folded for transport, the package shrinks to a compact 20 inches in length, with a height of just 7.5 inches due to the minimalist frame design. The 16.5-inch cold-hammer-forged barrel provides the optimal length for .17 HMR ballistics, generating velocities around 2550 feet per second with a 17-grain V-Max load for flat trajectories out to 150 yards.
Who is this NOT for?
This rifle is not for anyone seeking a traditional plinking rifle, a rapid-fire varmint tool, or a beginner's first rimfire. The mandatory manual extraction and reloading after every shot makes sustained fire impractical, and the minimalist ergonomics require a practiced handling technique to operate smoothly under field conditions. If your use case involves more than a handful of shots per outing, or you prioritize comfort and speed over ultimate packability, a standard bolt-action or a semi-auto like a Ruger 10/22 is a far better fit.
What's in the box?
You receive the rifle itself, a 1/2x28 thread protector, a basic nylon carry bag with a drawstring closure, and the integrated wire stock cartridge holder that holds four spare .17 HMR rounds. Notably absent are any optics, rings, or advanced sighting systems; Chiappa assumes you will add your own preferred red dot or low-power scope to the 4-slot Picatinny rail. The package is complete for its intended role but spartan—this is a rifle sold as a bare platform, not a turn-key system.
Is the Chiappa Little Badger worth it at $254.99?
At $254.99, it is worth the investment only if your specific need is for the most portable, suppressor-ready .17 HMR platform available in a non-NFA configuration. You are paying for a niche engineering solution—a folding, threaded, single-shot carbine—not for refinement or features. For comparison, a threaded Ruger American Rimfire bolt-action starts around $100 more but offers a 10-round magazine and vastly better ergonomics. If the fold-and-stow capability is critical to your kit, the Little Badger delivers unique value; if not, those funds are better spent on a more conventional platform.
Specs at a glance
Pros & cons
What works
- Weighs only 2.9 lbs — 55% lighter than a standard Stevens 334 bolt-action rifle.
- Folds to a 20-inch transport length — fits in standard backpack compartments.
- Threaded 16.5" barrel with 1/2x28 pitch — direct suppressor mounting with no adapter required.
- Integrated stock cartridge holder — carries 4 spare rounds in the frame.
- Quad Picatinny rail forward of receiver — provides 4 inches of accessory mounting space.
Trade-offs
- Single-shot break-action only — requires manual extraction and reloading after every round, making sustained fire impractical.
- Minimalist wire stock ergonomics — lacks a comb or cheek riser, challenging for consistent optic alignment.
- No included sights beyond basic fiber-optic front and adjustable rear — significant investment in optics required for precision work.
- Blued finish is functional but not durable — shows wear quickly on high-contact points during field use.
Key attributes
| upc | 8053670712072 |
| manufacturer | Chiappa Firearms |
| manufacturer part number | 500.145 |
| action | Single Shot |
| atf type | RIFLE |
| barrel length | 16.5" |
| caliber/gauge | .17 HM2 |
| capacity | 1 |
| color | Black |
| length | 19.5 |
| model | Little Badger |
| package height | 1.6 |
| package width | 11.2 |
| product type | Rifle |
| safety | Hammer |
| shipping weight | 3.9 |
| sights | Adjustable |
| sights type | Adjustable Sights |
Frequently asked questions
- Is the barrel threading compatible with a .22LR suppressor?
- Yes, the 1/2x28 thread pitch is the standard for .22 caliber rimfire suppressors from brands like SilencerCo, Dead Air, and Rugged. Ensure your chosen suppressor is rated for the higher pressure and slightly smaller projectile diameter of the .17 HMR round. Many rimfire cans are multi-caliber rated for .17 HMR up to 5.7x28mm, but verify with the manufacturer's specifications before mounting.
- Can I mount a scope on the Picatinny rail?
- Absolutely. The forward-mounted quad-rail provides 4 inches of continuous Picatinny interface, sufficient for most rimfire-specific red dots or compact scopes with low-profile rings. Due to the break-action design, optics must be mounted far enough forward to clear the opening breech; I recommend using a scope with eye relief of 3.5 inches or greater to achieve a proper cheek weld on the wire stock.
- What is the overall length when folded?
- The rifle folds down to a compact 20 inches in total length, with the barrel and action parallel to the folded wire stock. This dimension, combined with its 2.9-pound weight, allows it to fit into backpacks, briefcases, or the included nylon bag with ease, making it one of the most portable centerfire-capable rifles (by ballistic performance) on the market that does not require an NFA stamp.
- Does Ironclad Armory ship to all 50 states?
- Yes, Ironclad Armory ships firearms to all 50 states in compliance with federal law, but all rifles must be shipped to a licensed Federal Firearms License (FFL) holder of your choice for transfer. Once your order is placed, our system will prompt you to select your FFL from our network or provide their license details. Processing and shipping typically take 3-5 business days before the firearm is in transit to your dealer.