First introduced in 2020, the Chiappa Firearms Wildlands line of lever-action rifles was conceived to modernize two tried and true, reliable designs – the Winchester 1886 and 1892 lever-action rifle platforms, specifically – in order to meet the ever-evolving needs, tastes and demands of modern-day hunters, particularly when it comes to hog hunting in the harshest woodlands.

Given the intended reference market, the 1886 and 1892 design had to be reimagined under the modern-day canons of effectiveness, ruggedness, and versatility: the rifle should remain manageable in close-quarters and still deliver respectable levels of stopping power at longer range; it should be easily and quickly brought on target for a positive acquisition; be able to mount red dot sights and optical sighting devices; and withstand long, intense hunting trips in the thick brush.

And all of this, of course, without sacrificing aesthetics for modernity – not to mention that the rifle should remain a viable option for uses other than hunting, including plinking, target shooting, training, competition shooting, as well as home defense and property protection.

Quite a remarkable list of requirements, to which the Chiappa Firearms company answers with the 1886 Wildlands rifles – chambered in .45/70 Government and featuring a partially octagonal 419 mm / 16.5” or 470 mm / 18” barrel – and the 1892 Wildlands rifles, chambered in .44 Magnum and featuring a tubular 16.5” barrel.

The set of shared features common to all variants of the Wildlands series include a raised red fiber-optic front sight and a rear Skinner-type peep sight with a MIL-STD 1913 Picatinny rail for optics; additionally, all variants feature a protected thread at the muzzle, allowing the use of flash hiders, muzzle brakes, sound suppressors (where legal), and other muzzle devices.

The .44 Magnum caliber 1892 Wildlands rifles feed from a 5-rounds magazine tube; capacity for the 1886 Wildlands rifles in .45/70 Government falls to four rounds. All models are top-ejecting, will accept an additional round in chamber, and load through a side gate.

The trigger on all Chiappa Firearms Wildlands is the standard single-action that you would expect from a lever-action hunting rifle. The hammer can be moved manually to a half-cocked position, dubbing as a manual safety.

The Chiappa Firearms 1886 Wildlands and 1892 Wildlands rifles are built around CNC-machined receivers, and available in two distinct variants: Black and Dark Gray. The Black models feature a full embossed matte black finish on all outer metal surfaces, a wooden stock and handguard with a full black Soft Touch finish, and a wide charging lever with a convenient Paracord wrapping.

The Dark Gray models sport a matte gray Cerakote finish all through the receiver, lever, hammer, barrel and magazine tube, accented by the elegant looks of the laminate stock and handguard. All variants feature a sturdy set of sling swivel studs underneath the handguard and stock.