About a year ago, I had this idea for a project using the Crazy Ivan Original Chassis. Since this chassis is compatible with AR-style handguards, I wanted to do a short-barrel 22 Charger suppressor host. The plan was a super compact Charger with a folding brace, and little to no extra length when suppressed. This meant there would be some “out of the box thinking” to be done. On the back end, the chassis wasn’t directly compatible with the brace I wanted to use. At the other end, I would need a pretty short barrel tucked inside my handguard of choice. When all was said and done, I got exactly what I wanted, thanks to the the huge aftermarket support for 10/22 pattern firearms. Here’s the full breakdown of my build.
Crazy Ivan Original chassis
For anyone wanting an “AR” look to their 10/22 or 22 Charger, this is the chassis to get. It’s threaded at the rear for a standard receiver extension (buffer tube) to accept nearly any stock or brace. Same with the grip. Any AR-compatible grip will fit, with the exception of the beaver tail models. But it’s the upper and front section of the chassis that is really unique. This cleverly designed piece allows the attachment of free-floating handguards using a standard barrel nut. And it still comes apart for cleaning with a single takedown screw.
Machined from a block of 6061-T6 aluminum, the chassis is available either anodized black, or Cerakoted. A secondary screw at the rear locks down the receiver for enhanced stability and accuracy. The included grip spacer makes a nice transition from grip to trigger guard. And you can even get one specific to Volquartsen triggers at no extra charge. Pricing runs from $209 for the Slick Side anodized black (pictured), to $259 for the Lite model with Cerakote color options. Note that the chassis only includes the two pieces pictured below. The Nylon 12 pistol grip is a $39 option.
Assembly
Four long screws go through the upper chassis piece, and into the existing holes in a Ruger OEM receiver. Precise machining allows this piece to exactly match the contour of the receiver. This and the longer screws allow for a very solid mount. Note that the Picatinny rail section is raised up much higher than usual. This is so it can line up perfectly with upper rails on the handguard. Unlike other chassis/handguard solutions, the Crazy Ivan Original makes for one continuous rail section.
My inexpensive handguard included a heavy steel barrel nut. Once that was installed, adding the handguard was easy. After timing the handguard to line up with the Picatinny rail on the chassis, I tightened the cross screws snugly. Before installing the grip or brace adapter, I adjusted the rear set screw to add the second contact point for the receiver. As usual, the grip is installed last. Up front, the included takedown screw even has a little nylon washer. This goes inside the chassis, to keep the screw from falling out on disassembly. Just one more smart detail to the Crazy Ivan chassis.
Attaching the folding brace
Normally, attaching a folding brace (or stock) to this chassis involves one of two options. The least expensive is the UTG folding adapter, for around $20. It’s bulky, ugly, and doesn’t have the best lockup. But it does the job. For around $100, the Hera Arms SFU (side folding unit) is the polar opposite of the UTG. Beautifully machined, with clean lines and positive locking. Except that’s another $100 before adding a buffer tube and brace. Right in the middle of all this is the Engineered Silence (soon to be Adder Arms) MCX/MPX Ar-15 stock rail adapter. At $54.99, it’s a reasonably priced solution for adding a rear Picatinny rail section to a chassis.
Installation was simple. I started by threading the adapter into the rear of the chassis. I just threaded it in as far as it would go, then adjusted slightly so I could use the set screw in the chassis to keep it in place. From there, I tightened the two hex head screws to really lock it down. All this needs to be done without the grip in place, as it makes it easier to access that tiny set screw at the rear/underside of the chassis. With the adapter firmly attached, I was able to add the SB Tactical FS1913 side folding brace.
Other brace and stock options
Rather than be selfish and only discuss what I did on this particular project, I need to share some other options as well. Because Karl, the guy behind Crazy Ivan, really knows how to innovate, and comes up with some cool ideas. If you value light weight and minimalist design for your Charger (or even a rifle), he’s got you covered. There’s a small insert for the rear of the chassis that accepts his carbon fiber tubes. These can then be fitted with a Tailhook Mod 1 brace. Simple, elegant, and light. Example image below. If you’re interested in that build, find it here.
Keeping with the light and innovative theme, Karl also offers a fully adjustable 6.7 ounce stock. It’s a combination of carbon fiber, Nylon 12, and aluminum. If I was doing this project as a rifle, I would combine the Crazy Ivan Original Chassis with a carbon fiber handguard, and his lightweight stock. As you can see in the image below, it’s got an adjustable cheek rest. It’s ideal for irons, a low mounted reflex sight, or even a bright scope with large objective, or taller rings. You can read more about it here.
The Summit Precision super shorty custom barrel
As long as I’m assembling this Charger with parts from multiple manufacturers, might as well add one more. Choosing Summit Precision is an easy choice. Quality barrels at fair pricing is one reason. Variety in color options for the carbon fiber sleeve is another. And the fact that different barrels lengths can be ordered is yet another reason. But really, Matt, the owner, being my neighbor is also a huge factor. He picked up my barrel on the way home from work one day, and I was able to grab it a few nights later.
Measuring from the receiver forward, and suppressor back, we determined that 5-3/8″ was the ideal length for the barrel. That leaves a little over an inch of suppressor poking out from the handguard. It’s exactly the look I wanted. And it only added that little bit of length overall. At the same time, there is just enough suppressor in front of the handguard, that no one is likely to have an accident with a support hand too far forward.
Range time
This is an extremely fun project. That Tactical Solutions Axiom suppressor is quiet with subsonic ammo. Although it’s hard to gauge the actual volume due to my electronic ear pro, the sound of lead on steel seems louder than the report or action. Perhaps the downside is that when I miss the gong, the silence is more obvious. Having a short barrel helps keep velocity down. Shooting long strings isn’t a problem either, as the handguard protects hands from the heat of the suppressor.
Handling of this shorty Charger is pretty good. There is definitely a forward weight bias, due to the inexpensive handguard. I’d like to find a lighter one. But overall, it swings from target to target nicely. And when we’re done, the brace gets folded and it fits into my the front pocket of my rifle bag. It’s not my lightest Charger, but certainly one of the most fun.
Full build details
Unlike some of my other projects, this one is based on a mostly stock Ruger 22 Charger. That’s in part because the Crazy Ivan Original Chassis only works with an OEM (or exact clone) receiver. So factory receiver, bolt, and trigger. Doesn’t even have the auto bolt release yet. Crazy Ivan Original Slick Side Chassis with Crazy Ivan grip. Cheap handguard picked up off local classified ads. Custom cut Summit Precision carbon fiber barrel. TacSol Axiom suppressor. And a Vortex Venom red dot. Plenty of room for upgrades, but I’m fine shooting it just the way it is.
Special thanks
First, I need to thank Karl from Crazy Ivan for his awesome chassis. I’ve built a lot of different chassis projects, and I really do think that Crazy Ivan offers the best options. The Comp Lite chassis is the lightest I have tried. This Original Slick Side gets closer to the AR look than any others. And his options are very well thought out. Next is Matt from Summit Precision. His barrels are light and accurate. And colorful, if you want. Plus, he doesn’t tell me I’m crazy when I pitch a build idea. But I can see that he’s thinking it. Finally, Jon from Engineered Silence/Adder Arms. He hooked me up the adapter that bought it all together. I’ll have a separate review of that piece in the future.