---
title: "Chiappa Inserts Let You Convert a Shotgun for Other Gauges and Centerfire Cartridges"
description: "It isn't unusual for competitive shotgunners to have either multiple barrel sets or to use barrel inserts in order to shot more than one gauge from a single shotgun. Once they get a particular gun dialed in with the balance and dimensions they like, those inserts or extra barrels allow them to seamlessly transition from 12 gauge to 20, 28, and .410. But there’s another reason to consider this technology. You can convert a shotgun into a centerfire metallic cartridge firearm by adding inserts as well."
date: "2016-06-03"
modified: "2016-06-03"
authors:
  - name: "John B. Snow"
    job_title: "Shooting Editor"
    link: "https://www.outdoorlife.com/authors/john-b-snow/"
url: "https://www.outdoorlife.com/blogs/gun-shots/chiappa-inserts-let-you-convert-shotgun-other-gauges-and-centerfire-cartridges/"
categories:
  - "Guns"
  - "Shotguns"
---

# Chiappa Inserts Let You Convert a Shotgun for Other Gauges and Centerfire Cartridges

![shotgun inserts](<https://www.outdoorlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/23/VXGMHOD5IDAVJUGKBZUWXOSAGM.png>)

It isn’t unusual for competitive shotgunners to have either multiple barrel sets or to use barrel inserts in order to shot more than one gauge from a single shotgun. Once they get a particular gun dialed in with the balance and dimensions they like, those inserts or extra barrels allow them to seamlessly transition from 12 gauge to 20, 28, and .410.

But there’s another reason to consider this technology. You can convert a shotgun into a centerfire metallic cartridge firearm by adding inserts as well.

![chiappa inserts](<https://www.outdoorlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/23/IZSGYL3UUZ5AZSLPUH6PCK5UAQ.png>)

[Chiappa](<https://chiappafirearms.com/>)'s X-caliber adapters slide into the breech end of a break-action shotgun barrel and are positioned so that the "rim" of the adapter lines up with the shotgun's extractor.

They come sized for both 12- and 20-gauge shotguns. With a 12-gauge insert you can convert the gun to the following: 20 gauge, .410/.45 Colt, .45 ACP, .44 Rem. Mag., .40 S&W, .357 Mag./.38 Spl., 9 mm, and .380 ACP.

With a 20-gauge insert the following are options: .410/.45 Colt, .45 ACP, .357 Mag./.38 Spl., 9 mm.

Personally, I could see adding a .44 Rem. Mag. insert to my kit in order to have it for a backup hunting/survival round on backcountry bird hunting adventures. It’s an interesting piece of kit.

## Author
John B. Snow is Shooting Editor of *Outdoor Life*, where he oversees the publication’s firearms and shooting coverage. This includes gear reviews, features on technical innovations, stories on shooting techniques and general hunting coverage with the occasional fishing story thrown into the mix. Originally from Seattle, he has lived all over the country, crisscrossing it by car and truck no fewer than 10 times as he’s moved from one location to the next. Since 2010 he has lived in Bozeman, Montana where he currently resides with his bird dog, Roo.

### Author social links  
[LinkedIn](<https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-snow-7317423/%20>)  
[Instagram](<https://www.instagram.com/john_b_snow/>)