As the name of the brand Less Than Lethal (LTL) owned by Chiappa suggests, this pistol is designed for reliable but non-lethal self-defence. It uses rubber or pepper balls in .50 calibre, which are inserted into a cleverly concealed magazine under the barrel.
The pistol is powered by a single 12 g CO2 cartridge inserted into the grip. To activate it, simply strike the valve lightly with the palm of your hand under the grip; this pierces the cartridge and the pistol is ready to fire. The valve is large enough to be easily tightened and loosened without tools, and at the same time it does not disrupt the overall appearance of the pistol. When activated, an indicator pops up above the grip to show that the weapon is under pressure. To depressurise the pistol, simply push the indicator back in.
Model Alfa 1.50 is made from metal internal components, which are then covered by a lightweight polymer frame. The slide is fixed and features simple fixed sights. For mounting a laser or a tactical light, there is a short Picatinny rail under the barrel, and the only safety is integrated directly into the trigger blade.
NOTE: For proper magazine function, we recommend applying silicone oil to the inner walls of the magazine well, or directly onto the rubber projectiles. Using dry ammunition in an unlubricated magazine may cause the weapon to jam.
Maintenance
Since the weapon is powered by CO2 cartridges, the rubber seals may, over time, become brittle and crack due to the freezing carbon dioxide. You can prevent this by occasionally applying silicone oil 1) as a spray, simply spraying the internals, 2) applying a few drops of silicone oil to the neck of the inserted cartridge, or 3) using an oil cartridge (the easiest option). We also do not recommend leaving an activated cartridge in the weapon longer than necessary. If you know you will not be shooting for some time, release the pressure by loosening the valve.