All new Chiappa revolver

[BCRider]

Ugly is only in our minds. Our aesthetic sense has been swayed by decades of revolver design that has followed each step in a very predictable manner. The old percussion shape gave way to the SAA with only the S&W model 3 tossed in for a little variety. When S&W made the double action revolver it came in a shape that we could all recognize and swoon over because there were no significant styling changes over what we were already comfortable with. Now Chiappa has the guts to produce something that looks different. Of course it'll take some time to wrap our minds around it. But with time and shooting the beer glasses won't be needed because the form will prove itself with the function.

Look at the longer versions and compare them to the heavy barrel PPC lumps. These ain't any uglier by any means. And if the lower barrel can prove itself with faster followup shots and if the internals can be made as smooth as a good Smith then I'll be the first to stand in line to get one. Grips are transitory so even if these turn out to be useless they can be changed to something that fits.

Sadly I have not seen any Chiappa for sale up here. But if they were available I'd be looking at one of these seriously.

 

[Cocked & Locked]

I'm a S&W-Colt revolver traditionalist but I like the way that gun looks. By "that gun" I mean only the blued 2" snub gun. The other barrel lengths with rails and junk look way bad.

 

[Zundfolge]

The single most accurate centerfire pistol I've ever shot was a Mateba ... if this thing is as accurate than I want one.

 

[sidibear]

I have a Mateba Grifone in .454 Casull and there is little or no muzzle flip, it does tend to make the web of your hand a bit sore after a few rounds though as all the recoil is concentrated there.
It would make it very easy for an accurate follow up shot in a defence situation, not that we can use guns for that over here.

Try a few shots of a gun that shoots out the bottom of the cylinder, I think you would be pleasantly surprised.

 

[notbubba]

I think it'll be dang hard to find a holster to fit it.

I also think I like it with the short barrel, but I'd want to shoot one before buying.

 

[scottishclaymore]

I think I'd buy one.

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

It looks like a Mateba Autorevolver.....

Yep, both designed by the same guy. Oddly enough, I kinda want one. I think it looks good, especially the longer barreled one. It's not gonna make my 'short list', however.

As low as that front sight is (on both versions), that makes me think that the angle is pretty steep (line of sight angling down and bore line angling up), meaning that if you shoot much past 10 or 15 yards, you're gonna be hitting waaay high. Not a big deal for the snubbie, but could be an issue for the longer one. I'm really surprised the front sight isn't higher on the longer-barreled version. I'd bet you're gonna be a foot high or more at 50 yards, and no way to correct it.

And yes, near-elimination of muzzle flip is the main advantage here. As someone pointed out, the straight back recoil into your hand could be uncomfortable with stout loads, as the tradeoff.

 

[Jim Watson]

Price vs barrel length relationship is strange. $124 extra to get a 4 inch barrel, and a less steep but still serious climb for 5 and 6 inch.

No problem, CDNN will be blowing them out cheap if you don't mind waiting a couple of years.

 

[LoneCoon]

This bad boy is manufactured in Dayton OH, which is kind of awesome.

 

[RonBernert]

There's a couple of ways you could take that one.. Sure, it's neat, but I like a gun to look like a gun. If and when you pull it out on a criminal, I want there to be no question what it is. There's no "time-out's" during an encounter..
I've stayed with that train of thought with my CCW guns. There are exceptions, but the Matte black finish is hard to see at night on a dimly lit street, which is exactly when and where I want it known that I have a gun pointed at you. The Rhino, which I think is a great idea, looks like a toy. I think I'd buy one for sure but maybe not for CCW.....
It's made in Italy and imported by MKS supply in Dayton, Ohio. Those are the same guys that have the other gun-that-looks-like-a-non-gun, the Hi-Point.