Rhino first impressions

[WestKentucky]

I just got this in trade yesterday and the day got eaten up running errands and trying to get some birthday shopping done for my oldest daughter. Today I got to get the gun out and do more than just a cursory checking out.

It’s ugly. There’s not much to say about the gun in the positive column when it comes to aesthetics. Revolvers are supposed to be pretty, this one not so much. I knew that going in though so I’m not taken back by the appearance.

The machining on the gun seems to be very nicely done. I see no toolmarks anywhere on the gun at all. The engraved bits seem to have been done by laser and it is crisp and clear, edges came nicely rounded off and as blocky as the design is I’m pleasantly surprised that there isn’t really anything that I would call a sharp or hard cornered edge.

The trigger is surprising. It’s unlike anything I can think of. It’s long and smooth, kind of like a DAO pistol, but it is much more crisp and has less slop. DA is a bit odd due to the cocked hammer indicator that rises up right next to the rear sight. Very odd, and a bit distracting. Single action is pretty remarkable for a snubnose revolver. It’s tight, and smooth. Perhaps not what what I was expecting as there is still some take up but it’s nice. You won’t set it off accidentally, but it’s not bad in any way.

The controls are a bit abnormal for a revolver. There’s a lever to unlock the crane and swing the cylinder out. It’s in the normal spot and works intuitively but it’s just not the normal push straight forward of a S&W design or a pull of a Colt design. The hammer is weird. It’s technically not a hammer at all but is rather a lever to cock the hammer, but it’s in the right spot and has the right fit and form of being a hammer. It’s odd though that it pops back up to the top when you release it. Kinda like an AR charging handle, it seems like if you physically go to use it then it serves a purpose, but otherwise it just kinda sits there out of the way and doesn’t move. I guess that’s the reason for the cocked hammer indicator.

The grip feels good. The grip however is not natural for me. It will not be a hard thing to overcome but it will take practice to get used to the angle as it is very different than most revolvers and at least in my hands it naturally points skyward a lot more than it should.

Overall I’m happy with it and I’m excited about it. It’s just going to take some time to get used to.

 

[ontarget]

Glad you are happy with it so far. I trust that you will issue a range report after you get to fire it. And A few more pics please.

 

[WestKentucky]

I will give a range report but likely not anytime soon. I have a place where I can safely and legally shoot but I won’t do it anymore. The neighbors had a bullet come through their dining room window from the farm behind their house and everybody is on edge now when they hear gunfire. I prefer not to discuss my hobbies with sheriffs deputies and there is a really good chance I would have to. Anyway, I am busy the next few weekends so I doubt I get to the range before Labor Day, and it may actually be thanksgiving. 3 daughters eats up a lot of time and shooting is a much lower priority.

 

[Jimster]

It certainly looks all business! Keep your wrist straight in line!

 

[zoldaman]

She may not be the prettiest girl at the prom, but it looks like she knows how to dance. It really is a very interesting design.

 

[Waveski]

Single action is pretty remarkable for a snubnose revolver.

I'm not understanding this. What does barrel length have to do with trigger characteristics?

And , please tell me what the large lever next to the hammer lever is.
Is the hammer lever notched to enable the shooter to see through it when aiming in da?

 

[WestKentucky]

I'm not understanding this. What does barrel length have to do with trigger characteristics?

And , please tell me what the large lever next to the hammer lever is.
Is the hammer lever notched to enable the shooter to see through it when aiming in da?

The lever beside the hammer is the cylinder release. It pushes down to release the crane and lets the cylinder roll out.

And from what I have seen recently, every gun intended for carry has heavy triggers whether single or double action, revolving or reciprocating action. This one is different, kinda squishy for just a wiggle, but it’s nice. The hammer lever is notched, but it’s not intended to be used as a sight. The gutter in the top strap is what you use as a rear sight.

 

[Waveski]

Cylinder release lever understood.
What threw me off was your statement that the release is "in the normal spot" ... I've never seen that type of control before.
Leave it to the Italians , those who brought you a cross-bolt safety on a 9mm pistol.

Not knocking Chiappa or Beretta , just different.

 

[deadin]

Interesting gun ! I wish they weren't so expensive as I would like to play with one for a while.
From what I have seen of the innards, it looks like, for repairs, it would need to go to a watchmaker instead of a gunsmith.

 

[beag_nut]

[QUOTE="deadin, post: 11606622, member: 18747. From what I have seen of the innards, it looks like, for repairs, it would need to go to a watchmaker instead of a gunsmith.[/QUOTE]
Exactly why I dropped my initial impulse to purchase one, years back. And to the OP's statement, the cylinder release is not "in the normal spot". But that wasn't the deal breaker; rather, those innards.

 

[Dudemeister]

It's not that complicated They just don't look like your typical innards of a S&W or Colt.

Take a look at this disassembly video:

 

[WestKentucky]

And to the OP's statement, the cylinder release is not "in the normal spot".

let’s see...

S&W release... left side of the gun where thumb will hit it if you sweep from hammer forward. It goes forward to release. Lots of companies copied this.

Colt Release... left side of gun where thumb will hit it if you sweep from hammer forward. It pulls back to release.

Ruger release... left side of gun where thumb will hit it if you sweep from hammer forward. It’s a push button dingus.

Rhino, left side of gun where thumb will hit it if you sweep from hammer forward. It’s a lever.

So, on all of the DA revolvers mentioned which likely covers about 99% of them you naturally find it and know what it is on the rhino without any mental hurdles being jumped. I’m confused on how it’s not in the right spot, or the normal spot. It’s where they all are... left side of the gun just below the hammer.

 

[kidneyboy]

let’s see...

S&W release... left side of the gun where thumb will hit it if you sweep from hammer forward. It goes forward to release. Lots of companies copied this.

Colt Release... left side of gun where thumb will hit it if you sweep from hammer forward. It pulls back to release.

Ruger release... left side of gun where thumb will hit it if you sweep from hammer forward. It’s a push button dingus.

Rhino, left side of gun where thumb will hit it if you sweep from hammer forward. It’s a lever.

So, on all of the DA revolvers mentioned which likely covers about 99% of them you naturally find it and know what it is on the rhino without any mental hurdles being jumped. I’m confused on how it’s not in the right spot, or the normal spot. It’s where they all are... left side of the gun just below the hammer.

The thing I like about the Rhino is I can thumb down the lever and flip the cylinder open with my index finger and never change my grip. I've owned revolvers for 50 years and never had one operate as cleanly.

 

[sparkyv]

Looking forward to a range report.

I musta missed it...what caliber?