SHOT Day 4 - Chiappa Rhino (Yeah, I'm late with this.)

[Justin]

Apologies for the crappy photos. Maybe one day I'll actually learn how to use a camera.



At any rate, I stopped by the Chiappa booth and took a look at the Rhino, and have to say it left a positive impression.

Interestingly enough, it doesn't function exactly like you would expect. The external hammer isn't really a hammer so much as a cocking lever. Once you pull it back with your thumb, it returns to the down position, with the only indication that it's cocked being a little indicator that sticks up near the rear sight.

Fit and finish was nice, better than I was expecting, and the trigger pull was equally good. The rep at the booth mentioned that they're planning to release one in .40, which seems like it might be a good choice to run in USPSA revolver division.

Interestingly enough, this gun was the last firearm designed by Emilio Ghisoni, who also designed the Mateba Autorevolver.

 

[Tim the student]

I saw this in an ad or something, and I don't understand the benefit to it. Can someone enlighten me?

 

[Geneseo1911]

Tim: the revolver fires the bottom cylinder, allowing the barrel to be much lower and the recoil force to be closer in line with the hand/wrist/arm. This means less muzzle flip and faster follow ups.

Justin: What kind of "quality vibe" did you get off the Rhino? I think they are seriously cool, but I'm leery of Chiappa considering most of their products are pot metal. I keep hoping someone here will get one and put it through its paces.

 

[Tim the student]

Ah, got it. Thanks.

 

[Justin]

Justin: What kind of "quality vibe" did you get off the Rhino? I think they are seriously cool, but I'm leery of Chiappa considering most of their products are pot metal. I keep hoping someone here will get one and put it through its paces.

Fit and finish was nice, and the guns appeared to be built well. They're not a Rube Goldberg device like the Mateba, but they are evidently a bit more complex than a traditional revolver.

Probably the best way to test them out long term would be for someone to run them in USPSA revolver division for awhile. If it can stand up to the same level of punishment as a S&W 625, that'd be proof enough of the quality.

The competition models (the two on the far right in the second photo above) had pretty decent triggers, the trigger in the carry guns were nothing to write home about.

 

[LCPor9mm]

Rhino

Thanks Justin, and while I'm at it thanks to all the participants in this post. It's great for those of us that can't make it to the show to "get a feel" of what it's like to be there. Thanks again guys.

I know the Rhino not only fires off the bottom cylinder but has flattened cylinder sides. Does it actually slim the revolver down any? What's your opinion on CC one of these; any easier than say a 442? Do you think the grip is sufficient for a .357 snubby? Sorry for all the questions

 

[Justin]

My general impression of the compact version of the Rhino is that it's still a fairly bulky gun. Certainly moreso than, say, a Kahr PM9 or Kel-Tec p-11, and probably more bulky than a Smith J-Frame.

For a revolver, though, it did seem fairly slim.

 

[Packman]

These are majorly cool. Based upon what I've seen on the web, I'd definitely consider one of these. I want to handle one first for sure though. Think we'll see these at any of the major gun shows? I don't really expect to see them at the little local ones, but maybe some of the larger, regional shows?

 

[TriTone]

Wait so...is it basically a striker fired revolver then?

 

[Andy Griffith]

What kind of alloy is the frame? Aluminum or Zinc based with the steel inserts?

Although a neat concept, I just can't get over how rough the extractor seemed and the way the center pin dragged because of burrs. I know these have been on the market for over a year- I just don't see them having a mass appeal, especially at the price.

 

[LCPor9mm]

FATT

Certainly moreso than, say, a Kahr PM9 or Kel-Tec p-11, and probably more bulky than a Smith J-Frame.

Bummer!!! I was hoping, well maybe dreaming, they would be narrower than my Smith J frame.

 

[rogertc1]

THE SNUBBIE RHINO IS A 357 REVOLVER NO BIGGER THAN ANY OTHER 357 REVOLVER. COMES WITH A QUALITY HOLSTER TOO.
I HAVE ONE..SEE IT TOP LEFT SIDE. I DON'T CARRY IT HOWEVER BCAUSE I USE MY TAURUS M450TI WHICH IS A LITTLE LARGER BUT I LIKE 45COLT.

 

[kingpin008]

Roger - Good to know, and thanks for the pic. Would ya mind knocking off the caps lock, though? Kinda reads like you're SCREAMING!

Justin - any word on price point, and when we can start seeing these in wide(r) distribution?

 

[Zundfolge]

The competition models (the two on the far right in the second photo above) had pretty decent triggers, the trigger in the carry guns were nothing to write home about.

I wonder if you can get the competition trigger in a carry gun ... or at least do a trigger job on one.

 

[SaMx]

I'm also pretty excited by the concept of the rhino, although I'm not really a fan of the crazy cocking/trigger system.

there's a good writeup here:
http://gunnuts.net/2011/01/24/chiappa-rhino/

and a really detailed writeup of the inner working by Grant Cunningham here:
http://grantcunningham.com/blog_files/tag-rhino.revolver.html

The trigger seems kind of needlessly complex to me, it would be neat if S&W or Ruger came up with a revolver that fired from the bottom chamber and had a simpler trigger system.

 

[hobodemon]

Wait so...is it basically a striker fired revolver then?

No, it actually uses a shrouded hammer with an external cocker and indicator. But if they did make it striker-fired, it could help with the trigger-quality issues mod Justin mentioned.

 

[zoom6zoom]

You can also convert it to DAO just by lifting out one part, in which case the cocking lever is just there for looks (and as the rear sight).

 

[LCPor9mm]

Rhino

So Roger how does it shoot compared to your other snubbies? Is the flip noticeably better? Less felt recoil?
Are those price tags on your guns?

 

[Zundfolge]

Any idea when the 4" and 6" Rhinos will be on the streets?