Chiappa Rhino Stuff

I saw some of them at a recent gun show and liked them. I haven't contacted the OEM yet to see what options are available yet. Why don't you check them too and report on what you find?

I checked out this site:

http://chiappafirearms.com/product/727

It didn't list any of the longer barreled versions without the rail.

I did look at the pictures showing the correct and incorrect grip for the pistol. I have a question for the makers of the Chiappa: Looking at the correct grip photo, "Which finger do you plan to pull the trigger with???" You need a better photo showing that little detail.

Hmmm... yes, looking at the manual it shows the difference in grip between a Rhino and a J or K frame. Unfortunately, the trigger finger is pointed quite sharply downward (as you can see the finger relief cut in the frame is intended to accommodate), and the grip looks cramped and unnatural.

Shame, but I don't see any way around it. Push the barrel and cylinder down into the grip that far and the trigger pretty much has to go down as well, which means it would align better with the middle finger.

Probably why nobody tried to do this before. A better solution might have been to push the cylinder in front of the trigger, but that would make the gun awful long.

I believe only the stubby does not have the rail. Pity that it's a deal-breaker for you as the Rhino is a great gun.

The grip angle is very comfortable and natural, IMHO. It's odd as it is more oblique (or "Glock like") than a conventional revolver. I do not like oblique grips in semi-autos but it works here. I did not find transitioning from a 686 to the Rhino to be difficult at all. I pull the trigger with my pointer finger - just like all my other guns.

Another thing that is neat about the layout of the Rhino is that my 4" Rhino is the same length as my 3" S&W 686. They are surprisingly compact and light.

As far as I know, it only comes with the rail unless you get the snubby 2". That said, my 6" has been an outstanding target gun, and remains something of a head-turner at the range - the rail just adds to the weirdness. The 6" black model comes with the 'medium' grip from the factory, while the nickel finished 'White Rhino' comes with the large grip. You can get different Chippa-produced grips if you shop around - perhaps unsurprisingly, Rhino accessories are somewhat rare.

Obligatory picture:

Shame, but I don't see any way around it. Push the barrel and cylinder down into the grip that far and the trigger pretty much has to go down as well, which means it would align better with the middle finger.

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The Rhino fires from the bottom of the cylinder instead of the top of the cylinder. In theory the cylinder itself need not move up or down compared to a conventional revolver. Only the barrel and frame in front of the crane need to change, along with a convoluted hammer strike to the bottom of the cylinder.

The Rhino fires from the bottom of the cylinder instead of the top of the cylinder. In theory the cylinder itself need not move up or down compared to a conventional revolver. Only the barrel and frame in front of the crane need to change, along with a convoluted hammer strike to the bottom of the cylinder.

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Certainly so, in theory, but that doesn't look like what they did with the Rhino. They've made a point of pulling the grip up behind the cylinder AND moving the barrel to the bottom. That gets them the maximum benefit of recoil taming, but now the cylinder is sitting where the trigger should be.

A better solution might have been to push the cylinder in front of the trigger, but that would make the gun awful long.

Click to expand...

I'd bet it would also make the balance really weird. Too much weight too far forward.

A better solution might have been to push the cylinder in front of the trigger, but that would make the gun awful long.

Click to expand...

Ghisoni did that, too, with the MTR-8 target pistol. Weird as all get-out but apparently quite accurate. (I've always wanted to see an assymetric cylinder placement off to the side--now that would be different )

TCB