Chiappa Rhino range report.

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Carbon_15

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Finaly saw a Rhino in person at the gunshow today. I felt like taking a risk, and I'm a sucker for a unique design, so I took it home ($699). Its ugly, and handsome all at the same time. comes with a nice hardcase and a Galco-like leather holster. Its blocky and heavy, but feels great in your hand. The trigger pull is pretty good, but not S&W DA revolver like. Reminds me a little of the LCR, not overly heavy, but stacks. The single action is exquisite. The exposed hammer looking thing is not a hammer at all. The real hammer is internal, the exposed hammer is a cocking lever. The lever dosnt rise and fall with the trigger pull, but simply serves to cock the internal hammer. There is a little red button that pops up when the internal hammer is in SA mode. The fixed sights are crisp and shot to POA. Accuracy was surprising and frankly shocking. I have lots of revolvers and several snubbies, and this little ugly bastard outshot any DA revolver I own!! I shot a golfball sized group at 20 yards offhand. I'm not sure if its a matter of mechanical accuracy or if the low bore axis, and superior ergonomics just make it more shootable. Speaking of low bore axis...muzzle flip is non-existant as most have speculated. You cant change the laws of physics, so magnums still smack you in the palm a little, but still have almost no flip.
Size..hmmm. N frame sized gun, J frame sized grip....more comfortable and balanced than it sounds. really unlike anything you have ever felt.

I dont think it will replace any guns I currently own, or even see much use outside of plinking. But it is fairly fasinating.
Its weird and ugly, but shoots like a champ....currently awaiting the longer barrel version!!


http://www.chiappafirearms.com/products/75
 
Carbon 15

Very interesting revolver you've got there. I definitely agree with your take on the design: weird, ugly, and unique. Not sure about the handsome part, but from a function over form standpoint, I guess I can see that. Not crazy about the short barrel models but would be interested in the 6" barrel one for some unexplained reason.
 
Something I have wondered about. If the revolver is cocked. Is there a way to de-cock it? Since there is an internal hammer and the exposed hammer is only a cocking lever, does it allow you to de-cock without discharging?
 
Carbon, thanks for taking the risk and for posting the results. I've been very interested in the Rhino since they hit the market.

I don't mean to be a bother, but could you post a pic of the Rhino and another carry revolver (if you have one) perhaps from the top view? One of the selling points is supposed to be a thinner width, just curious by how much.

Thanks
 
Cool write up, butt ugly gun. I'll probably buy the first one I see just to have it.
 
The Rhino is seriously growing on me...
put another 200 rounds through it this afternoon and am still amazed by the accuracy and shootability of this gun. One hole groups are the norm, .38's feel like .22 magnums, balances like a Ukranian Gymnist, comfy grip...I absolutly love shooting this little basterd. This one is going to see alot of range time!!

Thickness...its definatly thinker than a j-frame (but you get one more shot) and loos about the same as a K frame. I dont think its any THINNER, but it is quite a bit FLATTER, I will try to get some pix and measurments soon.
 
I've wondered about this pistol since I first heard about it. Thanks for a very well written review.
 
millertyme said:
could you post some photos from different angles? all I seem to find are profile photos.
Click to expand...

OnPointFirearms posted a whole mess of pics here http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=545595


More and more I think I want one of these ugly little buggers ... considering I currently pack a Dan Wesson 14-2 snubbie, I doubt the Rhino would be any bigger or less comfortable/concealable.
 
Thanks for taking the risk. I too am intrigued by this gun, especially with its focus on the low bore axis. That new Caracal pistol also goes for a low bore axis, as does the M&P. I know some people debate how much of a difference it makes, but based on other accounts I've read, including this one (with a really low bore axis), it seems to make a fairly significant difference. Hopefully it's a new trend.
 
butt ugly gun.
Click to expand...

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I've liked it's looks since I first saw one.
Great report. Thank you.
How available are they? I haven't seen one to hold.
Pete
 
Is there a sight cut in the hammer? Hard to tell from the angle.
And is the barrel in a shroud and staked onto place?
Could be a couple of "potential" issues there. (loosening, misaligned)

All in all I really want to see and shoot one.
 
Ok, the "Cocking Lever" in the middle pic has a notch in it. Is that to be used with the rear sight since the "Cocking Lever" does not stay back but returns to a forward position
 
I actually like the look of the 6" model. It would be terrifying to have that thing pointed at you. I put $50 that the 6" will wind up in movies!

.357 Magnum Chiappa Rhino 60DS 6 inch Barrel.jpg
Click Image to Enlarge
 
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