Chiappa Rhino

[mtb1bkr]

Anyone have one of these guns? They are kind of funny looking, but I'm wondering if their claim to reduce the felt recoil and muzzle flip are accurate?

Bill

 

[DCWilson]

The novelty seeker in me would buy one if Chiappa would ever get them certified for sale in California.

I suspect I would prefer one of the models with a longer barrel. I don't feel the need to replace my 627 snubby.

 

[Moonman]

They do, and they do. You're right they are a little funny looking but I like mine and they feel really good in your hand. I have a 2" DA/SA "WHITE RHINO" (Brushed Nickle). The 2" version comes with an Italian Leather holster as part of the price, the 4" and 6" does not. I may purchase a 6" version in the future. Nice fit and workmanship and people who look at it comment on that.

 

[29aholic]

Search the forum on these, there was a big thread here in the lounge about them.

 

[Rule3]

Get a hold of member Erich, he has one and if I recall likes it a lot.

 

[Tom K]

The novelty seeker in me would buy one if Chiappa would ever get them certified for sale in California.

I suspect I would prefer one of the models with a longer barrel. I don't feel the need to replace my 627 snubby.

The novelty seeker in me prompted me to buy one via Gunbroker that I got NIB for a relatively good price. It has a 5" barrel, adjustable sights and a mounting rail under the barrel. It is surprisingly light for its volume - appears that the barrel shroud is aluminum.

I have not fired it yet, but I expect muzzle flip to be reduced due to the low bore axis. I have a Mateba semi-automatic .357 revolver that is similarly configured (fires from the bottom of the cylinder) and it certainly has reduced muzzle flip. However it is all steel and has the recoil-operated mechanism to soak up recoil, so it's an apples and pears comparison.

 

[ACP230]

I have fired a snubnose that a friend owns.
We were shooting steel plates with his light .357 reloads.
Worked well after we figured out where to hold.
Didn't notice as much difference in recoil due to the low barrel axis as advertised.
I would buy one if the price wasn't so high.


I did better on the plates with my S&W M15 two-inch.

 

[amazingflapjack]

The "Mateba" (sp) is another one that shoots from the bottom of the cylinder, and it is a semi auto revolver, I think.

 

[sipowicz]

Erich...........!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Moonman]

The Mateba was designed by the same designer as the Chiappa RHINO, unfortunately he passed away before the Rhino was actually finished and in production.

 

[Packard]

I'd be much more likely to try one if the 2" version were DAO. I believe that the trigger mechanism is made over-complex because of the addition hammer cocking mechanism. Without it, I believe, the trigger mechanism could be greatly simplified (and made more reliable).

 

[Moonman]

Rhino is available as DAO or DA/SA.

 

[mtb1bkr]

A local shop has one of the 4 inch models available. I'm going to go check it out later. I want a 2 inch model though. I really just want to get a feel for it. I wish I knew someone in the Louisville area who had one I could shoot a few cylinders through. Erich's link to another forum where he put his review didn't seem to work for me.

 

[Erich]

I bought the first one in my state just over a year ago and still love it after shooting the heck out of it.

Here's a good link to the thread on H&A:

Charged a Rhino - Handguns and Ammunition Forums

 

[mtb1bkr]

Erich,
Thanks for the link, good post all around.

I looked at a 4" model today. I have to say, it felt great in my hands. It certainly didn't have the reported 8 pound trigger pull. The trigger pull was smooth and crisp and didn't feel heavy at all. Now I'll have to keep an eye out for a 2" model. There's a gun show in Louisville this weekend, I will check around there. I wouldn't mind having one of the 4 or 6" models, but I want a 2 first. The long tubes look like space guns.

 

[Moonman]

My trigger pull is SMOOTH and NICE. I think there may possibly have been some issues upon their initial release, if they had some the factory seemed to have reacted quickly to resolve them.

 

[zoom6zoom]

I was in my favorite shop yesterday looking at them again, had gone in looking for a holster for a 2 1/2" K frame, not intending to buy anything else (yeah, you all know how that goes). My pusher just happens to mention, hey, I've got a used 4" White Rhino down here on the bottom shelf.... well, you could barely tell if anyone had actually shot it, and it was $200 off the price of the new one....

Now if I can only find a real holster for it. Never did find the holster for the model 19.

 

[mtb1bkr]

I read an article which said the originals had 10 lb triggers, but they were going to bring them down to 8 lb. Well, if the one I held today was 8 lbs, then I'm much stronger than I thought I was!!

If I came across a used one for 200 less than new price, I would likely be hard pressed to walk away!

 

[TAC]

Chiappa Hippo might more accurately describe it! How could a S&W owner even consider such a kluge?

 

[mtb1bkr]

The gun is actually pretty small. I know it's hard to believe looking at it, but it is. I'm looking at it as a great CC gun, and just an all around cool gun to have, I might end up with a couple of them. I think the 6" one is calling my name as the next one!!

Bill