Chiappa rhino blown out breech shield

I'll just say this: the Chiappa revolvers are hardly a gimmick. The concept is rock solid and it makes complete sense. It's an excellent concept that deserves to live, and deserves to rule the day in revolvers. Unless you can argue that have bore axis lowered by well over an INCH isn't really all that useful (!), then I find it hard to accept any argument that the concept isn't a very, very good one.

Now, execution. There are challenges to overcome, but to me they are almost completely limited to trigger. Chiappa may have biff'ed it when it comes to strength and their triggers may stink, but the first problem is easily solved, I think. THe second may be a real challenge of geometry.

It makes me go nuts to see what is a potentially huge leap forward in design--a no brainer, really--stifled by poor execution. Build the damn gun to tolerate total punishment, reap the reward. The idea that the gun should fire from the bottom of the wheel is like 'Duh'. It's a given. A no brainer. The idea is golden. Make it happen with the trigger of a Smith, admit technical superiority, and move on.
 
While I'm glad no one was hurt, I would expect the gun to not have a failure like that. I would call them back and try again, it seems strange to me that the shield is a replacable part but........:confused:
 
The first and probably last revolver I bought is a Rhino. The lowered barrel is amazing. I wouldn't want it any other way. They had inconsistent reliability issues when they first came out. I did some research and the problems were basically worked out. I think it was in 2012 or 2013. If you have one that takes the moon clips and has the fibre optic front sight, then it's the second generation model. They also made the stage one trigger lightening kit the factory stock trigger. The trigger pull is still heavy. I had them smooth mine out and it's getting better with use. Still heavy, but at least reasonable now.
The OPs revolver is a first generation. I'm hoping the second generation fares better, but 10,000 rounds for a part that was evidently designed to take the brunt and be replaced in the name of weight savings isn't bad.
They talked me out of getting a stage 2 trigger in mine for some reason. I'd be in heaven if that thing had a 7 pound trigger pull.

I'm really surprised no one else has come up with something to compete. I get to ignore anyone's comments about controllability of a .357 magnum.
 
It's actually still pretty bad for a gun to fail this way, all other factors aside. Which is why Chiappa/MKS need to be on this thing and helping the OP. Time will tell (likely lots of it, too)

You raise a good point about the gen 1 triggers; the OP must be capable of crushing boulders after 10k pulls on the thing :D

TCB
 
looks to me that it may have been defective from the factory. maybe micro cracks near where it failed. I seriously doubt a round that would damage it that way wouldn't damage the shooter too

Gary
 
The last time I went to the range I decided to try one handed left hand shooting with it. Unexpectedly I was just as accurate. Another weird thing is that it popped to the side. This made recovery to get the sights on line slow. It doesn't do this when I fire it one handed right hand, so it must be something weird about how I hold it with a totally unfamiliar shooting hand. I'll try it again next time and see if I can train myself to not let that happen.
 
One more reason not to like alloy frame revolvers. If they ever make one in a brushed stainless or glossy blued steel, I might consider one of these.
 
Skans said:
One more reason not to like alloy frame revolvers. If they ever make one in a brushed stainless or glossy blued steel, I might consider one of these.
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The Rhino's recoil shield (the part that broke) is steel alloy, not aluminum alloy. The rest of the frame is aluminum.
 
Just an update. I emailed Chiappa around 2-13 and they replied they had received my gun on 2-12. I emailed them again on 2-25 to check on the status. They replied on 2-26 to tell me it hasn't been looked at yet but was scheduled to be looked at on 2-27. Later that evening, the 27th I received an email from UPS to inform me I had a package coming on 3-3 from Chiappa firearms. But no email from Chiappa to let me know what was going on. I don't know if they're sending me a new pistol, my old one back, my old one repaired and with it being the weekend I won't get a response until Monday.
 
well, sound like whatever they have done, that they are making it right. if they were going to charge you, they would have done it by now. hopefully all the people that saw the thread in the beginning and made up their minds that the chippa wasn't worth because they weren't standing behind it, will see this and have a change of opinion.
 
I'm still stuck on a 1 year warranty.

Anyone else in the gun industry offer such a ..generous package?
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Magnum Research only has a one year warranty. I would assume Kahr is the same.
 
Well I did receive my gun back today, like the UPS email stated. Chiappa did replace the breech shield. But. I don't think they reassembled the gun right. The cylinder doesn't lock up right, the trigger won't pull or advance the cylinder, and getting the cylinder to release is near impossible.

So very disappointing.

I emailed them a big long speech about poor customer service, high price point vs consumer perceived value, the power of the Internet and word of mouth, yadda yada. I also asked them to finish the repair or replace the pistol and also to pay for shipping both ways this time.

The saga continues
 
stay on them. seems like your new problem may be an easy fix though. luckily you got the expensive part taken care of. I would think your new problem may be just a fitting issue that you could possibly even fix yourself if they refuse to do you right.

good luck, I know it sucks dealing with crap like this on a supposed premium pistol
 
That is the reason I would be hard to sell anything but a popular name brand gun. If the factory lets me down and the warranty clerk can't handle it, I can always find a real gunsmith for my Smith or Ruger.
 
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