Will the Chiappa rhino design take over the revolver market?
- Thread starter M3rinec0rps
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Pond James Pond
New member
Well, the design patent belongs either to Chiappa or Mateba or both, so unless they decide to sell rights to other manufacturers, I'd say no.
The looks are subjective but the design clearly has merit. It greatly reduces muzzle-flip as I understand and so has a valid place in the competition or SD markets.
However, I think in some heavier calibres that muzzle-flip makes the recoil more tolerable. If it all went straight back into the palm and wrist, I'm not so sure people would be shooting big-bores as much.
If it was a bit smaller (the Rhino 2" still looks bulky although that might be a trick of the eye) and made to a higher standard, I'd certainly entertain the idea.
The looks are subjective but the design clearly has merit. It greatly reduces muzzle-flip as I understand and so has a valid place in the competition or SD markets.
However, I think in some heavier calibres that muzzle-flip makes the recoil more tolerable. If it all went straight back into the palm and wrist, I'm not so sure people would be shooting big-bores as much.
If it was a bit smaller (the Rhino 2" still looks bulky although that might be a trick of the eye) and made to a higher standard, I'd certainly entertain the idea.
zincwarrior
New member
Absent a recoilless firearm, I doubt any change will dramatically change the (shrinking) revolver market. Its the wrong market.
Considering it might almost qualify for having enough internal moving parts to be considered an honorary cuckoo clock? I rather doubt it. 
http://www.gunsumerreports.com/Chiappa_Rhino_60DS/Chiappa_Rhino_60DS_060.JPG
http://www.gunsumerreports.com/Chiappa_Rhino_60DS/Chiappa_Rhino_60DS_060.JPG
Im sure that the old design will continue to dominate for many years to come. But we need to embrace changes in the industry while appreciating the history or as a sport/hobby it will dwindle rather than grow.
I think they are rather cool looking in the same way that the Beretta Neos is cool looking. The idea of moving the firing order to the bottom makes a lot of sense for accuracy. Just like shortening a rifle into a carbine or a bullpup does. Think of how unconventional a 686 is compared to a SA black powder, or a Broomhandle to a glock or a FN P90 to a Henry. Or heaven forbid a Porsche Carrera GT to a Horse. Time will tell and I personally cant wait for the next breakthrough design or attempt at a breakthrough comes along. At the same time I still refuse to buy any plastic guns.
I think they are rather cool looking in the same way that the Beretta Neos is cool looking. The idea of moving the firing order to the bottom makes a lot of sense for accuracy. Just like shortening a rifle into a carbine or a bullpup does. Think of how unconventional a 686 is compared to a SA black powder, or a Broomhandle to a glock or a FN P90 to a Henry. Or heaven forbid a Porsche Carrera GT to a Horse. Time will tell and I personally cant wait for the next breakthrough design or attempt at a breakthrough comes along. At the same time I still refuse to buy any plastic guns.
BigMikey76
New member
Watch the video below. The section from 1:25 to 3:35 compares the Rhino to a S&W model 60. Not really any more complicated, and not much different in size, either.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BbR31pBebN8
Model12Win
Moderator
No revolver you are likely to see in ANY gun shop will have a design that dates back 200 years.
Your single action style guns, date back about 170 years or so. Your Smith and Wesson modern double action guns date back 115 years or so, same for your Colt double actions guns. Your Rugers all have modern actions dating back not much more than 50 years, if not less.
And HELL NO, the Chiappa Rhino is a novelty at best. I rented one at the range a couple years back, and it was the most awful revolver shooting experience I've ever had.
Your single action style guns, date back about 170 years or so. Your Smith and Wesson modern double action guns date back 115 years or so, same for your Colt double actions guns. Your Rugers all have modern actions dating back not much more than 50 years, if not less.
And HELL NO, the Chiappa Rhino is a novelty at best. I rented one at the range a couple years back, and it was the most awful revolver shooting experience I've ever had.
9x18_Walther
New member
I was referring to the evolution of the revolver. Sail boats today have little in common with sail boats from five hundred years ago, yet virtually every component is in one way or another an evolution of a past technology.
My range has one under the rental counter and since with my membership at the range the rentals come free I tried it out for an hour. It was interesting how little muzzle flip there was, even with 357 mag. But there was still the muzzle blast and the push into your hand which still required you to get back on target. I compete with revolvers and have been able to reduce most muzzle flip through practice and grip technique, so I didn't find it particularly impressive. It also felt a little fragile to me but I can't really say what gave me that impression. Trigger was light but gritty.
I see the advantage of the Rhino as being able to dump a whole cylinder accurately and relatively quickly on target. So that might be great for competition shooting but when you only have six rounds that may not be ideal for self defense. If Chiappa could figure out how to reconfigure it into a smaller light snubby and sell it for $400 they might make a dent in the market, but otherwise I don't think so. I admire the innovation though.
I see the advantage of the Rhino as being able to dump a whole cylinder accurately and relatively quickly on target. So that might be great for competition shooting but when you only have six rounds that may not be ideal for self defense. If Chiappa could figure out how to reconfigure it into a smaller light snubby and sell it for $400 they might make a dent in the market, but otherwise I don't think so. I admire the innovation though.
I remember when they first came out, and every INDEPENDANT review said it was an awesome shooting gun, with almost no recoil, and a great size/shape for CC. They also ALL complained the trigger was so freaking heavy that it made any kind of rapid fire horribly inaccurate, which is the exact type of shooting that this revolver would shine at. Most reviewers maxed out the trigger pull gauges, one rag set up a hook on the trigger with a chained cup and filled it with weights until the DA trigger finally pulled at 16+ pounds. The reviewer claimed that after 20 shots you HAD to use two fingers, no kidding. I will personally get to that two-finger point after about 75+ with my little Taurus, but I could easily change a spring and make it more tolerable if needed, but I shoot it very well, so no need so far.
I couldn't understand why the trigger pull would be so terrible and not be addressed, it makes more sense now that you showed me that cutaway FASTBOLT, thanks for that, that is some complicated stuff. But anyway, Chiappa seemed to hear the complaints and figured something needed to be done, so they offered the upgraded trigger package after year two for an extra 100$, that really irked me......your trigger is unbearable to the point of useless and you figure out a fix and then tack on another 100$ for it?!?!?
real good CS, shows how much they care about putting out a great product. I could see this being reasonable if it is something like the LC9 where your upgrading a trigger on a 300$ piece from "heavy" to "very nice" not from "brutal and impossible" to "now you can actually use it" on a $700-$900 gun. Anyway, this isnt just a rant, since I don't own one I have no care really, just wondering if they still do this? do they still offer a usable trigger for $100 more than the standard trigger(even the 100$ trigger upgrade only got you a still repulsive 11.5# DA and a respectable 4.5# SA)? or did they just finally make the fix across the board and now they all have the nicer trigger? I know they still offer the very light trigger for "competition only"(assume unreliable) use, unsure of the pricing though.
Had to come back to complain about one more thing....what kind of grip is needed to shoot this. doesn't appear to enough meat above/in front of the trigger to have a hold the wouldn't give me toasty thumbs with that bottom cylinder firing. is this a fist in palm only type revolver? any owners out there care to share your grip type?
I couldn't understand why the trigger pull would be so terrible and not be addressed, it makes more sense now that you showed me that cutaway FASTBOLT, thanks for that, that is some complicated stuff. But anyway, Chiappa seemed to hear the complaints and figured something needed to be done, so they offered the upgraded trigger package after year two for an extra 100$, that really irked me......your trigger is unbearable to the point of useless and you figure out a fix and then tack on another 100$ for it?!?!?
real good CS, shows how much they care about putting out a great product. I could see this being reasonable if it is something like the LC9 where your upgrading a trigger on a 300$ piece from "heavy" to "very nice" not from "brutal and impossible" to "now you can actually use it" on a $700-$900 gun. Anyway, this isnt just a rant, since I don't own one I have no care really, just wondering if they still do this? do they still offer a usable trigger for $100 more than the standard trigger(even the 100$ trigger upgrade only got you a still repulsive 11.5# DA and a respectable 4.5# SA)? or did they just finally make the fix across the board and now they all have the nicer trigger? I know they still offer the very light trigger for "competition only"(assume unreliable) use, unsure of the pricing though.Had to come back to complain about one more thing....what kind of grip is needed to shoot this. doesn't appear to enough meat above/in front of the trigger to have a hold the wouldn't give me toasty thumbs with that bottom cylinder firing. is this a fist in palm only type revolver? any owners out there care to share your grip type?
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TailGator said:
This
I love my revolvers, and like people who carry revolvers, but let's be honest, we're traditionalists. We don't like people monkeying with our guns. That's why the general shape of the DA revolver hasn't changed much in 50 years. Most of the time the people who want the newest, neatest innovation in handguns shoot polymer autoloaders.
Magnum Wheel Man
New member
might be practical as a snubbie... but as a hunting or longer range gun, it would be about like sighting in the H-Bar, as tall as the sights are...
Andy Blozinski
New member
I have two of them. They started making them with a lighter trigger, but it was still heavy for my taste. I sent both in to them and they did some trigger work on them for free. After some further dry firing the trigger has come down to an acceptable level. I can single offhand shoot hot .357 loads and I'm just as accurate as when I'm two hand shooting. There's no muzzle flip. It just pushes straight back.
I use the 4" barrel chrome plated one as my concealed carry. I swapped out the stock rear sight for the fibre optic rear sight from the 6" model. I use a Kangaroo Carry shoulder holster slung low and wear a polo shirt over it.
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I use the 4" barrel chrome plated one as my concealed carry. I swapped out the stock rear sight for the fibre optic rear sight from the 6" model. I use a Kangaroo Carry shoulder holster slung low and wear a polo shirt over it.
It is yet another example of an "idea" gun, made mainly to prove that it can be done. (Schwartzlose blow forward, anyone?)
The problem, that a gun recoils around its center of gravity, resulting in barrel "flip" is real enough in rapid fire target shooting (which is why the Russians designed several auto pistols with low barrels), but the extra complexity and mechanism required to solve the problem has never proved worth the effort. Further, the guns produced have been mostly of the defensive revolver type, where the benefits are minimal at best and where questions about reliability, not recoil, tend to be foremost in the buyer's mind. (Remember, recoil is NOT lessened - it is only redirected straight back rather than having an upward component.)
Jim
The problem, that a gun recoils around its center of gravity, resulting in barrel "flip" is real enough in rapid fire target shooting (which is why the Russians designed several auto pistols with low barrels), but the extra complexity and mechanism required to solve the problem has never proved worth the effort. Further, the guns produced have been mostly of the defensive revolver type, where the benefits are minimal at best and where questions about reliability, not recoil, tend to be foremost in the buyer's mind. (Remember, recoil is NOT lessened - it is only redirected straight back rather than having an upward component.)
Jim
458winshooter
New member
Rhino
Welcome to the forum!I don't see it taking over the market anytime soon,fact is I have yet to see one first hand anywhere in my neck of the woods.Speaking for myself I have no interest in owning one I might like to hold one for the sake of the curiosity.
Welcome to the forum!I don't see it taking over the market anytime soon,fact is I have yet to see one first hand anywhere in my neck of the woods.Speaking for myself I have no interest in owning one I might like to hold one for the sake of the curiosity.