Chiappa Rhino
| Chiappa Rhino | |
|---|---|
| Type | Revolver |
| Place of origin |
 Italy |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Emilio Ghisoni & Antonio Cudazzo[1][2] |
| Designed | 2009[3] |
| Manufacturer | Chiappa Firearms |
| Unit cost | $775-$980 MSRP (depending on version)[4][2] |
| Produced | 2009-present[3] |
| Variants |
20D, 20DS, 40DS, 50DS, 60DS All variants in Black or Hard Chrome finish.[3][5] |
| Specifications | |
| Weight |
20D/20DS: 700 g (24.7 oz) 40DS: 850 g (30 oz) 50DS: 895 g (31.6 oz) 60DS: 936g (33 oz)[1][6] |
| Length |
20D/20DS: 164mm (6.5 in) 40DS: 215mm (8.5 in) 50DS: 240mm (9.4 in) 60DS: 266mm (10.5 in)[1][6] |
| Barrel length |
51 mm (2.0 in) 102 mm (4.0 in) 127 mm (5.0 in) 152.4 mm (6.0 in) |
|
| |
| Cartridge |
.357 Magnum 9mm Parabellum .40 S&W 9×21mm[1][6] |
| Action | DAO or DA/SA revolver[1][6] |
| Feed system | 6-round hexagonal cylinder[1][6] |
| Sights | Fixed open sights[1] |
The Chiappa Rhino is a revolver produced by Chiappa Firearms of Italy chambered for the .357 Magnum, 9mm Parabellum, .40 S&W, or 9×21mm cartridges. Its most distinctive feature is that the barrel is on a low axis compared to most other revolvers, since it fires from the lowermost chamber of the cylinder, rather than firing from the topmost chamber. This is intended to reduce muzzle flip by directing the recoil into the shooter's wrist, rather than over it. Another distinctive feature is that the cross-section of the cylinder is hexagonal instead of cylindrical (though with rounded corners); this is intended to lower the weapon's profile in concealed carry applications.[1][6][4][7]
Design details
The frame is made of Ergal (an aluminum alloy), while the barrel, cylinder, and other vital parts are made from steel. For models other than the 200D (double action only), the trigger may be used in either single-action or double-action mode. Problems with -DS models have been demonstrated on YouTube, as opposed to the 200D. Apparently only the 2 inch 200D model comes in "double-action only." The external cocking lever is not actually a hammer, as on most revolvers. Instead, it is used to cock the internal hammer and then falls back into place, minimizing the number of externally moving parts, but making the revolver more complicated internally. An additional feature of this gun is that, unlike most revolvers, it comes with an accessory rail (except for the 2" model), on which lights and lasers can be mounted. The gun is available blued, as well as a version in electroless nickel finish referred as the "White Rhino."[1][6][4]
See also
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 Modern Firearms article
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Chiappa Firearm’s Revolutionary Rhino .357 Magnum Revolver" by Ammoland.com
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 2009 catalog page 3 (PDF)
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 "Chiappa’s New Upside-Down Revolver" by ShootingIllustrated.com
- ↑ The first digit in the model number indicates the barrel length, in inches. If this is followed by "DS", the action is DA/SA; if followed by "D", the action is DAO.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 6.6 2009 catalog page 57 (PDF)
- ↑ Mann, Richard (April 20, 2011). "Anything but Ordinary: The Chiappa Rhino", American Rifleman