By R.K. Campbell | Contributing Editor
The revolver featured in this review would be at home in a Blade Runner episode or as a prop in an art deco still life. The Rhino, however, is equally and home on my hip and is carried often.
The Chiappa Rhino .357 Magnum revolver is lighter than other magnum revolvers in the safe that offer similar performance and it shoots much better than the smaller handguns. It is just the right place in size for comfort. Size wouldn’t mean anything without performance and the Rhino performs well.
This space age revolver is the brainchild of the late Emilio Ghisoni. The primary feature of the Rhino is that the barrel is on the underside of the cylinder allowing for a much lower bore axis and resulting in surprisingly modest recoil. Muzzle rise is limited and recoil is more straight to the rear. The result is the most controllable mid-size .357 Magnum revolver I have ever fired.
The Chiappa features a smooth double action trigger that allows a trained shooter to do very good work. I would recommend the Chiappa for anyone interesting in a revolver for defense on that basis.
The sights are very good designs uncommon on a compact revolver with the rear sight being a wide notch in the top strap while the front sight is a red fiber optic.
I suppose it is fair to say the revolver is as great an innovation in the revolver world as the Glock was in the self-loading pistol world.
The frame is mostly aluminum alloy making for light weight. The revolver is offered with 2, 4, 5 and 6 inch barrels. I have owned the 5-inch version but find the 2-inch barrel most useful for concealed carry. Measuring only about six inches long, the Chiappa has a flat side cylinder allowing the revolver to measure only 1 3/8 inch wide. Weight is a modest 25 ounces.
What seems to be an exposed hammer is actually a cocking lever because the actual hammer is internal. This cocking lever may be used to allow a crisp, smooth single action shot, but be certain to learn the drill. Once the hammer is cocked with the lever, it returns to the forward or down position- yet the hammer remains cocked. An indicator on the frame alerts the shooter the hammer is cocked.
To lower the hammer safely, grasp the cocking lever and pull it to the rear, engaging the hammer. Press the trigger to lower the internal hammer.
Another special consideration is to keep the fingers clear of the barrel and cylinder gap. Using the finger forward grip is common and with long fingers the barrel cylinder gap would take a bad bite of your finger.
A lever type cylinder release is easily manipulated. The cylinder has six chambers which accept .38 Special or .357 Magnum ammunition.
The wide smooth trigger makes for good control in firing double action, and the grip angle is excellent with a handle that fits most hands well. While the double action trigger breaks at just under 12 pounds, the single action press is four pounds.
The Rhino required very little acclimation; just get a good grip and fire the revolver! The grip angle is such that you have a higher hold than with any revolver I am aware of.
I began shooting with a number of .38 Special loads including Remington’s 130-grain FMJ and 158-grain RNL. The red fiber optic sight is an advantage in putting bullets on target. Firing quickly at 5 and 7 yards I kept all loads in the X-Ring.
Moving to .357 Magnum loads I fired the Remington 110-grain SJHP (short jacketed hollow point) and also the 125-grain SJHP. These loads use a bullet with plenty of lead exposed in a Tulip-shaped fashion and they expand well. Muzzle blast was loud but recoil wasn’t difficult to control, surprisingly so. When clocking these loads over a chronograph, I found that unlike most short barrel magnums the Chiappa Rhino retains good velocity. The barrel-to-cylinder gap seems tight and the barrel is well finished. This is an advantage of the Chiappa revolver.
Average velocities from a 2-inch barrel:
.38 Special
Remington 110 grain JHP 900 fps
Remington 130 grain FMJ 780 fps
Buffalo Bore 158 gr. 1016 fps
.357 Magnum
Black Hills 127 grain Honey Badger 1280 fps
Remington 110 grain SJHP 1340 fps
Remington 125 grain SJHP 1290 fps
A few decades ago my standard .357 defense load was a cast 150-grain gas checked lead hollowpoint over a stiff charge of Unique powder for 1,050 fps in most four-inch barrel revolvers. I cannot imagine a more useful all around defense load with modest recoil and a good balance of expansion and penetration.
Today the Buffalo Bore 158-grain cast hollow point offers similar performance. This .38 Special heavy duty loading breaks at 1,016 fps in the Chiappa. While it isn’t a magnum this is a formidable load. I often carry the Chiappa with this round in the chambers.
There have been unfortunate incidents with dangerous animals including both domestic and feral dogs and one bobcat attack near me recently. Either this load or one of the .357 Magnum 125-grain JHP loads should get the measure of these threats. That is the role for which I usually pencil in the Chiappa.
Of course it is as formidable as any revolver, more so than the majority of revolvers, and is a great all around defensive handgun. It seems ideal for hiking and exploring use, and not out of place under the vest for concealed carry.
Carrying the revolver is something of a concern as it isn’t a front pocket revolver, although it slips nicely into the rear pocket of my jeans. Very few makers accommodate this revolver. I was able to order a strong side holster from Wright Leather Works. This rig does a fine job of carrying the Rhino high and comfortable on the belt. A sweat guard and reinforced holster welt are among the features. The rear loop extends to the rear cinching the holster in tight against the belt. The draw is fast, very fast. I find the Chiappa a credible defensive revolver, perhaps the best available. It is unique and capable at the same time.
