Chiappa Rhino

The Chiappa Rhino is a revolver produced by Chiappa Firearms of Italy. The frame is CNC machined from a solid block of high tensile aluminum and all internal parts are CNC machined from steel.

Chiappa Rhino
Chiappa Rhino 20DS and 40DS
TypeRevolver
Place of originItaly
Production history
DesignerEmilio Ghisoni & Antonio Cudazzo[1][2]
Designed2009[3]
ManufacturerChiappa Firearms
Unit cost$775-$1652 MSRP (depending on version)[1][4]
Produced2009–present[3]
Variants20D, 20DS, 30DS, 40DS, 50DS, 60DS, 60DS Charging (competition version for 9x19mm)
All variants in Black or Hard Chrome finish. Charging version only in Black. [3][5]
Specifications
Mass20D/20DS: 700 g (24.7 oz)
40DS: 850 g (30 oz)
50DS: 895 g (31.6 oz)
60DS/60DS Charging: 936g (33 oz)[6]
Length20D/20DS: 164mm (6.5 in)
40DS: 215mm (8.5 in)
50DS: 240mm (9.4 in)
60DS/60DS Charging: 266mm (10.5 in)[6]
Barrel length20D/20DS: 51 mm (2.0 in)
40DS: 102 mm (4.0 in)
50DS: 127 mm (5.0 in)
60DS/60DS Charging: 152.4 mm (6.0 in)
Cartridge.357 Magnum/.38 Special
9x19mm Parabellum
.40 S&W
9×21mm[7]
ActionDAO or DA/SA revolver[6]
Feed system6-round hexagonal cylinder[6]
SightsFixed open sights[6]

Chambered for the .357 Magnum/.38 Special, 9mm Parabellum, .40 S&W, or 9×21mm cartridges, its most distinctive feature is that the barrel is on a low axis compared to other revolvers. The Rhino fires from the lowermost chamber of the cylinder, rather than firing from the topmost chamber.[8]

Design details

Designed by Emilio Ghisoni and Antonio Cudazzo, the Rhino differs from traditional revolvers in a number of ways. Stylistically it resembles Ghisoni's earlier design, the Mateba Autorevolver and was his last design before his death in 2008.[1][2][9]

In order to reduce weight, the frame of the Rhino is made of Ergal (an aluminum alloy), The Rhino’s receiver is CNC machined from a solid block of high tensile aluminum. Virtually all of the components are CNC machined as well; this manufacturing process yields a very precise fit with minimal tolerances. For models other than the 20D (double action only), the trigger may be used in either single-action or double-action mode. Only the 2 inch 20D model comes in "double-action only".[10]

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 and reciprocating mass, making the revolver different 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.[10] The Aluminum alloy based revolver is available in anodized finishes resembling traditional blued, as well as a version resembling electroless nickel finish referred as the "White Rhino".[4] A gold colored version was displayed at the 2014 Shot Show.[11]

Unusual among revolvers, the Rhino fires from the lowermost chamber in the cylinder as opposed to the uppermost. This is intended to reduce muzzle flip by directing the recoil into the shooter's wrist, rather than over it.[8] 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.[4][6][12]

Variants

Chiappa manufactures the Rhino in a number of sizes, barrel lengths, finishes and calibers, including a frame that is made from polymer instead of aluminum.

  • POLYLITE 20DS with a polymer frame[2]
  • 20D (Double action only 2 inch barrel)[13]
  • 20DS (Double action-single action 2 inch barrel)[6]
  • 30DS (Double action-single action 3 inch barrel)
  • 40DS (Double action-single action 4 inch barrel)[14]
  • 50DS (Double action-single action 5 inch barrel)
  • 60DS (Double action-single action 6 inch barrel)

See also

References
  1. "Chiappa Firearm’s Revolutionary Rhino .357 Magnum Revolver" by Ammoland.com
  2. "SHOT Show 2014 New from Chiappa: Rhino PolyLite revolver". 16 January 2014.
  3. 2009 catalog page 3 (PDF)
  4. "Chiappa's New Upside-Down Revolver". Shooting Illustrated. Archived from the original on 2015-09-25. Retrieved 2010-06-23.
  5. The first digit in the model number indicates the barrel length, in inches. Smooth grip. If this is followed by "DS", the action is DA/SA; if followed by "D", the action is DAO.
  6. James Tarr (22 December 2011). "Review: Chiappa Rhino 20DS". Handguns magazine.
  7. Lee, Jerry (12 August 2014). Gun Digest 2015. Iola, wisconsin: "F+W Media, Inc.". p. 436. ISBN 978-1-4402-3912-0.
  8. Lee, Jerry (15 July 2014). Gun Digest 2015. Iola, Wisconsin: F+W Media. p. 968. ISBN 978-1-4402-3918-2.
  9. Cunningham, Grant (29 November 2012). Gun Digest Shooter's Guide to Handguns. Iola, Wisconsin: Gun Digest Books. pp. 29–30. ISBN 1-4402-3276-8.
  10. "Chiappa's Hard-Hitting Rhino Revolver Series". Tactical Life. 22 January 2015.
  11. "Chiappa Rhino 60DS: The futuristic pimp's choice (VIDEO)". Guns.com. Retrieved 2016-01-20.
  12. Mann, Richard (April 20, 2011). "Anything but Ordinary: The Chiappa Rhino", American Rifleman
  13. https://www.chiappafirearms.com/f.php?id=53
  14. William Bell (3 September 2012). "Chiappa Rhino 40DS .357 Mag/9mm Revolver Review". Tactical Life.
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