Chiappa Firearm’s Revolutionary Rhino .357 Magnum Revolver


Dayton, OH –-(AmmoLand.com)- Chiappa Firearms debuts a new production revolver and concept at the MKS Supply 2010 SHOT Show display (booth 15549).
Called the Rhino (sort of resembles one too) you will first notice that the barrel is actually at the bottom of the cylinder. The gun is designed to fire from the bottom chamber of the cylinder (6:00 position not 12:00 as with other revolvers).
The new design resulted in improvements of the internal mechanisms over conventional revolver designs yielding up incredible reliability, a super-smooth action and improved safety.
Function over form!
The Rhino’s low barrel design ergonomically shifts recoil energy into the center of the palm of the hand and in line with the forearm thus greatly reducing the effects of felt recoil. Traditional revolver design (semi-autos too) place the barrel above the hand.
When the gun is fired the leverage applied by that design forces the recoil into the web area of the hand between the thumb and trigger finger causing significant muzzle snap. Not the Rhino! Due to this new design a shooter can now fire very fast and accurate repeat shots.
The Rhino is designed reduce its carry profile. This design is even carried into the hexagonal shaped cylinder making for a flatter profile when carried (especially handy for legal concealed carry).
The Rhino looks different, so what’s the deal? The looks are the direct result of the innovative improvements. Then again who would have thought a few years ago that fiberglass stocks (in color and with patterns) would one day be routinely accepted on traditional wood sporting rifles or that pink revolvers would be a rage?
Basic Specifications (and more later as other variations or models develop):
- Caliber: .357 magnum (and of course .38 Special)
- Barrel Lengths: 2,3,4,5, and 6-inch (4-inch shown in image)
- Basic weight 25-ounces with a 4-inch barrel
- Frame Material: Ergal (a high-strength aluminum alloy)
- Metal finish: Blued or brushed alloy and stainless steel (stainless version first available in U.S.)
- Stocks: Composite rubber or wood. One piece, retained by a single screw at the butt.
- Capacity: 6-rounds
- Final fit and finish work done in U.S.A.
- Stainless Polished Version Price (MSRP) 2- and 3-inch, $775; 4-inch, $899; 5-inch, $925; 6-inch, $980.
- Availability: Stainless versions expected mid-May or early-June 2010.
Additional background: It all began in 2000. First, the full history of this Italian designed firearm is far too extensive for this press release, but a few facts may help you. The Rhino is NOT the semi-automatic revolver referred to as the Mateba (Accurately written as Ma.te.ba.). The Ma.te.ba. and the Rhino are both designed by Emilo Ghisoni which may explain why the guns look similar. Mr. Ghisoni and his friend and financial supporter Antonio Gudazzo completed the project.
When Mr. Ghisoni passed away in April 2008 Mr. Cudazzo then took the gun design to Mr. Reno (no kidding) Chiappa, proprietor of the Chiappa Group (Italy) of which Chiappa Firearms is a subsidiary.
Mr. Chiappa then contacted Ron Norton of Chiappa Firearms, Ltd. (a subsidiary responsible for the developing of Chiappa products in North America) and the Rhino revolver finally begun production in 2009. The result is the Rhino, a different looking highly-functional, ultra-smooth action revolver with a purpose engineered recoil controlling ergonomic design.
Marketed by MKS Supply, Inc. 8611-A North Dixie Dr. Dayton, OH 45414, 877-425-4867 or 937-454-0363
Please visit the MKS display at SHOT and see the Rhino and other new firearms Booth 15549
come on now thats one fine piece of hardware
A little ugly but that is not the most important thing.How will it handle and feel and will you be able to get speedloaders.
If it looks menacing to a would-be robber, I don't care how butt-ugly it is. Looks good to me!
since when has looks been the most important factor in a firearm??????????
I don't care about puke ugly so much as I do reliability and concealability. The goofiest looking part of it is the grip; this can be fixed by a good woodman to give it a more traditional or classical appearance, if one just has to have that. I own a J-framed Rossi; lots of Colt guys think mine is a butt ugly gun — I don't care cause it works the same as their does and cost me a whole pot less.
I think I"ll stick with the traditional. It may have a bit more recoil but it isn't puke ugly.