July 11 Blue Press Section 1 5/13/11 12:18 PM Page 11 11 The Chiappa Rhino Revolver WS: In addition to the unique barrel placement, I urged several of my shooting buddies to try the Rhino has several other unusual features. the Rhino. I watched them shoot it, and the Because of the 6 o’clock barrel placement, what absence of muzzle flip was indeed dramatic. appears to be the hammer is actually a cocking Despite its unconventional appearance, this is lever. The Rhino is capable of both double- and truly a delightful gun to shoot. Small groups, fast, single-action opera- were easy. The Rhino, tion. For single-action in its 2” barrel form, operation, you pull “This gun would be weighs 25.3 ounces. back the cocking lever, The trigger is wide and just as you would the smooth. Single-action hammer on a conven- ideal for clearing a trigger pull is four tional revolver, and a pounds; double-action little red indicator but- was off my eight-pound ton pops up beside the table full of bowling trigger scale, but I’d rear sight. Speaking of guess about 10 pounds. the rear sight, the wide pins, very rapidly.” Both trigger pulls are cocking lever is grooved down the middle to smooth and eminently controllable. It is weird, serve this function. Weird, but it works. The though, to pull the trigger in double-action mode Rhino has a hexagonal cylinder, which creates a and not see the “hammer” move! flatter profile for concealed carry. The cylinder From an aesthetic point of view, the Chiappa release latch is a small, unobtrusive lever mount- Rhino is initially a bit of a shock to the system. ed on the frame just to the left of the cocking You’ll discover, however, that the more you shoot lever. Chiappa even includes a nicely molded it, the better it looks! Rhino MSRP, for the 2” bar- Italian calfskin holster for the Rhino. To my sur- rel, is $799. 4”, 5” and 6” model prices are $899, prise, this pancake holster can be worn either $925 and $980 respectively. right- or left-handed, and it proved to be one of Chiappa Firearms • 6785 W. 3rd St. • Dayton, OH 45417 937-835-5000 • www.chiappafirearms.com the most comfortable holsters I’ve ever worn. DP.