Chiappa Firearms "Charging Rhino" Gen II
The Charging Rhino is the latest competition-oriented variant of the Chiappa Firearms Rhino line of revolvers; a second-generation Rhino, it features improved mechanical features and a full slate Cerakote finish
The Chiappa Firearms Charging Rhino Gen II revolver is the latest sport shooting-oriented version of the Rhino series of SA/DA and DAO revolvers, dedicated to practical shooting competitions.
Unique in its kind, the Rhino is a SA/DA revolver built to fire from the bottom chamber of the cylinder instead of the top chamber as basically all other revolvers. The barrel is enclosed in a CNC-machined 7075-T6 (a.k.a. ERGAL-55 as it is known chiefly in Europe) lightweight aluminum alloy sleeve; the frame is manufactured out of the same material. The bore axis is naturally kept in-line with the shooter’s palm for optimum recoil management, while the alignment of the barrel with the bottom chamber and the weight of the sleeve around it reduces muzzle climb to a minimum.
All mechanical components of the Rhino series revolvers are hosted within the grip and frame, with no outer components to speak of: what is often mistaken as the hammer is actually an external cocking lever, which returns to its natural position once the shooter operates it; if the single-action is manually toggled, a bright red mode indicator protrudes from its seat on the top of the frame, right behind the rear sight. This allows the Rhino series revolvers to have absolutely zero reciprocating outer parts when the gun is fired. As a matter of fact, the only outer moving components are the CNC-machined steel trigger and cylinder.
These characteristics make it possible to limit the uplift of the weapon when firing, given that the axis along which the recoil acts is located downwards, aligned with the shooter's arm.
The Rhino's design is absolutely recognizable from any other revolver. For example, for its unmistakable hexagonal-shaped cylinder, which reduces the overall thickness of the weapon: in the defense versions with 2 or 3 inch barrels, this offers a small advantage in concealed carry.
Coming to the Charging Rhino Gen II, the trigger is double action only, not manually cockable.
The weapon is factory fitted with a fixed front sight with high visibility fiber optic insert and an adjustable rear sight.
The 6-inch barrel is intubated into the 7075-T6 alloy frame structure, on which there are two Picatinny rails - one above the rib and one under the barrel - which allow to mount accessories such as tactical lights, counterweights and obviously also red dots, such as the Sightmark Mini Shot you see in this page.
The Chiappa Firearms Charging Rhino Gen II revolver also features a series of important improvements in its mechanical layout – chiefly the hammer spring and the trigger return spring now being two separate, easily removable components, allowing owners to personalize their shooting experience and customize their revolver according to their needs by swapping the factory parts with others in order to modify the trigger pull and weight features. Additionally, the Charging Rhino Gen II features an externally adjustable trigger overtravel stop – another distinctly competition-oriented feature.
Standing at 266 mm / 10.5” in overall length and weighing in at 907 grams / 2 lbs when empty, the Chiappa Firearms Charging Rhino Gen II is chambered in 9mm Luger and feeds through factory-issued moon clips. All outer metal parts are coated in a very pleasing Cobalt Kinetics slate Cerakote finish. The Charging Rhino Gen II comes from factory with a grey laminate wood grip but is compatible with all full-size Rhino revolver grips.
For price and availability please refer to your local dealer, and visit the Chiappa Firearms website:
www.chiappafirearms.com
