There is a new version of the Rhino coming in January. Called the White Rhino, Chiappa Firearms announced the new .357 Magnum revolver will have a white finish that is similar in appearance to that of an actual rhinoceros with gray “wrinkles.”
The white is a Cerakote process and the wrinkles are apparently a laser engraving technique. It sounds like a fairly involved process to get the right look for this gun.
Offering a nice contrast to the white finish is the cylinder and other hardware that is finished in matte black. Also black are the grips that are made of G10 laminate. G10 is a very durable resin material that wears very well. I’ve got a couple of pistols with G10 grips and more than a few knives with handles made of the same material. I really like the use of G10 for durability and looks.
If you are not already familiar with the Rhino revolvers, these are .357 Magnum six shooters that put the barrel lower on the gun. Rounds are fired from the six o’clock position instead of the standard 12 o’clock that is used on nearly every other revolver. The idea is that the lower the bore is in relation to the shooting hand, the lower the felt recoil.
I’ve had a chance to shoot a 2” Rhino with full power .357 Magnum loads, and I was very impressed by the lack of muzzle flip. There was no sting associated with the recoil impulse and keeping rounds on target during rapid fire was easy. The design might seem a bit weird to many people, but for reducing recoil, it seems to work well.
This specific model uses a 3” barrel which should improve muzzle velocity of the bullets as they streak downrange. I would also expect the extra inch would further mitigate the effects of recoil. On top of the barrel is a red fiber optic sight.
Another interesting note on the barrel length. Currently, Chiappa only offers 2”, 4” and 6” barrel lengths. It seems to suggest that this new barrel length may be a signal of additional Rhino models to come. I am certainly looking forward to seeing what the company may introduce at the SHOT Show.