.357 Rhino revolver unique in shooting from bottom cylinder.

[surprise_i'm_armed]

http://www.chiappafirearms.com/product/725

Chiappa Firearms offers a rather unique revolver.

This .357, 6 shot revolver, claims to be the only revolver which
shoots from the lowest cylinder. The aim here is to align the
fired round more closely with the strong hand.

Also, instead of the cylinder being perfectly round, it has flat
sides.

Currently this revolver is available only as a 2" snubbie, but 4,
5, and 6 inch models will become available during 2011.

This gun is made in Italy by Kimar.

Has anyone ever shot one of these?

Does anyone know Kimar, Chiappa Firearms, and their reputation
for quality?

SIA

[Divided Attention]

Have not fired one, but did handle one at Tomball Pawn. It was a unique looking weapon, and felt nice in the hand. Very interesting.

[XinTX]

Saw a post on another board from someone who did fire one. Only complaint was the trigger was not that great. Stiff, and not a clean break. Take it FWIW.

I do think they're pretty cool though. Definitely different.

[AdioSS]

The real estate above the barrel seems like a perfect location for a laser.

[The Annoyed Man]

Eeeewww. I must be a terrible luddite. That pistol has no appeal for me.

[RECIT]

It looks like a cool design and the theory behind its design makes sense. I have not shot or handled one yet though. Re-inventing the wheel (literally) usually does not come out profitable though. Let me know when someone throws their money down and after a range trip.

[hirundo82]

I've heard about this for a while now, and it seems like an interesting concept. It is made by the same people behind the Mateba Autorevolver (which also fires from the bottom of the cylinder), so they make some unique guns.

[MoJo]

Eeeewww. I must be a terrible luddite. That pistol has no appeal for me.

Nah, the gun looks like a Picasso design assembled by Dr. Frankenstein.

[gregthehand]

I saw one at Tomball Pawn too but didn't ask to hold it. It seems like it would have a very complicated firing pin mechanism. I will say that it definatly needs one of those pistol bayonet thingers.

[RHenriksen]

I guess I'm firmly in the function over form camp. If the design allows faster, on-target follow up shots, without sacrificing other areas of functionality, why not?

That said, pistols are so good these days that the only place for a revolver now is in the big hand cannons - .357 magnum and up. Well, I guess as a BUG, too. I've not yet embraced the whole BUG thing, personally.

[flechero]

pistols are so good these days that the only place for a revolver now is in the big hand cannons - .357 magnum and up.

I disagree... I own a number of pistols and revolvers and I have yet to find a pistol that equals my .357 snubbie in terms of size, power(even though I carry it with .38+p), conceal-ability and comfort on me. Not to mention, I shoot it better than any of the small pistols I have owned or shot.

I also know a number of CHL's (and non CHL's) that do not clean and care for a pistol as much as they should. (IMO). So the "average" person may not have absolute reliability. In those instances, a revolver (although still not 100% throughout history) has a better chance of firing reliably most scenarios.

[anygunanywhere]

I think the pistol looks better than any Glock I have seen.

I would like to shoot one.

Might need a different grip though.

If'n they fix the trigger issue and the grip I could be pursuaded to buy one.

I will never carry a Glock.

Anygunanywhere

[HankB]

IF the Rhino is reliable and durable - that's a big "if" - and the trigger is at least decent, the revolver looks like it could be a winner.

The real estate above the barrel looks like a good place for a light or laser.

[WildBill]

The real estate above the barrel looks like a good place for a light or laser.

That's exactly what I was thinking.

[Ameer]

A modern LeMat revolver would be shweeeet!