The Chiappa Rhino is a .357 Magnum revolver with one genuinely unusual design choice: the barrel is aligned with the bottom chamber of the cylinder rather than the top. That positions the bore axis much lower relative to the shooter's hand, which reduces muzzle rise during firing compared to a conventional revolver. The Gold PVD finish on this version is a cosmetic statement, but the functional engineering underneath it is what makes the Rhino interesting. 
 

Key Specifications 

• Manufacturer: Chiappa Firearms 
• Model: Rhino 
• Type: Revolver 
• Caliber: .357 Magnum 
• Barrel Length: 6 inches 
• Capacity: 6 rounds 
• Weight: 2.1 lbs (33 oz) 
• Finish: Gold PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition) 
• Frame Material: Machined 7075-T6 Alloy 
• Grip Material: Medium Walnut 
• Action Type: Single Action Only 
• Front Sight: Fixed Red Fiber Optic 
• Rear Sight: Adjustable Elevation & Windage Green Fiber Optic 
   

Detailed Features 

The low barrel axis is the centerpiece here. Standard revolvers fire from the top chamber, which puts the bore axis high and produces a pronounced upward flip. The Rhino fires from the bottom chamber, cutting muzzle rise and letting you get back on target faster, a real advantage when shooting full-power .357 Magnum loads. 
 
The 7075-T6 alloy frame keeps weight at 33 oz despite the 6-inch barrel. Fiber optic sights on both ends (fixed red up front, adjustable green in the rear) work well in low light and speed up target acquisition. The walnut grips look appropriate for the Gold PVD finish and give a solid purchase. 
 
This is a single-action-only revolver, so each shot requires manually cocking the hammer. 
 

Usage 

The 6-inch barrel and adjustable sights make this a natural fit for target shooting or competition, where the reduced muzzle flip pays dividends across multiple shots. The gold finish and unusual hexagonal cylinder profile also make it a collector piece. For home defense it works, but the single-action trigger adds a step compared to double-action alternatives.

The Chiappa Rhino Gold draws two distinct audiences: shooters who specifically want the low-bore-axis design, and buyers attracted to the distinctive appearance. Both groups generally come away positive, though with different focal points.

The reduced muzzle rise is the most consistently praised feature. Shooters who've used conventional revolvers with .357 Magnum notice the difference immediately, and most find their split times improve. Accuracy at distance, aided by the adjustable fiber optic sights, also gets positive mentions.

The gold finish is polarizing in the expected way. Some love the aesthetic, others would prefer a more subdued option. Build quality is generally well-regarded, with the machined 7075-T6 frame feeling substantial.

Criticism focuses on a few practical areas. The ergonomics are genuinely different from a conventional revolver, and some shooters find the grip geometry or weight distribution requires adjustment. A handful of buyers raise questions about consistency in manufacturing tolerances. Price is a common discussion point. The Rhino costs more than comparably-spec'd traditional revolvers, which some feel is justified by the engineering and others find hard to rationalize against options from more established names.