Chiappa (pronounced “Kee-Ahppa”) scales up the Rhino revolver to handle .44 Magnum, reinforcing the frame and cylinder while keeping its low-bore, bottom-firing design.
Since the cylinder is longer than other models, Chiappa also improved the design with the addition of a gas pedal. This also doubles as an index point to keep your fingers out of the blast zone.
A Rhino Built for a Bigger Cartridge
The key update to the Rhino platform is size. Chiappa reworked the revolver to safely manage .44 Magnum pressures and recoil. That meant strengthening the frame, enlarging the cylinder, and tuning the internals for a more powerful cartridge.
The Rhino still fires from the lower chamber. That layout keeps the bore axis low and pushes recoil straight back instead of up. With .44 Magnum, that recoil control matters. The revolver feels beefier and more planted than smaller Rhino models, but not much heavier.
Chiappa chose a six-inch barrel for the launch. The added length helps manage recoil and delivers the projectile with the optimal ballistic performance. The revolver has a six-shot cylinder, which balances size and capacity.
Changes That Matter
Scaling up the Rhino went beyond adding mass. Chiappa used a 7075-T6 aluminum alloy frame paired with a steel cylinder and barrel. That combination adds strength without unnecessary weight and is also how the smaller-framed Rhinos are constructed.
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The revolver weighs about 2.5 pounds. Lightening cuts help offset the reinforced structure. The result is a larger Rhino that stays manageable for range or field use.
Familiar Handling With Modern Touches
Chiappa kept the Rhino’s unconventional profile but refined how it handles. The push-forward cylinder release mirrors Smith & Wesson-style controls. Many shooters will find it intuitive and ergonomic.
Hogue rubber grips come standard. They provide better grip and recoil control for magnum loads. Fiber optic sights sit front and rear to improve visibility, though they are fixed. The Chiappa Rhino 44 Magnum is also available in 4 familiar colorways: black, chrome, gold PVD, and mixed color Nebula.
Rhino 44 Mag Features and Specifications
- Caliber: .44 Magnum
- Capacity: 6 rounds
- Action: Single/Double action
- Trigger system: Single
- Barrel length: 6 in (152 mm)
- Total length: 11 in (279 mm)
- Weight: 2.5 lbs
- Frame material: 7075-T6 aluminum alloy
- Cylinder and barrel: Steel
- Finish: Black
- Grips: Hogue® rubber
- Feed: Manual
- Extraction: Manual
- Safety systems: Cylinder block, cylinder rotation, hammer block
- Front sight: Fixed fiber optic
- Rear sight: Fixed fiber optic
Availability and Pricing
MSRP starts around $1,470, depending on finish. Black models are shipping first, with additional finishes planned.
The Rhino 44 Mag isn’t a minor update. It represents a full-scale evolution of Chiappa’s unconventional revolver, built specifically to handle the demands of .44 Magnum while keeping recoil under control.
Learn more about the Chiappa Rhino 60 DS 44 Magnum HERE.
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Riley Baxter is a seasoned hunter, outdoorsman, and competitive shooter with deep roots in the backcountry. He has guided professionally for bears, bighorn sheep, and other big game across rugged terrain, bringing firsthand knowledge of what gear actually works in the field. When he’s not chasing game or running drills on the range, Riley is likely in the garage customizing his rifles, pistols, or backcountry kit.
A competitive pistol shooter and lifelong firearms enthusiast, Riley brings both precision and creativity to every piece of equipment he touches. Outside of the gun world, he works as a perfusionist in Montana, a vital role in heart surgery that demands attention to detail, critical thinking, and mental fortitude.
Experience:
– Professional Hunting Guide – Guided for bears, bighorn sheep, and more in some of the West’s toughest country.
– Competitive Shooter – Skilled USPSA pistol shooter with a passion for precision and performance under pressure.
– Custom Builder – Enjoys building and tuning firearms and equipment to meet the exact demands of the hunt or the range.
– Experienced Marksman – Experienced in long-range hunting and precision rifles to meet the demands of the terrain of the West.
– Montana-Based Perfusionist – Medical professional accustomed to making critical decisions in high-stakes environments.