Description
The Chiappa Rhino 50SAR 9mm 5 Inch Black (model CF340.278) sits in the middle of Chiappa’s single-action 9mm Rhino line. Its 5 inch barrel adds sight radius and a little muzzle weight over the 4 inch, while staying shorter and lighter than the 6 inch target model.
Chiappa Rhino 50SAR 9mm 5 Inch Black Overview
Like every Rhino, the 50SAR fires from the bottom chamber, so the bore sits low in your hand and recoil drives straight back. SAR means single-action Rhino: you cock the lever on the back of the frame for every shot, and the trigger only releases. The frame is machined 7075-T6 aluminum with a black anodized finish, the cylinder and barrel are steel, and the grip is medium walnut. Lipsey’s lists it at 9.5 inches long and about 1.97 pounds.
The Balanced Length
Five inches is a good all-round revolver barrel. It gives more velocity and a longer sight radius than a 4 inch gun, which helps on steel plates and paper at 15 to 25 yards, while still riding comfortably in a belt holster on a hike. The extra weight out front also settles the muzzle between shots, so the 5 inch Rhino is the most forgiving of the three for a new shooter.
How the SAR Action Works
The cocking lever sits where a hammer spur would be. Pull it back, the cylinder indexes and the internal hammer is set; the trigger then breaks short and light. Because there is no double-action mode, this is a deliberate, slow-fire revolver. That suits plinking, casual Steel Challenge practice and teaching, but it is a poor choice for defense. Practice decocking safely with snap caps before loading live rounds.
Loading 9mm in a Revolver
9mm Luger is rimless, so it rides in moon clips that hold all six rounds for fast loading and positive extraction. Lipsey’s lists three clips in the box; plan on buying more and a de-mooning tool. Clips bent by dropping or careless unloading cause hard cylinder rotation, so inspect them. Use standard pressure ammunition for practice and keep +P loads to what Chiappa’s manual allows.
Sights and Handling
The adjustable rear sight lets you zero for your preferred load, and the green fiber optic front gathers light for fast pickup in daylight. In dim conditions fiber optics lose their glow, so they are not a substitute for tritium. The walnut grip is shaped to keep your hand high on the frame, which is what lets the low bore axis do its work. Rhino-specific holsters exist but cost more.
Value and Caveats
The Rhino is priced above most 9mm revolvers, and you pay for the design and Italian machining rather than raw practicality. Repairs normally go through Chiappa, and resale depends on finding another Rhino fan. Distributor photos for this item sometimes show the double-action 50DS roll mark instead of 50S, so check the box label on arrival. For a shooter who wants something soft-recoiling and unusual, it is a fun gun.
State Laws and Ownership
Revolvers are legal to own in every state, but the purchase rules vary. New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Illinois, Hawaii and several other states require a permit, license or ID card before a dealer can transfer a handgun, and some keep their own approved-handgun lists. Single-action revolvers that meet minimum barrel length, overall length and capacity rules are exempt from California’s roster of approved handguns, which is part of why Chiappa offers SAR models, but every California sale still goes through the state’s own background check and waiting period. Your receiving dealer can confirm what applies to you.
Specifications
- Brand: Chiappa Firearms
- Model: Rhino 50SAR
- Item number: CF340.278
- UPC: 8053670717381
- Caliber: 9mm Luger
- Capacity: 6
- Action: single action only, cocked by lever
- Barrel: 5 in
- Overall length: 9.5 in (Lipsey’s)
- Frame: 7075-T6 aluminum alloy, black anodized; steel cylinder and barrel
- Sights: adjustable rear, green fiber optic front
- Grips: medium walnut
- Weight: about 1.97 lb (Lipsey’s)
- Included: three clips per Lipsey’s
- Made in: Italy
Before You Buy
Federal law requires this handgun to ship to a licensed FFL dealer, where you complete ATF Form 4473 and a background check before taking it home. You must be at least 21 years old to buy a handgun from a dealer, and some states add a permit, license, waiting period or safety certificate first. Check that your state and city allow the model and capacity before you order.
Who It Is For
The Chiappa Rhino 50SAR 9mm 5 Inch Black is a great fit for shooters who want one 9mm Rhino that balances well for both range time and the trail, and for anyone who prefers slow, precise single-action shooting.
Buy the Chiappa Rhino 50SAR 9mm 5 Inch Black at MAG5 Firearms
MAG5 Firearms is a family-owned FFL in Collegeville, Pennsylvania. Order the Chiappa Rhino 50SAR 9mm 5 Inch Black online and ship it to your local FFL dealer, or browse our full selection of firearms for more revolvers. For factory details, visit Chiappa USA.
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.