The Chiappa Rhino fires from the bottom chamber of the cylinder instead of the top. That single design choice changes the recoil physics of the entire gun. In a traditional revolver, the bore sits above the grip, creating a lever arm that drives muzzle rise. The Rhino's low bore axis puts the barrel nearly in line with the shooter's wrist, which reduces muzzle flip substantially. At 33 oz with a 6" barrel, the 60DS model weighs 7 oz less than the S&W 686 (40.3 oz, 4.13" barrel) and 9 oz less than the Colt Python (42 oz, 4.25" barrel). It has the longest barrel of any .357 in this lineup, yet it is one of the lightest full-size options. The 7075-T6 aluminum alloy frame makes that possible.

The Rhino looks like nothing else on the market, and that is polarizing. The hexagonal cross-section, flat-sided barrel, and low-slung profile draw strong reactions. The fiber optic sights (red front, green rear) are adjustable and fast to acquire. The top Picatinny rail accepts a red dot or a flashlight. Reviewers who have put rounds through the 60DS consistently note that the reduced muzzle rise makes getting back on target faster than any other .357 revolver they have shot. That matters more than the looks, and it is the Rhino's real strength: a .357 Mag that handles closer to a .38 Special at the muzzle.