The Rhino was originally introduced in 2010 and featured a very unconventional design and appearance. The barrel is mounted in the bottom of the barrel shroud and the round is fired from the 6 o’clock position. This design serves to significantly reduce both felt recoil and muzzle rise. The 30DS Nebula features an alloy frame, steel cylinder and barrel, with a new multi-colored PVD finish. The barrel length on our test pistol was 3 inches. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and this is reflected in the aesthetics scores that the Rhino received. However, form follows function, and the Rhino scored very well in ergonomics. The laminate stocks are tapered and allow a very high purchase on the pistol for a very comfortable shooting experience. The rear sight is fully adjustable, and both the front and rear sights have fiber-optic inserts. The sights were considered small and, while the fiber optics helped, evaluators found the sights shallow and hard to pick up.
While the double action did not feel conventional, it was very good, due in part to the wide trigger. During double action, a red indicator, located in front of the rear sight, rises and falls. The exposed “hammer” is not actually a hammer but is a single-action cocking lever. It does not move during double-action fire and returns to the forward position after cocking the action. The red cocking indicator remains in view when the Rhino is in single mode. A cylinder release is a thumb lever mounted high on the left side of the frame. The Rhino had an average score of 4 or better in ergonomics, trigger control, recoil control and accuracy. It was by far the most comfortable to shoot with hot magnum loads. The Rhino is definitely unconventional but it did grow on the shooters. With an MSRP of $1,912, the Rhino ended up with a score of 2.92 on value and price point, and an overall score of 36.23.
Advertisement — Continue Reading Below
