Rock Island m206
- Thread starter Antihero
- Start date
- Status
stonebuster
Member
I don't have one but would like to hear a review after a few hundred rounds. Some folks have had some issues but most seem to be happy with theirs for the money spent. I hope you got a good one but they do have a lifetime warrantee.
I've looked at these several times as s knock about woods gun. I'm sure they are solid, but i just can't get past the looks. I hate when someone says, "for just a few dollara more...", but in this case for just a few dollars more I could get a stainless Charter Arms.
Still, RIA is always a solid choice. I still may pick one up on a whim to toss in the truck.
Still, RIA is always a solid choice. I still may pick one up on a whim to toss in the truck.
I feel the same way. For a bit more, I can get a Charter or a used S&W. The RI revolver I handled seemed okay, but rough around the edges.
ontarget
Member
Some may say I am a little rough around the edges too. I may need to check out the RIA revolvers.
Honestly, i think a lot of revolvers are a little rough around the edges these days. It seems like you need to get up into the 700-800 range before finish trade offs are limited.
I don't mind rough guns. I think the RIA M series is about the least expensive 6 shot .38 snubbie you can get of good quality. They are homely little things, but I'm sure they work just fine. I think they would be a cool base for building some sort of steampunk blaster with all their out of whack lines.
Still, I can see myself picking one up for a song, testing it, then wrapping it in a oiled rag and keeping it in a locked tackle box under the seat. Just in case.
I don't mind rough guns. I think the RIA M series is about the least expensive 6 shot .38 snubbie you can get of good quality. They are homely little things, but I'm sure they work just fine. I think they would be a cool base for building some sort of steampunk blaster with all their out of whack lines.
Still, I can see myself picking one up for a song, testing it, then wrapping it in a oiled rag and keeping it in a locked tackle box under the seat. Just in case.
stonebuster
Member
Six shots and the price is a plus for the M206 and I don't worry about rough edges/finish. Functioning properly consistently and being able to shoot it accurately is all I'd care about for that price. I shoot my snub @100rnds/wk and I'm not sure how long the m206 would last at 5200 rnds/yr but for a nightstand gun and occasional practice it would probably work fine.
i’ve handled the ria but decided on a gently used taurus 85, which has performed very nicely at $180. a smoother feeling 5 shot trumped a rougher 6 shot. that said, i hear good reports of ria customer service and ria has no competition for a 4” 38sp six shot at $200 new. actually for my needs a 3” 38sp is the goldilocks da/sa revolver. if ria offered a 3” six shooter for $200 i may well have chosen it, but added a nicer set of pachmayr grips.
Last edited:
No this is gonna be ysed as a truck gun or knockabout gun. It seems really well suited for that roll
Barry loyd
Member
- Joined
- Jul 30, 2018
- Messages
- 291
I haven’t played patty fingers with one yet but I like it. Something to stash somewhere when needed.
The Evangelist Cowboy
Member
Taurus has really stepped up their game, they're really aggressively marketing to get trainers like James Yeager to check out their products both auto and revolver. My last two the 85 UL and 605 (virtually identical just one in .357) have been flawless. They work alot better and for yes "a few dollars more" you get a superior product.
Tallball
Member
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2014
- Messages
- 7,788
I have had one excellent Taurus 85, a good one, and a decent one. They all went bang every time. The difference was in how light or heavy their triggers were.
I evaluated a used RIA at a gun show a few years back and was favorably impressed. The fit and finish were pretty good, and the trigger was nice. When my friend went back to the vendor to purchase it, it was already sold.
I evaluated a used RIA at a gun show a few years back and was favorably impressed. The fit and finish were pretty good, and the trigger was nice. When my friend went back to the vendor to purchase it, it was already sold.
Last edited:
TTv2
Member
- Joined
- Mar 31, 2016
- Messages
- 4,976
I do, it's okay and just okay. I think that Gen 1 Charter's made prior to 1990 are better and the only drawback is they hold 5 rds. Well, the Police Bulldogs hold 6, but they're not as common. Charter will still service the older models, albeit for a fee, but Charter CS is top notch from all I hear and they've been around a long time and I don't see them going anywhere anytime soon.
You already got one, but those who are thinking about a the RIA M206, my opinion is if you're not in a rush to get one, wait and look at gunbroker a few times a week for a vintage Charter .38 snub made in Bridgeport or Stratford. Bound to find one at a good price.
You already got one, but those who are thinking about a the RIA M206, my opinion is if you're not in a rush to get one, wait and look at gunbroker a few times a week for a vintage Charter .38 snub made in Bridgeport or Stratford. Bound to find one at a good price.
BlueHeelerFl
Member
Don't forget about their 856 6 shot 38 snubbie! I handled one awhile back and it seemed to be a solid choice. I ended up going a different route (got a Beretta Pico) but I'd still be interested in getting one someday.
The RIA 200 and 206 are interesting, but I never see them that cheap locally. New they go for $275, which wasn't thst much different than the 856
The Evangelist Cowboy
Member
I saw that one. I'm highly interested in it. I'd take one over the new Colt Cobras. Man, Smith should come out with a six shot to compete.
Blue Brick
Member
I am leaning on the idea of getting a Police Undercover.
TTv2
Member
- Joined
- Mar 31, 2016
- Messages
- 4,976
Charter's are not a bad way to go, especially if they're "Police" models. I'm sure there'll be a number of people who would say "for a few $ more... S&W... blah blah" but I have no doubts the Charter's will hold up just fine. If they don't I figure sending one in to Charter will still be a lot less than having a S&W gunsmith fix up an older Smith.
Also, due to the one piece frame, the strength is there with the Charter's, but with reduced weight.
I wasn't in a rush or anything, I just liked the m206 for what it was.
Lockup is really tight on mine, I can't say I've always felt that in every charter arms I've held.
There really wasn't a competition fir which one to get, I wanted the m206 and got that one.
Lockup is really tight on mine, I can't say I've always felt that in every charter arms I've held.
There really wasn't a competition fir which one to get, I wanted the m206 and got that one.
cc-hangfire
Member
- Joined
- Apr 28, 2014
- Messages
- 589
As TTv2 said above, it’s ok. I have one and have put a couple hundred rounds thru it. It shoots to point if aim and IMHO my sample of one has a slightly better trigger than the Charter andthe Taurus I’ve had (& sold). But not in the same class of trigger than my 642 or LCR.
It serves as a vehicle gun, and with the wood grips it can barely work as a pocket gun. I keep it since it carries 6 rounds (+20% over my other snubbies) and I got it used/cheap and since I couldn’t sell it for much at all. For its purpose as a tool, I’ve got no complaints.
It serves as a vehicle gun, and with the wood grips it can barely work as a pocket gun. I keep it since it carries 6 rounds (+20% over my other snubbies) and I got it used/cheap and since I couldn’t sell it for much at all. For its purpose as a tool, I’ve got no complaints.
I've actually considered getting the 4 inch too after firing this
- Status
