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loffpit44
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how much would you pay for it??
Who makes the low end revolvers?
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how much would you pay for it??
Jim NE
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With less expensive revolvers, older isn't necessarily better, like people obsess about with higher end guns. Some one earlier commented on their good and bad experiences with Charter Arms. The two I had in the 1980's had function issues, but were actually accurate. Never bought a CA again because of the issues, but they say the newer ones are better.
Rossi revolvers can be quite good if from the appropriate era - very underrated, in fact - but the era may be hard to discern just by looking at the gun. I have some Interarms era Rossi revolvers that are exceptional, but not all of the Interarms stuff is as good as other Interarms stuff. With my guns, it seems the later Interarms Rossi .38's with the rubber target grips (same as they use now) can actually be quite good.
The earlier wood grip Interarms guns in my collection aren't quite the quality as the later examples, either in fit or finish, but they're still pretty decent guns that I enjoy owning and shooting.
The pre-Interarms (Garcia and Firearms Int. Corp., which date back to the 70's and 60's respectively) just aren't really the quality of most of the Interarms Rossi guns, but are still functional. I actually carry one currently, but you have to check them out good. The recurring theme with Rossi revos is cylinder gaps that are too tight, but that can be fixed easily by someone with a little experience.
I only have one Taurus era Rossi. It's a nice, good working gun, but not quite as tight or robust as some earlier guns. Several of my Rossi guns have cylinder lockups tighter than most of my Smith and Wessons.
Rossi revolvers can be quite good if from the appropriate era - very underrated, in fact - but the era may be hard to discern just by looking at the gun. I have some Interarms era Rossi revolvers that are exceptional, but not all of the Interarms stuff is as good as other Interarms stuff. With my guns, it seems the later Interarms Rossi .38's with the rubber target grips (same as they use now) can actually be quite good.
The earlier wood grip Interarms guns in my collection aren't quite the quality as the later examples, either in fit or finish, but they're still pretty decent guns that I enjoy owning and shooting.
The pre-Interarms (Garcia and Firearms Int. Corp., which date back to the 70's and 60's respectively) just aren't really the quality of most of the Interarms Rossi guns, but are still functional. I actually carry one currently, but you have to check them out good. The recurring theme with Rossi revos is cylinder gaps that are too tight, but that can be fixed easily by someone with a little experience.
I only have one Taurus era Rossi. It's a nice, good working gun, but not quite as tight or robust as some earlier guns. Several of my Rossi guns have cylinder lockups tighter than most of my Smith and Wessons.
I wouldn't. If I literally had the choice between a running rg 38 and this I would pick the rg..
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loffpit44
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you know your revolver, what more can i see, great write up.
Panzerschwein
member
The Charters, Tauri, Rossis, Armscors, Windys, they're all "worth having" but only IF you can inspect them before purchase and IF you know what to look for to avoid one with issues.
All those companies make or have made serviceable revolvers. Fit, finish, sometimes durability, and lower propensity for problems won't in general be as good as a S&W or Ruger or Colt, but they all are not bad guns. It's the individual guns that decide that.
All those companies make or have made serviceable revolvers. Fit, finish, sometimes durability, and lower propensity for problems won't in general be as good as a S&W or Ruger or Colt, but they all are not bad guns. It's the individual guns that decide that.
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loffpit44
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you got no idea how long i have been looking for a windy
I have a few windicators. All in .357. They all are well made save for the finishes. The .357s are pretty sturdy and I like they are all 6 shot. I don't shoot anything super hot out of them but they would handle it.
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loffpit44
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Thanks you
Elkins45
Member
Buds has the 2" guns in stock now.
WHY??? When there are so many quality S&W and Ruger Revolvers out there and more on the used market at very competitive prices? You could get a lower end revolver that works, but there are too many horror stories for me to waste my hard earned cash on one. In the end, the old adage is true...you get what you pay for.
Kendal Black
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That is also the case when buying a used Smith & Wesson, Ruger, or Colt, which is a course I and others have suggested. How to check over a revolver is a sticky in the Revolvers section here.
Caveat emptor either way! But there are some good deals out there if you know what not to buy.
Throw out a statement like this without fact has no value. Tell us your experience or you simply don't like where it is made? You don't like their 1911s as well?
I did. On post #13 if I am not mistaken
Why would I care where it is made? I'm far from a Gun Snob. I am a avid collector of anything and everything. Wanna See my Zamak Collection?
I like anything that runs. I wont keep anything that is unsafe or unreliable.
The story has been told before by me here on these forums. I have 4 of their 1911 variants. I love them....Every one of them.
They are made with much better care and quality than their Revolvers.
My first m206 I bought and went right to the range and proceeded to Pepper my face and ears with shaved jackets and lead to the point of drawing blood.. By the end of the box of 50 rounds of magtec target ammo It was completely out of time and had started striking the brass on the outside of the primer pocket. I went back to the dealer and he sent it off to RIA. I waited a month and started calling. I was passed around a few times and then calls were dropped. The Dealer asked me about the revolver when I picked up a transfer, when he found out I hadn't heard from them he started putting a guy on the phone every hour until they got a hold of them.
A few days later RIA called me and said it was lost after it was received and that they would call me back. A week or so later a replacement was sent back to the dealer. I had to pay for another BGC since it was a different gun. I waited a few days and went to the range. Started out alright at first and then basically did the same thing only to a lesser extent. I had the dealer send it back and waited again. The 3rd gun that came in looked like a shop gun from the Pics my Dealer sent me and was extremely worn finish wise. The dealer asked if he could fire it and I obliged his request. He called me back stating the 3rd gun was out of time. He sent me to a friend of his that ran a gunsmithing service. The 3rd Revolver had its timing fixed and was promptly sold at a Loss.
The Dealer quit ordering them in over this and a few other problem revolvers.... a few m206's and their m200.
I replaced it with a Charter arms of new production and haven't had a issue since even with tons of +p ammo.. The M206 has the looks I would agree, but there's others with M200 models out there with the same quality issues I had so it isn't a isolated incident. I'd by another of their 1911's. I want a Nickel model so bad it hurts..
If they improved their revolvers I would consider another But... I have them on my Facebook feed and I see guys having issues with these still to this day.
Why would I care where it is made? I'm far from a Gun Snob. I am a avid collector of anything and everything. Wanna See my Zamak Collection?
I like anything that runs. I wont keep anything that is unsafe or unreliable.
The story has been told before by me here on these forums. I have 4 of their 1911 variants. I love them....Every one of them.
They are made with much better care and quality than their Revolvers.
My first m206 I bought and went right to the range and proceeded to Pepper my face and ears with shaved jackets and lead to the point of drawing blood.. By the end of the box of 50 rounds of magtec target ammo It was completely out of time and had started striking the brass on the outside of the primer pocket. I went back to the dealer and he sent it off to RIA. I waited a month and started calling. I was passed around a few times and then calls were dropped. The Dealer asked me about the revolver when I picked up a transfer, when he found out I hadn't heard from them he started putting a guy on the phone every hour until they got a hold of them.
A few days later RIA called me and said it was lost after it was received and that they would call me back. A week or so later a replacement was sent back to the dealer. I had to pay for another BGC since it was a different gun. I waited a few days and went to the range. Started out alright at first and then basically did the same thing only to a lesser extent. I had the dealer send it back and waited again. The 3rd gun that came in looked like a shop gun from the Pics my Dealer sent me and was extremely worn finish wise. The dealer asked if he could fire it and I obliged his request. He called me back stating the 3rd gun was out of time. He sent me to a friend of his that ran a gunsmithing service. The 3rd Revolver had its timing fixed and was promptly sold at a Loss.
The Dealer quit ordering them in over this and a few other problem revolvers.... a few m206's and their m200.
I replaced it with a Charter arms of new production and haven't had a issue since even with tons of +p ammo.. The M206 has the looks I would agree, but there's others with M200 models out there with the same quality issues I had so it isn't a isolated incident. I'd by another of their 1911's. I want a Nickel model so bad it hurts..
If they improved their revolvers I would consider another But... I have them on my Facebook feed and I see guys having issues with these still to this day.
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I have fired about 50-100 shots through a new Armscor 206 owned by my FIL about one year or so ago. It ain't no Smith or Colt but FWIW, I did not have the troubles that others mentioned. Double action trigger was heavy and the triggerpull had a hump to it. SA triggerpull was okay but nothing special. It had decent but not spectacular accuracy at an indoor range but the combat type sights were decent for self-defense instead of target practice. Revolver connoisseurs will probably hate them--from what I recall about a few reviews at the time, those were quite rough inside and utilitarian on the outside.
That being said, I've fired good Taurus revolvers but recognize others have had nothing but trouble. I have fired a .357 Rossi that I liked and have a private labeled Rohm RG38 that is very accurate with a DA trigger pull that almost requires two fingers to fire it that I fire every now and then just because.
That cheap revolvers can be hit or miss, apart from POC's made solely of Zamac, I can understand. What is the disqualifier for me is that Analogkid notes that the mfg will not stand behind its new products under warranty. That is not acceptable to me and why I won't purchase a Taurus revolver either despite having decent experiences with them.
Never seen a Windicator outside of the internet so have no idea about them nor EAA standing behind them on warranty. Fixing them may also be difficult aside from warranty work as gunsmiths often do not care to work on off-brand revolvers. I honestly can't remember whether I have looked at a Charter Arms or not in the past and have never fired one.
A used Smith or Ruger costs are a bit more than the Armscor new but certainly, you have a far better firearm if they were not abused. You can get a used Smith or Ruger for about the same price as a new Taurus and also find most gunsmiths will work on them. Depending on the issue, Smiths and Rugers do stand behind their product generally and spare parts are available. As usual, YMMV.
That being said, I've fired good Taurus revolvers but recognize others have had nothing but trouble. I have fired a .357 Rossi that I liked and have a private labeled Rohm RG38 that is very accurate with a DA trigger pull that almost requires two fingers to fire it that I fire every now and then just because.
That cheap revolvers can be hit or miss, apart from POC's made solely of Zamac, I can understand. What is the disqualifier for me is that Analogkid notes that the mfg will not stand behind its new products under warranty. That is not acceptable to me and why I won't purchase a Taurus revolver either despite having decent experiences with them.
Never seen a Windicator outside of the internet so have no idea about them nor EAA standing behind them on warranty. Fixing them may also be difficult aside from warranty work as gunsmiths often do not care to work on off-brand revolvers. I honestly can't remember whether I have looked at a Charter Arms or not in the past and have never fired one.
A used Smith or Ruger costs are a bit more than the Armscor new but certainly, you have a far better firearm if they were not abused. You can get a used Smith or Ruger for about the same price as a new Taurus and also find most gunsmiths will work on them. Depending on the issue, Smiths and Rugers do stand behind their product generally and spare parts are available. As usual, YMMV.
Eaa stands behind their warranty. I sent one in for a finish issue. They paid one way by sending a call ticket for it I printed out. I had to pay for return postage and I was alright with that mainly because it's in the manuals warranty section and I had heard people have had to do that. Turn around time was quick... like a week which is fine.
I've bought other eaa products knowing the warranty shipping costs as well.
Glad to hear EAA warranty has improved, they had the worst records of warranty services. So many complaints! I do have a EAA Witness Tanfoglio 9mm which is pretty nice! On the other hand, Armscor's life time transferable warranty is known to be one of the best in the industry and they pay shipping both ways. Yep, now I remember you posted your bad experience with your Armacor M206 before, all I can say is very sorry to hear that! I had to sent in my M200 for excessive cylinder gaps when I bought it new. The cylinder gap was 9-11 thousandths which I thought would be excessive for a new gun. Armscor replaced it with a new gun. If I remember correctly, they say their spec is 9 thousandths. I later saw postings on internet say S&W spec is 12 thousandths. The replacement shoots well and no problem at all. Armacor revolvers are not beauty queens, finish is rough and visible tool marks but function well and reliable. Trigger is also pretty nice for a $200 revolver. Customer service is wonderful in my experience, I never needed to call them, they responded my emails in 24 hours. I heard there was a period of time they were in move to a new location and no one attending the phone.
Here is a nice review posted at 1911 forum worth reading. Note that Armscor made design changes, early M200/206 did have problems. If your M206 was the first generation, it indeed does not worth $199 since they had $179 price tag before!
http://ezine.m1911.org/showthread.php?140-Armscor-M200-Series-Revolver-Review
gun_with_a_view
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Charter Arms revolvers have enough substantial favorable reviews lately since the last ownership change to warrant further investigation. Charter's problem is the Ruger LCR is out there for just a little bit more money.
All of mine were of 2015 vintage or so. There is a few videos on Youtube of recent date with the same or similar issues. What crazy is the amount of people in the comments that have had the same issues. If they ever up the quality I may buy another one.
Seems like these guys made the videos were happy in the follow up YouTubes after the warranty fixes! RIA pays the shipping both ways and they take care of their customers! The timing problem is real and happens on all revolvers, I guess it is not frequent enough to bankrupt RIA while they pay shipping both ways!
Junk right out of the box isn't a endearing trait. And from my experience they maybe don't take care of their customers as much as you like to think. Ruger pays shipping and transfer fees for replacement guns but somehow I had to pay .$35 each time with armscor plus I had to pay gunsmith fees to get the THIRD! M206 to work.
I'm glad yours works...sounds like you got lucky.
I still would suggest a whole slew of other bottom barrel revolvers before these. I could have gotten a real decent one for the money I had tied up in the m206's .
They look neat though.
Where I live, they ship firearms coming back from factory repair right to my house, no need to go thru transfer again. No cost to me, except the wait time. RIA warranty repairs may take up to 6 weeks. I got mine back in a bit over 4 weeks. I believe shipping warranty repairs back to home address is the norm for most folks in "free" states. I can understand you are not happy if you have to eat some cost. When buying a low end firearm, there is always some risk, warranty is important and inspection before purchase is important. Buying online always have some risk, revolver timing issue is not uncommon and can be caught in inspection if buying from a gun shop. While RIA warranty pays shipping both ways (at least for now), I have heard guns go back to repair multiple times and RIA bought the gun back after couple trips. You only see that kind of customer service on high end firearms that you pay 2x or 3x the price. If one day they change the customer service/warranty policy, I may switch to another brand! It is all about what it worth at what risk. If you had to pay transfer fee again or shipping to receive a warranty repair, the risk is not worthwhile, that is why I did not buy Taurus. Taurus revolver is pretty!
ArchAngelCD
Member.
Why would you need to pay a transfer fee when you gun comes back from the vendor after warranty work? (or wait)
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