Rock Island armory revolver's?

I have looked at them.

I chose the EAA Windicator in 357 over the RI in 38. The 357 gives n advantage if you are out roaming. It also lets you load 38+P without worry.

I friend, who's opinion I trust/value, has some of them and likes them well at that price point. Charter Arms may also be worth a look in that space. Do keep in mind that S&W J frames new these days are around $400 if you are looking for something like that.

I bought one of them when they sold for $150. Mine is actually an M200.

It shoots straight and is reliable but feels cheap, it is made from Zamak or some other alloy. The finish is merely OK.

With them now being at the same price point as a Taurus 85, I wouldn't think twice. The Taurus is a much better built gun.

bought one as it is a direct knock off of the cold detective special. problem is that it shoots high. hard to add height to a fixed front sight.......just have to hold low I guess. not especially pretty but functions fine.

Keep then far away.... As stated by others the Taurus 85 and the Charter Arms are a much better buy. The rock island guns leave much to be desired in fit and finish. I've messed with a few samples and each had excessive though serviceable wobbliness in the cylinders.

"The Bitterness of Poor Quality remains Long after the Sweetness of Low Price is Forgotten."

Sootch00 did a favorable review but I don't think I have seen him do a negative review on any firearm.

I have never really understood by what is meant by "woods" and "roaming" gun. What is it that you are afraid off when in the woods?

Is your main concern being you may lose it? The simplest answer is to buy a good quality holster with good retention. A good holster is cheaper than replacing the gun.

Afraid of the gun getting beat up? Change your carry method or use a full flap holster.

If the purpose is self-defense then I personally want a high quality handgun. I don't know but I seem to be in the minority on THR when it comes to carrying for self-defense. A common attitude is I want a inexpensive lower quality gun so I won't be out so much money if it taken as evidence by the police. I must have too big of ego as I think my life is worth more than $200.00. I dang sure what a high quality powerful revolver for protection from critters that think I make a tasty meal.

For fishing I guess in depends on the size of the whale, er fish story. I have a Taurus M-85 Stainless Steel snubby to carry when fishing. My main concern is protection from rattlesnakes so short barrel loaded with shotshells is convenient. Along with being stainless steel for rust protection if I fall into the drink it is near ideal for my needs. (No whales where I live...although legends may say otherwise).

For what you are describing I would like a well used S&W Model 10 4" barrel Police Department trade-in. Then if it happens to need repair later it will be easy to find parts and finding a gunsmith to fix it.

<whisper> Oh come to think of it that is what I did a few years ago. I brought a S&W Model 10-6 4" heavy barrel security department trade-in for $200.00. Exterior bluing well worn from holster carry, grip beat to heck from banging into car door and smooth action from 30 years of shooting.

Alas shortly after I got it the cylinder started binding and locking up after only shooting three rounds. However the mothership (S&W factory) repaired it for $100.00. It came back so nice that I briefly considered rebluing it but then I realized I would not want to carry it which means I forgot about my original intent for it.

I did replace the beat up original grips with a set of used factory magna style used ones in better condition and added a Tyler T-grip. This grip combination for me makes for a very functional gun. So I now have a finish worn revolver with a factory new action and lock up with a total investment of a little over $300.00.

Other than having a revolver than will now handle thousands of rounds and will outlast me it will resale for more than I have invested in it. The only sad part of my story is I lost the 30 year smooth action when they replaced the hammer and trigger.<whisper>

[QUOTE="BSA1, post:

I have never really understood by what is meant by "woods" and "roaming" gun. What is it that you are afraid off when in the woods?
You've never seen the movie Deliverance?

BSA1 said:

For what you are describing I would like a well used S&W Model 10 4" barrel Police Department trade-in. Then if it happens to need repair later it will be easy to find parts and finding a gunsmith to fix it.

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The Rock Island guns look interesting, but I agree with you. My LGS has the 2 and 4 in versions at the same price as an old beat up 4 in model 10.

The 2 in model would be useful, but Taurus makes a 2 in 6 shot sunbbie as well. That would be a much better gun probably

George Dickel said:

[QUOTE="BSA1, post:

I have never really understood by what is meant by "woods" and "roaming" gun. What is it that you are afraid off when in the woods?
You've never seen the movie Deliverance?

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I never knew that it was a RIA Bow.

But it has been a long time since I have seen the movie.

I've had a 206 for about 6 months now. For $205 out the door I figured it was worth giving it a shot. I'm at the 500 round mark with no problems, goes bang every time and seems to shoot to point of aim. I already have a couple of used Smith and Wessons.

The Taurus 85s were cheaper for a while but they're not cheaper than the Armscor anymore.

The Armscor revolvers come with a lifetime warranty and I'm not sure Taurus still has a lifetime warranty.

Taurus USA is totally committed to the very highest standards of quality, dependability, and most of all customer satisfaction. The Taurus Unlimited Lifetime Repair Policy™ is a commitment to repair selected Taurus firearm models FREE OF CHARGE for the lifetime of the firearm. Should you need to take advantage of our repair policy, please follow the directions on the shipping instruction link and our work order form, which can must be printed out and shipped in with the firearm.

The Taurus Unlimited Lifetime Repair Policy extends to all Taurus USA firearm models in production prior to January 1, 2017.

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Well, now I am sure that Taurus does not have a Lifetime Repair policy anymore.

I chatted with a customer sales rep and he told me that any guns besides the PT1911, PT92 and PT22, only have a 1 year warranty.

In my mind that puts the Armscor revolvers way ahead of the Taurus. I wouldn't purchase a Taurus without a lifetime warranty.

At that particular price point for the RIA M200 I think I would spend the extra money and move up to a Charter Arms Undercover or a Taurus Model 85.

Cosmose said:

Went to rural king and saw a m206, for whatever reason i really like the looks of them, very old school and utilitarian. they are cheap also the m206 was $249. anybody own one? or any experience with them? I'm thinking one would make a good woods roaming/ fishing gun.

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Best to get something on which you can thoroughly rely. Buy once..... and don't cry at all, because you made a good purchase that will last a lifetime.

C0untZer0 said:

Well, now I am sure that Taurus does not have a Lifetime Repair policy anymore.

I chatted with a customer sales rep and he told me that any guns besides the PT1911, PT92 and PT22, only have a 1 year warranty.

In my mind that puts the Armscor revolvers way ahead of the Taurus. I wouldn't purchase a Taurus without a lifetime warranty.

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Thanks for sharing that information. I think most people are not aware of that change.

I have the M206 and between it and the M200, the 4 inch model, the 206 is the only one worth getting. Trigger, both DA and SA, is way better than what the price you pay; it's smooth in DA, but a little heavy, while SA is very crisp.

I think if you found a vintage Charter Arms in good condition it would be a better buy. The M206 is heavy and bulky and the cylinder can be tough to get back into the frame, it's not smooth, very clunky.

A used .38 LCR brand new isn't much more and is a much better revolver, Taurus 85 everyone seems to love, but now that they only have a 1 year warranty, I hesitate to buy anything Taurus these days.

BSA1 said:

I have never really understood by what is meant by "woods" and "roaming" gun. What is it that you are afraid off when in the woods?

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I agree. But what I don't get are revolver dudes who gush over a "smooth as ice on glass" single action trigger.

If you order a Taurus (or any firearm for that matter) through Gallery of Guns you get Davidson's lifetime warranty. That's the way I'm going if I decide to get a new Taurus firearm.

The M206 is interesting. It would be more of a car/truck gun for me, so it getting banged up would not be an issue. Its handy size and revolver simplicity would be an asset as well. And being a big chunk of steel isn't bad either.

To the O/P, I broke one (m206) in for my mother in law and fired about 150-200 rounds through it. Shooting 158 gr. SWC, it shot fairly true to sights at 10-15 yards. The action seems to be a hybrid of a Colt and a Smith. Contrary to reports above, it is steel, not Zamac, but most have parkerized finishes (which is decent for a field gun) although I hear that nickel is now available as well. It is also pretty heavy for a snubbie which is not necessarily a bad thing (about 25 oz) and is a 6 shooter. The sights are wide and decent for a revolver.

Here is a review that you might find this useful,
https://www.americanrifleman.org/ar...sland-armory-m206-38-special-revolver-review/

Summary, the double action does not resemble a slicked up Smith or Colt for that matter. The trigger stacked on the revolver that I fired and seemed heavier than a Colt even. The trigger pull was heavy and the single action was decent but not spectacular. IT might smooth out through a lot of dry firing and since it has a transfer bar safety, you could do so without worrying about a trigger mounted firing pin.

For those advising buying a used revolver, one must also know how to evaluate one because abuse, wear and tear, and even shoddy construction from the majors-Ruger, Smith, or Colt, are possible. A lot of folks unload revolvers that are out of time, have ringed barrels or bulged cylinders, etc, on the unsuspecting.

Nevertheless, product construction, warranty, gunsmith training and access, and durability are an issue for lesser manufacturers (or those out of existence). Most of these serve as silent guardians without a whole lot of firing or wear and tear. It is a revolver's advantage that often these can rest for 20 years (assuming no ammo or rust deterioration) and then fire with little or no care. A m206 would do fine in such cases as would other offbrands suggested above.

But, if you want a product that will stand up to handgun classes etc. where you are firing 500-1000 rounds in a weekend, I would pass on most of these.

"The Bitterness of Poor Quality remains Long after the Sweetness of Low Price is Forgotten."

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To give due credit, that was said by Aldo Gucci, of the Italian leather goods company bearing his name; akin to "You get what you pay for"

Cosmose said:

That's disappointing!! I love my little taurus 94 22lr snubby. I wonder why they did that?

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They had a big recall/ class action suit about one of their semi autos which hurt them bad, hence the change in warranty policy

My experience with cheap firearms, like the SAR B6P and the Taurus Millennium G2 PT111, is that the best thing about them is their price. Everything else about them is mediocre. The finish is just so-so. The trigger is just tolerable. They're not fun to shoot.

My SAR is a "truck" gun, that I keep in my car, the Taurus sits in a get-home-bag.