Range Report: Rock Island Armory M200 Revolver

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Mad_Max

Mad_Max

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I recently bought a M200 at my LGS for $199+Tax. This is a 6 shot revolver chambered in 38spl.
Like most of the posts I've read, mine came in a bag dripping with oil, fortunately it was not difficult to clean up (not greasy or crusty). A few days later I took it to my favorite indoor range and put it through its paces. Using 158gr Federal FMJ I was able to put all 6 shots in this grouping on a silhouette.... 15 ft & 30 ft.jpg
15 ft (orange) and 30 ft (red). I am not a seasoned shooter by any means. PRO's: Works well, action seems smooth, reasonably accurate, dosent break the bank, lifetime warranty from RIA goes with the gun. CON's: Not pretty, grip is hard plastic, could use better sights. As you can see, its almost invisible on the shooting table. 20181223_123608.jpg
If you need a gun to use as a tool and you aren't concerned with aesthetics I think this gun is hard to beat. Oh and Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
 
Lyle, how do your primer strikes look? Mine are off center, does not seem to affect the firing however.
 
I had a M206 with a 2 inch barrel .. I ran right at 1K through mine .. No problems .. POA with 158gr RN dirty handloads that I had got on trade form a local fellow .. I mostly used over 500rds of that ammo the rest mostly 158gr LSWC ...
I sold it and a few other handguns to pay medical bills .. I always meant to replace it but caught the semi bug ..
Dang solid revolver...
I like the parkerized finish ..
 
To be fair, I dont have a lot of experience with revolvers. The only one I own other than the M200 is a Rossi M511 Sportsman in 22LR. I've rented a few revolvers at the local range (SP101 comes to mind). The trigger on the M200 does not feel gritty to me. For better accuracy the front sight on the M200 needs a bit of white paint.
 
The new ones by me run $275. There's a used 206 going for $199 close by.

I keep thinking of getting the 206 as a car gun. I sometimes work nights making deliveries, and a handy 6 shot snub revolver within arms reach would be comforting
 
Buckeye63 said:
I must say .. My Charter triggers are not all that bad ... ... not all that good .. But not horrible:)
Click to expand...
My only experience came about 1982 with a big bore, I think in .45. According to my uncalibrated finger gauge, trigger pull was close to 20 lbs and felt like sandpaper against sandpaper. I laid the gun back on the table and moved on.
 
image.jpeg image.jpeg Had to be a 44 .. The 45 Colt came out in 2018 , 45ACP only a few years ago.
You may have got a Friday afternoon gun !!!!
Charter has great customer service..

My Charter Bulldog in 44 spl and 38spl Undercover actually , have a lighter pull than my 36...
Both run 100% , no light hammer strikes .. Good little revolvers ...
Not great ... Im really thinking about the Charter Boomer ....
But funds are LOW .... Ho , ho , ho !
 
I was thinking 44, but that was a while back. Thanks. It was at a show and I said nothing and laid it down. Never touched another Charter. But it is encouraging to hear the newest management has found a way to turn out a better gun at a decent price.
 
Jesse Heywood said:
I was thinking 44, but that was a while back. Thanks. It was at a show and I said nothing and laid it down. Never touched another Charter. But it is encouraging to hear the newest management has found a way to turn out a better gun at a decent price.
Click to expand...
It seems like most snubbies have heavy triggers ... Nothing to see a new S&W Centennial J frames having
12-14# and higher at times ... I have been looking at getting a S&W 422 Performance Center .. but I decided on looking into getting a LCR38 ...
The LCR38 , LCR357 have extremely nice triggers .. The LCR's in 9mm,22LR,22Mag & 327 have good triggers but not as nice as the 38 & 357
The rimfires and 9mm need more forceful hammer strikes to insure proper ignition ... The 327 from what I have read have hard primers also ?
I have a LCR357 ..I really like that revolver...16oz with the bantam grip ..
I'd like to see it in 44 spl , if they could keep it in the same size range as the other LCRs ....
 
So I just read the Armscor/RIA story on their website, and I have a question: they now have two plants in the US. Are their firearms manufactured in the Philippines or the US? I had always thought they were of Filipino manufacture, and this accounted for the price point.
 
As far as I know the M200 is Filipino manufactured. Not sure about their other guns.
 
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