Ria m200?

[Panzerschwein]

What's the verdict on the M200 .38 special revolvers from Armscor/Rock Island Armory?



I've heard some Phillipino security/law enforcement agencies use them. How is the quality? I see them on Bud's Gun Shop for $214 brand new with free shipping. At such a low price, it's tempting, but I also wonder about the quality at that price point. I can't imagine them being very good or durable.

Thoughts?

 

[Fiv3r]

I've handled one a couple of times but never shot it.
They felt rough but solid. I've thought the snubbie version would make for a fine truck gun or one to store just in case down at the cabin. I think I'd stoke it with standard pressure semi jacketed 158gr instead of +p rip snorters.

I dunno if it's going to be as durable as a Smith, but my guess is that for the price, like most RIA guns, it's a solid value.

Hard to go wrong for under $250 with RIA's customer service/warranty.

 

[Eureka40]

I bought one about a year ago. It's OK, goes bang every time. I think Fiv3r summed it up well. Rough but solid.

 

[1911 guy]

A friend of mine owns one, I've handled it and shot it. It will never win any beauty contests, but it works as advertised. He feeds is a steady diet of standard pressure .38Spcl and accuracy is acceptable at 15 yards or so. Sights are fixed and it shoots high when you stretch it out past 20 yards. Externally, it's a copy of the Colt Police Positive. Internally, not even close.

For a cheap but reliable revolver, I'd bite on one. If you want something that looks good, keep looking. Not that they're downright foul, but when compared to a 1972 S&W Model 15 he also owns, it looks like a $200 gun.

 

[C0untZer0]

I don't have one but my experience with cheap guns is that the best thing about them is their price. Everything else - trigger, sights, finish - is mediocre.


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[maxxhavoc]

The finish and grips look cheesy. The trigger in mine was rough but smoothed out. The rough park on it makes extracting more difficult than it should be. I bought it to be a cheap truck gun.

However, the trigger smoothed out. The grips, while tacky looking, are surprisingly comfortable. The chambers are still sticky, but getting better...I may polish them to fix the issue. Mine is remarkably accurate and easy to shoot.

On a side note, I have taken two ladies out to introduce them to shooting with a variety of autos and revolvers, from .22 to .45. Taurus, Smith, Springfield, RIA, Armscor, Ruger were all in the mix. Both ladies ended up attached to the M200 by the end of the session and both decided that they wanted one just like that. I was able to talk both into getting something more refined (and smaller.)

It is a real bargain at the price, and is a fun gun to have around.

 

[HankC]

Best review I have found

http://ezine.m1911.org/showthread.php?140-Armscor-M200-Series-Revolver-Review

I have one. Sent it back for excessive cylinder gaps when I first got it new, RIA Life Time Warranty (RIA pays shipping both ways) is the reason I bought it over Taurus, also I want a 4". As many said, it is rough but solid. You will find tool marks here and here. Trigger is smooth on mine.

 

[C0untZer0]

There are tool marks on my Charter Arms 9mm PITBULL


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[Tallball]

I have handled them. They look and feel like a gun with cheap finish that will probably go bang every time.

 

[ST1959]

I have one, but haven't shot it. I did discover upon buying it new that the cylinder stop wouldn't always engage. I found this out by dry-firing it. I sent it back to RI at their expense, and they fixed the problem. Their customer service was great. However, since I received it back from them, the gun has sat in my safe -- I've never fired it. It's pretty rough, and that Parker finish has a definite green tint. But I read generally positive reviews on the RI wheel guns, so I'll use it next summer as a truck/hiking gun.

 

[chicharrones]

I'd consider the snub nose. 6 rounds in an inexpensive snubnose revolver would be nice, I would think.

 

[chicharrones]

The rough park on it makes extracting more difficult than it should be.
However, the trigger smoothed out. The grips, while tacky looking, are surprisingly comfortable. The chambers are still sticky, but getting better...I may polish them to fix the issue. Mine is remarkably accurate and easy to shoot.

I'd have to do exactly that if I bought one. I'm tempted.

 

[Stumper]

Mine shoot very well. I'd rather carry a J frame but rather have the Armscor in a shoot out. (An extra round, more weight for steadiness and faster followup shots and it would hurt less turning it over to police while they investigate and find the shooting justified.)

 

[il.bill]

Basically what everyone said is true. They are a bit rough looking but very solid and not unattractive revolvers. They come from the factory almost dripping with oil / preservative for the boat ride to the USA. I take each new one I sell out of the bag, wipe it down, run a dry patch through the bore and test fire it (DA x 3 and SA x 3) with a full cylinder, then pull the grips and thoroughly clean and lubricate it so it is ready for the customer to take it home and put it to use. So far each one has worked like it should.

The DA trigger pull is just OK, but the SA trigger on each one has so far been excellent right out of the box and the wide hammer is very easy to cock for SA firing. The grips give you a good hold but I wanted them to absorb the recoil more (guess I have been spoiled by the factory rubber grips on the Taurus Judge). Accuracy at ten yards is not like shooting a S&W Model 10, but it is not bad, either. All in all I consider the Rock Island / Armscor M200 to be a good value in a .38 Spl. 4" Revolver at a current local 'Out the Door' price of $249 to $254. If any warranty work is needed, Armscor / Rock Island Armory will take good care of it, with shipping both ways at no charge to the customer.