Rock Island 12ga Pump

[SmeeAgain]

I saw a RI pump 12ga advertised online for $209.00 suggested retail.
So far every Rock Island product I've seen in person or shot, was of great quality. Especially for the prices!
But... $209 for what appears to be a great shotgun sounds too good to be true. Is it?
Anyone here with personal experience with one? Good or bad?

 

[Reinz]

I have no experience with that gun. I have received many emails of similar guns offered at $139 and up.

As tempting as they are, I’ll tell you some reasons why I passed.

If you are used to using good quality guns like Mossberg 500’s, Rem 870’s, Win M-12’s, you will probably be disappointed in the function, smoothness, and reliability.

Parts availability concern me. Then if a gunsmith has to work on it, it may have the domino effect. That’s where it may take a lot if work for what appears to be a simple job; then after that fix, something else has to be tweaked or replaced, and so on. Gunsmith costs run more than what you paid for the gun.

Now if you go into it with the mindset that you have a disposable gun and have low expectations you may be pleasantly surprised.

 

[Howland937]

if you go into it with the mindset that you have a disposable gun and have low expectations you may be pleasantly surprised.

That should be disclosed in the owner's manual, right after the safety warnings.

I'm not familiar with the RIA pump shotguns, but I've seen a couple of their single shots. Sorta like the Hatfield shotguns Walmart sells. $200 for a semi-auto with walnut furniture? Use it til you can't, then save the good parts for the next one.

 

[rust collector]

For many years I was attracted to inexpensive guns, just as some people are attracted to certain breeds of dogs that have unsavory reputations. If it looks like an 870, it will work like one, no? Then I figured out there are many millions of solid, well known and supported guns out there produced by American workers that can be had for (in the case of a Maverick 88) less than $250 new and much less than new price in used-but-not-abused condition, and my fervor diminished. As Reinz noted, parts and serviceability will be a factor sooner or later.

I have no experience with the RIA shotgun, but own other Armscor guns that have worked well for me. I believe we will be seeing a glut of very inexpensive shotguns, however, that will reduce their value and incentive to repair.

 

[Carl N. Brown]

^^^ Parts and serviceability is important for a keeper worthy shotgun.

 

[mljdeckard]

Most of me thinks; "For the price, how bad can it be?" I have an 870 Express I bought because it was cheap, and I have had small problems with it. (The slide sticking to the rear.) Spending a little bit more for the known brand doesn't guarantee it will be better. It would be a bonus if you get it and many parts turn out to be compatible with the 870. (I've no idea if this is the case.) I challenge you to run it hard enough to make it break. (Most people never will.)

What I can say, is I have a RIA/Armscor/Derya VR80 that I love so much, I have been neglecting my other shotguns AND my AR carbine. They're about $650.

 

[PapaG]

If price is your main consideration, go for it. Don't expect longevity like you'd get with a Remington (real Remington, from before, say 2000, I can't comment on remarks yet) or an Ithaca or Mossberg. I've seen too many low end pumps and autos fail early in their life pan at the three clubs I belong to to recommend them. If a few shots a year is your goal and rough actions are ok, you might be happy. Benelli Nova for $400 would last you a lifetime of each use
And it will take up to 3 1/2" shells if you are masochistic enough to want to do that.
Generally buying for price point results in disappointment. There are good bargains if you dont mind used. Most of mine were used.
Example: older Rem Express, made when the wood fit the metal and the actions were smooth, $275 last month. 870 Wingmaster, sixties model, 95% condition, $350, last July.

 

[SmeeAgain]

If price is your main consideration, go for it. Don't expect longevity like you'd get with a Remington (real Remington, from before, say 2000, I can't comment on remarks yet) or an Ithaca or Mossberg. I've seen too many low end pumps and autos fail early in their life pan at the three clubs I belong to to recommend them. If a few shots a year is your goal and rough actions are ok, you might be happy. Benelli Nova for $400 would last you a lifetime of each use
And it will take up to 3 1/2" shells if you are masochistic enough to want to do that.
Generally buying for price point results in disappointment. There are good bargains if you dont mind used. Most of mine were used.
Example: older Rem Express, made when the wood fit the metal and the actions were smooth, $275 last month. 870 Wingmaster, sixties model, 95% condition, $350, last July.

I have an old Ithaca "riot gun" & newer Mossberg 500. I even have a double barrel "coach gun" so obviously I don't need another of the same style / purpose.
Just shocked how the suggested retail can be so low & everyone involved still profits from it.
I've learned over the years that price doesn't necessarily reflect quality. That applies in both directions.

 

[D.B. Cooper]

Just shocked how the suggested retail can be so low & everyone involved still profits from it.

It's amazing what you can do when you operate a business in a third world poop-hole with very low minimum wages, no EPA, no OSHA to make to you spend money on environmental or worker protections, no unions to make you provide healthcare or retirement plans for workers, and, in some cases, a government that directly subsidizes your industry.

 

[D.B. Cooper]

In any event, go over to youtube to TFBTV. They've done some "cheap shotgun 200-round burn down" videos where they essentially fire a cheap shotgun until it fails. The only one that even came close was the Mossberg Maverick 88.

While you're there, Gublast did a review of the RIA M5 shotgun as well.

 

[rbernie]

I saw a RI pump 12ga advertised online for $209.00 suggested retail.
So far every Rock Island product I've seen in person or shot, was of great quality. Especially for the prices!
But... $209 for what appears to be a great shotgun sounds too good to be true. Is it?
Anyone here with personal experience with one? Good or bad?

I do not own one, but everyone that I know that has bought one of the High Standard clone shotguns in the past has been satisfied with it. It's pretty much like the RIA 1911 - a bit liberal in tolerances, but decent enough to do the job reliably. Dunno much about the newer offerings, all of which seem to be make in Turkey.

 

[Insignificant bill]

In any event, go over to youtube to TFBTV. They've done some "cheap shotgun 200-round burn down" videos where they essentially fire a cheap shotgun until it fails. The only one that even came close was the Mossberg Maverick 88.

While you're there, Gublast did a review of the RIA M5 shotgun as well.

It's a 500 round torture test and the Maverick 88 passed it easy. I would say it is the best pump shot gun you can get under $200

 

[SmeeAgain]

It's a 500 round torture test and the Maverick 88 passed it easy. I would say it is the best pump shot gun you can get under $200

I'm on my 2nd Maverick 88. I put way more than 500 rounds through the first with zero issues then let a friend talk me out of it.
It wasn't long before I bought another to replace it.
I'm not letting this one get away.

 

[starnbar]

I went to the pawn shop while I was living in Tampa Fl. Found a used 870 12 gauge the guy was an avid duck hunter and this one was used on old Tampa Bay which is salt water. It had a really rusted barrel the receiver was pitted I bought it for 150.00 took it to a good smith I grew up with had it parkerized and my son has it now it has been in the family for over 20 years still barks every time you pull the trigger.

 

[Alte Schule]

Saw my first Shockwave at a gun show in the Spring of '17. Had a price of $650. Yikes, but whatever the market would bear but not for me. A couple weeks later I was at my LGS and mentioned the Shockwave to the manager. He told me that they had several on order but they wouldn't be available for another six weeks and would I like to reserve one for $300 plus tax? Knowing my sons birthday was coming up I said I'll take two.

I bought the mini shell adapter and several boxes of mini shells. First time at the range with it I was woefully disappointed. Full size shells were OK but I thought the mini shells left a lot to be desired. Up to 8 feet they held a nice pattern but at 15 - 20 feet the mini shells patterns and penetration of aluminum cans were very inconsistent. I realize that the Shockwave is a short range weapon but I also realized, for me, it would be nothing more than a novelty.

 

[rust collector]

Shotgun performance with different chokes, barrel lengths and stock configurations is not well understood. What info there is comes mostly from Hollywood, which favors hip shots at 50 yards.

 

[Laphroaig]

Rural King is selling a RI Meriva 12 ga pump for $149.

https://www.rkguns.com/rock-island-meriva-12-gauge-pump-action-18-5-shotgun-cr103.html

 

[Milkmaster]

Is the story you will share about the old shotgun years from now with a grandson or other heir worth the extra couple hundred bucks to make it a name branded shotgun embellished story? Better lies cost money!