Rock Island Armory .38?

[borrowedtime69]

I was thinking of getting the affordable for my budget rock island armory 38 for my wife to use for home defence! Right now she has a Taurus mod 94 .22lr but I want to get something a bit more substantial. Also I can afford the gun and some ammo.

I want a revolver because it won't jam cause we don't have the ammo or time available to practice clearing jams also she can do a little practice at times when we can get out.

Whats the concensus on this revolver please?? Go or no go?? Thank you!

 

[357 Terms]

Have you asked your wife?
Did she choose the 22lr because of her recoil tolerance?
If she's not comfortable shooting it she may not practice or become proficient with it.

 

[Biblethumpncop]

I held one at the store and I think it compares to the Charter Arms revolvers I have owned. It's a tool which seemed to have decent lock up and trigger pull. My Dad's friend was looking for a non-frills, utility tool as a house gun. The M-200 seems to fit all of those requirements with a $250 price tag. I would prefer a used S&W K frame. I purchased a used model 10 earlier this year for about $280. The model 10 is a much better gun than the $30 difference. If that isn't an option, the M-200 is better than other options.

Smith and Wesson model 10-8 - Revolvers at GunBroker.com : 917077861
Smith and Wesson model 10-8 - Revolvers at GunBroker.com : 916667134
S&W - MODEL 64-3 - CAL. 38 SPL - Revolvers at GunBroker.com : 917467718

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

I was thinking of getting the affordable for my budget rock island armory 38 for my wife to use for home defence! Right now she has a Taurus mod 94 .22lr but I want to get something a bit more substantial. Also I can afford the gun and some ammo.

I want a revolver because it won't jam cause we don't have the ammo or time available to practice clearing jams also she can do a little practice at times when we can get out.

Whats the concensus on this revolver please?? Go or no go?? Thank you!

The two or three I've handled have seemed solid enough, mechanically, but as one gunsmith put it to me, it's a conglomeration of expired patents with no real concern for longevity. Of course, the gunsmith who said that is a Glock armorer who detests revolvers of all kinds so, take it with a grain of salt. But, he's basically correct: the RIA 200-series is built on new technology using other people's old patents without a whole lot of improvements built in. I have yet to shoot one so can't give an opinion about reliability or accuracy. For what they are, they seem fine but, caveat emptor.

 

[NeroM]

My partner has an M200, we got it because she liked how the grip felt in her hand.
While it's usual station is in a night stand drawer, probably have run a 100 rounds through the gun.
It has functioned fine, one chamber was especially rough - needing to be smoothed out with some rubbing compound. While not a great pistolero, my partner was able to consistently bust on edge clay birds at 7-8 steps. Put some white nail polish on the black front sight. Every couple weeks, while reading in bed, have her pull it out and line the sights up on a target - hope this helps with muscle memory. The M200 is not an M10 (which was the intended choice) or Colt - it does appear to satisfactorily meet it's intended purpose, my partner is happy with it.
I think it is important for the primary shooter to choose their firearm and then shoot it,
Let your partner decide !!!

 

[borrowedtime69]

Thanks guys! Good point, the Taurus was a gun I settled for and my wife can operate it well even with little training.

Other good point, nope, she didn't choose the Taurus, I just gave it to her to have we on the night stand.

I guess before I buy a R.I.A. 38 ill check around for better used guns.

Thanks guys!

 

[NeroM]

Other good point, nope, she didn't choose the Taurus, I just gave it to her to have we on the night stand.

I guess before I buy a R.I.A. 38 ill check around for better used guns.

Thanks guys!

Remember...... you can be a guide, shooter is final decider.
The more she connects with this and feels invested in it = better outcome.
And should it really be needed, more likely to be safe and successful.

 

[Stumper]

I bought two of those several years ago. Both went to the range several times. One got a set of Pachmyer grips for the Colt Detective Spl. Installed and was loaned to a friend for a few years for home defense. The other has been my dry fire practice revolver. Based upon a couple of hundred rounds of live ammo and thousands of hammerdrops on snap caps I have to say that they are a lot of value for the price.

 

[DarkswordDX]

I love 'em. Rock Island cheaped out like hell on the guns, but only in the places that don't matter for function. Garbage parkerized finish, cheap stamped plywood and moulded plastic grips, squared edges with hardly a bevel in sight. U.G.L.Y these guns ain't got no alibi! But they shoot great, they hold up very well to abuse, they last as long as any J-Frame ever will, and they're very affordable. They're such a perfect "glovebox gun" that I honestly can't tell you why I don't own one yet.

 

[entropy]

Me either. I keep thinking about getting one, but something (new AR upper, reloading supplies, truck parts) always comes along......

 

[TTv2]

She won't like the heft or size of it, nor the cylinder release latch, nor the clunky feeling of closing the cylinder. For a woman, I think the Rock Island .38 is a pass, look for something else, but for yourself or anyone who is a guy it's a fine choice for the money. I suggest sticking with Taurus or trying a Charter Arms.

 

[D.B. Cooper]

Never thought I'd say this, but keep the Taurus.

The Charter Arms is a much better gun.

I don't see the RIA as a good value. Yes, it's cheap, but it's expensive for what little you're getting. Believe me, would love to be able to buy a no frills, value, affordable revolver for various needs that don't require an expensive Ruger or Smith, but the RIA is not it. For a little more money, you can buy a Charter Arms and get a much better gun and still not be in the Ruger price point.

 

[wcwhitey]

Don’t forget to add to the cost the expense of accessories. Does anyone make a decent holster that is a direct fit not a universal. What about aftermarket grips, the factory ones look wanting. Speedloaders, I would assume they use a D or K frame speed loader. But you never know. A Taurus in .38 Special may cost $100 more but that can be easily absorbed if you don’t need accessories.

 

[WisBorn]

Is the RIA $100 cheaper than the Taurus 856?

I have seen the 856 at under $300. I have no experience with the RIA. If your wife is a fan of the 94 another Taurus may be a good option.

 

[CajunBass]

I had a 4" one a couple of years ago. I got it from Bud's, for about $200 or so...I forget how much now actually. It performed about like I'd have expected any 4", 38 Special fixed sight revolver to perform. Ugly finish, cheap plastic stocks...As a matter of fact the stocks were a little loose and I had to shim them a piece of cardboard cut from a business card. Worked like a champ after that. Oh, I had to trim some flashing off the plastic grip with a pocket knife. Took a few seconds to do that.

I kept it a while, satiisfied myself about them (They're not Pythons, but they're servicable), then sold/traded it off when I got bored with it.

 

[Tallball]

I would also prefer a Charter Arms or Taurus.

Charter Arms has good customer service and will repair it for free, even if you're not the original owner. You can get a nice used one inexpensively.

That being said, I did examine one of those Colt-looking RIA 38's very carefully once at a gun show with a friend. It was used in good condition. The finish and grips were ugly, but it locked up tightly and the trigger was okay. My friend was going to purchase it, but by the time he looked at a few others and came back for it, it was gone.

 

[Hondo 60]

I purchased a used model 10 earlier this year for about $280.

Wow congrats on that price!
That certainly is NOT normal in my area.
Prices of guns are absolutely nuts around here.
A good M10 would be MUCH closer to 500 bills here.

If she likes it in her hand & likes the way it shoots, go ahead.
It's better than a stick or stone.

 

[D.B. Cooper]

...by the time he looked at a few others and came back for it, it was gone.

That's the low price point doing that. It's true with any item. People snap up the cheap stuff first while the higher priced alternatives sit on the shelves. Those guns aren't in demand for their solid as a rock dependability or their tack driving accuracy.

 

[12Bravo20]

I looked at and test fired a RIA M200. They are definitely not anything fancy but they do work. As mentioned, the matte finish is a little rough. The thing functioned fine for the few rounds I shot. The revolver I shot had the broom handle/bird head shaped grip and was quite comfortable in the hand. What I didn't care for was the cylinder release latch, it was backwards to what I am use to. Otherwise it was a functional revolver at a low price. Now if the quality is anything like the IRA 1911's then I would not hesitate to use one.

 

[jag1954]

For the money, my RIA M200 is a very decent shooter. Never had any issues with it.