Up to date report on Armscor 206

[OldTman]

I tried to post this in an old thread but it wouldn't take.
Anyway, here goes. Bought the 206 from Numrich on Gunbroker for 163 + 35 shipping (and there was a $25 FFL fee on this end). As soon as I got it I took it out to the range. Ran a patch through the barrel and each cylinder chamber. Ran 6 rounds of 130gr FMJs through it at about 10 yards. Was very pleasantly surprised to see a nice tight group. Tilted it up and opened the cylinder latch and hit the ejector rod and the cases wouldn't come out. Finally had to take my rubber ended hammer out of the range box and smack them out. Looked in the cylinder and it looked like corduroy in each chamber, stripes going down the side. Ran a patch through each chamber and tried again with Federal 158gr LSWCHPs. Same problem. In all I ran about 1/2 a box of cartridges through it. Same thing every time. One other problem. When I tilted the gun down to load the cylinder would not close unless I pushed back up on it. Took it home and emailed Numrich. Their reply amounted to "tough doodoo". Took it up and let the local leading gunsmith look at it and his opinion was that the chambers were never finished. I contacted Armscor and explained the situation to them. They emailed me out a FedEx slip that same day. However, they said there would be about a four week turn around. Incidentally, I gave Numrich a poor rating on GB and their reply was that I never contacted them. Fortunately, I saved the emails. Very, very disappointed in Numrich. Pleased with the Armscor response but I think a new revolver is in order. Maybe they're waiting on one.

 

[WC145]

That sucks but there's a reason they're being sold for $163. As so often happens, you get what you pay for. Hopefully they can make it right under warranty.

 

[MartinS]

Please get back with the outcome Tman, and thank you for your detailed account. I've read a bunch of happy reports on how Armscor takes care of their customers and about the Rock Island 1911's.

 

[OldTman]

Martin,
I'm beginning to think that the amount of spare parts and replacement firearms for the semis far out weighs the revolvers. That's an impression and I don't have anything to go on except my gut and the emails I've exchanged with their guy. I must say they've been the soul of politeness... so far.

 

[Bezoar]

So far the replies have been polite. Now as it happens this issue happens with any gun company. And ive always heard good reports on those armscor revolvers.

Now i am curious as to when the first "anit low cost handgun" crowd will start chiming in with the praise of smith colt or ruger.

 

[David E]

Looked in the cylinder and it looked like corduroy in each chamber, stripes going down the side

I don't understand why people don't see flaws so obvious. I understand pre-inspection wasn't possible here, but when I get a new (to me) gun, I sit down and look it over.

Like the guy who buys a long sought after Python that he "went over thoroughly" before plunking down his cash, then days later (foundling it each day) discovers the front sight is leaning like the Tower of Pisa.

 

[OldTman]

There's possibly two reasons here David. First, we're probably not as observant as you and secondly, it might not have been apparent when it was examined.

 

[rswartsell]

David E has a point,

One that should be shared as it rises to the level of incontrovertible truth, and it entails several simple "truths";

1. it is difficult to produce a high quality (always works) revolver
2. no-one works for free (or at least not for very long)
3. there is a minimum cost to produce a consistently good revolver
4. not everyone can easily afford a "good revolver"
5. that doesn't make the low cost ones any better
6. it is often a better idea to delay purchase until a minimum quality can be had

It may not be impossible to get an acceptable revolver nowadays for less than $ 200.00, but the percentages are surely not with you and the $ 200.00 that could be in the Smith and Wesson account is now gone to no good result.

You get what you pay for and it is always cheaper in the long run to buy quality. I think it was Winston Churchill (even though he was among the advantaged class) that said "I can only afford the best quality attainable".

 

[Bezoar]

quality and cost. i can get a worn out model 10, the gun armscor copied, for current msrp on every auction site.

Thje minute i start loking for those low cost sw's they dissapear and the people who told me i could find one last week, simply say "uh uhhh uhhh, hi"

 

[TennJed]

quality and cost. i can get a worn out model 10, the gun armscor copied, for current msrp on every auction site.

Thje minute i start loking for those low cost sw's they dissapear and the people who told me i could find one last week, simply say "uh uhhh uhhh, hi"

Not trying to be rude but "it is what it is". You bought an inexpensive gun and had problems. You can't not find the better quality revolvers that people are suggesting. What do you want people to do? Ruger and S&W make higher quality revolvers, that is just a fact. If you can't afford one, I sympathize, but what do you want people to do? Lie and say Amscor is just as good? What will good will that do?

 

[rswartsell]

How does that change anything? I don't disagree, the $ 200.00 model 10 is as dead as the Tyrannosaurus. Your current mark is probably $ 400.00 min.

Bitching and moaning won't change that. Saving will probably be more effective than the bitching and moaning.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

I can't see blaming Numrich. They didn't build the gun.

 

[OldTman]

For Mr.Colt Elite, Numrich did not build the gun but they stated they had tested it and it was in fine working order. I should have mentioned that in their listing Numrich stated that they had tested the firearm and it was in excellent working order. They obviously did not.
Got the revolver back today. Actually I got a new (to me) revolver. Took it right up to the range and it works fine. I gather that a good deal of the folks on here sneer at Armscor/Rock Island. Well it works for me and I must say that everyone I dealt with there acted like a gentleman. They stand behind their product and they treated me well. As a Passing note I saw that American Rifleman was singing their praises in the issue I received yesterday.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

Glad it worked out to your satisfaction and you like your gun.

 

[David E]

There's possibly two reasons here David. First, we're probably not as observant as you and secondly, it might not have been apparent when it was examined.

Or the guy just didn't know what to look at or how.

 

[Jim NE]

I've seen those guns in the +200 dollar range, but never $163. If i find one at that price, I just might buy it (even though I've told myself I'm at my limit of guns. )

 

[OldTman]

Jim, it was more than 163. There was a $35 shipping charge and a $25 FFL fee. They're on GB and AA.