Rock Island Armories revolver any good?

[Dr_2_B]

Last info on this weapon here on THR was from 2011.

Anybody have any experience with these?

 

[handloader357]

I handled one the other day at a shop. Granted I didn't get to fire it, it didn't seem like a quality piece of machinery. The owner agreed, he had only gotten them in on a special order for a trainer who needed some cheap 38 specials for loaners.

 

[alexander45]

Unfortunately unlike rock islands 1911s the double action revolvers seem to be a mixed bag some times they are good performers with a meh finish other times they are unreliable

 

[Armor Snail]

My pops has one.

Good for the money. Lock up ain't bad. Finish is functional, being parked.

Trigger ain't bad either.

For the $200 they cost, combined with Armscor's warranty and CS. Why not try one?

 

[WardenWolf]

I'm with Armor Snail. I had to use RIA's warranty service on my 1911. They paid for shipping both ways, and had a UPS guy pick it up at my door. They gave me a brand new gun and hand-selected it for me to ensure I got a good one. And here's the kicker: aside from the accuracy issues, which they could have fixed, the reason they replaced it was through no fault of their own. The nickel-over-copper finish was degrading because it wasn't compatible with my sweat's chemistry. But their response was to give me a brand new gun, in my choice of finishes, hand-selected. My new Parkerized 1911 is MUCH nicer, in all respects.

So even if you wind up with a dud, they will make it right and you won't have to pay a dime. And the gun you wind up with will be very nice.

 

[Redstate]

I had the 4" .38 spl with ugly matt finish. (Model 200 I think) It shot and cycled well but I had to increase the height of the front site for accuracy (used an hi-glow orange plastic piece and it worked well)

The matt finish was made tolerable by wiping it liberally with gun oil and after a while it seemed to soak in and I like the way it turned out.

I wouldn't hesitate to get another... Especially given the price compared to other 4" revolvers.

I got rid of it when I found an excellent taurus m82 4" used police .38 spl with great blued finish, wonderful trigger and excellent accuracy and performance

 

[bikerdoc]

There is a rental at the local range that has never been cleaned and it still functions well.
They are a well made, no frills, inexpensive gun, made to a price point that fills a need.

And the customer sevice is top notch.

 

[Barry the Bear]

I guess if you only had $200 and dont want a high point ( who would? just kidding) then I suppose they would work, an interesting note was that I actually rented one at a range awhile back and found it functional, now granted i only shot the 100 value ww box but it went bang everytime for whatever that counts as, a great last ditch weapon on a budget but if you can squeeze in the extra 100-150 bucks your getting into used J-frame territory.

 

[Stumper]

They are actually pretty good.

 

[gun_with_a_view]

That is a lot of gun for $200. Who has that deal?

From reading around on the net, it's an almost an exact copy of the Colt Detective Special. But, like Taurus, they make good ones and bad ones, if you want that fight.

The real sleeper in the market appears to be Charter Arms, whose quality may soon surpass that of Smith & Wesson if it hasn't already, according to some message board experts on the net.

 

[Dr_2_B]

That is a lot of gun for $200. Who has that deal?

Saw it on Slickguns.

 

[dfariswheel]

From reading around on the net, it's an almost an exact copy of the Colt Detective Special

It only looks like a Colt Detective Special on the outside.
Internally it looks more like a "sort of" rip off of the King Cobra action mechanics.
Incorrect rumors have these being made under Colt license, on Colt's old machinery, with Colt assistance, from old Colt parts, to Colt's design, by kidnapped Colt employees etc. etc. etc.
(Okay, so I made up that last part).

As above they just resemble a Detective Special, they're nothing at all like one mechanically or for quality.
I put them one good step above the old RG revolvers and about one to 1 1/2 steps below the Taurus.

 

[Stumper]

Actually like the Colt Detective Spl.II (revamped lockwork like King Cobra.) Quality is several orders of magnitude above an RG. Det SPl Packmayer grips fit.

 

[improperlyaged]

I have always wanted one, just never bought one to try oout

 

[rbernie]

I put them one good step above the old RG revolvers and about one to 1 1/2 steps below the Taurus.

I concur with this. I'd much rather have an old Taurus than a new Armscor 200.

 

[Zendude]

The Rock Island is a 6 shot vs 5 on a J frame, if having an extra round is important to you.
For a 6 shot at that price, the only other brand would be a Rossi 357 or an EAA Windicator. I've got the EAA and am very impressed with the nice finish, smooth operation, and solid feel.

 

[C0untZer0]

If only they chambered it in 9mm.

 

[PapaG]

We sold a bunch of them a few years ago after one of the club members started holding ccw classes and people wanted a "cheap" functional gun. Don't remember any of them having to be sent back for rework or repair. Reminded me of the old Rohm revolvers of the late sixties.

 

[PJSprog]

That is a lot of gun for $200. Who has that deal?

...

The real sleeper in the market appears to be Charter Arms, whose quality may soon surpass that of Smith & Wesson if it hasn't already, according to some message board experts on the net.

I was in a new gun store last week that opened just around the corner from my day job. I handled, but did not get to shoot, the S&W 637, Ruger LCR, Charter Arms Undercover, and Armscor 206, and compared the feel of all of them side-by-side. The Armscor felt substantial, and pretty well-made. I didn't care much for the grip angle, but I suppose it would grow on me after awhile.

While I'm definitely leaning towards the 637 as a carry snubbie, that Charter was really nice, and only slightly lower in price. I don't think I'd be disappointed or feel like I was "settling" with the Charter. I was impressed.

 

[kdunn]

Rock island may not make the best looking guns, but I've never had any problem with their functioning. For the price you can't beat em