Rock Island Armory AL3.1 .357 Revolver

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Styx

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I just happened across this, and it sparked my interest. RIA six round stainless 357 slated to be released in 2020. Not bad looking IMHO. I'd like to see what it looks like with some nice wood grips though. The stainless finish doesn't look like that cheaper looking Taurus or Charter Arm finish, but rather Ruger and S&W grade.. Not sure if it's cast or forged. For an old and obsolete platform that doesn't get ustitlized much (according to naysayers), it seems that many many companies are still selling and investing a ton of money into bringing new models and upgrades/options to existing models to market.

 
It seems to be better built and nicer looking than any of their other offerings,
With an MSRP of $700+, street price of $550 or so from what I found online,
is it worth the price?
At first glance, not to me, if I compare it to its competitors and what I can find in the used revolver market, but I'll have to wait for further reviews before I can make that call.

The design of the crane still screams low budget, cost cutting gun as compared to other guns in its price range such as a Ruger that has a more complex and visually pleasing (IMO) integration of the crane with the frame.
 
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It seems to be better built and nicer looking than any of their other offerings,
With an MSRP of $700+, street price of $550 or so from what I found online,
is it worth the price?
At first glance, not to me, if I compare it to its competitors and what I can find in the used revolver market, but I'll have to wait for further reviews before I can make that call.

The design of the crane still screams low budget, cost cutting gun as compared to other guns in its price range such as a Ruger that has a more complex and visually pleasing (IMO) integration of the crane with the frame.
I'm guessing it'll land in the upper $300s or lower to mid $400s. Their other offerings are $200 or more below MSRP.
 
I won't be buying one, but it's great to see Rock Island making more revolvers. Weight wise, it's in between what a 5 shot SP101 and 2.5" GP100 would weigh, so that's appealing. It'll probably be around $500 and that's where I start questioning how much better it is vs a Charter Arms that's around $350 and is only one shot less, but has excellent customer service and warranty.

But, since RIA is apparently interested in making more revolvers, I just hope an 8 shot (or more) .22 is coming and maybe my hobbyhorse of a 5 shot, .32 ACP or .32 S&W Long whose size is in between the NAA Black Widow and a J Frame.

There's not much in the revolver market that's not currently being made outside those two things and I'm not sure there'd be any point to RIA making revolvers in a caliber larger than .357.
 
I'm interested if they come out with a 4" similar to their .38 special M200.

And only if it falls into the budget range, I'm thinking mid-300 or less
 
"...and maybe my hobbyhorse of a 5 shot, .32 ACP or .32 S&W Long whose size is in between the NAA Black Widow and a J Frame."

I would really like one of those too. Even 32 H&R magnum could be smaller than a j-frame.
 
The design of the crane still screams low budget, cost cutting gun as compared to other guns in its price range such as a Ruger that has a more complex and visually pleasing (IMO) integration of the crane with the frame.

Thats the first thing I noticed! Looks like a Charter setup, only on a heavier cylinder! !
Not something I would consider, especially if its over $350.
 
The sideplate fit, screws and crane look low budget. The finish is not bad. Size wise and profile, it reminds me of a Colt Lawman 2”.

Street price will really have to be low to sell.

Likely a decent “I just want a revolver for my car console, nightstand drawer” buyer. The revolver guys are not gonna get real worked up about it.
 
I felt like I had seen that gun before...

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Geez guys, just because it does not look like a S&W crane does not mean it is a bad design.

View attachment 865351

You use your crane as a diving board or something? As long as it holds the cylinder in place open or closed, it will work.

I don't think anyone is saying it won't work. They are saying it looks low budget. Unless the price of the gun matches that, it won't sell.
 
What's low budget about it?

those thin 1/16" or maybe 1/8" bores used to support the retaining pin/screw wobble out too easy and this allows for the infamous Charter Arms cylinder wobble when the cylinder is opened. I've not seen it on the LCRs yet, but I figure its just a matter of time unless they've discovered a secret....

 
those thin 1/16" or maybe 1/8" bores used to support the retaining pin/screw wobble out too easy and this allows for the infamous Charter Arms cylinder wobble when the cylinder is opened. I've not seen it on the LCRs yet, but I figure its just a matter of time unless they've discovered a secret....
I had my 357 LCR since 2012, and I just checked it. Seems to be just fine. Google search hasn't produced much information either. I did come across this old 2014 thread where you compared the LCR directly to the C.A. with regards to the wobble. In it you said the design is similar, but the LCR doesn't have the same issue. I'm wondering if there's really a problem with the design or just a problem with C.A.'s implementation of it, and people are projecting C.A.'s wobble issue onto everyone else who uses a similar design? I had mine for little over 7 years. You had your LCR for about 5? I'd say it's not an issue.
 
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I had my 357 LCR since 2012, and I just checked it. Seems to be just fine. Google search hasn't produced much information either. I did come across this old 2014 thread where you compared the LCR directly to the C.A. with regards to the wobble. In it you said the design is similar, but the LCR doesn't have the same issue. I'm wondering if there's really a problem with the design or just a problem with C.A.'s implementation of it, and people are projecting C.A.'s wobble issue onto everyone else who uses a similar design? I had mine for little over 7 years. You had your LCR for about 5? I'd say it's not an issue.

its clearly a cheaper way to make the gun. they used the Colt detective special look for their K frame sized six shot .38s I wonder why they didn't stick with that? I have to say that the CA cylinder wobble I suffered with was from two of their older .44spls.
 
If it's cheaper, like $400ish or less I might be interested. If it's $500+ no thanks, I will stick to Ruger or S&W, even if i have to go used.
 
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