Well, I finally did it..............I got myself a wheel gun. Actually, I traded a Bersa .380 that I was somewhat dissatisfied with for it and even got $35 back.
It's not really my "1st" wheel gun but, it's the first one that's not rimfire, single action only or older than dirt.
It's dirt cheap but, works well and has some sort of parkerized finish rather than being blued. It's .38 SPL only and not +P rated but, that doesn't really matter to me. I won't be carrying it either. It'll just be a fun range gun and maybe even a "night stand" gun.
I'm guessing it was designed to reduce cost and/or have fewer moving parts but, the cylinder release button is bass ackwards. You pull it to the rear to release the cylinder rather than pushing it forward like most modern revolvers.
It has a smooth crisp trigger in both SA and DA. SA trigger pull is about 4.5 pounds. I can't measure the DA trigger pull because my el cheapo analog scale only goes up to 8 pounds but, it feels about the same as my Nagant revolver which is about 12 pounds.

Attached Images

Armscor M200.jpg (26.4 KB, 618 views)

Cylinder release is a copy of Colt DA revolvers.

I think you did well - I'd take that over a Bersa.

Sorry to hear about your Bersa 380. Was it problematic? Over on the B forum(s) I've read about 380's with issues. They've been making these things forever and one wonders what's up with that.
Your new acquisition is a beauty. I like the shiny finish.

The cylinder release is not the only Colt copy. The entire action design and build is a Colt MKIII copy.

While I'm not fond of the MKIII Colt action, it has a reputation for being very durable. Can't say an Armsor is as strong or well made as a Colt, but the action design is proven.

You got a great inexpensive gun to have fun with.

If it goes bang every time...is safe and you can hit something with it what's not to like??

The bullet does all the important stuff!

You did fine

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Spin The Wheel

It was a Thunder 380 Plus.........the 15 round version. I only really had 3 complaints.
1) I don't know why but, the felt recoil was significantly stronger than my Shield 9. Normally that wouldn't be a problem but, the edges on the bottom of the beaver tail were not rounded like on a polymer frame. The flat edges would bite into my hand when I fired it and after just 50 rounds, I had 2 blisters where the corners touched my hand.
In my opinion, I shouldn't have to wear gloves just for a range visit.
2) After my first range visit, both hands and arms were thoroughly peppered with GSR all the way up to my shirt sleeves.
3) Ammo price. .38 SPL ammo is a little higher than I like but lately .380 ACP can be anywhere from $3 to $5 higher for 50 rounds.
On the upside, the revolver only holds 6 at a time so, I won't be going through it quite as fast. Plus, I've wanted a .38 for quite a while and this was a deal I just couldn't pass on.
Also, unlike the Bersa..........the recoil on this one is light and very manageable.

I might have to paint the ramp on the front blade though. Black on black is rough on these old eyes.

I have known a few that have the RIA Armscore revolvers and they really like them. Yep it is a no frills gun but a gun doesn't have to be pretty to do its job.
I didn't know they were set up in some ways like a Colt.

IMHO those Armscor revolvers are the perfect basic house or truck gun.

As for the OP's Bersa 380, I find the recoil on most blowback 380s to be sharper than a locked breech 9mm of the same size. Blowback guns will spit more GSR too, it's just they way they operate, and some ammo will be worse than other types.

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Release the Kraken

Congrats on your trade. I am not familiar with these, but I never claimed to be an industry expert.

Sometimes I think collectors and others get a little overboard on it must be this make, MFG, and variant to be any good...

I've told friends that my grandpa had a cheap 22 rifle of unknown mfg and a cheap shotgun that was used to feed the family (when he wasn't fishing). I guess my point is you did well; and not to get too overhyped on brand in a case like this.

Best,

TH

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Rather be outdoors

Congrats! I have not had the opportunity to handle an Armscor revolver. However, if it's anything like the quality we are seeing in the new Armscor /RIA 1911's and M5 shotguns coming through the shop, you'll have yourself a fine shooting revolver.
Seems Armscor has stepped up their game quite a bit in recent years.
Enjoy your new range toy but be advised revolvers are worse than potato chips!

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Dave

Armscor was for awhile selling a snubby revolver with a more than passing resemblance to a Colt Detective Special, and priced very reasonably. It had a rough metal finish and crude wooden stocks, but from what I have read they performed very well. I suppose yours is more or less a longer-barreled version of it. I came close to buying one of the snubbies for $150 several years ago, but decided I didn't really need it.

I'm not laughing. I've heard good reports on these, and have been sort of looking for one for myself.

Welcome to the 38 special revolver club . Get some target wadcutter ammo and have a pleasan't time shooting it.
A 38 revolver is most enjoyable . I like revolvers best myself and would never laugh at you .
Gary

This one comes in a snubby too......the M206. I've never been a fan of snub nose revolvers though, which is why I got the M200. In fact, it's 4" barrel is the shortest I own. My 22 WMR revolver, has a 6.5" barrel.
This is the first Rock Island/Armscor firearm I've ever owned but, I've been using Armscor ammo for several years and I love it. I almost bought one of their 1911's a few years ago but, the price was just too high. Now that prices are starting to drop back down, I may revisit that idea.

Enjoy your new wheelgun! I was not aware of them, so I just checked out their website. If they have any degree of quality, their low (compared to many American made revolvers) could make them an attractive CCW arm! Their 2" looks like an under $300 DS!

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Judge control not gun control!

GOOD Trade!

Kinda hard to find around here. It seems all anybody wants to sell is FMJ and JHP. Can't even find any cowboy loads.
Got any links to reasonably priced online sources?

My local pistol range/gun store sells the 4" for $210 OTD so, I imagine the snubby would be under $200.

No idea what the current pricing is but three years or so ago, several of the gun show dealers were selling them for under $200, and had tables full of them. Then they vanished. As I said, one of those dealers had a used one he offered me for $150.

Check out Georgia Arms in Villa Rica, Georgia. Good ammo, good prices. I pick up a load every time we go to wife's family close to Douglasville. Not much of a drive for you. They have a good website, check it out.

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Just a shooter

Has anyone put a large number of rounds through these Armscor revolvers? Any +p loads?

The Armscor revolvers aren't +P rated. It even says in the owners manual, not to use +P ammo.

I think you'll like it. I've been meaning to pick one up myself, but they're pretty scarce around here. I have had two of the RIA 1911s, and they were very nice pistols.

If it's built as well as their 1911's it should be just fine.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

I know I said I wouldn't be carrying this pistol but if I ever decide to, does anybody know what size holster I need for it?

Brand recommendations would be appreciated as well. I don't want anything too expensive but, I don't want one of those el cheapo nylon holsters from Walmart either.

My guess would be to use any holster of the same size as fits a 4" S&W M&P revolver. I doubt there is much dimensional difference. Look on eBay for a holster you might like.

I ordered an Armscore Detective Special clone on line an never took possession of it. Upon inspecting the gun it was crude to say the least, but what clinched it for me was neither myself nor the store employees could open the cylinder ......we could not budge the cylinder release with anywhere near normal effort. I sent it back.

Good trade, I like it, but I also like the Russian Nagant revolver too. Anything that functions is ok with me.

No one should laugh. That revolver is a decent and serviceable revolver for the price.

I have to be honest - I have suspected that Colt is contracting the major components of its new Cobra from some source operating under a non-disclosure agreement. I have wondered if it is not Armscor.

Such is not unheard of with Colt. In the 60s and maybe the 70s, Colt sold guns made by Astra, one example of which was the Colt 25 Auto.

Colt could be having the major components sent in for final finishing and polishing, etc., then assembly. Who knows?

Anyway, your revolver is a good gun which will give you good service, especially for the price.

Why would I laugh? Congrats on your trade.

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Life is short,live it fully.

I had one of those for awhile but, I couldn't shoot it at my local pistol range because all the ammo I could find for it, was steel core.
Also, the tapered shells were extremely hard to extract from 5 of the 6 chambers after they'd been fired.

My M200 operates smooth as butter. I can tilt it left about 45°, pull the release and the cylinder will fall open without me even touching it.
It closes just as easy too. I love everything about this revolver so far.
Just for fun, I put 6 shells in it and "flicked" it closed. The cylinder locked into place perfectly.

I'd think they'd make the perfect glove/tool/tackle box gun. Tough, reliable, nothing fancy, and priced right.

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John