My new cheap... I mean inexpensive 38

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fdw

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So, I'm cruising Buds and this catches my eye. New Rock Island Model 200 in 38 with a 4 inch barrel. Would have passed over it but since I have one of their 1911s and have been EXTREMELY PLEASED with it I thought, what the hey for $200 bucks how could I go wrong.

It arrived yesterday and I mean it was caked with grease. I got it home and cleaned it the best I could and took it to the range today. Fired 150 rounds of 158s through it and guys and gals, I've got to tell you I'm pleased.

I mean it's not a Smith or Ruger (I have both) but for $200 it's a darn good SD gun.

At five to ten yards I found it shot point of aim and had no problems. Trigger is pretty darn good. As a matter of fact I showed it to a retired state patrolman who works at the range and he said the trigger was better than the Smith they had in the cabinet for sale :eek: Hey, no flames he said it, I didn't.

The cylinder release is a bit sticky but I'm sure that is from all the grease and that will wear off. I cleaned her up let the wife dry fire her and she really liked it. So, it goes in a strategic place in our home that she or I can easily get to ;)

It's a parkerized finish and not the prettiest guy you will own, but darn it, I think it will get the job done! :D

 
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I have an RIA 1911 and couldn't be happier. I did use to wonder what I was missing out on with the price difference and I found out after playing with some other 1911: not much.
 
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Definately a Colt influence there. I wonder if its a straight up clone or if there are differences?
Considering RIA's excellent reputation, I'd try one for $200. ;)
 
I have the same revolver, also from Buds.

Colt D frame speedloaders will work.

I removed the plastic grips, finding them not to my liking. A set of Pachs meant for a later Colt D frame will fit. They are a great improvement. To eliminate a gap, I wrapped the ones on mine with electrical tape and rubber bands and left them for a while. This made them fit perfectly now. The Pachs make it a much better shooter for me.

A generic Blackhawk 4" revolver holster from Walmart fits them, though Amazon sells a different brand that incorporates bullet loops at a fair price.

The cylinder release is a bit different. You have to pull it back, then upon closing push it forward.

I observed better results firing it single action. The seemingly elongated hammer spur is actually easy to cock. It looks like it will catch on things...and it will.

I fired some plus P ammo through mine, though it is not officially blessed for such.

Mine has notably looser tolerances than a Smith and Wesson revolver.

However, at the same price point as a Hi Point, I found it a decent value. I have kept mine even as I got rid of much else.

They are commonly carried by security guards in the Phillipines, where it is sometimes specified that one is required to have an "Armscor or better" quality revolver.

On a budget, a person can get on alongside a Norinco 870 clone and have a lot of protection for less of an outlay than a single Glock pistol.
 
For an affordable ccw revolver it appears to deserve a second look. It's a nice looking revolver in the park finish. For $200 it's even a good entry level revolver. I can see carrying an expensive revolver for ccw carry. Some of these other guns are worth way too much to carry. This one fills that ccw nitch. Does it come in nickel? Or just park only? I need to see what else they offer.
 
BigBill said:
For an affordable ccw revolver it appears to deserve a second look. It's a nice looking revolver in the park finish. For $200 it's even a good entry level revolver. I can see carrying an expensive revolver for ccw carry. Some of these other guns are worth way too much to carry. This one fills that ccw nitch. Does it come in nickel? Or just park only? I need to see what else they offer.
Click to expand...

Park finish only. They also make a 2 inch snub.
 
kaaskop49 said:
It's nice that it costs $200. It will be even nicer if it holds up under shooting. Not abuse, just shooting.

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103
Click to expand...

Buds reviews look pretty good and if it's anything like my 1911, well I'll be pleased. :D

PS- Will keep you posted. ;)
 
Im glad your pleased with yours hope you got a good one.

We used to sell them at the shop I worked at.

we had one that you could unscrew the barrel by hand

one that was covered in rust

one that didn't come with the proper cylinder retaining side plate screw

and the first one we used as a range gun that was literally shot to pieces in less than a couple hundred rounds.

... thank god for that warranty.
 
We had some locally here as well. Most were good. A few had major timing issues out of the box. Out of a small sample it wasn't good.

A good one is a good one. If everyone inspected their revolver purchase before heading home with it, there'd be a lot fewer sad stories.
 
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