Rock Island M200

[misswired]

This Colt clone is a lot of budget revolver for around $200. Put 200 flawless accurate rounds through it yesterday. Fixed sight, four inch barrel 38 special with an ugly parkerized finish. After years of truck, boat and farm use.....it will still be a butt-ugly finish. So, no loss there to worry about.

Off to Zero bullet for some more 38 wadcutters.

 

[Stevie]

I looked at these at the local farm store and considered buying one....but I already own a bucket-full of .38 revolvers with four and six inch barrels. The farm store price was somewhat high too. The store had a Taurus 85 which did appeal more to me but was priced a bit high($299). My FFL friend got me a stainless Taurus 85 on sale for $225 and it has been awesome!

Sooner or later I will likely pick up a Rock Island 200 as I find them an interesting revolver......I've never really understood my passion for .38 Special revolvers?....I have Colts in two frame sizes...Taurus...S&W....Rossi too....I am not going to dog-pile

 

[gman51]

For a person wanting an inexpensive but quality revolver for personal protection these guns are a good starter gun to buy. Those that have them all said they had no problems with them.

 

[Rammer Jammer]

I had an M206 (snubbie version) and the transfer bar broke in half while dry firing with snap caps.

I won't condemn their entire lineup for my one example, but I sold it when it came back from being repaired and wouldn't consider another. They are ROUGH.

 

[dr. mordo]

I'm glad yours is working for you, but the M200 I held in my hands was without doubt the roughest firearm I have ever handled. It looked like it was chiseled out of steel, the trigger was heavy and felt like it had gravel in it, and the timing was off. It was remarkably bad on every level.

I'm posting this just so folks know there are quality control issues with these RI revolvers, and I would not buy one sight unseen.

 

[misswired]

One of the hang-arounds at a LGS ordered one for himself. The store ordered five. The store had to hold #5 for him as they were selling fast. Store ordered seven more, after rave reviews from the other eleven owners....I got #12 for kicks and grins.

None of the barrels are canted; no ejector burrs or burrs anywhere for that matter. The timing is good with no hang-ups or locking up problems. I'm not familiar with the Colt 'lockworks' but one owner who is said it is a very close clone. The trigger is exceptional in SA and very usable in DA. These pistols are not rated +P ; I didn't buy it for a hog-leg, it's a plinker.

Even though it patterns better than the 581, it's not going to replace it for carry duty.

YMMV

 

[Telecaster]

RIA has a .357 Magnum now.

 

[CajunBass]

I've considered getting one just for grins and giggles, but like another poster above, I'm pretty deep in 38's and 357's. Still I might do it after this review, and a Hickock 45 video I watched earlier today.

I bought a Hi-Point 9mm once just to "see how bad" it was. (It wasn't.) I might do the same thing with an RIA.

 

[Echo40]

Aren't there still some 60s/70s police trade-in S&W Model 10s floating around for $250ish? Because if so, this honestly doesn't seem like all that great a deal.

 

[walnutred]

Aren't there still some 60s/70s police trade-in S&W Model 10s floating around for $250ish? Because if so, this honestly doesn't seem like all that great a deal.

Not that many. The last batch being sold by AIM and similar places are $300 plus shipping and transfer. I've seen a few M10s ad shows and flea markets you could probably get for a little less than $300, but not by much.

 

[misswired]

I've considered getting one just for grins and giggles, but like another poster above, I'm pretty deep in 38's and 357's. Still I might do it after this review, and a Hickock 45 video I watched earlier today.

I bought a Hi-Point 9mm once just to "see how bad" it was. (It wasn't.) I might do the same thing with an RIA.

Watched the Hickock45 review; I concur down to the daub of sight paint. It also has a pinned barrel.

ETA: 45 said it's +P rated.....not so.