Rock island armory M200.

Gulfcowboy · July 28, 2019, 03:57 PM

I've been throwing the idea lately of buying a Rock Island Armory M200. Anybody have any experiences with these? Is the $200 price tag too good to be true? this would not be a self-defense pistol I have many others to fill that role. This would be a plinking / Jon Boat pistol. Thanks for any input given

**Aguila Blanca** · July 28, 2019, 04:19 PM

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Cheapshooter · July 28, 2019, 04:40 PM

Haven't even shot it yet, but I have one of the 206 snubbie versions.
Great first impression though. The trigger is surprisingly smooth and crisp. The build quality seems very good. Lacking only in a not so necessary, but expensive beautifully buffed, and polished fit and finish.
It is what it is, and your example the best I have heard. A jon boat of a gun. Gets the job done without any unnessary for the task fanciness.

TruthTellers · July 29, 2019, 04:05 AM

Not a fan of the M200 not because I find it a bad revolver, there's just better 4 inch revolvers out there that you can get in .357 Magnum instead, specifically Charter Arms. Yes, you'll pay $50 more for them at the least, but we're talking a better made revolver that weighs less, shoots a much more powerful round, and has better sights. The only thing it lacks is the 6th shot and I don't see that as good enough reason to buy the M200 over a Charter.

As for the snub M206, it is a good snubbie. Heavy for carrying and it's clunky when reloading, but the trigger is very good. I had been down on it recently, but after shooting it a week or two ago, I can't say that anymore. It's a lot better than I gave it credit for and now I can't say a 5 shot Charter Arms you could get used for about the same price is a better revolver. It's a lighter revolver better for carrying and that's all.

If all this will be is a boat gun or plinking gun, the M206 will do that just as well as the M200.

osbornk · July 29, 2019, 08:23 AM

I have a RIA 1911 I like and considered this gun when I was shopping for a 38 Special. Rural King had both the RIA and Taurus 856 in stock. Side by side, the Taurus was a little nicer looking but was slightly more expensive. I bought the Taurus because I have had good experiences with a prior Taurus revolver and I have been happy with it. I would not hesitate to buy either one. I also considered a Charter Arms that are matte stainless (they all are at Charter Arms) but they were about $50 more than the Taurus (but maybe worth it as I have a Charter Arms in another caliber I like)

Cheapshooter · July 29, 2019, 10:39 AM

From the OP

Quote:

this would not be a self-defense pistol I have many others to fill that role. This would be a plinking / Jon Boat pistol. Thanks for any input given

Quote:

Not a fan of the M200 not because I find it a bad revolver, there's just better 4 inch revolvers out there that you can get in .357 Magnum instead

Not much reason to spend more money for that power which will never be used as per the original post.

**Aguila Blanca** · July 29, 2019, 11:27 AM

My M206 had a better trigger out of the box than either of two Tauruses (Tauri?) that had both had trigger jobs done on them. My FFL said the M206 trigger compared favorably with his tuned S&W.

Cheapshooter · July 30, 2019, 12:26 PM

Having just the 206, and never trying the 200, is there any noticable difference in the triggers?

CommandoX · August 1, 2019, 11:07 PM

Well....I own one.

I bought one because I wanted a "different" 38 Special at a budget price. The one I bought ended up having to be returned to Armscor in Nevada. It had no crown, an improperly cut barrel at the muzzle (at an angle) and the cylinder stuck on one hole. Ya, sounds bad I know. It shot great accuracy wise but I got tired of having a 5 shot pistol. I bought this gun from one of the ROs at my range. HE bought it many years ago for a gift that never got given.

I sent it back to the manufacturer and they ended up destroying it because it was so far out of spec. They sent me a brand new, fully functioning, properly manufactured pistol. It shoots great and works 100%. I have over 400 rounds through it now and take it to the range at least every other time I go. It's a great range gun and would be fine as a truck gun. As long as you remember you're not buying a Smith, you're good to go.

Gulfcowboy · August 8, 2019, 07:49 PM

Thanks for all the good information fellas. I was hesitant to take the leap to purchase one of these firearms. I went ahead and purchased a leather holster for a colt police postive Which should fit it. Seems like I'll be picking one one these up in the future. Seems like ria stands by their product. You cant beat a lifetime warranty.

July 28, 2019, 03:57 PM	#1
Gulfcowboy Member Join Date: January 27, 2019 Location: South Texas Posts: 96	Rock island armory M200. I've been throwing the idea lately of buying a Rock Island Armory M200. Anybody have any experiences with these? Is the $200 price tag too good to be true? this would not be a self-defense pistol I have many others to fill that role. This would be a plinking / Jon Boat pistol. Thanks for any input given

July 28, 2019, 04:40 PM	#3
Cheapshooter Senior Member Join Date: December 2, 2007 Location: Missouri Posts: 8,306	Haven't even shot it yet, but I have one of the 206 snubbie versions. Great first impression though. The trigger is surprisingly smooth and crisp. The build quality seems very good. Lacking only in a not so necessary, but expensive beautifully buffed, and polished fit and finish. It is what it is, and your example the best I have heard. A jon boat of a gun. Gets the job done without any unnessary for the task fanciness. __________________ Cheapshooter's rules of gun ownership #1: NEVER SELL OR TRADE ANYTHING!

July 29, 2019, 04:05 AM	#4
TruthTellers Senior Member Join Date: October 22, 2016 Posts: 3,887	Not a fan of the M200 not because I find it a bad revolver, there's just better 4 inch revolvers out there that you can get in .357 Magnum instead, specifically Charter Arms. Yes, you'll pay $50 more for them at the least, but we're talking a better made revolver that weighs less, shoots a much more powerful round, and has better sights. The only thing it lacks is the 6th shot and I don't see that as good enough reason to buy the M200 over a Charter. As for the snub M206, it is a good snubbie. Heavy for carrying and it's clunky when reloading, but the trigger is very good. I had been down on it recently, but after shooting it a week or two ago, I can't say that anymore. It's a lot better than I gave it credit for and now I can't say a 5 shot Charter Arms you could get used for about the same price is a better revolver. It's a lighter revolver better for carrying and that's all. If all this will be is a boat gun or plinking gun, the M206 will do that just as well as the M200. __________________ "We always think there's gonna be more time... then it runs out."

July 30, 2019, 12:26 PM	#8
Cheapshooter Senior Member Join Date: December 2, 2007 Location: Missouri Posts: 8,306	Having just the 206, and never trying the 200, is there any noticable difference in the triggers? __________________ Cheapshooter's rules of gun ownership #1: NEVER SELL OR TRADE ANYTHING!

August 1, 2019, 11:07 PM	#9
CommandoX Member Join Date: February 2, 2011 Location: The Land of Cheese n' Beer Posts: 95	Well....I own one. I bought one because I wanted a "different" 38 Special at a budget price. The one I bought ended up having to be returned to Armscor in Nevada. It had no crown, an improperly cut barrel at the muzzle (at an angle) and the cylinder stuck on one hole. Ya, sounds bad I know. It shot great accuracy wise but I got tired of having a 5 shot pistol. I bought this gun from one of the ROs at my range. HE bought it many years ago for a gift that never got given. I sent it back to the manufacturer and they ended up destroying it because it was so far out of spec. They sent me a brand new, fully functioning, properly manufactured pistol. It shoots great and works 100%. I have over 400 rounds through it now and take it to the range at least every other time I go. It's a great range gun and would be fine as a truck gun. As long as you remember you're not buying a Smith, you're good to go. __________________ When in doubt, empty the mag.

July 28, 2019, 04:19 PM	#2
Aguila Blanca Staff Join Date: September 25, 2008 Location: CONUS Posts: 18,467	https://thefiringline.com/forums/sho...00+rock+island https://thefiringline.com/forums/sho...00+rock+island https://thefiringline.com/forums/sho...00+rock+island https://ezine.m1911.org/showthread.p...evolver-Review https://thefiringline.com/forums/sho...00+rock+island https://thefiringline.com/forums/sho...00+rock+island https://thefiringline.com/forums/sho...00+rock+island

July 29, 2019, 08:23 AM	#5
osbornk Senior Member Join Date: August 11, 2012 Location: Mountains of Appalachia Posts: 1,598	I have a RIA 1911 I like and considered this gun when I was shopping for a 38 Special. Rural King had both the RIA and Taurus 856 in stock. Side by side, the Taurus was a little nicer looking but was slightly more expensive. I bought the Taurus because I have had good experiences with a prior Taurus revolver and I have been happy with it. I would not hesitate to buy either one. I also considered a Charter Arms that are matte stainless (they all are at Charter Arms) but they were about $50 more than the Taurus (but maybe worth it as I have a Charter Arms in another caliber I like)

July 29, 2019, 11:27 AM	#7
Aguila Blanca Staff Join Date: September 25, 2008 Location: CONUS Posts: 18,467	My M206 had a better trigger out of the box than either of two Tauruses (Tauri?) that had both had trigger jobs done on them. My FFL said the M206 trigger compared favorably with his tuned S&W.

August 8, 2019, 07:49 PM	#10
Gulfcowboy Member Join Date: January 27, 2019 Location: South Texas Posts: 96	Thanks for all the good information fellas. I was hesitant to take the leap to purchase one of these firearms. I went ahead and purchased a leather holster for a colt police postive Which should fit it. Seems like I'll be picking one one these up in the future. Seems like ria stands by their product. You cant beat a lifetime warranty.