I like how Rock Island stands behind their product 100%. I was told by the CEO of RIA that if one of his pistols ever break, they'll fix it no questions asked. That's great customer service.
Yes they do. I bought a new Model 200 a few months ago- new for $160 at my local Academy. I noticed after I got it home that it had a chamber out of time, really bad. Their customer service guy quickly apologized and assured me that they would cover postage both ways and cover the repair. I had a prepaid shipping label within 2 hours. They had the gun back to me in 2 weeks. It now functions perfectly and it feels like it has a custom action job. Great service !
Hey better late than never just purchased mine here in Illinois 😅😅 great review thanks don’t own a revolver so exited to get out to range w my new rock island, w tax came out to 260 still I love it.
I've had mine a few months now and am very pleased with how the gun shoots, I can't imagine a better first time home defense gun. I bought mine to shoot shotshells in when hiking in areas with lots of poisonous snakes. For whatever reason it doesn't shoot them very well the pattern spread out quickly but it's good enough for 6ft away snakes.
That is the rifling of the pistol. Spreads the shot out faster than if it was a smooth bore weapon. Still at "Oh Shit" distances from a snake. It'll do better than just a surprised look 👍
I stopped at Academy and was surprised to find a Rock Island 38 revolver. I bit my lip not to buy it because I got the urge to. Loved double action trigger pull, nice and smooth and controllable. Single action was light enough to be considered safe. Now I feel that I can’t go wrong to add to my collection.
@@lorenzoguice2738 Great Congratulations. You have better luck than I did. When I went back the following day, it was gone. I buy one eventually. Just need to be there in the right time. Like tomorrow, Monday morning early.
@@rafaelmadrigal9038I picked mine up at my local Academy about a year ago. It was their display model, so they let me have it for $160. I couldn't say no ! LOL. I did have to send it back for repair. It had one chamber out of time. They apologized and assured me that they would pay shipping both ways and cover the repair. I had it back in 2 weeks. It's now perfect. It feels like it has a custom action job. They have great customer service ! I just shoot American Eagle 158gr LRN through it mainly. It likes it. I asked about using plus P ammo. They told me " It can shoot it. But only use plus P when you have to ". I've decided to just use standard velocity ammo. I'm fine with that.
I bought an M200 about a year ago, was in my LGS and a customer was looking at it, he handed it back and walked away. I asked if I could see it. My first impression was solid, very solid. Trigger was awesome, better in single action than double but perfectly fine in both. I asked the price, was told 240$, said I'll take it. It shoots well, only thing I've done is go to the RIA site and found a set of checkered wood grips for it and swapped those out. Actually gave me a better grip and feel. And let me use a speed loader. Where the big rubber grips prevented use of a speed loader. Mine sits in its case next to the bed with a MTM box of 100 .38 special loads for it. For the money IMO it is a great gun.
I have yet to see a video,where anyone uses the wood grips on the 200..Ive wondered how they would feel with a BK grip adapter,for those of us with small hands..I like the look and feel of the old school grip..
Just a heads up to anyone that puts the wood grips on their Model 200. Or the black plastic grips on their 206 snubby. The 206 has a pin that goes through the bottom of the frame. It helps hold the wood grips in place. But the pin is in the way when the black grips are installed. It needs to be removed for the black grips to fit properly. And if installing the wood grips on to the 200- a pin needs to be installed. The model 200 doesn't have the pin installed from the factory. Just something I learned from having both models. Their manual doesn't mention this pin.
I own many HGs....The M-200 with 110gr.Hornady Critical Defense Ammo non Plus p is my Home defense gun..it protects my home and family ...I am that confident of it!!💗
I have had one of these for a couple of years now. When I got it I could only find 130 grn FMJ and 158 grn LRN ammo. I went with the 158's because they are heavier and plain lead bullets. It is accurate. I shot a coyote with it at a little over 30 steps. I have thought of getting HP defensive loads for it, but I still have 200 158's and 100 130's left. I fired it a lot with the snap caps and it smoothed out the double action pull. I have heard it's based on the Colt Detective special, so grips, speed loaders and holsters for the colt will work with it. I haven't tested that, mine is still stock.
I tried putting colt detective special grips on it and it didn't work at all, the frame hump was too big. It might be a manufacturing variance but mine hasn't worked, others have
@@shazarad4127 It may be a difference in Colt Detective grips. there are 5 generations of the model. But I think the grip frame is divided 1966 and earlier or post 1966 models. I just got a 50's Detective special and need to replace the grips and have run into that.
Bought mine at my local Rural King and paid $199. Can't beat it, to be honest. Shoots great, comfortable, no frills, but a good, solid, great performance.
Shorter the barrel the more volocity you loose and you need volocity for hollow points to perform like they design too that's why I don't go under four inch barrel
Those guns are made in the Philippines where it's hot and humid. The excess oil/grease is to make the gun more rust resistant while in storage there before shipment to USA.
I bought an M 200 along with an M206 a few months ago. Both flawless pieces and I love both of them. I have a Smith & Wesson model 10 that I bought back in 1983 and with all due respect, I beg to differ. The lock up and trigger action compare with, not exceed, my Smith & Wesson. They are definitely not pretty weapons as far as the finish goes but I agree with you, I really do love the lines. I’m an airport transportation driver and a concealed carry holder. However, these are my glove compartment back up weapons. Great review! Keep shootin’! I replaced the factory grips with Pachmayer Colt D frame grips. They fit pretty well.
@@shazarad4127 Without question. It’s like comparing a Hyundai to a Lexus. They’ll both do the same job and are quite reliable, however , the Lexus just has a better feel.
I enjoyed your review and took notice of your comments on the trigger restoration wall. My pistol trigger randomly locks up but with force I can finish the pull at the e lenses of loosing my sight picture. I think it should go back for RIA to fix and wonder if others experienced it. I hate the idea of sending it back and possible delays. Someone suggested that I squirt some oil in the trigger are but I am not a fan of over oiling a firearm. Other than the trigger I like the pistol but wish it could shoot +p ammo.
Took mine apart and stoned the action .cleaned and properly lubricated it. Put friction tape on grips. Perfect truck gun. I have always preached the ability of shooting both hands it's a skill that should be learned and practiced often
For my friend bought one he liked it but then he ended up inheriting a nice Smith & Wesson m10 so he gave me the arms core revolver and I've used it for shooting 10 cans off the fence paper plates things like that and I have never had one malfunction
Just bought one for $250. Shot point of aim at 7 yards with both 158 and 130 for FMJ. No problems at all with only a few cylinders through it (this is during 2021 ammo shortage so 38 special is super hard to find). The grip is a hard plastic that has a noticeable seam, which smoothed down with a fine nail board. No noticeable tool marks on mine and while the muzzle doesn’t have a defined crown cut, it is recessed some so it’s not like a flat cut muzzle. Cylinder lock isn’t as tight as some other revolvers I own but seems to be in time. No spitting of jacket on the side of the forcing cone. The cylinder-forcing cone gap is a tad wider than I prefer so you do get noticeable flame to the sides of the cylinder but that is also ammo depending. For the price I think it’s worth it. TBD how it holds up but I don’t shoot a ton of 38. Wanted it as a gun to keep in car lock box and not worry about it. My Taurus model 82 is far nicer finish and has better grips and a crisper trigger .
@@shazarad4127 I've always been left eye dominant, since I was 10. No problem with a handgun, but in basic training I had to use my right eye when firing the M-1 carbine. I shot 274 out of a possible 300, which was one point below sharpshooter, but I was only 17 at the time. Five years later at the Philadelphia Police Academy, I qualified as expert with S&W .38, scoring 89 out of 100. The Range instructor noticed me using my left eye when shooting right-handed. I asked him if that was going to be a problem qualifying. He said, “Not with your scores!” Of course I used my non-dominant right eye when qualifying with the Remington 870 12-gauge, which was not as critical. I bought an RIA M200 last month ($249), but since I live in the Peoples’ Republic of New Jersey, I can’t pick it up for a month. This week I'll finally be able to set up some range time, still using my dominant left eye.
My m 206 (the snubnose variant) came with 2 grips...the combat polymer (whatever that means) and a really nice set of wood grips. I've never used the combat polymer grips. I love the way it shoots. I think the best comparison would be: a Smith and Wesson is like a Chevy El Camino and the Rock Island is like a C 10 pickup truck.
Father-in-law got me one last Christmas. PACHMAYR COLT DIAMONDBACK D-FRAME GRIPS CD-G _______________________ Without cutting a notch out of the black plastic grip it comes with, you can't properly use speed-loaders. Not MADE for the M-200 or M-206 so there is a small gap. Though hardly noticable. *Speed-loader compatible. *No Hammer Pinched Thumb-Webing on hands. (M-206 Wooden Grip) *Unlike stock grip, It WANTS to stay in your hand. Completely changed the firearm for me.
I do like the idea of its price it looks like a cold even though there are some unique differences internally the only thing is they should have made that a 357 Magnum from the get-go and if you want to use 38 you can put them in a 357 Magnum just don't put 357 Magnums in a 38 revolver
Yeah it probably did get the Zucc My profile which I've had since 2009 was perma zucced, gone forever and so was Daniel as far as I know I've been trying to get back in touch with folks but I'm afraid we lost that fight on FB, it was a good run
I bought one, after the first 42 shots the forcing cone went from circular to oblong, could not close the cylinder. It took 5 months to get a refund from Rock Island and only after I had threatened a lawsuit. Junk Gun and poor quality company.
I like how Rock Island stands behind their product 100%. I was told by the CEO of RIA that if one of his pistols ever break, they'll fix it no questions asked. That's great customer service.
Yes they do. I bought a new Model 200 a few months ago- new for $160 at my local Academy. I noticed after I got it home that it had a chamber out of time, really bad. Their customer service guy quickly apologized and assured me that they would cover postage both ways and cover the repair. I had a prepaid shipping label within 2 hours. They had the gun back to me in 2 weeks. It now functions perfectly and it feels like it has a custom action job. Great service !
@@shadowwolf9503 My experience with their customer service is exactly the same as yours. Truly excellent!
Hey better late than never just purchased mine here in Illinois 😅😅 great review thanks don’t own a revolver so exited to get out to range w my new rock island, w tax came out to 260 still I love it.
Got one for my youngest sons to have for home defense if I'm not home and the big dog doesn't deter trouble, we love it
I shoot exactly the same way. Found out I was odd when I was a kid.Had to adapt I guess. SHOOT SAFE!!!!!!!
Perfect. What you want out of a gun. This is it
Great gun. NICE.
I got one. 1/2024. Nice gun paid $236. Fleet farm Minnesota
I've had mine a few months now and am very pleased with how the gun shoots, I can't imagine a better first time home defense gun. I bought mine to shoot shotshells in when hiking in areas with lots of poisonous snakes. For whatever reason it doesn't shoot them very well the pattern spread out quickly but it's good enough for 6ft away snakes.
That is the rifling of the pistol. Spreads the shot out faster than if it was a smooth bore weapon. Still at "Oh Shit" distances from a snake. It'll do better than just a surprised look 👍
I stopped at Academy and was surprised to find a Rock Island 38 revolver. I bit my lip not to buy it because I got the urge to. Loved double action trigger pull, nice and smooth and controllable. Single action was light enough to be considered safe. Now I feel that I can’t go wrong to add to my collection.
I just got mine at academy Friday I'm running 110gr critical defense in mine
@@lorenzoguice2738 Great Congratulations. You have better luck than I did. When I went back the following day, it was gone. I buy one eventually. Just need to be there in the right time. Like tomorrow, Monday morning early.
@@rafaelmadrigal9038I picked mine up at my local Academy about a year ago. It was their display model, so they let me have it for $160. I couldn't say no ! LOL. I did have to send it back for repair. It had one chamber out of time. They apologized and assured me that they would pay shipping both ways and cover the repair. I had it back in 2 weeks. It's now perfect. It feels like it has a custom action job. They have great customer service ! I just shoot American Eagle 158gr LRN through it mainly. It likes it. I asked about using plus P ammo. They told me " It can shoot it. But only use plus P when you have to ". I've decided to just use standard velocity ammo. I'm fine with that.
I bought an M200 about a year ago, was in my LGS and a customer was looking at it, he handed it back and walked away.
I asked if I could see it. My first impression was solid, very solid. Trigger was awesome, better in single action than double but perfectly fine in both. I asked the price, was told 240$, said I'll take it. It shoots well, only thing I've done is go to the RIA site and found a set of checkered wood grips for it and swapped those out. Actually gave me a better grip and feel. And let me use a speed loader. Where the big rubber grips prevented use of a speed loader.
Mine sits in its case next to the bed with a MTM box of 100 .38 special loads for it.
For the money IMO it is a great gun.
I have yet to see a video,where anyone uses the wood grips on the 200..Ive wondered how they would feel with a BK grip adapter,for those of us with small hands..I like the look and feel of the old school grip..
Where do you buy the checkered grips? I can’t find any for it
I'd like to know as well
Just a heads up to anyone that puts the wood grips on their Model 200. Or the black plastic grips on their 206 snubby. The 206 has a pin that goes through the bottom of the frame. It helps hold the wood grips in place. But the pin is in the way when the black grips are installed. It needs to be removed for the black grips to fit properly. And if installing the wood grips on to the 200- a pin needs to be installed. The model 200 doesn't have the pin installed from the factory. Just something I learned from having both models. Their manual doesn't mention this pin.
Dont know it is still pertinent. Browne Works makes grips specifically for this pistol.
Thank you, I'll look into them for sure
found mine at a pawn shop for 80 bucks and it was hardly shot just had some scratches on it got 200 rounds trough it fun plinker
I own many HGs....The M-200 with 110gr.Hornady Critical Defense Ammo non Plus p is my Home defense gun..it protects my home and family ...I am that confident of it!!💗
YES
I have had one of these for a couple of years now. When I got it I could only find 130 grn FMJ and 158 grn LRN ammo. I went with the 158's because they are heavier and plain lead bullets.
It is accurate. I shot a coyote with it at a little over 30 steps. I have thought of getting HP defensive loads for it, but I still have 200 158's and 100 130's left.
I fired it a lot with the snap caps and it smoothed out the double action pull. I have heard it's based on the Colt Detective special, so grips, speed loaders and holsters for the colt will work with it. I haven't tested that, mine is still stock.
I tried putting colt detective special grips on it and it didn't work at all, the frame hump was too big. It might be a manufacturing variance but mine hasn't worked, others have
@@shazarad4127 It may be a difference in Colt Detective grips. there are 5 generations of the model. But I think the grip frame is divided 1966 and earlier or post 1966 models. I just got a 50's Detective special and need to replace the grips and have run into that.
Bought mine at my local Rural King and paid $199. Can't beat it, to be honest. Shoots great, comfortable, no frills, but a good, solid, great performance.
A Keeper.
They need to make this with a 3 inch barrel
Shorter the barrel the more volocity you loose and you need volocity for hollow points to perform like they design too that's why I don't go under four inch barrel
@@lorenzoguice2738 yeah me too usually but also for concealed carry I need to be able to sit down and I can't with a 4 inch barrel. So 3 is fine
I bought one of those guns about a month ago and I still and wiping oil off of the gun did anybody have that same problem
Roger that !
Those guns are made in the Philippines where it's hot and humid. The excess oil/grease is to make the gun more rust resistant while in storage there before shipment to USA.
I did when I bought the m206 about a year ago (2020) took me awhile carry it almost everwhere
I like the oil that means I don't have to oil it for years
I bought an M 200 along with an M206 a few months ago. Both flawless pieces and I love both of them. I have a Smith & Wesson model 10 that I bought back in 1983 and with all due respect, I beg to differ. The lock up and trigger action compare with, not exceed, my Smith & Wesson. They are definitely not pretty weapons as far as the finish goes but I agree with you, I really do love the lines. I’m an airport transportation driver and a concealed carry holder. However, these are my glove compartment back up weapons. Great review! Keep shootin’! I replaced the factory grips with Pachmayer Colt D frame grips. They fit pretty well.
I meant for it to say that the S&Ws are better, that goes without saying I think
@@shazarad4127 Without question. It’s like comparing a Hyundai to a Lexus. They’ll both do the same job and are quite reliable, however , the Lexus just has a better feel.
I like this guy. God bless America!
I enjoyed your review and took notice of your comments on the trigger restoration wall. My pistol trigger randomly locks up but with force I can finish the pull at the e lenses of loosing my sight picture. I think it should go back for RIA to fix and wonder if others experienced it. I hate the idea of sending it back and possible delays. Someone suggested that I squirt some oil in the trigger are but I am not a fan of over oiling a firearm. Other than the trigger I like the pistol but wish it could shoot +p ammo.
Some oil in there can help certainly, as parkerization is a very dry and gritty finish that they apply to almost everything on that gun
Took mine apart and stoned the action .cleaned and properly lubricated it. Put friction tape on grips. Perfect truck gun.
I have always preached the ability of shooting both hands it's a skill that should be learned and practiced often
Your truck is not a holster.
For my friend bought one he liked it but then he ended up inheriting a nice Smith & Wesson m10 so he gave me the arms core revolver and I've used it for shooting 10 cans off the fence paper plates things like that and I have never had one malfunction
Just bought one for $250. Shot point of aim at 7 yards with both 158 and 130 for FMJ. No problems at all with only a few cylinders through it (this is during 2021 ammo shortage so 38 special is super hard to find). The grip is a hard plastic that has a noticeable seam, which smoothed down with a fine nail board. No noticeable tool marks on mine and while the muzzle doesn’t have a defined crown cut, it is recessed some so it’s not like a flat cut muzzle. Cylinder lock isn’t as tight as some other revolvers I own but seems to be in time. No spitting of jacket on the side of the forcing cone. The cylinder-forcing cone gap is a tad wider than I prefer so you do get noticeable flame to the sides of the cylinder but that is also ammo depending. For the price I think it’s worth it. TBD how it holds up but I don’t shoot a ton of 38. Wanted it as a gun to keep in car lock box and not worry about it. My Taurus model 82 is far nicer finish and has better grips and a crisper trigger
.
have you ever checked your eye dominance..I noticed you had your right eye closed using your left eye?
Yes I am cross eye dominant
@@shazarad4127 I've always been left eye dominant, since I was 10. No problem with a handgun, but in basic training I had to use my right eye when firing the M-1 carbine. I shot 274 out of a possible 300, which was one point below sharpshooter, but I was only 17 at the time.
Five years later at the Philadelphia Police Academy, I qualified as expert with S&W .38, scoring 89 out of 100. The Range instructor noticed me using my left eye when shooting right-handed. I asked him if that was going to be a problem qualifying. He said, “Not with your scores!” Of course I used my non-dominant right eye when qualifying with the Remington 870 12-gauge, which was not as critical.
I bought an RIA M200 last month ($249), but since I live in the Peoples’ Republic of New Jersey, I can’t pick it up for a month. This week I'll finally be able to set up some range time, still using my dominant left eye.
It's $250 now. I want to replace my car gun with it. All I hear is cylinder skip.
@ No Way....I had Lockup Problems had to send Back twice got a new gun one I received is A-1!!
Just got one two days ago (11-19-21) will check it out soon also have the m206 so far no problems
My m 206 (the snubnose variant) came with 2 grips...the combat polymer (whatever that means) and a really nice set of wood grips. I've never used the combat polymer grips. I love the way it shoots. I think the best comparison would be: a Smith and Wesson is like a Chevy El Camino and the Rock Island is like a C 10 pickup truck.
If you’re familiar with Colt, then the cylinder release should be be no problem.
It's a Colt Police Positive clone.
Cool trail gun and project platform to refinish.
Father-in-law got me one last Christmas.
PACHMAYR
COLT DIAMONDBACK
D-FRAME GRIPS CD-G
_______________________
Without cutting a notch out of the black plastic grip it comes with, you can't properly use speed-loaders.
Not MADE for the M-200 or M-206 so there is a small gap.
Though hardly noticable.
*Speed-loader compatible.
*No Hammer Pinched Thumb-Webing on hands.
(M-206 Wooden Grip)
*Unlike stock grip,
It WANTS to stay in your hand.
Completely changed the firearm for me.
Me too!
Will the gun work fine even without being oiled?
to a point yes, all guns will need oil at some point
How many rounds if you put your gun? And what were the FPS and grains?
I have one it not the best shooting gun but i have not been able to shot as much i would like but it would get the job done at 20 yards
Awesome
I do like the idea of its price it looks like a cold even though there are some unique differences internally the only thing is they should have made that a 357 Magnum from the get-go and if you want to use 38 you can put them in a 357 Magnum just don't put 357 Magnums in a 38 revolver
What frame is this revolver
I have model 203 42 shot no problem at all. For me it's not the best but it work like a beasts..
Hey dude. I was in the same FB meme page that you modded. Did it get the zucc? I can't find that page anymore, nor can I find you or Daniel on there.
Yeah it probably did get the Zucc
My profile which I've had since 2009 was perma zucced, gone forever and so was Daniel as far as I know
I've been trying to get back in touch with folks but I'm afraid we lost that fight on FB, it was a good run
@@shazarad4127 That's a fucking shame, dude. I enjoyed that little community we had there. It helped me learn a lot and get good feedback on shit.
I bought one, after the first 42 shots the forcing cone went from circular to oblong, could not close the cylinder. It took 5 months to get a refund from Rock Island and only after I had threatened a lawsuit. Junk Gun and poor quality company.
i have smith and wesson revolver. but i enjoyed shooting my m200 and shoot better in my opinion
recipe for disaster?
LMAO 2 - 3 inch groups at 25 yards with this gun? Offhand. Either that’s a tall tale or you’re a great shot.
Awesome