So, funny story: Bought this very same revolver after watching this video, and I had my doubts because of the price I paid for it, but I live in a high crime area, and a low priced revolver is better than nothing, right? Anyway so a few months in to bring a proud gun owner, I heard a group of erm, ‘rowdy urban youth’ kicking at my door, so I grab my M200 revolver and get ready for visitors. They give up on the door kicking and actually break in through my living room window, cutting themselves in the process when I fired a few shots in admittedly pants wetting terror. Cops later found the idiots after they went to a hospital for treatment...and I later moved due to the insanity of having to pay for an attorney and a long, drawn out trial. That revolver saved my life.
My friends all had new Glocks, S&Ws, Rugers and I proudly pulled out my beat up used M200 38 Special Rock Island Armory $175 revolver with the price tag still on it.
@Omar Mendez Buds Gunshop usually has them. I know your comment is 9 months old now but if you haven't found one, they're currently available on Buds and pretty much always are.
I bought a new m2000 is very good reliable revolver good brand too I rather trust a revolver then a semi automatic you will never know it may jam suddenly
The .38 is a much better round than most people realize. It has plenty of punch, it’s VERY accurate, and police officers relied on their .38 Specials for most of the 20th century.
i carried .38 specials for years, back in the "bad old" days...my old department was VERY afraid of liability with .357 magnum rounds. nothing like being behind the "curve" compared to the bad guys...
@jeff lockaby FBI gave the agents a choice between .38+p or .357 mag loads, in their .357 revolvers... And the majority of agents chose .38+p, not just for practice but for carry. One of the funny things about them trying to adopt a 10mm, when most agents did not even want a .357 mag.
If you keep as dumb in front of bullet you will see the power. Live in Brazil. Here we unfortunately had the most rate crime and murder in world. .38spl is the amunition that do this tragedy..
Last year I decided to purchase a handgun for home defense and spent hours reading article and watching UA-cam videos before deciding on the Rock Island Armory M200. Thank goodness for the internet because I'm very pleased with it and see no reason to "upgrade" because the M200 fufills all the requirements I have for a handgun. Fun to shoot, accurate, reliable, easy to operate , priced right, and the company has a great warranty.
Armscor (RIA) is very popular here in the Philippines, it is issued in most private security officers across the nation for so many decades. Maybe because of the fact that it is one of the most affordable yet very solid handgun available locally. Thanks for the review.
I carried the S&W model 10 for 22 years in the Philadelphia PD, so I wanted a budget home revolver. Saw this model yesterday at my gun dealer for just $249, so bought it right then and there. I was glad to see that a Sootch revue was available, since I always found your videos straight, to-the-point, and uncompromising. I know this isn’t up to Smith’s quality, but for this price, and after your review, I’m glad I pulled the trigger 🥴 on this model. And considering I’m writing this nearly 5 years after your review, I’m really pleased with the price I paid for this NEW Rock Island .38.
Here we are and 6 years later I got one for 255 post covid!!! It's a good quality gun especially for the money and its funny that he calls it a fishing gun as that's exactly why I was carrying yesterday, as I was fishing. It's very simple and durable. Mine shoots to the right with everything, but if I put the front sight touching the left side of the rear notch it's dead on and groups well.
This may be the best 38 revolver on earth right now... That performance is outstanding the way he got out 6 shots that fast is unreal THAT GUN IS A PERFORMER IM GETTIN 1
I am from the philippines. They probably won't because Armscor is the major small arms supplier here and the most used pistol caliber here are .38 special, 9mm, and .45 cal. Law enforcement here used to have .357 magnum revolvers, the guns are plentiful here but the bullets aren't. My friend just found his dads collection of revolvers but we can't use it due to the lack of ammo.
Bought one of these over the weekend as a Christmas present. Rural King has them for 199 and was running 10% off all their guns which brought the price down to $179.
Revolvers are just amazing. Cause even if the you have a failure it will cycle to the next round and not hold up the weapon. Also, you can't stovepipe a round/casing. Just nice and reliable.
Marc Pascual , that's the big reason why I decided to get a revolver instead of a semiautomatic. Far less chance of a malfunction. And a revolver is simpler to operate.
They have their own problems - for example if you have a hangfire and are under stress and pull the trigger again because the first round didnt go off, the second round will and then the first one will while its misaligned with the barrel, and then if you are lucky it will ONLY blow the front half of your gun off and not some fingers. Dont get me wrong I'm here cuz I wanna buy some cool budget revolvers too but they have a whole list of their own problems.
If you have the cylinder lock up you're fucked till you get it to a smith. And that's a LOT more common then you think. My father in law owns a gun shop and i see it almost weekly. At least with a semi you can tap rack bang your way back into a fight. If your revolver goes down in a fight, your dead. End of story. Which is why all military and police use semi now.
Mr. Sootch, I purchased the Armscor 200 because of its likeness to the old 1976 Colt Police Positive .38 Special. The price was dirt cheap and its operation was superb! The Armscor 200 mirrors the Colt PP in profile and in dimensions. The grips on my Colt PP will fit the Armscor, that's how close the profile is. Also both have a four-inch half-shrouded barrel, the only difference is the Armscor has a better hammer design for single-action fire.The Model 200 hammer is wide and serrated, whereas the Colt PP has a regular service hammer. Thanks so much for your informative video. Thought you might find the Colt connection interesting.
Mr. Sootch, thanks for a great video on a good firearm. I purchased a M-200 because of its strong resemblance to the 1976 production Colt Police Positive. I was very surprised with the service I received from the M-200 revolver. It shot well, to the point-of-aim using the old .38 Police Load. Its very strong resemblance to the old 76 Police Positive was a big plus for myself. The profile, the weight, the length, and clockwise cylinder rotation are all Colt qualities within the Armscor Model 200. These features mirror the Police Positive, a compact cop six-shot .38 Special, that I carried as a lawman in years past. Even the weight is the same as the old Colt. The trigger action, both single and double, were extremely good for a 200-dollar revolver. Its accuracy was very good and I got nothing but praise for it. Many thanks for your informative video on the Armscor 200.
*As of 2018 and 2019 they are crowning these muzzles* I’ll also add that Armscor advertises this as a conceal carry weapon. While for some that may be possible if you’re a smaller individual like I am it is pretty bulky, and not practical to conceal. That said it makes for a fantastic woods gun and home defense pistol due to it durability and reliable operation.
I bought this revolver a year or two ago. I love it. It's a great gun and super cheap. It's sturdy accurate and fun. Don't hesitate to pick one up. I payed apx $180
I bought one of these as my entry into revolvers. Like Sootch says, it's kind of rough in the areas that aren't easily noticeable, but the function is excellent. The grip hardness is halfway between rubber and Bakelite, and is great for medium to large hands. Like anything Armscor, it does what it's supposed to.
I bought this revolver to supplement some of my other Handguns in part of your review...it is perfect for my house defense gun with 110gr.JHP Standard pressure Hornady Critical Defense load....thank you for your review Sootch00.....with Pandemic and civil unrest we can never be well enough Armed ...Also I think they have an Awsome Lifetime Warranty!!😀
Second only to a versatile 22lr rifle, a 38 caliber revolver is, in my thinking, a necessity for anyone who enjoys the outdoors or seeks to defend themselves and their home. All persons are entitled to that right but not all of us, in fact few of us, can afford the $500-$1000 to purchase a new Smith, Ruger or Colt revolver. Rock Island and a few others address this disparity by offering rugged, reliable and safe self defense handguns that sacrifice beauty to save very scare dollars. This is important because one's right to self defense should not depend upon one's wealth.
Tony, I’ve owned my m200 since Christmas 2020 and so far I really enjoy shooting this gun. I had doubts at first but I’ve put just about 50 rounds through it with no hang ups.
These are actually very reliable and a good shooter. I picked one up two months ago for $225 out the door new and have out 1500 rounds thru it without a single issue!
@@obi-wankenobi1750 lol, there was a time before the pandemic where ammo was really cheap. You may not know that and maybe very wet behind the ears. I paid about .10$ a round for all that ammo far before all the craziness. Dumbass
I bought one several years ago and have had excellent service. Mine is one of the early M-200 models and I purchased it because a friend had made a purchase and after trying his, I had to have one. The price, reliability and the fact that it is a dead ringer for the 1976 Colt Police Positive were all factors that encouraged my purchase. Grips from the D-Frame Detective Special will fit the M-200 as I have black rubber Pachmayr Grips, sized for the post 1966 D-frame Colt, on it. The frame dimensions mirror the old 1976 Police Positive, another plus for this six-gun. David Abney
This is absolutely a great gun no matter what price point you buy it at. It never fails. In my opinion that's what you buy for self-defense in your home.
I was raised on revolvers by my father and always fancied them over the current generation of self defense/EDC type weapons. They just carry a sense of charm and history to them. I got into a debate with my brother (he's a Glock fan) and his main gripe on the revolvers is their limited capacity. Our father explained "If you need more than six, you're already fucked".
So you’d rather die than spend a little more on a lighter, smaller automatic with double the capacity that would give you a way better chance of survival?
I really love your simple informative reviews. I bought a RIA M200 last March and it has been a real surprise. My sons and I have shot a ton of ammo through it and it has been flawless. Thank you for the work you do for gun enthusiasts.
Got one of these...amazing little piece, especially for the $$ I was quite pleased with the trigger, especially. Way better than you might guess. Working gun, not a show piece for the safe.
@@simple3545 Nothing to do with the barrel length. Talked to a gun store owner about that. Calif has a roster of what can be sold in the state. If that gun is not on that roster, it's not legal. He said that gun manufactures pay a fee for their gun to be on the roster as well as some mysterious Merlin math on what guns should be on that roster.
If a gun doesn’t make it on the CA roster, that means it did not meet or pass the drop test requirements. So the gun, while loaded and dropped on the ground, fires on its own.
I purchased a R.I.A model 200 about 6 months ago . I bought it 'cause my daughters & their husbands began to show an interest in self-defense , and demonstrated an affinity towards firearms . This revolver is but a stepping stone . Sooner or later , the same people that fired this excellently made revolver , will all feel comfortable enough to select what works for them . This revolver is better than we think !
Great review. Since I have two RI 1911s and they are great, your review put me over the top to get one of these. Believe it or not, the M200 trigger is better/smoother than my beloved 1920s Colt Army Special! Today I put 70 rounds of mixed 38 spl thru it. Shoots fine at self defense range (20 feet). I ended up shooting steel plates at 30 then 60 yards. It can be done. Great revolver so far.
i have always felt at home with a revolver, and never under-gunned. rock island and eaa are foremost in my mind, when i scrape the inside of the piggy bank, for the funds to get a new revolver...soon. thanks for the review sootch00!!
I'm seriously thinking on one of these because the semi auto's I select to keep in my work truck get real dirty after a month plus keeping mags loaded constantly probably isn't great for reliability either
Seems like a good candidate for keeping in the Storage Survival Cache with the Mossberg, AR and other items. Rock Island Armory makes some solid firearms for a reasonable price. They definitely understand functionality over cosmetic appeal which I think helps to keep the prices affordable. Just seem to have a more utilitarian feel to them. Appreciate the review brother. Keep up the good work my friend.
Damian Grouse Question is with materials used could it withstand the huge pressure difference. They didn't even build this one strong enough to handle +P 38 special loads.
Thanks for the video. Looking for an inexpensive revolver and just purchased a Rock Island M200. Took it to the range yesterday and it was ok on the first shooting. Fairly accurate and nice and heavy. You can feel the recoil but it seems to lessen as I shot it more. I think I will be more comfortable with it as I shoot it more. I wanted to add a revolver because there's a little bit of cowboy in me, trying to get out.
I bought the M206 about a month ago and it's been flawless so far. It eats everything I put through it and the recoil is surprisingly light. I've been trying to convince my mother to get a firearm for self defense at home and have always relied on a revolver on my nightstand. Something about a revolver makes me sleep better as I know it will for sure go bang when I need it. I've got glocks, hks, sig, even Ruger, and only trust my S&W 637 .38 to work when I need it to. I'm wondering if the M206 would be a good option for my mother as she lives alone. I've thought of something along the lines of the TX22 or the Ruger LCR .22 but, I keep coming back to the M206. Open for suggestions, she is very recoil sensitive so I would have to choose something with light recoil.
I just picked up this gun today for $180. I was looking for my first revolver and figured for the price I'd give it a shot. I knew nothing about Rock Island before today but watching this video I feel I've made a solid purchase. Thanks for the great information.
I've been eyeballing these for about a year now. If there was a .357, I'd be all in. I'd love to see a review of the Sarsilmaz SR38. There are almost no videos on that thing. As always, great video!
They used to make a .357 version of this but it was a limited run in the Philippines In the mid-70's to the mid 80's. It kinda looked like a Colt Python.
Been considering this one for awhile... Armscor should give you some commission. :-) You do a great job. Really enjoy your reviews. "Long live the Republic!"
That's a really good deal for a personal defense firearm nice to see somebody's making affordable guns. I never feel under armed with a revolver. And you can dry fire practice with them all you like with snap caps(though you may not need them with 'floating' firing pins. For a rough and ready field pistol ready for action I wouldn't change a thing!
@8:30 You talk about no crowning on the M200. I just purchased one of these May 2019 and I looked at mine and it has the crowning on the muzzle. So they must’ve updated it at some point. Thanks for the in-depth review as always Sootch. Love the videos!!
Uh...that S&W will NOT fire if dropped on the hammer. There is a hammer block safety on it that prevents the hammer from moving forward to put the firing pin through the frame unless the trigger is at the rear. Looks like that Colt copy RIA revolver may have a transfer bar safety...different setup. That hammer block feature of the S&W goes way back and definitely includes the one you show.
They’re $199 at my local Rural King today. I’ve been thinking about getting it just to put in my SHTF backpack for a reliable, concealable firearm. Still haven’t made my mind up.
Just to share, Armscor is a gun maker company here in the Philippines. The reason why most their pistols have colt impressions is that we used to have many colt pistols here that were imported from US. Most people back then had rifles and pistols in their household and Colt .45 was a favorite. We even had a beer named Colt 45.
The "if you lose it you're not really out a lot of money" is a scary quote! We have a responsibility as gun owners not to lose, misplace, or allowed to be stolen the firearms entrusted to our care.
Yeah, but I'd bet my $225 Makarov against your fancy-pants $800 40-cal Sig in a VCQB stuation. Let's see you shoot yours from the hip one-handedly, and consistently hit human-head sized objects from 6 or 7 yards away. I can do that with mine. It's a rough and tough little vanadium-enhanced steel gun which is dead-nuts reliable and low-maintenance.And I never had FTF's until I put the recoil spring on backwards one day. :-) The magazines are as reliable as the gun. I have "better" guns, but none bar my 357's are as accurate. Just draw and shoot. No "full combat-stance-during-a-mugging" nonsense. Real world aint like that.
He didn't say "go ahead and lose it, not a big deal". Relax. Stop watching videos looking for something to debate. He simply said if it gets lost or damaged, at least you're not out a lot of money.
I agree with the lifetime warranty. My m206 has a bit of space in the frame. Does not affect the function. I sent it and they gave me a new gun. Gun is 4 years old. I just noticed that the gap in the frame line is a little bigger than before.
I'm hoping to carry one of these for armed security for now. Eventually I plan to get the Colt Lawman MKIII or the Colt .45 1911 with some modifications added. But for now, these are beautiful and great working guns for the price.
When shooting double action you need to stage the trigger pull. Just before the hammer falls palse then continue pull. This allows you to steady your sights. Dry fire slowly and build up speed over a few days your double action speed and acurate will improve. I have a model 200 and love it.
Nice job and video Sootch! I have this revolver and I'm very pleased with it but so glad you did this review cause you opinion matter a lot to me. Thanks again!!
Rock Island Armory is *NOT* Rock River Arms. Just an FYI before the comments start coming in bulk..
John Capozzi exactly
Thanks John! It's gotten a little ridiculous.
But it has rock in the name! Are you implying that rock music and rock cocaine and big ass chunks of granite didn't betray American gun owners?!?!?!
Lol!
John Capozzi almost said something lol. Boycott the latter!
So, funny story:
Bought this very same revolver after watching this video, and I had my doubts because of the price I paid for it, but I live in a high crime area, and a low priced revolver is better than nothing, right? Anyway so a few months in to bring a proud gun owner, I heard a group of erm, ‘rowdy urban youth’ kicking at my door, so I grab my M200 revolver and get ready for visitors.
They give up on the door kicking and actually break in through my living room window, cutting themselves in the process when I fired a few shots in admittedly pants wetting terror.
Cops later found the idiots after they went to a hospital for treatment...and I later moved due to the insanity of having to pay for an attorney and a long, drawn out trial.
That revolver saved my life.
Yeah any gun is better than nothing at all
Good job A O and you are a very smart woman to get the heck out of Dodge! Good luck in the future.
A O- glad to hear you’re safe
Had better luck than me. The one I had broke 2 times in 120 rounds.
@@hasgunwilltravel6840 Damn, what happened?
My friends all had new Glocks, S&Ws, Rugers and I proudly pulled out my beat up used M200 38 Special Rock Island Armory $175 revolver with the price tag still on it.
Nice I’m looking for 1 now
@Omar Mendez Buds Gunshop usually has them. I know your comment is 9 months old now but if you haven't found one, they're currently available on Buds and pretty much always are.
I like semi auto but I prefer a revolver for reiiable it may feed 5 , 6 , 7 rounds never jams
Just ordered mine🤟 this will be my first revolver so I'm excited
I bought a new m2000 is very good reliable revolver good brand too I rather trust a revolver then a semi automatic you will never know it may jam suddenly
My dad was a Lieutenant Colonel in the Chilean Army, he trust on his 38spl every single day. Thanks for bring me good memories.
The .38 is a much better round than most people realize. It has plenty of punch, it’s VERY accurate, and police officers relied on their .38 Specials for most of the 20th century.
i carried .38 specials for years, back in the "bad old" days...my old department was VERY afraid of liability with .357 magnum rounds. nothing like being behind the "curve" compared to the bad guys...
Until we invented Crack, you're welcome.
@jeff lockaby FBI gave the agents a choice between .38+p or .357 mag loads, in their .357 revolvers... And the majority of agents chose .38+p, not just for practice but for carry. One of the funny things about them trying to adopt a 10mm, when most agents did not even want a .357 mag.
Agree.. then they went to saying everybody must have 9mm.
Not a crap round but not necessarily a perfect fit for everybody but whatever.🤷♂️
If you keep as dumb in front of bullet you will see the power. Live in Brazil. Here we unfortunately had the most rate crime and murder in world. .38spl is the amunition that do this tragedy..
Last year I decided to purchase a handgun for home defense and spent hours reading article and watching UA-cam videos before deciding on the Rock Island Armory M200. Thank goodness for the internet because I'm very pleased with it and see no reason to "upgrade" because the M200 fufills all the requirements I have for a handgun. Fun to shoot, accurate, reliable, easy to operate , priced right, and the company has a great warranty.
Armscor (RIA) is very popular here in the Philippines, it is issued in most private security officers across the nation for so many decades. Maybe because of the fact that it is one of the most affordable yet very solid handgun available locally. Thanks for the review.
I just got mine at Fleet Farm in Germantown, Wisconsin for $199. I really like it.
Jay Do got mine for 199 $ 218 with tax can’t wait to shoot it
Love my rock island 38
Seen one Today, April 2021
- $299 at Sportsmans Warehouse
I paid 225.00
It's a good gun at close range I put a green laser on it longer distance
Love this sweet thing. I have had mine for decade and it still runs like a typewriter. 😊
I carried the S&W model 10 for 22 years in the Philadelphia PD, so I wanted a budget home revolver. Saw this model yesterday at my gun dealer for just $249, so bought it right then and there. I was glad to see that a Sootch revue was available, since I always found your videos straight, to-the-point, and uncompromising. I know this isn’t up to Smith’s quality, but for this price, and after your review, I’m glad I pulled the trigger 🥴 on this model. And considering I’m writing this nearly 5 years after your review, I’m really pleased with the price I paid for this NEW Rock Island .38.
Here we are and 6 years later I got one for 255 post covid!!! It's a good quality gun especially for the money and its funny that he calls it a fishing gun as that's exactly why I was carrying yesterday, as I was fishing. It's very simple and durable. Mine shoots to the right with everything, but if I put the front sight touching the left side of the rear notch it's dead on and groups well.
This may be the best 38 revolver on earth right now... That performance is outstanding the way he got out 6 shots that fast is unreal THAT GUN IS A PERFORMER IM GETTIN 1
Just clean it well before shooting..I swear , mine went swimming in a oil refinery...
I do like Rock Island Armory handguns and even this revolver. But I would really like to see them make one chambered in .357 magnum.
way late but, I'd like to see them re introduce the Python.
@@slowpokebr549 Not a Python yet but Colt just released a 3" .357 Cobra Target version. Hopefully soon will see one.
@JustHereToComment. they're
Me too
I am from the philippines. They probably won't because Armscor is the major small arms supplier here and the most used pistol caliber here are .38 special, 9mm, and .45 cal. Law enforcement here used to have .357 magnum revolvers, the guns are plentiful here but the bullets aren't. My friend just found his dads collection of revolvers but we can't use it due to the lack of ammo.
Bought one of these over the weekend as a Christmas present. Rural King has them for 199 and was running 10% off all their guns which brought the price down to $179.
A year later go you want to tell me how it is? I'm considering getting this as a first handgun
Bump to find out
I bought this exact gun for $199 at my local gun store. In a big guy (6'5) and I like the feel in my hands. Great firearm.
Revolvers are just amazing. Cause even if the you have a failure it will cycle to the next round and not hold up the weapon. Also, you can't stovepipe a round/casing. Just nice and reliable.
Marc Pascual
Marc Pascual , that's the big reason why I decided to get a revolver instead of a semiautomatic. Far less chance of a malfunction. And a revolver is simpler to operate.
They have their own problems - for example if you have a hangfire and are under stress and pull the trigger again because the first round didnt go off, the second round will and then the first one will while its misaligned with the barrel, and then if you are lucky it will ONLY blow the front half of your gun off and not some fingers.
Dont get me wrong I'm here cuz I wanna buy some cool budget revolvers too but they have a whole list of their own problems.
They're not perfect I've had springs break on them before.
If you have the cylinder lock up you're fucked till you get it to a smith. And that's a LOT more common then you think.
My father in law owns a gun shop and i see it almost weekly.
At least with a semi you can tap rack bang your way back into a fight.
If your revolver goes down in a fight, your dead. End of story. Which is why all military and police use semi now.
My daughter is a little petite and loves shooting it better then my automatics.
Thanks for being a good dad!
John Dastolfo get her a j frame Smith and Wesson model 36 model 60 whatever
John Dastolfo you mean semiautomatic not automatics and yes there’s a huge damn difference
@@brandongambino7740 maybe he meant automatics? Maybe his sock drawer is filled with G18s scorpions and macs?
Is the 1911 called a .45 semi automatic?NO!
Mr. Sootch, I purchased the Armscor 200 because of its likeness to the old 1976 Colt Police Positive .38 Special. The price was dirt cheap and its operation was superb! The Armscor 200 mirrors the Colt PP in profile and in dimensions. The grips on my Colt PP will fit the Armscor, that's how close the profile is. Also both have a four-inch half-shrouded barrel, the only difference is the Armscor has a better hammer design for single-action fire.The Model 200 hammer is wide and serrated, whereas the Colt PP has a regular service hammer. Thanks so much for your informative video. Thought you might find the Colt connection interesting.
Mr. Sootch, thanks for a great video on a good firearm. I purchased a M-200 because of its strong resemblance to the 1976 production Colt Police Positive. I was very surprised with the service I received from the M-200 revolver. It shot well, to the point-of-aim using the old .38 Police Load. Its very strong resemblance to the old 76 Police Positive was a big plus for myself. The profile, the weight, the length, and clockwise cylinder rotation are all Colt qualities within the Armscor Model 200. These features mirror the Police Positive, a compact cop six-shot .38 Special, that I carried as a lawman in years past. Even the weight is the same as the old Colt. The trigger action, both single and double, were extremely good for a 200-dollar revolver. Its accuracy was very good and I got nothing but praise for it. Many thanks for your informative video on the Armscor 200.
*As of 2018 and 2019 they are crowning these muzzles*
I’ll also add that Armscor advertises this as a conceal carry weapon. While for some that may be possible if you’re a smaller individual like I am it is pretty bulky, and not practical to conceal. That said it makes for a fantastic woods gun and home defense pistol due to it durability and reliable operation.
"I don't always buy wheelguns, but when I do, they're inexpensive. Stay shooty, my friends."
Amen : )
John Capozzi
10/10 comment
Tell that to my Chiappa Rhino.
Charter Arms 6" target Bulldog here! :-) Old 1978 "Stratford" model. Probably one of their best manufacturing runs. Paid $250 for it.
@@darkspire91 Tell your Rhino it's ugly too. 8P
I bought this revolver a year or two ago. I love it. It's a great gun and super cheap. It's sturdy accurate and fun. Don't hesitate to pick one up. I payed apx $180
I'm shocked at this because I was in a gun store yesterday and the bastards had it for $399!!!
@@crv5322 wow I paid 200 for mines today and 3 boxes of ammo the total was 300
Great night stand gun. Simple, inexpensive, easy to use. Been waiting to see this one and was not disappointed.
Thanks John!
You're welcome. 👍👍👍
I bought one of these as my entry into revolvers. Like Sootch says, it's kind of rough in the areas that aren't easily noticeable, but the function is excellent. The grip hardness is halfway between rubber and Bakelite, and is great for medium to large hands.
Like anything Armscor, it does what it's supposed to.
P
Do you make a 357mag.
They build great pistols affordably. The owner of the company is a really cool guy, also. I had the chance to meet him once at a dinner.
looks like a lot of gun for the $
You need one : )
It is :)
100% right. Wow What a deal. I’ve got 200 rounds through mine.
Not one issue btw
Ryan Lee sounds like Todd got real unlucky with this model. Everyone praises this gun, I’ll pick one up soon.
I bought this revolver to supplement some of my other Handguns in part of your review...it is perfect for my house defense gun with 110gr.JHP Standard pressure Hornady Critical Defense load....thank you for your review Sootch00.....with Pandemic and civil unrest we can never be well enough Armed ...Also I think they have an Awsome Lifetime Warranty!!😀
Second only to a versatile 22lr rifle, a 38 caliber revolver is, in my thinking, a necessity for anyone who enjoys the outdoors or seeks to defend themselves and their home. All persons are entitled to that right but not all of us, in fact few of us, can afford the $500-$1000 to purchase a new Smith, Ruger or Colt revolver. Rock Island and a few others address this disparity by offering rugged, reliable and safe self defense handguns that sacrifice beauty to save very scare dollars. This is important because one's right to self defense should not depend upon one's wealth.
Thank you for buying our gun.im one of the crew making this gun and this is good quality.
Tony, I’ve owned my m200 since Christmas 2020 and so far I really enjoy shooting this gun. I had doubts at first but I’ve put just about 50 rounds through it with no hang ups.
6:21 The best stress spinner ever made! Thanks sootch00 !!!
These are actually very reliable and a good shooter. I picked one up two months ago for $225 out the door new and have out 1500 rounds thru it without a single issue!
Bro pays 225 for the gun and 1,250 for the ammo
@@obi-wankenobi1750 lol, there was a time before the pandemic where ammo was really cheap. You may not know that and maybe very wet behind the ears. I paid about .10$ a round for all that ammo far before all the craziness. Dumbass
@@obi-wankenobi1750: What would you load it with … spit wads?
I bought one several years ago and have had excellent service. Mine is one of the early M-200 models and I purchased it because a friend had made a purchase and after trying his, I had to have one. The price, reliability and the fact that it is a dead ringer for the 1976 Colt Police Positive were all factors that encouraged my purchase. Grips from the D-Frame Detective Special will fit the M-200 as I have black rubber Pachmayr Grips, sized for the post 1966 D-frame Colt, on it. The frame dimensions mirror the old 1976 Police Positive, another plus for this six-gun. David Abney
Very good info David, I think I'll try some grips from Altamont on mine.
I had the same experience as you with my M200. Solidly built, reliable function, and smooth trigger.
This is absolutely a great gun no matter what price point you buy it at. It never fails. In my opinion that's what you buy for self-defense in your home.
I was raised on revolvers by my father and always fancied them over the current generation of self defense/EDC type weapons. They just carry a sense of charm and history to them. I got into a debate with my brother (he's a Glock fan) and his main gripe on the revolvers is their limited capacity. Our father explained "If you need more than six, you're already fucked".
Fudd lore
That’s the most boomerest shit I’ve ever heard
So you’d rather die than spend a little more on a lighter, smaller automatic with double the capacity that would give you a way better chance of survival?
@@TotalenKrieg43 good semi autos are always cheaper than a good wheel gun
He’s wrong and that’s a terrible mindset. I like revolvers, and keep one as my bedside gun, but I admit that more rounds=better.
I really love your simple informative reviews. I bought a RIA M200 last March and it has been a real surprise. My sons and I have shot a ton of ammo through it and it has been flawless. Thank you for the work you do for gun enthusiasts.
In the middle of the plandemic I couldn't find the S&W that I wanted. I found the RIA 200 for $249 and am happy with it.
Got one of these...amazing little piece, especially for the $$ I was quite pleased with the trigger, especially. Way better than you might guess. Working gun, not a show piece for the safe.
I bought mine new in box last summer for 199.00 from rural king guns. It's a great .38 carry revolver!!
The way he shoots this gun in the beginning of the video is the reason I bought this revolver...and I love it.
RIA are great pistols had nothing but great shooters 👍🏽💪🏽
This was a great review of what I think is a great budget piece!
If you live in the great northwest, Bi-Mart has them for $205!
I liked the m206 so much I got the m200 on layaway hoping can get it out of layaway this weekend
You Must see this firearm in person. Just saw one and was very impressed.
It’s amazing, California doesn’t even trust me with this revolver lol. It didn’t make the roster. I hate my state
What? I bought the m206 (the 2 inch barrel version) in tulare ca not 2 weeks ago.
Move wanker.
Lmao fucking bitchass liberals pussies ruined that once great state
@@simple3545 Nothing to do with the barrel length. Talked to a gun store owner about that. Calif has a roster of what can be sold in the state. If that gun is not on that roster, it's not legal. He said that gun manufactures pay a fee for their gun to be on the roster as well as some mysterious Merlin math on what guns should be on that roster.
If a gun doesn’t make it on the CA roster, that means it did not meet or pass the drop test requirements. So the gun, while loaded and dropped on the ground, fires on its own.
I've owned a hammered, wood gripped M206 for three years. Great gun. I've put hundreds and hundreds of rounds through it without a problem.
I purchased a R.I.A model 200 about 6 months ago . I bought it 'cause my daughters & their husbands began to show an interest in self-defense , and demonstrated an affinity towards firearms . This revolver is but a stepping stone . Sooner or later , the same people that fired this excellently made revolver , will all feel comfortable enough to select what works for them . This revolver is better than we think !
I think this firearm would make a good car/truck gun considering how fairly priced it is
Great review. Since I have two RI 1911s and they are great, your review put me over the top to get one of these. Believe it or not, the M200 trigger is better/smoother than my beloved 1920s Colt Army Special! Today I put 70 rounds of mixed 38 spl thru it. Shoots fine at self defense range (20 feet). I ended up shooting steel plates at 30 then 60 yards. It can be done. Great revolver so far.
i have always felt at home with a revolver, and never under-gunned. rock island and eaa are foremost in my mind, when i scrape the inside of the piggy bank, for the funds to get a new revolver...soon. thanks for the review sootch00!!
checked one out today. Probably the smoothest trigger pull I've ever seen.
I'm seriously thinking on one of these because the semi auto's I select to keep in my work truck get real dirty after a month plus keeping mags loaded constantly probably isn't great for reliability either
Rock Island are good guns. I have a 1911 45acp rock island pistol and it's a great gun.
Seems like a good candidate for keeping in the Storage Survival Cache with the Mossberg, AR and other items.
Rock Island Armory makes some solid firearms for a reasonable price. They definitely understand functionality over cosmetic appeal which I think helps to keep the prices affordable. Just seem to have a more utilitarian feel to them. Appreciate the review brother.
Keep up the good work my friend.
Thanks Bert! Some guns are for drooling over... this is a tool : )
Not a bad little revolver, good one for the backpack. Thanks
keep up the good work..
Thanks Sal!
It would be nice if the company's that makes 2" and 4" barrels, would compromise and make 3" barrel
Love my SP101 with a 3" barrel
This
Hacksaw
Yep 3" is such a perfect carry length.
If "ifs" and "buts" we're candies and nuts, we'd all have a Merry Christmas
I watch this video once a day! Just for the shooting introduction...one of the best revolvers I own.
Make it in .357 w/adjustable sights and it would be the perfect revolver for me...love parkerized finish.
Damian Grouse Ruger sp101 with a 4 inch barrel is about the same size but one round less hope this helps
Adjustable rear sight is a must if you reload. That way you can tune the gun and ammo to be in synchronicity.
Shawn DeGonia Thanks
Damian Grouse Question is with materials used could it withstand the huge pressure difference. They didn't even build this one strong enough to handle +P 38 special loads.
Warmachine_13 not "rated" for +p... doesn't mean it isn't strong enough to shoot it.. manufacturer says it's ok...
I love how crisp and informative your videos look
you made my mind up for me a shop in my area has this revolver and the Taurus g2c for $180 each i think im gonna get em both
You always give a professional and honest review. Thanks for doing what you do.
Awesome video! I really want one of these now! Looks like a great farm/truck/bang around barn pistol? It goes bang and stuff falls!
U all trip me out no matter what you spend on a hand gun it can still bust some caps
Love this and the detective model with 2 inch barrel also in 38 special
Long live the Republic
god damn right brother
Thanks for the video. Looking for an inexpensive revolver and just purchased a Rock Island M200. Took it to the range yesterday and it was ok on the first shooting. Fairly accurate and nice and heavy. You can feel the recoil but it seems to lessen as I shot it more. I think I will be more comfortable with it as I shoot it more. I wanted to add a revolver because there's a little bit of cowboy in me, trying to get out.
I bought the M206 about a month ago and it's been flawless so far. It eats everything I put through it and the recoil is surprisingly light. I've been trying to convince my mother to get a firearm for self defense at home and have always relied on a revolver on my nightstand. Something about a revolver makes me sleep better as I know it will for sure go bang when I need it. I've got glocks, hks, sig, even Ruger, and only trust my S&W 637 .38 to work when I need it to. I'm wondering if the M206 would be a good option for my mother as she lives alone. I've thought of something along the lines of the TX22 or the Ruger LCR .22 but, I keep coming back to the M206. Open for suggestions, she is very recoil sensitive so I would have to choose something with light recoil.
I just picked up a model 200 at a gun show yesterday. I couldn't pass on it for the price. I found this video very helpful
It's so beautiful, I wish they made a 357 magnum version.
I just picked up this gun today for $180. I was looking for my first revolver and figured for the price I'd give it a shot. I knew nothing about Rock Island before today but watching this video I feel I've made a solid purchase. Thanks for the great information.
The old jungle banger...
I have purchased two of my revolvers after watching this mans review.
I've been eyeballing these for about a year now. If there was a .357, I'd be all in. I'd love to see a review of the Sarsilmaz SR38. There are almost no videos on that thing. As always, great video!
Thanks Rich!
.38 Special is an excellent round. It’ll drop the biggest thug out there, no problem. If it doesn’t, shoot the S.O.B. again!
They used to make a .357 version of this but it was a limited run in the Philippines In the mid-70's to the mid 80's. It kinda looked like a Colt Python.
Been considering this one for awhile... Armscor should give you some commission. :-) You do a great job. Really enjoy your reviews. "Long live the Republic!"
Awesome revolver and it never failed me. I might buy another cause of the price.
That's a really good deal for a personal defense firearm nice to see somebody's making affordable guns. I never feel under armed with a revolver. And you can dry fire practice with them all you like with snap caps(though you may not need them with 'floating' firing pins. For a rough and ready field pistol ready for action I wouldn't change a thing!
"Combat" Revolver?? Maybe? I like the looks and price of this gun!
Armscor/Rock island makes great guns!
Robert Fields Greenridge there .22 ammo is good also
Good review! Even though I have other revolvers, I think I'm going to pick this up and possibly use it as a truck gun.
I have a 206 and have had it for years and love it.
OOOOOH I have this very pistol!!!! It is AWSOME!!!
@8:30 You talk about no crowning on the M200. I just purchased one of these May 2019 and I looked at mine and it has the crowning on the muzzle. So they must’ve updated it at some point. Thanks for the in-depth review as always Sootch. Love the videos!!
Rock Island just seems to keep getting better all the time, I wish they had a 357 model.
Keep watching. They will eventually get one.
Before you buy any gun watch this guys reviews hands down the best gun reviews out there👍👍
Uh...that S&W will NOT fire if dropped on the hammer.
There is a hammer block safety on it that prevents the hammer from moving forward to put the firing pin through the frame unless the trigger is at the rear.
Looks like that Colt copy RIA revolver may have a transfer bar safety...different setup.
That hammer block feature of the S&W goes way back and definitely includes the one you show.
Exactly.
S&W INVENTED the transfer bar safety.
Sheesh.
Thanks for posting this video. I wanted to watch a few reviews before I bought one......Very Helpful!
I either hit a sale, or the price went down. I just picked one up from Buds for $210!! My prescription eyeglasses cost me more than this revolver!!
They are still going for like 211.00 at buds.
They’re $199 at my local Rural King today. I’ve been thinking about getting it just to put in my SHTF backpack for a reliable, concealable firearm. Still haven’t made my mind up.
Just to share, Armscor is a gun maker company here in the Philippines. The reason why most their pistols have colt impressions is that we used to have many colt pistols here that were imported from US. Most people back then had rifles and pistols in their household and Colt .45 was a favorite. We even had a beer named Colt 45.
The "if you lose it you're not really out a lot of money" is a scary quote! We have a responsibility as gun owners not to lose, misplace, or allowed to be stolen the firearms entrusted to our care.
I lost all mine in a bad boating accident. Freaky
Yeah, but I'd bet my $225 Makarov against your fancy-pants $800 40-cal Sig in a VCQB stuation. Let's see you shoot yours from the hip one-handedly, and consistently hit human-head sized objects from 6 or 7 yards away. I can do that with mine. It's a rough and tough little vanadium-enhanced steel gun which is dead-nuts reliable and low-maintenance.And I never had FTF's until I put the recoil spring on backwards one day. :-) The magazines are as reliable as the gun. I have "better" guns, but none bar my 357's are as accurate. Just draw and shoot. No "full combat-stance-during-a-mugging" nonsense. Real world aint like that.
My thing would be losing it if you had to use it in self defense, because that gun is being taken as evidence more than likely.
@@deasttn You too? So many boating accidents these days.
He didn't say "go ahead and lose it, not a big deal".
Relax. Stop watching videos looking for something to debate. He simply said if it gets lost or damaged, at least you're not out a lot of money.
I agree with the lifetime warranty. My m206 has a bit of space in the frame. Does not affect the function. I sent it and they gave me a new gun. Gun is 4 years old. I just noticed that the gap in the frame line is a little bigger than before.
Tremendous gun for the price, i'd buy it
I'm hoping to carry one of these for armed security for now. Eventually I plan to get the Colt Lawman MKIII or the Colt .45 1911 with some modifications added. But for now, these are beautiful and great working guns for the price.
I am very happy with this revolver shoots awesome! 👌🏽👍🏽💪🏽👏🏽🙏🏽
I love my S&W model 10 police trade in from the 80s.
Sorry I met to say Rock Island Armory has some great guns and they are priced right.
I bought one after seeing this. my first revolver. I love it. thanks sootch.
When shooting double action you need to stage the trigger pull. Just before the hammer falls palse then continue pull. This allows you to steady your sights. Dry fire slowly and build up speed over a few days your double action speed and acurate will improve. I have a model 200 and love it.
I bought a very similar Rossi cheap. It absolutely serves the purpose.
Just wanted to say. Great videos as usual Sootch. The out takes kill me. 😄😄
Thanks Shane! I've always got plenty of material for out takes : )
Nice job and video Sootch! I have this revolver and I'm very pleased with it but so glad you did this review cause you opinion matter a lot to me. Thanks again!!
Thanks Michael!