Thanks for the review.

I have one of their 1911s and it is an entirely serviceable pistol that I have been very happy with.

 

I have owned their full sized 1911 and it worked fine but I switched to the ATI. Probably just my imagination but I think the trigger is better.

 

Thanks for the review. I have some RIA 1911s that seem of good quality, and one of their shotguns, a Marine Magnum 12 ga.

I will comment that in my only interaction with their customer service, I was very impressed. The shotgun had a minor issue and they paid round trip shipping and fixed it for free and promptly.

RIA is good to go in my book.

 

I can second the great customer service from RIA. My 1911 had a minor issue and they took better care of me over an inexpensive pistol than Kimber did for one that cost 3 times as much and had a BIGGER issue.

In fact the Kimber should have been replaced as defective but after two trips back for warranty they decided a frame with non-parallel rails met their QC specs.

 

I was looking at one the other day, but the shop doesn't remove trigger locks for people to inspect the guns, and out the door I went.

 

Ive had a number of box stock Series 70's and 80's Colts, and never noticed a difference in the triggers or how they shot. I think a lot of that is more internet lore than reality.

Nothing wrong with either type, but I actually liked the Series 80's better, for the drop safe trigger safety.

 

Anyway, back to the topic at hand.
Day two at the range. The M200 is starting to really break in and I am shooting it better today than yesterday (yesterday was not bad but today was pretty darn good.)

I took one of my adult sons with me. He's a lefty and also did very well with it.

One thing I have noticed is that the barrel seems to get hotter than other revolvers I own. I understand that the barrel is two piece with an inner sleeve.

I also noticed a very slight bit of shaving when shooting 158 grain rounds. Might be more of an ammo issue than a firearm issue.

Still give it a 4.5 out of 5 for an inexpensive revolver.

 

Really ! 220 bucks is a great deal for a working revolver especially these days. I’d rather have a RI budget revolver than most budget semi autos in that price range.

 

The LGS is called Fin Feather Fur.
It's a good place to go. They don't do online guns yet but they tell me that they are working on it.
https://www.finfeatherfur.com/

 

I found a sweet spot for reloading.
125 gr JHP over BE-86. in a Speer +P case. 550 primer
TiteGroup was almost as good. Both are really clean.

 

Thanks for the review. I have seen those locally for under $250.00 new in the 4" and 2" barrel lengths. For those prices, I have considered picking up one of each. there is a lot of utility in a $250.00 2" .38, the fact it has 6 shots is just a bonus.

I am out of my dedicated "truck" or car gun stage of life, but it would seem made for that, or a tackle box, hand out, etc.

 

I'm really surprised that no one else seems to have one of these. I have been shooting this several times a week, mostly because I have a ton of components for .38 Special, but also because I am really pleased with how well it shoots.

The cylinder release was just a bit tight when it was new but now it is like glass, very easy to use but crisp and exact.

I understand that the factory grips will not allow for a speed loader but I have been practicing with speed strips and have regained some of my revolver skills from my early years on the job.

I have been doing three shot, instinctive shooting drills and it is a very natural pointer.

 

I'm really surprised that no one else seems to have one of these. I have been shooting this several times a week, mostly because I have a ton of components for .38 Special, but also because I am really pleased with how well it shoots.

The cylinder release was just a bit tight when it was new but now it is like glass, very easy to use but crisp and exact.

I understand that the factory grips will not allow for a speed loader but I have been practicing with speed strips and have regained some of my revolver skills from my early years on the job.

I have been doing three shot, instinctive shooting drills and it is a very natural pointer.

By the time these came on the market I had already filled my revolver dance card with a Ruger GP100 4", SW629 6" and SW442. I did recently add a SW69 4" because I wanted a light weight 44Mag for around the property.

Glad it's turning into a decent revolver for you and I would definitely consider it if I needed to add to my stash.

 

You really dont see them much around here, which is kind of surprising, as the cheaper guns seem to be a big part of the market and tend to go quick here. I think Ive seen one in the past 4 or 5 years, and it wasnt as cheap as the one you got.

If I didnt already have a bunch of S&W's of similar ilk, and was short on money, Id probably try one. At least they seem to be gaining a better rep than things like Taurus and a couple of others.

 

It sounds like where you are regionally has a big difference in prices. Around here, a beat up S&W police trade in, or beat up Smiths in general, go for a good bit more than $400 anymore, and any that are in good shape, are in the $600+ range. And that was prior to the current craziness.

Not saying you cant do better in private sales, but in any of the shops, they are getting salty.

 

Possibly, but I'm not talking shops, (there the prices match want you just quoted.) and I will admit I probably "work at it" more than most.

Time vs money.

 

I have an M200 and M206. I picked them up on a couple of local sales from guys needing money. I bought them for ~$165-175 each. They beat a highpoint in concealability and function while costing about the same. I haven't had a chance to do much with them other than get them cleaned up. I got sidetracked on finding a hunting rifle and holsters for other stuff.

The revolver market is slim here. Usually only $600 used Ruger SP101s and higher priced revolvers getting closer to $1000. If any good deal shows up on an older S&W Model 10 or equivalent revolvers, you have to pounce; or more than likely anymore, it's a scammer.

 

Mostly around here its pvt sellers looking to buy an AR or combat Tupperware.

$300 smith was the guys dads, $400 19 was the same guy I got a $650 imbel FAL Carbine from, he was looking for an AR...

 

Interesting trip to my local LGS.
I saw an M200 in the case so one must have come in as they had run out.
The counter guy was showing it to me, while telling me that this was the only one that came in and they had just put it in the case before I got there.

When I picked it up it seemed a bit off with closer exam revealing that the barrel was canted, I pointed it out to the counter guy who looked skeptical at first but when he looked down the sights he quickly agreed.

He called the manager over who also saw the problem so they pulled it. I could have reserved the next one in but decided to pass.

The sale is until the end of the month so, who knows? There may still be another one in my future.

It wasn't a wasted trip, I was able to score 1000 CCI small magnum pistol primers (550's)
and 1000 large rifle primers (200) for only $32.00 each. The price tag showed $42 each brick but they rang up at the old price. Score!

Primers are selling way above that on Armslist these days, up to $100+ a brick with Small pistol being the one most sought after.

Also, the powder aisle was almost fully stocked. Maybe a sign that things are slowing down.

 

I bought one used 4 years ago For 180 bucks. It’s pretty good. My only complaint is that after a hundred rounds or so it started getting a little Stuck in double action. After cleaning it real quick h it was back to shooting again.

It’s accurate, looks nice, and feels good in hand.

I gave mine to my mother to keep in her house, mainly because my step fathers only gun is a .44 magnum and she is an old woman who could not handle his revolver...... but .38sp is light enough for anyone.

 

I've been tempted by these in the past till I handled one.

Just felt gritty.
Sure it would fine for a new shooter, truck gun, or handout gun but I'd rather keep looking for deals on S&W and Rugers.

 

I flushed it out with CLP and compressed air. Now it is smooth as can be. I rubbed the parkerised finish with the same, wiped down and it's fine.

 

It's not all that hard to take it apart, lightly stone the working surfaces to remove the burrs, clean it, then properly lube it as you put it back together. There are other more advanced things that can be done to slick it up.

 

ria, charter and windicator all seem rough in the hand to me. i’ve had great luck with $250 used s&w and new taurus 38sp revolvers.


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I found one of these semi-locally finally for 10 bucks more than you paid. I have had an eye out since you started this thread. I ended up leaving the store with a different purchase but I plan to return as soon as funds allow to pick one up. Thanks for the review and continued comments.

 

Traded some ammo for a Charter Arms 357 Mag Pug.
158gr JHP 357 mag is not pleasant to shoot out of the 2.2 inch ported barrel.
I've yet to figure out where it's hitting.

 

Switch to 38 Special unless the ammo is made to preform in a short barrel most of the 357 mag slow burning powder is just blown out the barrel as muzzle flash and un-burnt powder.

Amazon Sucks!

 

A friend has a model 200 Rock Island that had an issue, they took it back with no hassle and fixed it quickly and paid postage both ways.

It’s an accurate gun, a good option for a cheap revolver.

 

I was looking at these revolvers shortly after they came out. At the time, I wasn't really open to .38 special. At the present, I may be more open to it and other .38 and .32 caliber revolver rounds.

 

I was really fortunate with my first one. I picked up a second one recently and had to return it for repair, right out of the box.
They ended up sending me a replacement as they said it could not be repaired.
The new one works but not anywhere near as accurate as my first one.

 

I had one of these and used hogue rubber colt grips on it. Nice gun for the price