RIA-200 38 Special SxS Revolver...

[Encore64]

I've been wanting to try one of the RIA 200s for several years. But, every one I found was too poorly built to buy.

But, yesterday my LGS took a used one in on trade and notified me.

So, this morning I went to check it out.

Now, these guns are not meant to be fine shooting irons. You have to accept them for what they are.

This one was/is void of machine marks except on the barrel rib and short underlug.

Barrel gap is acceptable for a DA at .006". Throats are a loose .358", but won't accept a .359" Pin Gauge.

Lock up, while not solid, is surprisingly better than most examples and compares to Ruger, etc. Endshake isn't present on this example.

Chamber alignment looks really good on all chambers. COAL maxes out at 1.628", so the long nosed GT Bullets won't be a problem.

So, I bought it for $200...

When I got home, I took it and several brands of factory ammo to the bench. Ranges were cut to 12 and 15 yards.

Accuracy and POI were outstanding for any gun. Groups ranged from 1-1.5" and POI was 1/2-1" high.

Now, this is normally not the kind of gun I buy. I took a lot of ribbing from my LGS Manager too. But, the gun has a new permanent new home and will see handloads with GT HP Bullets and be at home on my SxS ATV as I work around the property.

Pictures and more range reports to follow...

[jeffh]

Thank you for doing this and not being ashamed to post about it.

I LOVE this stuff - cheap revolvers that SHOOT. I've been SO tempted to buy one of their 4" 38s just for no reason. I've been dirt poor before, and I've been able to buy whatever I've wanted before. There were very few things that I bought when I could buy whatever I wanted which have ever exceeded what I was stuck with when I was dirt poor.

I'm in between now, probably on the lower end, but I get a bit nostalgic for what little I had and used when I had nothing. Why those seemed to be happier times is beyond me, but I was younger and my skull was thicker, so maybe I'm just remembering the good parts, but one of the good parts was stuff which I felt at the time was supposed to be inferior to what I could NOT afford.

I'm eager to see pics.

If RIA makes a 3", I'm doomed. I can't resist 3" DA revolvers.

[Encore64]

Every time I do one of these threads I get PMs. People message about Ubertis most frequently. But, Taurus, Charter Arms and a few others are often included. It's a shame they don't feel comfortable posting openly about what they like.

I enjoy this sport. No, I don't support all entries into the revolver world. But, I do not feel a guy who only has inexpensive guns is any lesser than a Freedom Arms Collector.

It's a shame that Uberti got hammered so hard early on by Colt Elitist. That unjustified reputation by those who listen to propaganda and never bother to learn the facts.

YouTube and other online media get bashed as outlets for misinformation these days. But, magazines are just as guilty and don't like the competition. Modern gun media is just as biased as any other media. It's all about the bucks and no longer about the guns. As with all things, there are a few exceptions.

When I post, it's just about my experiences with individual guns. I've got no irons in the fire about the money that changes hands...

[tdbarton]

[Encore64]

Thanks Tim...

No, she won't win any beauty contest. But, she SHOOTS!!!

PIA was center of the red bar directly below the group...

[ezekiel38]

I'm going to take a second look at that model. My Ruger SP doesn't shoot any better.

[Encore64]

I'd just look it over before buying. I check one some months ago it it had over .030" rotational movement in the cylinder.

I can't even speculate on what percentage is good or not so good. Just haven't handled enough to know.

This one is worth it's money as a shooter...

[Encore64]

I've been experimenting with the coated cast wadcutters...

Without the lube common on cast wadcutters, you can seat these long and load to conventional velocities.

There are several different designs with the bands located in varying positions.

With shallow seating, 850 fps is possible in 4" at Standard 38 Special Pressures.

I load as I do any revolver ammo, but taper crimp these on a full diameter band.

These things hit hard and cut plenty big blood letting holes. This gun seems ideally suited to these loads...

[strawhat]

Ed Harris wrote about full charge wadcutter loads. He recommends between 3.2 and 3.5 grains of Bullseye under an appropriate DEWC bullet.

www.grantcunningham.com/2011/11/ed-harris-revisiting-the-full-charge-wadcutter/

Kevin

[Encore64]

But, those are seated as Wadcutters. I'm seating these to standard length of 1.5"+.

I've started experimenting with Power Pistol and loads are exceeding 900 fps.

But, agree with the assessment that they are extremely effective.

I've shot thru 2x6s and damage on the backside greatly exceeds other bullet designs.

Out to 50 yards trajectory difference is non-existent.

Thanks for posting this link...

[boolitdesigner]

Paco Kelly has a load like this also....quite a bit more shall we say.

[Encore64]

Oct 12, 2022 0:59:48 GMT -5 boolitdesigner said:

Paco Kelly has a load like this also....quite a bit more shall we say.

I'm sure. I did order some hardened wadcutters that are Br21. They should stand some high velocities. I'll try that in a strong 357 Magnum...

[boolitdesigner]

Actually it qualifies as a +P maybe + load in a strong 38 Spl. It really is a good varmint killer.

[bisleyfan41]

It looks like you found a keeper! I was kinda thrown off by the thread title, though. I was wondering what a side by side revolver was. SxS

[Encore64]

It's most definitely not going anywhere.

As several of us has posted in other threads, it's fun to find a cheap gun that shoots.

It's about as utility as they come. The grips have an inset nut on the threaded side for the grip screw to tighten into.

But, it works...