Just got back from the range with my new Armscor m200. I am fascinated by inexpensive, but reliable guns. I found some online reviews of the m200, after seeing it for so cheap on several web sites. Right now most major sites have it for $190 - $230. So I ordered one. I have an FFL in my area that does the transfer for $20. I want .38 special for my wife to start learning to shoot. I figure a gun without brass flying out will be easier for her to learn. Total cost of the gun was $229.99.
It is made in the Philippines by Armscor which are known for their 1911 clones of various sizes.
This is one ugly gun. The finish is parkerized. As such there is no reflection off it at all. It is a flat greenish dark grey. The grips are industrial. They work, but in the future I may put on some wood. There is only a small rock island armory badge on the side of the frame. The rest of the lettering is stamped into the metal.
Shooting this gun is a pleasure. Single action is crisp and light. Double action I hope will loosen over time. It is hard to feel where in the trigger stroke you are, and a few times the gun fired before I was expecting it. That being said, I was able to make 3" groups using finocchi ammo at 25 feet standing. Not bad. The gun does shoot about 3 inches high for me. I am going to try to put some red nail polish on the front site and try again.
Empty ejection is an issue. The round closest to the frame gets caught up on the grips, and required manual remove almost every time. Under stress a tap of the cylinder will release it. I will try again with a fully cleaned and lubed gun.
One other thing I do not like is the sound of the gun. When closing the cylinder, there is no satisfying click that is on my other revolvers. This can be looked at as a feature, as there is little sound to give away you have loaded or reloaded your gun.
All in all, I am glad I bought it. A nice reliable firearm for about $200 new. They also have a 2" snubby version but I can't find that in stock at any major site.
Let me know if you like this review.
