Most reliable + easy to field strip/ clean 9mm revolver
- Thread starter PECHENEG
- Start date
Why? They are good quality Czech manufactured. Maybe the cosmetics are a bit below the Rugers but nonetheless just as reliable.
If looking for 9mm specifically there arent too many of them around. Either Alfa Proj or overpriced SW 929.
You won't be satisfied until you have real revolver like this. Anything else is just delaying inevitable.
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For shtf scenario??? I hope you meant this as a joke because the ammo for this sucker is scarce and expensive. Not to mention, what was $199 (if memory serves me right) a piece not too long ago is now you see people on EE trying to sell for 700+!
Yes, the bores are over sized.
Alpha project, if you must have a revolver; if it is your first gun, I would recommend either Norinco's NZ85 (I have one, it may not be finished quite as nice as a CZ, but it feels, shoots and works as well as one); also their Sig Clones in 9 mm (I have one in .40 S & W, and it is a very accurate, functional and well finished pistol); Their NP29 is a 1911 in 9mm; I have never fired one, but I do have one of their 1911s in .45; great pistol, super functional and super accurate also. These pistols can be bought all day for<$400.00, and when on sale, you can sometimes pick one up new, tax in, shipped to your door for $300.00. You can get them used for a bit less on the EE as well; but not much less, as they hold their value better than most pistols.
Again, can't go wrong with Alpha Project, if you really want a revolver.
While I would not buy an Alpha Project in 9 mm, I have been musing for some time about getting an Alpha Project in .38-.357. both these rounds are soooo easy to reload; and based on past experience, .38 loaded with wad-cutter ammo is super accurate, and .357 are real thumpers when you want power!
Beauvais98
CGN Regular
- Location
- Greater Ottawa Area
I doubt that anyone who says that an 9mm Alfa Proj revolver must use moonclips ever shot one, let alone own one.
I do own an Alfa Proj 9261 in 9mm, so I am speaking from first hand experience.
When I first bought my Alfa, I was using moonclips religiously but I then I found out that contrary to the Smith & Wesson 9mm revolver, you do not need to use moonclips with the Alfa, so I've been leaving the moonclips at home and shoot exclusively without them. In fact, a S&W will not even fire without a moonclip since the firing pin won't contact the primer without it.
In a 9mm Alfa, the purpose of the moonclip is to allow using the ejector and for faster loading. They are a neat feature but far from being necessary.
Should you decide against using moonclips in an Alfa 9mm, to eject empty casings, you simply raise the front of the revolver slightly and gently shake or tap the gun and the empty casings will fall out freely. To facilitate the ejection, I quickly run a dry 9mm nylon bore brush through the cylinder chambers every 150 rounds or so. This will remove any powder residue and ensure smooth ejection.
It's definitely a great gun and a lot cheaper on ammo than firing a comparable .38 or .357.
Over 500 rounds through the revolver already without a single problem. I am first and foremost a pistol guy, but I find myself shooting the Alfa just as much as my pistols and at 60% the price of an equivalent S&W, I would buy another Alfa in a heartbeat.
I do own an Alfa Proj 9261 in 9mm, so I am speaking from first hand experience.
When I first bought my Alfa, I was using moonclips religiously but I then I found out that contrary to the Smith & Wesson 9mm revolver, you do not need to use moonclips with the Alfa, so I've been leaving the moonclips at home and shoot exclusively without them. In fact, a S&W will not even fire without a moonclip since the firing pin won't contact the primer without it.
In a 9mm Alfa, the purpose of the moonclip is to allow using the ejector and for faster loading. They are a neat feature but far from being necessary.
Should you decide against using moonclips in an Alfa 9mm, to eject empty casings, you simply raise the front of the revolver slightly and gently shake or tap the gun and the empty casings will fall out freely. To facilitate the ejection, I quickly run a dry 9mm nylon bore brush through the cylinder chambers every 150 rounds or so. This will remove any powder residue and ensure smooth ejection.
It's definitely a great gun and a lot cheaper on ammo than firing a comparable .38 or .357.
Over 500 rounds through the revolver already without a single problem. I am first and foremost a pistol guy, but I find myself shooting the Alfa just as much as my pistols and at 60% the price of an equivalent S&W, I would buy another Alfa in a heartbeat.
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686 Shooter
Regular
Just my personal opinion. I handled a few of these and I just wasn't impressed. I personally think its worth paying the extra for the fit & finish in a S&W or a Ruger.
The Alphas may be a very reliable gun, but I'm an old fart stuck in my ways.
Totally agree with you there. I have a 9mm Alfa and I shot it many times without moonclips so I am 100% sure mine works without moonclip
But may be some model requires that so I dunno. But after 50 or so (usually a box) shots the brass starting to stick and kinda requires a tool to tap out (not a lot of force need just that the brass won't fall out by gravity). I would suggest shooting with moonclips since I can go through 200~300 without any issue. Alfa is a great gun and I enjoy it more than my Glocks or Sig P250
I don't think you would want a revolver in a SHTF scenario. Although in theory, revolvers may seem more fool-proof because they don't rely on recoil to function, revolvers have their own issues that make them suboptimal for field conditions and hard use. If mud or sand get in the action and gum up the gun, there is no easy way to take it apart for cleaning, especially in the field. They also have fragile parts that can be easily damaged if the gun is banged around, the cylinder crane and timing notches being particularly vulnerable (that's why you're not supposed to close the cylinder "Hollywood style", by flicking the wrist.) There is a reason why most militaries switched to semi-auto pistols over a century ago, while police forces continued to use revolvers well into the 80's and 90's.
gewehr76
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
I don't think you realize the meaning or lore of this firearm for Russian, Ukranian or other people from former Soviet republics. This firearm is pivotal in Russian culture. and folklore. Countless movies, theater and books feature it to greater or to lesser extent. Its the most reliable, shoot without reloading hundreds of rounds and at thousand meters revolver. So SHTF scenario for this gun is piece of cake, Its service record through both world wars and countless other wars speak for itself. No other revolver can come close to it. More so it is still in active service, somewhere in some remote location in Russia or Kazakhstan or wherever either forestry or train guards, fisheries wardens or other security agencies use it. So Its no joke that when I suggest it as an option to the OP. Yes it may be humorous , but on the other hand its real firearm that majority of gun lovers in former USSR would be proud to own. Yes its not 9x19 but ammo is not unobtainable and can be bought for reasonable amount and can be reloaded quite easily. And they are fun to shoot no matter what.For shtf scenario??? I hope you meant this as a joke because the ammo for this sucker is scarce and expensive. Not to mention, what was $199 (if memory serves me right) a piece not too long ago is now you see people on EE trying to sell for 700+!
I have been thinking about getting a alfa in 9mm, If it shoots straight, would be fun, had a stainless 6in 22 and that was a heavy gun, trigger not great, but I have shot a lot of match guns, so get a bit picky on triggers.
The price is great on them.
The price is great on them.
I had a 9mm Alfa for a few months. While certainly not a terrible gun it was a good example of "you get what you pay for". The novelty of 9mm in a revolver soon wore off and I happily went back to shooting .357 and .38 from Smiths and Colts.
just my 2 cents YMMV
- Location
- West Quebec
I still would like a reliable 9mm revolver though
I don't think the Alfa's are in any way unreliable. It's just that the fit and finish and the trigger aren't top end. Nothing wrong with that as the guns are priced accordingly.
Has anyone here taken an Alpha apart and polished the snot out of the innards in am attempt to improve the trigger?
I reload so the cost of shooting my 38spl/.357mag is no more than what it costs to shoot 9MM. The only reason why I would buy a 9MM revolver would be to compete in IPSC Revolver Division. That would require an investment of at least $1,500 which is pretty hard to justify against what I have to play with now.
Take Care
Bob
I reload so the cost of shooting my 38spl/.357mag is no more than what it costs to shoot 9MM. The only reason why I would buy a 9MM revolver would be to compete in IPSC Revolver Division. That would require an investment of at least $1,500 which is pretty hard to justify against what I have to play with now.
Take Care
Bob
In the old gun magazines from the 50's and 60's there was a lot of writing about which was better, a revolver of a pistol.
If a pistol jams, clearing the jam is usually much easier that clearing a jam in a revolver.
The same applied to cleaning and maintenance.
If a pistol jams, clearing the jam is usually much easier that clearing a jam in a revolver.
The same applied to cleaning and maintenance.
I have a couple Alfa's. They are considered sub par by most for finish, trigger etc. I think they are fine. They don't come with a Hillary hole and the cylinders are recessed that are positives that S&W dropped years ago. They are 60% the price of the S&W offerings and to be honest are much more than 60% the gun.
Before you all flame me I just want to mention I'm also a S&W revolver owner too.
Moe
Before you all flame me I just want to mention I'm also a S&W revolver owner too.
Moe
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