Alfa Proj Revolvers?
- Thread starter sailor723
- Start date
We ll there's a CGNer who's hammer broke and he's trying to find parts. Not sure if he's gotten lucky. I met a shooter at the range a couple weeks ago and he had the 9mm model. I got to try it but on the first attempt in SA, I pulled the trigger and the hammer failed to release. I had to pull back the hammer back while pulling the trigger like I was decocking it to rest it. He'd only had it a couple weeks too. I think I'd rather spend the extra $$ on a Ruger GP100 series.
Haven't shot it but handled a "new" Alfa 9mm.........double action was horrible the stress put on the trigger to #### the hammer and dry fire it was ....I don't even know how to word it.
Single action was a completely different world, but cocking it to get there was very rough.
Grips felt great to me and the red front sight is easy to acquire but overall........don't think I'd ever buy one.
Single action was a completely different world, but cocking it to get there was very rough.
Grips felt great to me and the red front sight is easy to acquire but overall........don't think I'd ever buy one.
- Location
- The Orion Arm
I bought the .22 alloy with the 4.5" barrel for my wife and I've ended up shooting it more than her. It came with a lighter spring courtesy of Rusty Wood. Installing it was a PITA and I would recommend you bring it to a smith, but well worth it, as it reduces the pull in DA to a level similar to my Ruger GP100.
The only issue I have with it is that SOME .22 rounds fit really tight in the cylinder. Not snug....but tight. I have to push them hard with my thumb. I've only found this to happen with bulk 555 and 222 Winchesters, so maybe it's just that brand. Other than that, it's really been a good shooter and I've had no trouble with it at all. I painted the front sight blaze orange so it stands out against the black bullseye, but that's my personal preference.
If you're used to large revolvers, you might find the grip on the small side, but for a .22, the rubber grip does a great job at taming the hellish recoil......
The only issue I have with it is that SOME .22 rounds fit really tight in the cylinder. Not snug....but tight. I have to push them hard with my thumb. I've only found this to happen with bulk 555 and 222 Winchesters, so maybe it's just that brand. Other than that, it's really been a good shooter and I've had no trouble with it at all. I painted the front sight blaze orange so it stands out against the black bullseye, but that's my personal preference.
If you're used to large revolvers, you might find the grip on the small side, but for a .22, the rubber grip does a great job at taming the hellish recoil......
TriggerTime
Regular
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- by da bay b'y
I also bought the alloy 22LR, my first revolver. As much of a learning experience for me as for those I've brought to the range as guests.
The trigger could be smoother- I have only abt 150 rds thru it at this time, expect it to get a little better with use.
DA seems like it would benefit from a lighter spring, thx Melnibonean for the tip- I will be calling RW. SA works fine though.
Cylinder locks up nicely, and the gap to the barrel is pretty small. To my hand the rubber grip is quite comfortable.
The cylinder release has a bit more resistance than necessary, and I need to give the cylinder a nudge with my trigger finger to get it to overcome the pawl spring and rotate out.
I think if I just keep working it back and forth, and oiling the crap out of it, eventually it will get a little smoother.
As to the Winchester ammo: I have noticed the snug fit also when loading M22. Not every round, but enough to tick me off so that the Alfa now just gets the Remingtons.
I have Thunderbolt and Golden Bucket on hand, and they both work without any issues. Perhaps the Win QC tolerance for case thickness is more loosey-goosey than Rem?
Accuracy is important, and I think the Alfa can deliver in this respect. I am still getting accustomed to the gun, but I am able to shoot some semi-decent groups.
(I think maybe I've been spoiled by shooting autoloaders. I wanted my first handgun to be a revolver, but was eager to just get shooting, so the GSG won by virtue of availability.
Not that I regret that purchase- quite the contrary, but that's for another thread.)
Overall I'd give the Alfa a B+. If you want an A or A+, go pay another $200 for the Ruger, or $400 for the Smith
I don't rate myself as an 'A' shooter, so for now the Alfa is well suited to me.
The trigger could be smoother- I have only abt 150 rds thru it at this time, expect it to get a little better with use.
DA seems like it would benefit from a lighter spring, thx Melnibonean for the tip- I will be calling RW. SA works fine though.
Cylinder locks up nicely, and the gap to the barrel is pretty small. To my hand the rubber grip is quite comfortable.
The cylinder release has a bit more resistance than necessary, and I need to give the cylinder a nudge with my trigger finger to get it to overcome the pawl spring and rotate out.
I think if I just keep working it back and forth, and oiling the crap out of it, eventually it will get a little smoother.
As to the Winchester ammo: I have noticed the snug fit also when loading M22. Not every round, but enough to tick me off so that the Alfa now just gets the Remingtons.
I have Thunderbolt and Golden Bucket on hand, and they both work without any issues. Perhaps the Win QC tolerance for case thickness is more loosey-goosey than Rem?
Accuracy is important, and I think the Alfa can deliver in this respect. I am still getting accustomed to the gun, but I am able to shoot some semi-decent groups.
(I think maybe I've been spoiled by shooting autoloaders. I wanted my first handgun to be a revolver, but was eager to just get shooting, so the GSG won by virtue of availability.
Not that I regret that purchase- quite the contrary, but that's for another thread.)
Overall I'd give the Alfa a B+. If you want an A or A+, go pay another $200 for the Ruger, or $400 for the Smith
I don't rate myself as an 'A' shooter, so for now the Alfa is well suited to me.
The last several posts were very informative and balanced....thanks guys.
So, If you were to go the cheaper .22 revolver route.....Alfa or a used Taurus 96 (both around 350+/-) The downside to the Taurus is that it's in a gunstore so it would be + HST.
As per my other thread the .357 slot has been filled (S&W 586)
So, If you were to go the cheaper .22 revolver route.....Alfa or a used Taurus 96 (both around 350+/-) The downside to the Taurus is that it's in a gunstore so it would be + HST.
As per my other thread the .357 slot has been filled (S&W 586)
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I'm glad you got a 586. I love my 6" 686 and wouldn't mind having a 4.2" version. I don't know how cheap you could find one but I love my SP-101 in .22. I have an older one without the fibre optic sights and I love it. I'm sure the new ones are even better.
It is my understanding that .22 revolvers can be quite finicky. The trigger pull on mine is quite heavy and to reset the trigger must be released to the point where you have to take your finger completely off of it. It seems to gum up pretty quickly and needs a bit of CLP every 150 rounds or so to loosen up the cylinder. I still love shooting it though and would never sell it. They are $700 to $800 guns though.
It is my understanding that .22 revolvers can be quite finicky. The trigger pull on mine is quite heavy and to reset the trigger must be released to the point where you have to take your finger completely off of it. It seems to gum up pretty quickly and needs a bit of CLP every 150 rounds or so to loosen up the cylinder. I still love shooting it though and would never sell it. They are $700 to $800 guns though.
TriggerTime
Regular
- Location
- by da bay b'y
Just double-checking the ammo fit; MiniMag, Stinger, Tbolt, GoldenBucket, and Federal snake shot all work fine.
These old things also work-
Yup, $2.25 at Home Hardware back when? Not sure, when did Winchester stop putting them in plastic trays?
At any rate, it's just the modern Winchester ammo that seems to have issues
These old things also work-
Yup, $2.25 at Home Hardware back when? Not sure, when did Winchester stop putting them in plastic trays?
At any rate, it's just the modern Winchester ammo that seems to have issues
Yup, $2.25 at Home Hardware back when? Not sure, when did Winchester stop putting them in plastic trays?
At any rate, it's just the modern Winchester ammo that seems to have issues
LOL, I just finished up using a 500rnd box of 18yr old Winchester Super X-Standard Velocity in my Sig 226 22LR XChange kit. Cycled without any issues too! I think I paid $24 for it back then from LeBaron?
Can't comment on the alloy .22lr version.
I own both the 9mm and .22 in steel frame and they have both been flawless.
The trigger has been smooth out of the box with very little take up / stacking and a crisp break in single action.
I do want to note that after changing to the Rusty Woods lightened springs, the 9mm took it without adding any of the washers provided.
The .22 needed one washer for some ammo that I had was giving light strikes.
I don't want to compare them to Smiths but the Moores clothing slogan fits them well...... "Well made, Well Priced, Well Dressed".
I own both the 9mm and .22 in steel frame and they have both been flawless.
The trigger has been smooth out of the box with very little take up / stacking and a crisp break in single action.
I do want to note that after changing to the Rusty Woods lightened springs, the 9mm took it without adding any of the washers provided.
The .22 needed one washer for some ammo that I had was giving light strikes.
I don't want to compare them to Smiths but the Moores clothing slogan fits them well...... "Well made, Well Priced, Well Dressed".
I have the alloy .22lr 6". Like a couple guys said the cylinder is too tight for the winchester but everything else I've put in goes bang. It's a blast to shoot and quite impressed with the accuracy. I have had no issues and I would recommend it. It's a great pistol for around $400, ammo is cheap.
Good chambers seem to be tight on a lot of the bulk ammo. My older S&W 17 darn near needs a hammer to chamber some of the cheap stuff. But CCI SV and Eley Practice slip in like a wet fish on the cleaning board. So it may simply be that the chambers are more of a match chambering rather than a relaxed fit.
And like Cableguy and a few others I've been more than happy with my own AP. But with the heavy DA pull out of the case I'd almost call Rusty's spring a "MUST DO!" instead of a "might do". With the new spring the gun now feels as nice as my S&W equipped with the Wolff spring kit.
And like Cableguy and a few others I've been more than happy with my own AP. But with the heavy DA pull out of the case I'd almost call Rusty's spring a "MUST DO!" instead of a "might do". With the new spring the gun now feels as nice as my S&W equipped with the Wolff spring kit.
- Location
- West Quebec
My S&W is exactly the same.. thought I had a problem at first ..used CCI SV and all is good
I've used my 17 for our local Speed Steel on occasion. It's a lot of shooting so even if I start with a clean gun so it chambers easily by the time I'm roughly half way through the rounds are stiff to chamber and hell to eject. I now carry a short cleaning rod with a .22 bore brush so I can brush out the carbon when it gets sticky. When things are this tight to start with there's just NO ROOM for fouling as well.
And this would be a wise idea for those of you with .22 Alphas as well if things are this snug.
I have the alloy .22 and it seems like a damn good gun for the price. I shot a bunch of random ammo and the older winchester fits and newer is snug. Dominion works too lol. Only thing is the da pull is a uphill battle. Rusty wood spring kit and some wood grips would make it feel way better.
If you can detail strip a gun and put it back together so it still works then it won't be a big deal at all. If detail stripping a semi auto or the thought of removing the side plate and parts in a S&W fills you with dread then you aren't going to like doing the AP revolver spring swap.
Basically it was remove the grips, partially #### the hammer so you can slip a small wire into the keeper hole on the spring strut to hold the old spring in place. Then I needed to slip the strut out and used my bench vise to compress the mainspring with the strut between the jaws so I could lift out the keeper wire and let the spring extend. Installation was the reverse.
It wasn't hard but because of the number of steps the spring comes with a sheet of paper that is printed on BOTH sides with pictures as instructions. The paragraph above is the "Reader's Digest" version.
Basically it was remove the grips, partially #### the hammer so you can slip a small wire into the keeper hole on the spring strut to hold the old spring in place. Then I needed to slip the strut out and used my bench vise to compress the mainspring with the strut between the jaws so I could lift out the keeper wire and let the spring extend. Installation was the reverse.
It wasn't hard but because of the number of steps the spring comes with a sheet of paper that is printed on BOTH sides with pictures as instructions. The paragraph above is the "Reader's Digest" version.
