The quality of Alfa proj revolvers

[caiser soze 78]

Hello folks would like to ask for experience and opinions regarding the quality of Alfa proj revolvers- any malfunctions, breakdowns and in general weak points if any.Have their 357 in my wish list ,but so far cant get any information.Do they have service here in Canada?Is it possible to find speed loaders here?


Thanks

 

[OldNewGuy]

Hello folks would like to ask for experience and opinions regarding the quality of Alfa proj revolvers- any malfunctions, breakdowns and in general weak points if any.Have their 357 in my wish list ,but so far cant get any information.Do they have service here in Canada?Is it possible to find speed loaders here?


Thanks

I have a Mdl 3561 Alfa Proj stainless 6" in 357. Bought it last fall. It's a good shooter, no FTF's at all. Handles all the ammo (brands, types, weights) that I feed it while I build up my brass for reloading.

The original trigger sucked, the DA pull was over 10 lbs, so I had the LGS that I bought it from put in a new spring with reduced tension - SA pull is now about 4 lbs, with DA about 7 lbs. It's livable. They warned me that the lighter spring may make for some light strikes on the primers and consequent misfires/FTF's (they suggested using Federal primers on reloads), but I haven't really had that happen so far. The Alfa reminds me of my buddy's Ruger in configuration, but the finish isn't as nice and it was obvious that they didn't do a whole lot of development on the trigger mech. And the pitch between the rear of the trigger guard and the forward portion of my middle finger is really tight with the stock grips, causing some tenderness at the base of my right middle finger after an extended session from recoil contact, I'm looking to resolve that with some replacement grips once I find some that might add to the clearance. (I have BIG hands, that may not be an issue for others)


I would buy another if I felt the need, but now I've got my eye on a 1911 Sig in Stainless as the next purchase.

O.N.G.

 

[BCRider]

In terms of fit and finish the gun is pretty good inside and out.

I fitted the 9mm Alfa with Rusty Wood's lower power mainspring. The gun shot well with no light strikes until I brought it out to use two weekends ago after sitting for about a year. The gun in this case gave me roughly 1/3 light strikes. So the spring has either settled (unlikely) or the oil has gummed up a bit and the gun needs a good cleaning. I haven't cleaned it yet to try it again since I tried it out. But that's not the gun's fault.

With the spring replaced it is as light to pull as ONG relates above.

One thing to consider is that it is sized to more or less match the S&W K frame guns. In fact it can use the same speed loaders as the K frame Smiths. As such it's a touch smaller and lighter than most guns intended to be shot with a LOT of .357Mag. While it won't blow up in your hands it may tend to shoot itself loose sooner than would a heavier framed gun such as the S&W L frames (586, 686) or N frame guns. That is the same sort of risk you would have with a K frame S&W.

So if you use it the same way as the lighter S&W's and shoot mostly .38Spl with occasional Magnum rounds I don't see why the gun won't last for decades.

 

[Melnibonean]

I've owned a .22 Alfa since they came out. Put the Rusty Woods spring kit in it and love it. Shoots everything, no malfunction or light strikes, and very accurate.

 

[Moe]

My 22LR / 22wmr convert 6" steel does not give me any trouble now. In the beginning I had misfires in DA on 22wmr. I had to put a bushing under the mainspring to up the hammer strike. If one looks at them the hammer is not cocked back before release in DA as it go back in SA.

Moe