Tallball
Member
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2014
- Messages
- 7,813
I've had my eyes open for a medium-frame 9mm revolver I was willing to pay for. The Smiths run about $1,000, and I'm too cheap for that. I just want one for a range toy and practice revolver.
I knew that the Alfa revolvers from the Czech Republic were made in 9mm, but they seem to cost around $700-$750 and I don't see them that often. They've been described here on THR as "about as good as a Taurus".
Somehow I ended up getting one NiB for $420 OTD. I'll describe it with more detail than usual, in case any other board members happen to be interested in them.
It's a medium-framed revolver with a 3" barrel, blued finish, and adjustable sights. It holds six rounds with moon clips. (Yes, you can shoot 9mm DA revolvers without moon clips, you just have to pull or poke the empties out.)
It came in a plastic box with a padlock thing, two moon clips, and a moon clip tool. The clips are thick and sturdy. I appreciate the nice tool.
It was very greasy, which is good. When I opened the cylinder at the FFL, an extremely thin circular shaving of metal came out of the edge of one cylinder. NBD, but it made me doubtful about the inspection card and target that were in the box with the instruction manual.
The parts seem properly shaped and properly fit together. The cylinder locks up tight, and it opens and closes smoothly. The ejector rod works fine. They apparently made it shorter than the 357 model. Rounds load into each cylinder properly with or without moon clips.
The finish is kinda meh. It's better than some Filipino 1911's I've seen. It's not as ugly as the hideous new Taurus matte black. But it's also uneven towards the end of the barrel (that's not totally due to lighting). Compared to my nondescript Taurus 82 from 1990 or so, the Alfa finish isn't as good.
The sights are okay. They're adjustable, which is fine for its intended purpose. I would prefer the front sight to be a little thinner. The little orange thing on the front sight looks like a piece of plastic that could theoretically break (Rossi style).
The DA trigger is heavy, especially towards the end. The SA trigger is fine.
The hammer spur looks kind of thin at its narrowest point. It and the trigger have a slightly different finish than the rest of the parts. The shape of the hammer spur is fine. It's easy to cock.
The grip is okay. It doesn't fit my XXL hands that well, but most of them don't. I'll have to see if other grips are available. If not, I'll grind the finger grooves down a little so that I can place my hand better.
Compared to the above-mentioned Taurus, the parts are shaped more plainly and the finish isn't as nice. Everything seems functional on it, though.
I'll take it shooting in the next week or so and give a range report. My guess is that it will shoot just fine.
I wouldn't give $700 for one of these, but assuming that it shoots okay, $420 OTD seems like a fair price.
I knew that the Alfa revolvers from the Czech Republic were made in 9mm, but they seem to cost around $700-$750 and I don't see them that often. They've been described here on THR as "about as good as a Taurus".
Somehow I ended up getting one NiB for $420 OTD. I'll describe it with more detail than usual, in case any other board members happen to be interested in them.
It's a medium-framed revolver with a 3" barrel, blued finish, and adjustable sights. It holds six rounds with moon clips. (Yes, you can shoot 9mm DA revolvers without moon clips, you just have to pull or poke the empties out.)
It came in a plastic box with a padlock thing, two moon clips, and a moon clip tool. The clips are thick and sturdy. I appreciate the nice tool.
It was very greasy, which is good. When I opened the cylinder at the FFL, an extremely thin circular shaving of metal came out of the edge of one cylinder. NBD, but it made me doubtful about the inspection card and target that were in the box with the instruction manual.
The parts seem properly shaped and properly fit together. The cylinder locks up tight, and it opens and closes smoothly. The ejector rod works fine. They apparently made it shorter than the 357 model. Rounds load into each cylinder properly with or without moon clips.
The finish is kinda meh. It's better than some Filipino 1911's I've seen. It's not as ugly as the hideous new Taurus matte black. But it's also uneven towards the end of the barrel (that's not totally due to lighting). Compared to my nondescript Taurus 82 from 1990 or so, the Alfa finish isn't as good.
The sights are okay. They're adjustable, which is fine for its intended purpose. I would prefer the front sight to be a little thinner. The little orange thing on the front sight looks like a piece of plastic that could theoretically break (Rossi style).
The DA trigger is heavy, especially towards the end. The SA trigger is fine.
The hammer spur looks kind of thin at its narrowest point. It and the trigger have a slightly different finish than the rest of the parts. The shape of the hammer spur is fine. It's easy to cock.
The grip is okay. It doesn't fit my XXL hands that well, but most of them don't. I'll have to see if other grips are available. If not, I'll grind the finger grooves down a little so that I can place my hand better.
Compared to the above-mentioned Taurus, the parts are shaped more plainly and the finish isn't as nice. Everything seems functional on it, though.
I'll take it shooting in the next week or so and give a range report. My guess is that it will shoot just fine.
I wouldn't give $700 for one of these, but assuming that it shoots okay, $420 OTD seems like a fair price.
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