EAA .357/.38 - Reliable??

H

higgscharger

New member
I am looking to get my first revolver and found something affordable to try out that is local:

https://floridaguntrader.com/index.php?a=2&b=325647

But, seems like a relatively obscure brand (compared to Ruger/SW/Taurus), so I can't find much about the brand or this specific gun.

Main thing I am trying to figure out is reliability. I am new to revolvers, need something that I don't have to fiddle with every 20 rounds.

Anyone know much about EAA and the quality of their guns?

Many thanks!
 
I posted my thoughts on the EAA Windicator in this recent thread:
http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=527441

Note that EAA doesn't make any guns, they are merely an importer. I have an EAA gun (Tanfoglio Elite Match) and while I'm a big, big fan of the pistol itself, EAA's reputation for service is not terrific. I've only dealt with them once, and not for a problem with the pistol, but to order some extra magazines. (I had a fine experience)

In clicking the link you added, I think the seller is wildly optimistic with that price. It's like ten or twenty bucks under what a new one sells for. That's a lousy deal for a used, low-buck, imported, barely-known revolver.

If you truly want the MOST bang for the buck in a revolver, without worries of what kind of problems you could end up with... try to find a former duty issued Smith & Wesson K-frame. Typically, a blued and well worn Model 10. Here in the city I live in, the big gun store gets them on large purchase contracts and sells them for around $250. The one I got is a Model 10-10 and it's a fantastic revolver, and it'll run circles around a Windicator. Obviously, these are available more so in some markets rather than others. When these were available around here, they pretty much flooded the local market. This may not be the case where you are.
 
Haha, don't be too impressed. It has been argued that Smith & Wesson has made around six MILLION of these revolvers.

The one you are looking at is a decent one. Not to throw a monkey wrench in your ointment, but I have one of those and I also have a heavy barrel model and between the two, the heavy barrel is much more enjoyable to shoot over the pencil barrel. But even still, great revolver and much better than any Windicator.

That price of $250 is about the going rate if it is mechanically sound.
There is a "revolver checkout" thread around here that will give you a mindblowing list of things you may wish to look for when checking it out.
 
Wow...that revolver checkout is extensive, but if I am going to learn revolvers, I guess that is the place to start.

The heavier barrel would probably be nice, however, I have a question. I want to start with this and figure out how I do with revolvers, see if they are my cup of tea. I am new to shooting in general, so sort of sticking my toe in everything.

I may at some point get a CCW and something for SD and it looks like snub revolvers are a great choice. Would the lighter barrel Model 10 more closely simulate a snub nose in terms of recoil and feel?
 
Well, anything that makes the revolver lighter will help you to get the feel for the (comparatively) punishing volume of flip & recoil associated with snub revolvers.

If you are new to handguns and new to revolvers, let it be known that snubby revolvers are NOT an easy platform. They aren't nearly as enjoyable to shoot for most folks and they are much more difficult to wring accuracy from. For sure -- they can definitely be accurate guns. Mechanically, they have all the pieces to be as accurate as any other revolvers. They are simply MUCH more difficult to get good with.

I've been an avid handgun shooter, both revolvers and semiautos for a quarter century. My annual round count is north of 10k. I feel as though I can hold my own in most any group, outside of well-practiced and skilled competitors. But with a snub revolver, I look like an amateur. It's definitely on a different plateau, at least from my corner of the world.
 
Hmmm.... sounds like I better wait a bit on the snubby, given that my only handgun so far is a dinky .22 plinker. I think that would be an ineffective jump.

I'll try to grab a model 10 and practice with that for a bit then think about moving to the more difficult to shoot guns.

Thanks for the advice, probably kept me from getting myself into something not too enjoyable.
 
You might also want to consider a Model 15, 67, 66.
Almost like a a model 10 but with adjustable sights.
On handguns I do not intend to conceal, I like adjustable sights so I can set it to POA=POI with the ammo I use the most.
 
While I agree that an adjustable sight K-frame is likely more desirable if all else remains the same... for a new shooter with no experience in revolvers, who was looking to spend "Windicator" kind of money... I just don't think he's going to luck across a 15, 66 or 67 for the low price tag that a duty-issued or former LE trade-in Model 10 is going to have.

With the Model 10, you've got one of the THE finest handguns in the world's history and because so many were put in to service with taxpayer money-- so many are on the market for prices that simply belie their value and utility.

And you could make a solid argument that the sheer volume of former issued duty guns and LE trade Model 10's on the market has had quite an effect on commercially produced and sold (never issued) Model 10's. They should be "worth" more and priced higher, but likely have a hard time bringing home their "value" because of the presence of all the issued and traded-in duty guns.

Personally? I think everyone should own at least one! Even before this most recent panic, I typically spent more cash on .22LR ammo in a year and a half as I paid for my 10-10. :cool:
 
That's a no go for a new-to-revolvers shooter. Quite simply-- the availability and cost of ammo would be a bear. .38 Special is mainstream, popular and available. .32 S&W Long is nowhere near, not even in the hemisphere of mainstream and available, and when you do find it, it will cost as much or more than .38 Special. It's unbelievably anemic.

The pictured revolver is very cool, though the grips aren't original... are ugly... and don't fit well and IMO, would have to be replaced. Gun looks to be a very nice shape and at that price, would be a good purchase for someone in the market for a historical piece. But he'd almost have to be a handloader to make it run without spending far too much money feeding it. Those revolvers are slightly different inside than modern S&W revolvers, and getting parts for them if something goes wrong isn't as easy. S&W likely won't service it due to age. I own a similar one, although mine is in .38 Special. It's a family heirloom and I love it, but it doesn't get shot much.
 
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