EAA Windicator???

P

pacerdude

New member
Ok guys I don't own any revolvers, and my handgun experience is limited to semi-autos (ie. Glocks, M&Ps, Sigmas, Rugers, Taurus etc...). I have been looking into getting a revolver as my next handgun (I am only in my 20's so my collection is not extensive).

I know that Rugers and S&Ws are great, long-lasting, reliable revolvers. However recently I have been browsing online, and in my local gunshop and have come across several EAA Windicator revolvers in 38spl for roughly $300.

The guy at the gunshop said that EAA makes pretty good semi-auto pistols, but that he had no knowledge of their revolvers. He told me that he hadn't heard positive or negative reviews of their revolvers.

My question is this, what do you guys think of the EAA Windicator? Is it a bargain at $300, or is it a waste of money?

Sorry for the long post. Thanks in advance!
 
I read several reviews that they would shoot themselves out of time with 357 loads, but seemed to work well with 38s. I don't know about the 38spl only guns, never looked into them.

There are some used 38Spl guns that can be had for that price range and there are also new Taurus and Rossi guns in that range. Police trade-in S&W, Colt and Ruger revolvers should all be available in the $300 range.
 
I figured that for the money a used Smith or Ruger would be a better deal, but I wasnt sure as I had heard nothing of the EAA's. By the way, the revolvers may have been .357mag/.38spl, I don't recall.
 
A note that EAA doesn't actually manufacture anything. EAA is merely an importer and their guns are made in varying places. The semi-autos your dealer is likely referring to are the EAA Witness line which are manufactured by Tangfolio in Italy. The Windicator revolver is made in Germany by a different manufacturer. I agree with others here that you'd be better off to find a gently used S&W or Ruger revolver than to buy a new Windicator.
 
I looked into the Windicator a while ago so I don't remember everything I read.

If i remember, one problem is that the cylinder tends to bind a bit more easily than other revolvers after several shots. The exact number I don't know, perhaps you can find more about that. For some reason the design allows a bit more carbon to build up along the front of the cylinder (maybe not enough support from the rear of the cylinder allows for a larger cylinder gap when firing) so there's friction between the carbon and the forcing cone when it's time for the cylinder to turn with each trigger pull. Some folks would have to wipe down the front of the cylinder every now during a range session to keep it working.

an "iffy" part of my memory is trying to remember whether or not there was an issue with having to play with the cylinder to get it to close right and lock up again.

I handled one at a gun show, it was heavy.
The barrel isn't crowned at all, it's pretty much a sharp edge which for some reason turned me off to it. That, and I didn't really need it :o to begin with.
Like the other good folk mentioned I would look a bit harder for a used S&W or Ruger which might last you a lifetime - didn't get the impression that was true about the Windicator.
 
I recently looked at a Windicator in my local gun shop. I was browsing and looked out of curiosity. The EAA Windicator seemed to be roughly finished but it had an unusually long grip. If you are just getting into revolvers, the $300 price tag for a .357 magnum might seem tempting. But....

Buy a gun with a good track record of reliability and accuracy. Don't gamble on a cheap import when you can put that money towards a nice used Ruger, Colt or Smith. For a hundred dollars more, you could buy a new Ruger.

That Windicator might not be worth the cost of the ammo to prove it out. Wait until others have taken the plunge and written the reviews on forums. Don't be the guinea pig unless you have an extra $300 laying around that you need to get rid of.
 
I was very close to getting an EAA Windicator in .357 a while back but after a bunch of research and talking with my gunsmith I decided against getting one. The frames are alloy and according to many, including my gunsmith, they are not made for long term .357 use - say a thousand rounds. They seem to be ok for 38 special long term, but I already have several of those in other makes.


pacerdude
EAA Windicator???
Ok guys I don't own any revolvers, and my handgun experience is limited to semi-autos (ie. Glocks, M&Ps, Sigmas, Rugers, Taurus etc...). I have been looking into getting a revolver as my next handgun (I am only in my 20's so my collection is not extensive).

I know that Rugers and S&Ws are great, long-lasting, reliable revolvers. However recently I have been browsing online, and in my local gunshop and have come across several EAA Windicator revolvers in 38spl for roughly $300.

The guy at the gunshop said that EAA makes pretty good semi-auto pistols, but that he had no knowledge of their revolvers. He told me that he hadn't heard positive or negative reviews of their revolvers.

My question is this, what do you guys think of the EAA Windicator? Is it a bargain at $300, or is it a waste of money?

Sorry for the long post. Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
 
I have an uncle that bought one. It has roughly 200 rounds of 357 mag through it now, and it has not shot itself loose yet. It does, however, have the single worst trigger I have ever felt on a DA revolver. Couple that with a rough operating action in general and its just not a real quality revolver. The machining is very rough, not that that makes it unreliable, but it does show sloppy work. I think its an OK truck gun, or maybe a shoot it a few times and stash it somewhere in the house gun. I have no doubt that it would go off if the trigger is pulled, but the confidence stops about there. He paid 275 for it and offered it to me for 100 bucks less than two months later.
 
I bought my .357 Windicator for around $250, couldn't resist the price.
It's OK, but not my favorite revolver.
Kinda heavy, pretty stiff springs, the hammer has sharp corners, but all in all, it's been a good gun.
I doubt if I ever carry it, but it might be something I can leave in the pickup.
 
Cornhusker, Where did you find it? Do you think it is worth getting to primarily shoot 38's out of? Any problems with the ejector pin? Cabela's has them for $250 this week.
 
I actually DID read a review of the Windicator revolver years ago in one of the gun rags. So the model has been around a while. I remember the article saying they (the company marketing the weapon) wanted to use the name "Vindicator" but could not so they went with "Windicator," a non-word, instead. LOL

The review was predictable. The gun worked and was ok for people who couldn't afford a more expensive weapon, blah blah. I agree that a second-hand Smith or Ruger is a better buy.
 
I got mine at Cabela's.
It shoots .38s fine.
It's kinda heavy, too heavy for a carry gun probably, but if you are just looking at some HD or plinking, it's a good gun for that.
So far no problems with the ejector pin, but I have had the cylinder release stick a couple of times, not sure what's going on there.
 
EAA Windicator now

I don't claim to be an expert, but I have been carrying since 1970 when I spent 3 years as a special on my hometown police force. My weapon then was a 4 inch 357 mag.Colt Python. I don't have to say any more on this. Last year I bought an EAA 4" 357 mag Windicator. I've shot approx 1500 rounds from 38+P's to 158 grain 357 mags. The balance was terrific and the recoil was minimal. I have small hands so their rubber grips are perfect for me. Last and most important was the accuracy which was right on. The "experts" say that it can't be very good at the price it sells for.Well, I do not blog for any mfg. or such and I am so supremely confident that I'd trust my life and my wife's with this weapon.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top