EEA Windicator

A

abowlieb

New member
Hey everyone!

I going to buy my first revolver this upcoming friday. I went n priced a few and came across the windicator. I held it and it felt good in my hand, I thought it was an ok looking pistol and its small enough for me to use as a ccw.

I didn't buy it right there on the spot because I knew absolutely nothing about the gun, never even heard of it before yesterday, so I wanted to check online and read some reviews.

From the info I could gather, it seems like a decent gun for the price. The only thing I read that caused me concern was a handful of people were saying it couldn't stand up to 357 loads over time?

My question is has anyone here had a problem with this pistol using mostly 357 loads? I plan on shooting mostly 357 loads and i frequent the range often (1-3) times a week.

Any info good of bad would be greatly appreciated! Thx
 
http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=550198&page=4

Post #90 is mine

http://thefiringline.com/forums/newreply.php?do=newreply&noquote=1&p=5906259

shows what others are asking, which to me is to high.

If they want more than 200$ don’t buy it. Personally I feel that 100$ is too high.
If you want a 357 Mag save up your money and get the same type of gun from Ruger. 20 years from now with 10,000 rounds the Ruger will be a better gun than that wonderbuss is today.
http://www.ruger.com/products/sp101/models.html
 
I had a Windicator. I bought it because it was cheap. Like you though, I heard reports online of the gun not being able to hold up to .357 loads over time. I don't have my Windicator anymore, I sold it and bought a Ruger, an SP101 with a 3' barrel. So far I'm happy with it.

You can buy the Windicator if you're cost-conscious but my $.02 would be to keep saving money and buy something else.
 
Abowlieb,

I have a 357 mag 4" Windicator and have fired about 800 357 mags in the past 7 months. No problems. Just because something is not expensive doesn't mean its lousy. Must add that I do not use 158 grainers stings like the dickens & I don't have wood grips. Like the man said, " It goes bang every time"!
 
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Thx for the input fella.

It isn't so much a money issue. Its more of a availability issue. I'll get a s&w when I see the one I want, hopefully at the gun show coming in October. Im very impatient lol. If I give a store my money, I want to walk out with something. Hate waiting a week or two for my items to arrive that I already paid for. Lol I know that doesn't make sense but its just how I am lol.

I just seen this windicator n it caught my eye lol. N i know the cost doesn't necessarilymean it isn't worth it. I have a savage 110 30-06. It shoot awesome, Its not as pretty as some other rifles but its my work horse n I value that more then anything.

My main concerns where if this windicator hold up to 357 round because that will be its main diet.
 
How about getting two, at that price.
One for range and practice and the other just to carry.
Won't have to worry about it wearing out, that way.
Besides, if you have two of them, then it's just about guaranteed that neither one will ever fail.
Murphy's law in reverse.
 
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Well, after some more digging. I decided to jump ship. Going to go with the S&W 686. I really do enjoy shooting n I just keep reading about the lack of durability in the windicator. SoIm going to go ahead n put my order in n wait the week to get my first revolver! Its really going to eerk me to walk out of that store empty handed but Im sure it will be worth it! Thx again for all the input guys!
 
I think you will enjoy the 686. When I took my IL CCW class last month after we finished our range qualification a classmate kindly offered up his 686 for me to shoot. The 686 is definitely on my "want" list now.
 
Yeah, I've heard a lot of good about the S&W and Im looked forward to finally getting one. I may still get a windicator just to see for myself how it holds up. Lol My curiosity has gotten the best of me, its cheap and will give me something to shoot until my S&W arrives!
 
Windicator

I have a Windicator with a 4" barrel. Mine is very accurate; seems like a well made machine. I have another one on order; hope it is as good. Don't shoot much .357 in it, just enough to keep in practice. .357 load for everyday use is unpleasant for me. Use the .357 load for home defense.

Just bought a S&W 986 9mm. Zeroed it in today. The trigger is a harder pull than the Windicator, but both are smooth. The 986 is very accurate also.

I'm really a SIG X-series shooter. But, like revolvers; grew up with them. Revolvers are good home defense weapons, especially for my wife; simple for her to use.
 
Your LGS makes you pay upfront? Find a new one cause his distributor blows. Also, never go to a gunshow to buy a gun. Beef jerky? Maybe. Guns, no.
 
I'm in the "don't get a Windicator" camp. I had looked pretty deep into them when I first saw them a few years ago, they looked cool for a great price. It looked to me about half of all Windicators develope major mechanical issues, judging by all the posts I've read. A Windicator is to Taurus as Taurus is to Smith & Wesson.

That 686 is considered by many to be one of the finest current production revolvers made. Stick with that and avoid EEA
 
Well I placed my order in for my S&W 686. Said it could take 7-10 days so Im waiting its arrival :).

I also picked up the windicator to keep me busy while I wait.I haven't shot it yet but I have 450 rounds of 357 mag ammo to play with on until my S&W gets here but I will say Its comfortable to carry. Idon't have another revolver to compare it too so my next opinions don't hold much weight.

1: It carries nicely in the holster, I can easily forget I am wearing it. The weight doesn't bother me and its pretty easy to conceal. So no problems in those areas for me.

2: shot it with the snap caps about 200 times. The trigger feels fine to me but it does make your trigger finger sore.

3: I'll have more to say about it after I hit the range monday :). Looking forward to putting this lil fella through the ringer. Lol
 
Check out the Jerry Miculek videos on how to shoot a revolver.
Especially if this is your first revolver.
Most folks don't shoot them very well and his videos will greatly hasten the learning curve.
 
if $$ is a big concern, i have been super happy with taurus, i have a few and all are great guns

my wife and i both carry the poly protector which can be had under 300 if you look around, i think academy has them, they are easy carry and shoot pretty darn good

if you can afford the S&W then by all means, get it, but i like taurus for a good level of quality and really good value


we have the 357mag models, but they arent very comfortable shooting 357 because they are very light

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/62697

or you can go the hideous route for even less
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/411553324

i should have read the entire thread, i didnt see that you already ordered a s&w and bought the EAA, congratulations on the new guns and have lots of fun:o
 
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