Is EAA Windicator a good revolver?

Kurbsky · October 10, 2021, 04:43 PM

I am thinking about buying a CC revolver that would be good and inexpensive. Is EAA Windicator 4" a good option? For revolvers I would only consider one caliber - 357 mag.

TJB101 · October 10, 2021, 05:29 PM

Shot one once … good lock up and feel. I would be tempted to buy one over a Taurus.

Centurion · October 10, 2021, 11:25 PM

I would go for a Taurus or an Alpha, since Arminius/Weihrauch revolvers are crap. Bad alloys, and not very durable. Maybe a used S&W could be the best option...

Kurbsky · October 11, 2021, 08:24 AM

Did you try shooting Alpha yourself I see a lot of complaints about Alpha trigger in double action.

natman · October 11, 2021, 09:52 AM

Is EAA Windicator a good revolver?

No.

The Windicator is a bottom of the barrel, "let's see how cheaply we can make a revolver" gun.

You'd be far better off buying a good used S&W or Ruger.

mk70ss · October 11, 2021, 12:49 PM

Functional, lower tier quality revolver.

Kurbsky · October 11, 2021, 01:47 PM

I already have 3 good quality more expensive revolvers and want something more modest, inexpensive but still functional and reliable - meaning it will not jam or stop working properly. One word I have seen in the comments was "alloy". Does it mean that this revolver is not all steel?

tdrizzle · October 12, 2021, 03:56 AM

Smith, Colt, Ruger, older Charter (Like 70s). Maybe a .38 snub Taurus, which is one of the only things they do well. Buy a used one from the first three for about $300 ish.

Avoid nearly every other brand, in my opinion.

BornFighting88 · October 12, 2021, 06:26 AM

I just read an article on these EAA wheel guns in Gun Tests. They rated it well, for reasons stated above. Good lockup, feels ok. Shoots straight. I did NOT realize, nor did I read, however, that they used cheap alloys to get the price down. Makes more sense now. A German revolver, and not a mortgage payment to get one???? I THOUGHT something didn’t add up!!

May have posted this in another thread or forum, but am looking to get my little lady a 327 Fed revolver, and Ruger and Smith seem to be where I am looking. Even if used in good condition. I want her trained with it, and only use it if needed. So I won’t be putting a ton through it.

Drm50 · October 12, 2021, 07:08 AM

This reminds me of customer I had back in 80s. He was in the shop a couple times a week.
He was building custom fishing rods. He shot a few squirrel & rabbits but had not big interest in guns. Anyway he retired and was going on dream fishing trip to Alaska with a buddy. One day he comes in with a Fly Rod he just finished for himself. He proceeds to tell me how much the blank cost, the virgin cork , guides, ect. It was crazy the money in the rod, then he is telling me how much the reel and lines cost. I don’t remember exactly but $1k in rod. Then he says he wants a pistol for bear protection. I laid out a S&W 44mg and a 357. Being small dealer in Ohio, not much call for Bear Guns. Didn’t matter, guy went crazy when he saw prices. Didn’t want to put that much in something he may never use.
If you are worried about you life being threatened, why would you buy out of the bottom of the barrel? When I was in business I wouldn’t sell junk guns. The biggest reason was the aggravation dealing with customers bringing them back broke.

smee78 · October 12, 2021, 07:52 AM

I have a buddy with one, and his shoots fine, no complaints by him. I haven't shot it myself, so I can only pass on what he has told me. I would try to keep an eye out for a nice used S&W or Ruger with a shorter barrel if it were me. I think the refinement and quality are worth the few extra dollars. A 4" K frame steel revolver is a little large for CC to me, plus you will need a good holster and belt if you don't already have one.

Drm50, I know what you mean about some customers

All you can do is just shake your head and laugh.

jcj54 · October 12, 2021, 08:08 AM

These have a heavy trigger, no reduced power spring kits are available for these.

wild cat mccane · October 12, 2021, 08:12 AM

Normal pricing is $320 for the 4" nickle--the most expensive/desired Windicator.

The 357 version have a steel frame. You'll notice the weight difference between the a 38 and 357 version in the same barrel length. The Windicator started out as 38 alloy ONLY. The steel only came when they moved to 357.

Different grips are almost non existent here. You can find them through the German website, but pretty much non here.

In you research, look up "windicator cylinder binding." The gap in the Windicator is very susceptible to crap build up and heating up causing the cylinder to get stuck at the forcing cone.

Previously, the Windicator was cut very rough at the crown on the snub versions. Like just sawed off, no finishing. Look at your crown when you pick it up.

I personally think a Taurus is going to be longer lasting gun.

lee n. field · October 12, 2021, 09:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kurbsky

I already have 3 good quality more expensive revolvers and want something more modest, inexpensive but still functional and reliable

A difficult point to meet. Thus the perennial "what gun for $X" question on gun boards.

Folks say "revolvers are simple", but there's actually a lot going on that all has to work. See C&rsenal's Revolver 101 video for some insight on that. (And a lot of funky old 19th century iron.)

Quote:

- meaning it will not jam or stop working properly. One word I have seen in the comments was "alloy". Does it mean that this revolver is not all steel?

Zamak in the .38s, is my understanding.

Quote:

I personally think a Taurus is going to be longer lasting gun

That. A steel Model 85 or 605. Check it over well first. See Jim March's revolver checkout document.

Super Sneaky Steve · October 12, 2021, 12:26 PM

By a Charter Arms. It's lighter, American made and in the same price range.

Prof Young · October 14, 2021, 09:14 AM

I had the Windicator. Cylinder would lock up. Got that fixed then the cylinder would free wheel. Got that fixed and sold it.

Prof Young

Kurbsky · October 14, 2021, 07:48 PM

Thanks for your valuable opinions and advice! It looks like here too you get what you pay for. The lowest quality I would accept is Ruger level. It looks like EAA is lower quality than Ruger. That means this revolver is not for me.

Centurion · October 14, 2021, 09:33 PM

It is even lower than Rossi or Taurus.

BornFighting88 · October 17, 2021, 07:37 AM

I agree, my lowest acceptable level of quality is Ruger. Prefer SW.

Looks like the consensus of these EAA’s just aren’t the thing they seem to be.

October 10, 2021, 04:43 PM	#1
Kurbsky Senior Member Join Date: July 22, 2009 Posts: 469	Is EAA Windicator a good revolver? I am thinking about buying a CC revolver that would be good and inexpensive. Is EAA Windicator 4" a good option? For revolvers I would only consider one caliber - 357 mag.

October 11, 2021, 09:52 AM	#5
natman Senior Member Join Date: June 24, 2008 Posts: 2,606	Is EAA Windicator a good revolver? No. The Windicator is a bottom of the barrel, "let's see how cheaply we can make a revolver" gun. You'd be far better off buying a good used S&W or Ruger. __________________ Time Travelers' Wisdom: Never Do Yesterday What Should Be Done Tomorrow. If At Last You Do Succeed, Never Try Again.

October 11, 2021, 12:49 PM	#6
mk70ss Senior Member Join Date: January 12, 2008 Location: Tennessee Posts: 1,598	Functional, lower tier quality revolver. __________________ Say when.....

October 12, 2021, 07:52 AM	#11
smee78 Senior Member Join Date: July 14, 2008 Location: South Carolina Posts: 2,918	I have a buddy with one, and his shoots fine, no complaints by him. I haven't shot it myself, so I can only pass on what he has told me. I would try to keep an eye out for a nice used S&W or Ruger with a shorter barrel if it were me. I think the refinement and quality are worth the few extra dollars. A 4" K frame steel revolver is a little large for CC to me, plus you will need a good holster and belt if you don't already have one. Drm50, I know what you mean about some customers All you can do is just shake your head and laugh. __________________ We know exactly where one cow with Mad-cow-disease is located, among the millions and millions of cows in America, but we haven't got a clue where thousands of illegal immigrants and terrorists are

October 12, 2021, 08:08 AM	#12
jcj54 Senior Member Join Date: February 28, 2011 Posts: 218	Heavy trigger These have a heavy trigger, no reduced power spring kits are available for these.

October 10, 2021, 05:29 PM	#2
TJB101 Senior Member Join Date: January 2, 2017 Posts: 498	Shot one once … good lock up and feel. I would be tempted to buy one over a Taurus.

October 10, 2021, 11:25 PM	#3
Centurion Senior Member Join Date: May 9, 2016 Posts: 270	I would go for a Taurus or an Alpha, since Arminius/Weihrauch revolvers are crap. Bad alloys, and not very durable. Maybe a used S&W could be the best option...

October 11, 2021, 08:24 AM	#4
Kurbsky Senior Member Join Date: July 22, 2009 Posts: 469	Did you try shooting Alpha yourself I see a lot of complaints about Alpha trigger in double action.

October 11, 2021, 01:47 PM	#7
Kurbsky Senior Member Join Date: July 22, 2009 Posts: 469	I already have 3 good quality more expensive revolvers and want something more modest, inexpensive but still functional and reliable - meaning it will not jam or stop working properly. One word I have seen in the comments was "alloy". Does it mean that this revolver is not all steel?

October 12, 2021, 03:56 AM	#8
tdrizzle Senior Member Join Date: September 11, 2007 Location: St Paul Posts: 209	Smith, Colt, Ruger, older Charter (Like 70s). Maybe a .38 snub Taurus, which is one of the only things they do well. Buy a used one from the first three for about $300 ish. Avoid nearly every other brand, in my opinion.

October 12, 2021, 06:26 AM	#9
BornFighting88 Senior Member Join Date: August 1, 2021 Posts: 455	I just read an article on these EAA wheel guns in Gun Tests. They rated it well, for reasons stated above. Good lockup, feels ok. Shoots straight. I did NOT realize, nor did I read, however, that they used cheap alloys to get the price down. Makes more sense now. A German revolver, and not a mortgage payment to get one???? I THOUGHT something didn’t add up!! May have posted this in another thread or forum, but am looking to get my little lady a 327 Fed revolver, and Ruger and Smith seem to be where I am looking. Even if used in good condition. I want her trained with it, and only use it if needed. So I won’t be putting a ton through it.

October 12, 2021, 07:08 AM	#10
Drm50 Senior Member Join Date: November 10, 2014 Posts: 1,378	This reminds me of customer I had back in 80s. He was in the shop a couple times a week. He was building custom fishing rods. He shot a few squirrel & rabbits but had not big interest in guns. Anyway he retired and was going on dream fishing trip to Alaska with a buddy. One day he comes in with a Fly Rod he just finished for himself. He proceeds to tell me how much the blank cost, the virgin cork , guides, ect. It was crazy the money in the rod, then he is telling me how much the reel and lines cost. I don’t remember exactly but $1k in rod. Then he says he wants a pistol for bear protection. I laid out a S&W 44mg and a 357. Being small dealer in Ohio, not much call for Bear Guns. Didn’t matter, guy went crazy when he saw prices. Didn’t want to put that much in something he may never use. If you are worried about you life being threatened, why would you buy out of the bottom of the barrel? When I was in business I wouldn’t sell junk guns. The biggest reason was the aggravation dealing with customers bringing them back broke.

October 12, 2021, 08:12 AM	#13
wild cat mccane Senior Member Join Date: May 22, 2011 Posts: 3,625	Normal pricing is $320 for the 4" nickle--the most expensive/desired Windicator. The 357 version have a steel frame. You'll notice the weight difference between the a 38 and 357 version in the same barrel length. The Windicator started out as 38 alloy ONLY. The steel only came when they moved to 357. Different grips are almost non existent here. You can find them through the German website, but pretty much non here. In you research, look up "windicator cylinder binding." The gap in the Windicator is very susceptible to crap build up and heating up causing the cylinder to get stuck at the forcing cone. Previously, the Windicator was cut very rough at the crown on the snub versions. Like just sawed off, no finishing. Look at your crown when you pick it up. I personally think a Taurus is going to be longer lasting gun. __________________ My wife is a pulmonologist (respiratory Dr) and epidemiologist. If you have any questions on COVID, please reach out to me in PM. Last edited by wild cat mccane; October 12, 2021 at 08:20 AM.

October 12, 2021, 12:26 PM	#15
Super Sneaky Steve Senior Member Join Date: August 9, 2011 Posts: 1,250	By a Charter Arms. It's lighter, American made and in the same price range.

October 14, 2021, 09:14 AM	#16
Prof Young Senior Member Join Date: August 21, 2007 Location: Illinois - down state Posts: 2,404	Multiple problems with mine . . . . I had the Windicator. Cylinder would lock up. Got that fixed then the cylinder would free wheel. Got that fixed and sold it. Prof Young

October 14, 2021, 07:48 PM	#17
Kurbsky Senior Member Join Date: July 22, 2009 Posts: 469	Thanks for your valuable opinions and advice! It looks like here too you get what you pay for. The lowest quality I would accept is Ruger level. It looks like EAA is lower quality than Ruger. That means this revolver is not for me.

October 14, 2021, 09:33 PM	#18
Centurion Senior Member Join Date: May 9, 2016 Posts: 270	It is even lower than Rossi or Taurus.

October 17, 2021, 07:37 AM	#19
BornFighting88 Senior Member Join Date: August 1, 2021 Posts: 455	I agree, my lowest acceptable level of quality is Ruger. Prefer SW. Looks like the consensus of these EAA’s just aren’t the thing they seem to be.