GatorFarmer
Member
I found a 4" blued one, nominally used, but looked new. It was priced at $240. A nearby clearance end cap yielded a Chinese made leather pancake holster, "Bulldog", labeled small revolver. It cost all of $10. Likely for a J frame, it oddly stretches to fit the Windicator well.
These guns are made by Weihrauch in Germany. At one point they were apparently sold under the Arminius trade name, the German chieftan that handed the Romans a bloody defeat. Mine is labeled only with the HWR logo and the name of the importer, EAA.
These revolvers have been made for a long time, at least since the 80s, probably well before. The Windicator name is made up by EAA. The maker simply calls it the HW357 and markets them in Europe for hunting and defense.
Some erroneous reports on the internet claim these have an alloy frame, ie Zamak. They do not. The models in .38, .22, etc have alloy frames. The .357 magnum versions are steel frame and have to pass German proof testing.
Some users have reported problems with ejection or locking up when using strong magnum loads. I did not notice any of that, though can not speak to long term durability.
The heavy two piece shrouded barrel minimized muzzle flip. It was nicely crowned and well done. EAA cuts the barrels on the snub versions in the states and leaves the end unfinished -sharp edges, uncrowned.
The 4" seemed to actually fit in a pocket and belt carried nicely. There is probably no reason to go with the snub.
One of the chambers has slightly sticky extraction. It may just need a polish. I may tinker with it. EAA is not known for customer service.
Weihrauch does make match versions of these guns. The single action pull was fine, the DA pull needs some work. I found it more accurate than my Armscor .38, and much smoother. I would describe my example as combat accurate, ie cover the group with your hand at 50ft. Practice and breaking in the DA pull may improve that.
A strange size between J and K frame seemingly, holster choices may be limited, but the gun is quite concealable.
Honestly, esp for the price, I was impressed.
These guns are made by Weihrauch in Germany. At one point they were apparently sold under the Arminius trade name, the German chieftan that handed the Romans a bloody defeat. Mine is labeled only with the HWR logo and the name of the importer, EAA.
These revolvers have been made for a long time, at least since the 80s, probably well before. The Windicator name is made up by EAA. The maker simply calls it the HW357 and markets them in Europe for hunting and defense.
Some erroneous reports on the internet claim these have an alloy frame, ie Zamak. They do not. The models in .38, .22, etc have alloy frames. The .357 magnum versions are steel frame and have to pass German proof testing.
Some users have reported problems with ejection or locking up when using strong magnum loads. I did not notice any of that, though can not speak to long term durability.
The heavy two piece shrouded barrel minimized muzzle flip. It was nicely crowned and well done. EAA cuts the barrels on the snub versions in the states and leaves the end unfinished -sharp edges, uncrowned.
The 4" seemed to actually fit in a pocket and belt carried nicely. There is probably no reason to go with the snub.
One of the chambers has slightly sticky extraction. It may just need a polish. I may tinker with it. EAA is not known for customer service.
Weihrauch does make match versions of these guns. The single action pull was fine, the DA pull needs some work. I found it more accurate than my Armscor .38, and much smoother. I would describe my example as combat accurate, ie cover the group with your hand at 50ft. Practice and breaking in the DA pull may improve that.
A strange size between J and K frame seemingly, holster choices may be limited, but the gun is quite concealable.
Honestly, esp for the price, I was impressed.
