Unamerican Handguns -- Czech Alfa Proj Revolver -- Review with pics

[Swissman]

It is time to post the next chapter in this serie with guns of "outer space"

I examined today the first time some of the Czech Alfa Revolvers. I looked a long time for a Model 16 in .32S&W. Not one piece in sight. I looked for a Manurhin MR73 in the same caliber. Two comes up in auctions. The problem was, they were in Germany and were sold very high. So I looked for alternate guns. Not easy in this somewhat odd caliber and 6 inch barrel. The importer presented different models, versions and calibers. The friendly shop-owner had no problem with my camera and the one hour of trigger-testing, checking the fit, lockwork, blueing, steelquality, etc. All in all I am impressed with this guns. They are not perfect, but a 6" in .32 might be a nice addition to Swissmans collection.


The homepage: Zbranì na zbrojní prùkaz i volnì prodejné | ALFA - PROJ s.r.o.

The gun I got in my eyes:
3261, blued/chrome | Revolvers, Pistols, Flobert, Gas pistols, Air guns, Handcuffs

YOU WILL FIND THE REVIEW IN THREAD #12.

Greetings from the dark side

Swissman

 

[M29since14]

VERY dark indeed. Better to keep looking.

(JMHO)

 

[Swissman]

VERY dark indeed. Better to keep looking.

(JMHO)

Wanna see some of the selfmade pics, to be more enlighted??

Swissman

 

[LouisianaJoe]

If you like 32's here is the 16-4 that I bought last year.

It will fire several 32's including the 32 S&W and the 32 H&R Magnum.

 

[Swissman]

Of course is the 16-4 in my collection too.
But I want a real .32 S&W!! With the right chamberlenght.
Hey, this sounds logical in my dark world.

Swissman

 

[brucev]

Re: Op. Beautiful revolver you are looking at!

 

[M29since14]

The 16-4 is probably the most accurate .32 that S&W ever made, with just about anything you care to put in it. I admit I have not used .32 S&W and .32 auto but any load I put in a .32 magnum or .32 long case with a decent bullet shoots like a house on fire. Maybe you are looking for something you already have? You could always spend the money on a decent 1911.

 

[Swissman]

.............You could always spend the money on a decent 1911.

Hmmmmmm, I never see a 1911 in .32S&W. Are they accurate?
(Hey, you started the fire!)

 

[Marshwheeling]

Given what I have seen in Czech guns, I would be not hesitant, but eager to try out a Czech-made revolver. What does it cost?

 

[Texas Star]

How long has Alpha been in business? The cylinder crane reminds me a little of that on the MR-73, but moved further back, where it pivots out from the frame. ??

Looks odd. Are these guns highly thought of in Europe? Are they in the quality class of the Manurhin revolvers?

 

[bobbyd]

I actually bought a 4" Alfa-proj/Czeckpoint last year on Gunbroker.
Shot well and reasonably refined for an inexpensive gun but empty cases would not eject from the cylinder without the help of a ball peen hammer!
Gun was replaced but with a 3" and without the adjustable sights that my original had. Had to fight to get even. Small $$ adjustment...there generally seemed to be a definite lack of commercial savvy surrounding the whole transaction.
I would not do it again.

 

[Swissman]

This are the pics I had the chance to make... and my comments.

My review is done as neutral as possible. The biggest "problem" is, that I don't have the chance to shoot one of this Alfa-revolvers.
I load big picture up in my photobucket-album. With a click on the picture, you see very deep into this revolverdesign.

Overview:
The shop-owner showed me different styles. If I buy one, it is this version. In .32 S&W, of course.


My first impressions with the new guns out of the dealer's stock:


I "czeched" of course the Owners Manual. I put the most important things together to the two following pictures:


and the mandatory "explosion-scetch":



a closeup


This is a demo-gun Target-Version in .357 Mag. The lockwork feels smoother, but it is still not like a S&W.


...and the other side.. Pretty heavy gun of course. I took this one to take the pics and to check the technique of the Alfa-guns.


one more...


Some of my thoughts to the gun's details....










...btw: with "crane" I mean yoke..




The chambers are made in the "old recessed style". This gives an additional sympathy-point on my "Czecklist"


Well, for the moment that's all I can "show and tell". The local pricerange of the guns are between CHF 550.-- to CHF 700.--
(multiply by 1.12 is the price in US-$)

Greetings from Switzerland

Swissman

 

[Otreb]

Very cool. It looks like a high quality piece. I'd love to see it on paper at 25 and 50 yards.

 

[Texas Star]

Does the extractor rod push farther back than that narrowed portion, I suppose? Is there a front lock for that extractor rod? From what I can see, it looks as if a lug on the crane/lug may lock into some part of the frame instead?

The machining on the front of the barrel lug looks really crude. Lots of tool marks. My Ruger and S&W guns are quite well finished there. The barrel lug also looks to be too heavy and blocky.

Is this gun pretty much in the quality class of Astra, Llama, or Taurus, more so than with S&W, Ruger, Colt or Manurhin? I'm just guessing here, based on what I can see in your magnificent photos, for which thanks.

As ever, your camera has spoken many words.

IF the gun works well, a fixed sight service version in .357 might be a sound gun for general purpose work. As a specialized target item, this .32 may be fine.

 

[Swissman]

Texas Star,

Now I have to drive again to the gunshop, because I can't answer the "extractor-questions"

The overdone lug ain't my cup of tea. Germany is a market for that kind of guns. I prefer the style of the 3261. The finish of it is much better..and the gun is lighter

Quality-range: Manurhin(MR73) first by all means (the honest opinion of a soon-ex-forum-member). Then S&W, Colt, Ruger. Alfa Proj swings between Ruger and the Taurus-class. The trigger-feeling of the Alfa strays in a wide field. The standard guns, like the xx61 in blue or stainless has better finishes.

Fix-sighted Alfa's are available too. The .32 MUST be great. Why? Read further...

What makes me restrained at the moment? IF.....the .32 S&W not delivers what I expect from it, my "so-called" friends on both side of the atlantic, will not pass one chance to tell me this..... again, again and...again

Swissman

 

[M29since14]

What makes me restrained at the moment? IF.....the .32 S&W not delivers what I expect from it, my "so-called" friends on both side of the atlantic, will not pass one chance to tell me this..... again, again and...again

Ah, yes, the high cost of low-quality can be very bitter indeed.

 

[rodder]

they look good for the $$$, just got an e-mail revolvers in stock @ CzechPoint now. before i was looking @ a 357 3" barrel version out of stock as were other revolvers including a 9mm version using moon clips. i since bought a S+W 357 in 3" stainless mostly for 38 spl since its pretty light + since rugers SP101 3" my preference had only a "ditch" for a rear sight. very pleased with the model 60's shooting + ease of carry