EAA Windicator .357

They are rough. Functional, however. We never sold very many but probably could now.

Solid German made piece from what I know. I LoVE EAA guns from the witness line

EAA is the importer of the Windicator, they are manufactured by Weihrauch in Mellrichstadt, Germany. Weihrauch uses Lothar Walther barrels and is best known for their air guns and match rifles but they also make the Arminius revolver line since over five decades. The Arminius HW9 is a very underrated rimfire match revolver and they are often used as club owned guns in Germany. All Arminius revolvers I have seen and handled in .22 l.r. and .38 Special have worked pretty well.
However, when it comes to .357 Magnum in the $400 to 500 range, I would rather prefer to buy a traditionally made Italian SAA clone.

I bought one 20 years ago used for $200 and i thought it was ok for that price. They are very clunky and heavy for what they are. It was fully functional, and shot ok, although it had a very heavy double action trigger pull. The rubber grip was pretty ergonomical. Good luck finding any holsters for it, it is nowhere close to the profile of any other revolver on the market, with that extra thick lug in front of the cylinder. I ended up giving mine to my brother who didn't own any handguns.
I wouldn't ever consider paying $400 for one. Ever. They are the Hi-Point of revolvers

Sportsman's Guide had the Snubs for well under $300 a couple of years ago.

I picked one up to check out.
I was in great shape and shoots very well.
So.... I picked up a second. The finish wasn't quite a nice as the first one.
It still shoots great.

I have not put hundreds of rounds thru either.

I bought them to be cheap, but functional truck / 4-wheeler / don't cry as much if something happens to them pistols.

The Windicator is the only gun I ever traded back in. After a week of ownership, some more dollars got me a GP-100. Unless you need a 357 right now and cannot buy something else, I'd pass. If the 605 + holster is in good shape, I'd go there.

Pretty bad when Taurus gets the nod over windicator. At least EAA would have warranty service too many Taurus “I didn’t get my gun back after months” stories.

If you're looking for an affordable, functional, reliable 357, by all means, go with the Windicator(Vindicator). Yeah I know it's a dumbass name, but it is certainly not a dumbass revolver. I think a 357 revolver should weigh at least 25 ounces, and I'd even say more like 30. It feels powerful in your hand, yet the power of the 357 load is absorbed through the gun via its weight and grip, angel of barrel to handle. and its bore axis. It's tight tolerances give you a no slop product. BEFORE you take this gun to the range, clean it, lube it, and because of its tight build, break it in first with 38s. Then you can blast some of the heavies!!! This gun is so much fun to shoot. Considerably accurate for its build. I pitty the foolish intruder who gets in front of it!

I would get one of these before anything else. Its a 38 Special rated for +P which seems to be what most end up shooting in their 357 revolvers anyway because of the recoil of the 357 round. Plus its a 6 shot gun that will supposedly fit in holsters made for 5 shot guns. These are selling for a fixed price of $400. No need to bid and haggle. Just hit the buy it now button.

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/898194979

I have the 357 model. Like others have said it's not a beauty queen and a little rough from getting its barrel cut off. It functions like a champ and can handle stiff loads. I will use it to fight my way to my AR9 pistol with the 30rd mag.

I have one of the .357 snubby version.
At first it was pretty stiff, and I wound up easing the sharp corners of the hammer with a Dremel because it was tearing up my thumb.
The barrel looks like it was cut off with a hacksaw, no bluing or crown, just cut straight across.
It's functional, and if you run out of ammo you can club a bad guy with it.
I should dig it out and do some shooting with it.

I dig Taurus revolvers for budget beater revolvers that work. Plus their are more after market support and parts for them. A Windicator would be last on my list.

There are lemons in every batch. Smith and Ruger included. Whatever the issue may be, front whatever company it may be. They've all had their share of quirks. For years people have sworn off Taurus because of its high percentage of lemons and poor customer service. As for Charter, you never know if your going to get a cylinder that's ready to fall out, or a barrel shroud that's pointing NorthEast. RIA has some good Dogs, but they too have had light strike issues, and broken cranes. New Smiths have some issues with shootability and comfort, while Ruger, as exceptional of gunmaker they are, have serious known trigger issues. With all that said, I understand the novelty and collectability of some of the makers. But I have to say again, the ugliest(as most of you say)duckling of them all, even with it's sawed off barrel, that is the best dollar value, especially if you're gonna throw it around and step on it, is the 357 Vindicator! It's that black ugly bulldog sitting in the corner of the kennel that no one wants, that will end up being this mans best friend!





Read all the comments after the reviews, then go out and shoot one!!!