Alfa Proj 9mm Revolver Imported by RIA - Range Report

Tallball

Tallball

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Oct 2, 2014
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Went into some detail, in case anyone's interesting in buying one.

I've been keeping my eye on 9mm revolvers on GB for a year or two now and hadn't noticed any of these Model AL9's for sale, though there are reviews of them on Youtube. The Youtube reviews are mostly 2-3 years old. Maybe it took a while for them to actually be imported and sold online after the reviews? Maybe I just didn't notice them.

When I saw a few of them show up on GB a couple of months ago, I won one for a bid of $390. A couple of them have gone for bids of $510 and $550 recently. The "buy now" prices are $685-$750.

I've been busy with refurbishing an old house, but I took the day off today to make a range trip. Here are my impressions of the Alfa Proj AL9:

It's a normal-looking DA/SA revolver made in the Czech Republic: medium frame, blued finish, 3" barrel, adjustable sights, black rubbery grips. It comes with two moonclips and a nice moonclip tool.

The parts all fit together nicely, but they're a bit "unrefined". The shapes of the frame and barrel are very simple. My Taurus revolvers look fancier by comparison, with the shapes being smoother and having more details. The blued finish is okay, but it isn't even. The barrel area is the most noticeable (though not as bad as it looks in the picture).

The grip is a bit small for my XXL hands, but that's normal. My hand just wanted to cram all of my fingers onto it when it was shooting, so I let it. On a S&W with traditional wooden factory grips I have to tuck my pinky, so these are slightly larger.

The adjustable sights are fine. A little bit tall and narrow, but I could see them and use them NP. They didn't seem to need adjusting.

The SA trigger is fine. The DA trigger is smooth, but stiff.

I shot it SA just fine. About like any other medium-framed 3" revolver. My DA shooting was worse than usual. The trigger is stiff enough in DA to make things a bit challenging.

I shot about 50 rounds of mixed 115 grain range ammo. No malfunctions of any kind. The moonclips worked like any other moonclips. It shot just fine without moonclips, too: usually four would fall out and I'd have to pick a couple out with my thumbnail.

It's heavy enough that the recoil felt like I was just shooting mild 38's. To me, 9mm has noticebly more recoil in a snubby than 38 special. In this medium-framed revolver, 9mm was as gentle as typical 38 range ammo.

IMHO, it's an okay practice revolver. My SD revolvers are mostly 38 special or 357. This AL9 will be just fine for practice with super-cheap 9mm range ammo. If I can get decent with its DA trigger, my SD pieces will all feel like target revolvers. :)

Holsters for S&W k-frames seem to fit it just fine. I haven't looked around for more moonclips, or to see if other grips are available. A set of lower-weight springs would be nice, too - or at least a spare OEM mainspring that I could trim a couple of coils off. I'll get to work on those items soon. Please post if you know something, or if you have any questions about something I might have left out. :)

Alfa AL9 9mm revolver

Alfa AL9 9mm revolver

 
excellent review tallball, thank you. i too chased the “cheaper 9mm ammo out of a revolver” dream but with charter arms. it was an awful piece and short-lived ownership experience. i like my taurus 85 and 856 revolvers well enough, i wish that taurus offers 9mm in the same decent revolver platform at the same attractive price.
 
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Thanks for the post/thread as I was unaware of the existence of this revolver.
This doesn't mean I'll necessarily be getting one, but may consider one and take a closer look should I ever see one in-person locally.
I also didn't know Rock Island Armory was sourcing firearms from anywhere else other than its own Philippines factory.
I'd not heard of Alfa-Proj before.

List of firearms (A) - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org
 
jstert said:
excellent review tallball, thank you. i too chased the “cheaper 9mm ammo out of a revolver” dream but with charter arms. it was an awful piece and short-lived ownership experience. i like my taurus 85 and 856 revolvers well enough, i wish that taurus offers 9mm in the same decent revolver platform at the same attractive price.
Click to expand...

Taurus does have a j-frame 9mm. It's the Model 905. I've almost bought one several times. You can find them NiB on GB for a bit under $400 anytime. Next time I can get one for closer to $300, I'll spring for it. They hold five shots. My Model 85's have all been good, and I'd like a 9mm version for cheap practice.

You can also find 9mm Italian SAA replicas NiB in the low $500's on GB anytime. It's a very nice cartridge to shoot from that platform, and it doesn't need moonclips that way.

The Taurus 905, the Italian SAA's, and the Alfa Proj are the least expensive 9mm revolvers that I know of in their categories. In the snub category, the Charter Arms cost more than the Taurii, then you get to the Rugers and it starts to get expensive.

Forgive me if I'm rambling. Just wanted to pass that along in case anyone's looking for inexpensive and functional 9mm revolvers.
 
I took the liberty of rotating your photo @Tallball

I have heard of these Alpha Project guns but this is the first I have seen one, well, a photo of one.
1695181106871.jpeg

A six shot 9mm revolver sounds like fun to me. I looked at the Taurus guns. I don’t want a 5 shot light revolver in 9mm. Too snappy, I’m sure. But a full gripped 6 shot revolver? Sure, I would like to try one out. :thumbup:

Thanks for posting about this Tallball.
 
I have an old 3-inch S&W Model 547, which, like this Alfa Project gun, is a medium frame revolver chambered for 9mm Parabellum. It's a fine gun, and pleasant to shoot, but it's a lot of weight for 6 rounds of 9mm these days. The 547 is all steel; does the Alfa have an aluminum alloy frame?

I think the smaller caliber Alfa's had zinc alloy frames. I remember that because I regret not getting one of their 32 S&W Long revolvers. :(
 
TY for the kind remarks. I've learned a lot from the members here, and I was happy for the opportunity to review a new-ish product for y'all. :)

I would have snatched up one of those Taurus convertibles if I ran across one recently. Either they haven't been available this year, or I've been searching poorly. I remember seeing them for a little while, but it was years ago.

The Alfa has a steel frame. I've seen it listed at both 24 and 32 ounces online. 32 is more reasonable to me, since that's about what a Model 10 weighs.

I got it so that I could practice DA revolver shooting with cheap 9mm range ammo. It'll be just fine for that. It's kind of crude, but it goes bang every time and seems sturdy.
 
Pat Riot said:
A six shot 9mm revolver sounds like fun to me. I looked at the Taurus guns. I don’t want a 5 shot light revolver in 9mm. Too snappy, I’m sure. But a full gripped 6 shot revolver?
Click to expand...
There really isn't much difference in recoil between a 5 shot and 6 shot revolver with the same length barrel. The only real dimension change between the Taurus 85 and 856 is the cylinder was slightly enlarged to fit a 6th round.

I weighed my three Taurus small frame revolvers loaded and empty. Yes there will be a slight difference between the 85 and 856. The 856 is a 2" barrel while the 85 has a 3" barrel. But only 2 inches of the 85 barrel is actually rifled, the last inch is bored out and ported. I threw in my 22lr 942 with a 2" barrel for comparison.

Model 85
  • Loaded = 24.8 ounces
  • Unloaded = 22.8 ounces
Model 856
  • Loaded = 24.8 ounces
  • Unloaded = 22.3 ounces
Model 942
  • Loaded = 24.9 ounces
  • Unloaded - 24.0 ounces
Unfortunately I do not have a 2" Model 85 to weigh. As you can see there is no difference in loaded weight of the 85 with 3" ported barrel versus the 856 with 2" barrel. And the 942 with a 2" barrel is only 0.1 ounce heavier when loaded.
 
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12Bravo20 said:
There really isn't much difference in recoil between a 5 shot and 6 shot revolver with the same length barrel. The only real dimension change between the Taurus 85 and 856 is the cylinder was slightly enlarged to fit a 6th round.

I weighed my three Taurus small frame revolvers loaded and empty. Yes there will be a slight difference between the 85 and 856. The 856 is a 2" barrel while the 85 has a 3" barrel. But only 2 inches of the 85 barrel is actually rifled, the last inch is bored out and ported. I threw in my 22lr 942 with a 2" barrel for comparison.

Model 85
  • Loaded = 24.8 ounces
  • Unloaded = 22.8 ounces
Model 856
  • Loaded = 24.8 ounces
  • Unloaded = 22.3 ounces
Model 942
  • Loaded = 24.9 ounces
  • Unloaded - 24.0 ounces
Unfortunately I do not have a 2" Model 85 to weigh. As you can see there is no difference in loaded weight of the 85 with 3" ported barrel versus the 856 with 2" barrel. And the 942 with a 2" barrel is only 0.1 ounce heavier when loaded.
Click to expand...
Thank you for that information. I appreciate it. :thumbup:
I guess I assumed the Taurus Snubbies were lighter than that. Now I will have to keep an eye out for a 9mm at my LGS’s. It would be cool to rent one to see how it feels putting some round’s down range. :cool:
 
Pat Riot said:
I took the liberty of rotating your photo @Tallball

I have heard of these Alpha Project guns but this is the first I have seen one, well, a photo of one.
Click to expand...



I've seen plenty of photos of them. What I see very little of, is actual reviews. And never seen one in the flesh.
Pat Riot said:
A six shot 9mm revolver sounds like fun to me. I looked at the Taurus guns. I don’t want a 5 shot light revolver in 9mm. Too snappy, :thumbup:
Click to expand...
It's a five shot because they built it on their small frame. They can build a 6 shot .38 on that same frame, because pressures are lower.
 
12Bravo20 said:
I weighed my three Taurus small frame revolvers loaded and empty. Yes there will be a slight difference between the 85 and 856. The 856 is a 2" barrel while the 85 has a 3" barrel. But only 2 inches of the 85 barrel is actually rifled, the last inch is bored out and ported.
Click to expand...
Umm, say what?

Got pictures of that?
 
Pat Riot said:
Thank you for that information. I appreciate it. :thumbup:
I guess I assumed the Taurus Snubbies were lighter than that. Now I will have to keep an eye out for a 9mm at my LGS’s. It would be cool to rent one to see how it feels putting some round’s down range. :cool:
Click to expand...
The Taurus UL models are lighter. All Taurus small frame revolvers use the same frame. So the older 22LR and 22WMR, the new 942 in both calibers, 327, 85, 856, 380, and 905 all use the same frame. I am not sure about the 605 though.

lee n. field said:
Umm, say what?

Got pictures of that?
Click to expand...

Here is the family

family.jpg

Here are a couple of photos of the 3" ported barrel. The 85 was purchased in 2000 or 2001

IMG_3029.jpg IMG_3031.jpg
 
trackskippy said:
My local shop has one, but at $750 otd, it seemed a bit much for what it was. Going by your review, Im off to have a look on GB and see whats up. 👍:)
Click to expand...

If it has a set asking price on GB, it will be up around $700. However, these seem to be just arriving and apparently people aren't sure about them yet? If you find and follow a penny auction, you should be able to get one in the $500's still, from what I could tell.

The Taurus 85 family is j-frame sized. The Alfa is k-frame size. They're in different categories with regards to weight and recoil.
 
Looking at Bud's Guns, they have the RIA AL9 listed at $739, the RIA AL 3 (357 Mag) from $799 to $869 and the RIA AL22 (blued) for $599 to $839 (stainless).

The only one I have been able to handle is the AL22 and it was nicely built with good fit and finish.
 
Tallball said:
It's heavy enough that the recoil felt like I was just shooting mild 38's. To me, 9mm has noticebly more recoil in a snubby than 38 special. In this medium-framed revolver, 9mm was as gentle as typical 38 range ammo.
Click to expand...
Tallball, my experience exactly. Tracked down a Smith 940 (really like Centennials), and was surprised by the recoil. Heavier 147s feel more like .38s in a similar J gun.

12Bravo20 said:
Taurus also makes a version in 380 too.

https://www.taurususa.com/revolvers/small-frame-revolvers/taurus-380
Click to expand...
Now this sounds interesting, just for grits and shins.
Moon
 
excellent discussion here, thanks all.

tallball, i do have a ruger blackhawk convertible in 357/38/9 (and in 45lc/acp) as well. these are fine revolvers but big, heavy and single action, as we know. i would love to live in a place where my daily carry could be open and a blackhawk, but unlikely in this life.

at a $300ish price new, taurus has cracked the market in five- and six-shot, 2” or 3” carry-able, decent revolvers, hence my desire for taurus to offer a 9mm version, easily found, at the same price. i have looked hard at a taurus 380acp snubbie, but i only occasionally see it on gb.com with a concealed hammer in an ultralight version, and i want an exposed hammer in steel.
 
I have the RIA branded Alpha 9, and really enjoy it. I consider it to be better made than the Charter Arms, EAA or Rossi that are out there. If you want to slick up the action a bit, you can check out my thread here

Alfa Proj. / RIA AL9.0 Trigger Job

I'm a fan of Czech pistols, so I've been intrigued with the Alfa Proj. 9mm revolver since I first saw them a couple years ago. But not enough to pay retail for one. This RIA AL9.0 came available locally the other day, at a price that was very attractive, so it's now mine. The fit and...
www.thehighroad.org
 
12Bravo20 said:
The Taurus UL models are lighter. All Taurus small frame revolvers use the same frame. So the older 22LR and 22WMR, the new 942 in both calibers, 327, 85, 856, 380, and 905 all use the same frame. I am not sure about the 605 though.



Here is the family

View attachment 1172420

Here are a couple of photos of the 3" ported barrel. The 85 was purchased in 2000 or 2001

View attachment 1172421View attachment 1172422
Click to expand...
The 605 also runs same frame. Its my usual edc. Ive put wood model 85 grips on it before but allways go back to the factory rubber. On this specific shooter the factory rubber grips just feel better in my hands and i shoot it better.
 
jstert said:
excellent discussion here, thanks all.

tallball, i do have a ruger blackhawk convertible in 357/38/9 (and in 45lc/acp) as well. these are fine revolvers but big, heavy and single action, as we know. i would love to live in a place where my daily carry could be open and a blackhawk, but unlikely in this life.

at a $300ish price new, taurus has cracked the market in five- and six-shot, 2” or 3” carry-able, decent revolvers, hence my desire for taurus to offer a 9mm version, easily found, at the same price. i have looked hard at a taurus 380acp snubbie, but i only occasionally see it on gb.com with a concealed hammer in an ultralight version, and i want an exposed hammer in steel.
Click to expand...

@jstert TY for participating! Small world. I have the Blackhawk 357 and 45 also. The 45 came with the acp cylinder and I use it way more than the 45 colt. I found a 9mm cylinder on ebay for the 357 that happened to fit. It's super accurate and easy to shoot with 9mm. I brought it to the range with me last time because I was shooting a bunch of micro nines. After I did some "meh" shooting with the little things, I put a couple dozen rounds of 9mm through the Blackhawk and felt better about the tiny group. :)

The Taurus 905 is a five shot 9mm revolver on the Model 85 frame. It uses moonclips. They're closer to $400 NiB than $300 these days. I'm still annoyed with myself for not snagging one for $329 a year or so ago. :(

The 9mm revolvers I currently have are the Blackhawk, an SP101, a SAA clone, and the Alfa. I'll add a 905 when I come across one for a good price. The Taurus model with the convertible cylinders is the Model 692. I finally found them on GB (not listed under 9mm). They're also in the $700's. Ouch. Might as well add $200 and get a Smith?

Ruger Blackhawk 357 Magnum

Ruger Blackhawk 357 Magnum

 
Hillbilly Hydrographics said:
The 605 also runs same frame. Its my usual edc. Ive put wood model 85 grips on it before but allways go back to the factory rubber. On this specific shooter the factory rubber grips just feel better in my hands and i shoot it better.
Click to expand...
Thanks for verifying that. I wasn't 100% sure so I didn't want to put out bad information.
 
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