EAA Windicator: The Budget German 357 Magnum

A range review with the EAA Windicator made by Weirauch in Germany and import to the US by European American Armory. Can this budget revolver compete with other offerings on the market?
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[@ciscokidkid6580]

I bought one in 4in for the woods here in Arizona because of the wild life and 2 legged varmint. Because I have a small family that I love.

[@veganlifestyleloveanimals1744]

I have had the eaa windicator 2in barrel for 6 years. It has a very good trigger. It is better then what my sp101 is.

[@Preacher357]

I would expect with budget guns there can be some inconsistency across their products. Some Windicators probably have much better triggers than others. The one I reviewed has steadily improved, which is to be expected. It might eventually be pretty decent, but as it stands now it just isn't very good.

[@veganlifestyleloveanimals1744]

@@Preacher357 Mine was also produced 6 years ago, maybe things have changed. I just purchased a charter arms professional. I got it home at it was locked up in double action. I had to send it to charter arms before I even got it out on the range. Kinda crazy.

[@RabbitusMaximus]

ditto - i found the same and note mine is also as good or alightly better than my ruger sp101. just as heavy too ;)

[@MrThomass281]

I had a blued snubby in .357. I agree with your take on the revolver. Only thing I can add is mine did not like hot .357. The cylinder would stick and be hard to open with hot loaded .357.

[@richardjohnson4238]

I've been tempted to buy one of these "just because." I like to try out inexpensive guns that most people won't look at twice. Good video as always. Thanks.

[@Preacher357]

Thank you.

[@bobsacamano8187]

I have one, not bad. For anyone wondering, S&W Model 66 speedloaders work with the EAA. They line up perfectly.

[@brianrosewell8036]

I purchased my EAA Windicator with the Blue finish, 4in barrel, chambered in .38spl/.357mag. After some range time I think I got a lot of bang for the buck. I've found it has a nice solid feel to it, and been very happy with this sidearm. Thanks for sharing your video, keep them coming.

[@oldskoollongboard]

Thank you!

[@mrstangblb]

They have one of these at one of our local gun stores, and I looked at it long and hard before I bought my Rossi RM66. Great job on your video as always!

[@Preacher357]

Thank you.

[@recoveringnewyorker2243]

I have the blued snubby version. The trigger gets smoother the more you use it.

[@meattooth1303]

looks like a good one to keep on top of my cabinets in my kitchen or under my truck seat in case i need a quick grab.

[@dryrivercatfishing5465]

Thanks for the review! This is one of the best reviews i’ve seen on this gun. Helped me decide to wether buy it or not

[@dragdragon23]

I got one with a 2 inch barrel, it seems to shoot fairly well. Seem reviews of people who shot it with 357 only and the guns were damaged from that bigger round. I only fired mine a few times because it's not my top gun in the collection, but it works. Good review!

[@donedwards1956]

i got the 2inch snubbie and the trigger pull is decent and its good accurate to 50 yard out - it also looks good just too heavy to EDC but excellent range gun

[@lincolnkyle3350]

I just got one a couple weeks back 4” blued and man what a deal single action is great but the double is heavy. Good range toy, but might carry it as a rifle hunting sidearm.

[@michaelscafe2818]

Thanks for sharing those details. I was considering this EAA revolver to use as a woods gun, but i dont think i can overlook the forcing cone being so thin. I want something that is both a good value and capable of high miles. Taurus has the 66 which is interesting and only another $50 to $80. Would love a ruger gp100, but those are pushing $900 now. Will have to look at charter arms too...

[@Preacher357]

I have a review of the Charter Arms Professional 357. I had an issue with the front sight, but that was repaired and I haven't had any issues since. You could also look at the Rossi 66. I have a review on that one as well.

[@anthonyb2334]

I purchased this gun 3 months ago, on sale, for $377. It was hard to pass up as a second trail gun. I wanted a Ruger or Smith but cost was a big issue. I’ve only run about 200 rounds through it. Very accurate, the trigger loosened up and double action isn’t too bad, recoils with 180 grain not too bad either. I had some concerns with how reliable, or how long would it last. No transfer bar was a concern as well, but this gun was well balanced in my hand and shoots very well. Good video. Your points are very valid. Hopefully it gives me years of safe use. Thank you

[@RabbitusMaximus]

maybe no transfer bar but check - they do have a firing pin block unless the trigger is pulled. Makes it drop safe too so don't worry about a possible negligent discharge from a failed sear engagement - if the trigger is not pulled the floating firing pin will not be able to protrude and hit a primer. ;)

[@anthonyb2334]

@@RabbitusMaximus Thank you for that information. I wasn’t very familiar with the hammer block on this gun. I’ll look into it more. Thanks again

[@landonwood3977]

Anybody here still recommend this?

[@ashbyt1]

I have had the 4" Nickel model for 2 years and the trigger does get better after broken in. This is a great gun for the money and is well made. The issue with the "forcing cone" is a non-issue. Have you ever heard of it cracking? When you said, I'm just guessing..well you are right. Not helpful. BTW no body shoots well in double action.

[@SoyTiti831]

After how many rounds did you notice improvements

[@raybo34]

Nice review and comparison to the CA Professional. I had thought about that gun and heard others say the same about the trigger and passed on it. It does seem to be plenty accurate. I did use your link and joined GOA. Thank you.

[@Preacher357]

Thank you for getting in the fight with the GOA and I appreciate the comment.

[@raybo34]

@@Preacher357 You’re welcome. I appreciate your videos.

[@fasteagle9959]

This or the Rossi Rp63 ?

[@gdk-myk1040]

Hi, I am watching many videos about revolvers for 1 month now. Here in Germany I am allowed to own only two handguns. I want spend max 2500 € on it, should be a 4 inch .357. Which one would you buy?

[@Preacher357]

I am a Smith and Wesson guy myself. If I could only have one it would be a Smith and Wesson 686 + with either a 3 or 4 inch barrel. You can't go wrong with a Ruger GP100 either, though. They are great guns.

[@guaporeturns9472]

W has the sound of a V in German. Vindicator

[@Preacher357]

Yes, I am aware of that. I actually studied German in college. If you will notice how I pronounced the name of the company that manufactures this gun you will notice that I pronounced the W as a V sound. However, when you market a product for the American market, you have to be aware of how it is pronounced in this country. If they wanted it pronounced Vindicator here they should have spelled it with a V. It is the same with German car companies such as Volkswagen. We pronounced it with a V and a W, but in German it would be pronounced with an F and V sound, Folksvagon. Even Mercedes is pronounced differently in the US compared to Germany.

[@guaporeturns9472]

@@Preacher357 Yes , I am aware of that as well. Thanks for the lengthy reply though

[@Preacher357]

@@guaporeturns9472 Lengthy replies are my specialty.

[@guaporeturns9472]

@@Preacher357 Yet this isn’t that lengthy… 🤔 is something wrong….want to talk about it?

[@Preacher357]

@@guaporeturns9472 If I had time I would. Unfortunately I am at work right now. ,😁😁😁

[@rbm6184]

Looking back through your vids I didn't see an Armscor RIA Rock Island Armory M200 4" or M206 2" .38Spl. revolver. Another budget revolver but Filipino. I have seen mostly good reviews of them but some stinkers also. Parkerized finish. I mean its really cheap from $250 new to $200 used street value. Probably one of the cheapest if not the cheapest. I would for sure pick a Taurus or Rossi over it but with that price I might see if an M200 as a duty/service is worth picking up sometime. They say the trigger gets better with wear.

[@Preacher357]

It has been on my list of guns to review. I will probably pick one up sometime soon.

[@rbm6184]

@@Preacher357 Buffalo's Outdoors did two good videos on it about five years ago. He said quality control is spotty so its best to inspect it before picking it up but that is true for any gun really new or used. Ordering sight unseen is what hurts folks. It does have a lifetime warranty. Its about a K frame size. Look forward to your video on it.

[@ronniecunningham9293]

My eyesight isn’t good past 25 yards anymore so I’d have to pass on this one. Good video though.

[@wooddawg4868]

Are you gonna shoot single action in a self defense situation??

[@Preacher357]

No, which issue why I would probably not choose this gun for self defense personally. The double action pull has gotten better with use though.

[@joeyoung3319]

"Windicator" or "Vindicator"..?? GERMANS MIX UP the pronunciation of V and W when they speak/write IN ENGLISH. Spelling Windicator with "W" is a grammar/spelling ERROR on the Germans' part. HOW do I know? Living in Germany for over 10 years allowed me to learn the German language and pronunciation inside and out. I taught English and German while there, also. Listening to them try speaking English and accidentally mixing up V & W in their pronunciation exposed this tendency... so rest assured, they MEANT to name it "Vindicator."

[@chrisb3989]

Are all Americans ignorant of how W is pronounced in German?

[@Preacher357]

No. I actually studied German in college. If you will notice how I pronounced the name of the company that manufactures this gun you will notice that I pronounced the W as a V sound. However, when you market a product for the American market, you have to be aware of how it is pronounced in our country. If they wanted it pronounced Vindicator here they should have spelled it with a V. It is the same with German car companies such as Volkswagen. We pronounced it with a V and a W, but in German it would be pronounced with an F and V sound, Folksvagon. Even Mercedes is pronounced differently in the US compared to Germany.

[@TheLoneRanger745]

Nice shoot'n Preacher 🤠🏆