Alan Westlake Alfa 357 Mag Revolver

[Frag Muppet]

Brought this from Alan Westlake
An Alfa 357 Mag - Muzzle Loading Revolver.
£860


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It shoots these


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And can do this at 30 yards

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I pulled the last shot (at the bottom) Otherwise would have been a 3" grouping.

Have been down the range three times now.

The first time I tried from 3.8 to 4.6gn of Blue Dot. (Alan was unable to supply any Herco Powder)
He had no Loading Data for Blue Dot, so had to do some experimenting.
Above 4.5gn is to large a charge and it blew off two of the skirts leaving them in the cylinder.
( I had to use the "easy out tool" Alan recomended to get the 2/3 mm of lead skirt from inside the bottom of cylinder, but got it out quite easy)

The next time I went down the range I tried from 3.5 to 4gn of Blue Dot.
I started off with 3.5gn checking the barrell & cylinder after each shot.
3.5gn is too small a charge, on about the 5th shot I ended up with a wad cutter stuck half way down the barrel.
I had to use a cleaning rod with a small piece of cloth on the end to gently tap the wad cutter out without damaging the barrel.

4gn of Blue Dot seems to be just about right. You get a nice kick (Recoil) with 4gn.
On the last visit to the Range I made the final adjustments to the sights and ended up with a 4" grouping as my best set of shots. ( Off a rest ) See last photo above.
This will hopefully improve with more practise.
Shooting a Revolver at 30 Yards is a real challenge.

The trigger is pretty good straight out of the box, I believe you can adjust it if needed.
(The double action of the trigger is quite stiff though, so only shot single action)
Alan supplies a small metal pin to knock out the used shotgun primers
But it is too large for the small holes, I have found that a large paper clip straightened out easily knocks out the spent primers.
I may try & grind Alans metal pin down when I get the chance though.

I brought a 1000 Wad Cutters from Alan.
(Although I intend to cast my own using a Lee 357 Mould, I am not sure what size "sizer" to use though Alans wadcutters are just under .357 and they are a tight fit!)
They seem to be loading in the cylinder quite nice, of the 150 or so I have shot only a couple seemed to be oversized & didnt want to press into the cylinder with my thumb.
Alan supplies a small press to push them fully into the cylinder, it comes with the gun.

A plastic foam lined case also comes with the Gun.
I also brought a soft case off Alan for when the Firearm is stored in the cabinet (£12)

I also brought direct from the factory another set of wooden chequered grips and a Black Leather Holster (30 euros each plus postage - a bargain!)

Now just need to find the right cleaning product to get the stainless steel cylinder spotless after use.

So far I am really enjoying shooting this revolver, I find it a challenge at the Clubs Firing Line 30yards.
Everyone who sees it wants to have a go with it. As its the closest thing to a proper Hand Gun we can legally own in the U.K.

Stuart

[dannywayoflife]

Very nice mate

[jay851]

looks great. will be putting in a variation for one of these. what is the deal with spare cylinders, do they have to be put on with the variation.

atb
jay

[dannywayoflife]

Jay yes you need a slot for each spare cylinder. Your welcome to have a go with mine sometime mate!

[jay851]

Lol should have guessed that you have one Dan.
will take you up on that mate, have shot black powder pistol and enjoyed it. was thinking of
putting in for a lbr but the boy won't be able to shoot it so this will do nicely.

[dannywayoflife]

These are soooooo much fun mate!