I love this pistol. It is solidly made, well constructed compared to others I've used. The only problem is finding 209 primers to use with it.

We use this blank gun in our training program and it holds up much better than other models we have tried. The primers can matter though as we found clarinex primers gummed the gun up a lot but other primers did not.

Needed a starter pistol for dog training and hunt tests. You will be able to find cheaper models than the Alfa but they will not match the quality, and reliability of it. I purchased the 209 primer model. Have used it for about a month now and am very happy with it.

Good quality, Very happy with the purchase. If you already reload shotshells, you should have 209 primers available and not have to worry about getting a separate supply of blanks for dog training. Plenty loud for the application.

I have an Alfa that I used for probably three seasons. It has stopped revolving to the next blank. I am really disappointed as I thought this brand and model costing over $200 would be durable. It lasted only a little longer than the last THREE cheap pistols I owned. I want one to last!

Very solidly built, easy to clean and maintain.

Revolver arrived quickly and had obviously been cared for before delivery, coming with preservative oil all over the parts. Cleaned oil off, dry fired, and several days later actually used the revolver. Worked flawlessly. Revolver is very well made and is a high quality arm. Double action fire is smooth and "lock-up" is perfect. Single action fire is equally flawless. To be frank, it has a better trigger pull than my Colt Detective Special.

This 209 starter pistol is perfect! This is the first I have owned, but I have borrowed many different models. The Alfa 209 surpasses them all. Easy to clean, great feel in the hand, smooth action, perfect weight. It is the first starter pistol that didn’t make me feel like I was fumbling with a kid’s cap gun. ( I am 6’4, 250lbs) I used it recently for 2 Junior hunt tests, to great effect. I familiarized myself with it and did some steady training with my dog before the tests. I went in with total confidence in the Alfa 209. Zero fear that it would fail or hang me up.

Nice pistol, works great, very comfortable to handle.

Using to start track meets. Well made gun. 209 is plenty loud and shells ar one-fifth the cost of 32 blanks.

Very well made, feels like a real firearm. Operation is very smooth.

Gift for my son-in-law who says this Alpha 209 Primer Starter Pistol is great for training his Labrador Retriever.

Webfootkennel retriever training camp uses 100 primers a day in training. We’ve tried every make and model available and the others don’t hold up. The Alfa is a solid well made primer gun that can withstand the rigors of daily use . Spend the money buy the best! I have a collection of broken starter pistols and I’ll only use the Alfa

Just bought my second Alfa primer pistol. My other one has provided years of use but finally needed a little TLC from the repair shop. I bought the second one so I wouldn’t be without while the original was in the shop. A spare or extra gun is always good to have on hand for training days. These training pistols are loud, good mechanically, and economic to operate using the 209 primer loads. It’s a must have for retriever training. I recommend highly. It would have to be gold plated to earn a 5 star rating but this is a great training pistol for most needs. Repair service is hassle free and easy should you ever need it. Only reason I did was because of all the use I put my original through over last 7 years.

Love it, you need it, don't hesitate, buy it.

Love the pistol. Works great . A great quality made pistol. As long as you clean your pistol on a regular schedule it should last a very long time. I used my pistol 5 days a week.

You get what you pay for. I bought junk before and now I own the best.

It's better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it. The first aid kit was way more than what I expected. The first aid book is laid out so it's a know brainer. Explains so one can understand what to do or what not to do.

As a first time buyer/owner of a pistol of any sort, I would've benefited from directions on how to clean the pistol, how often, and what type of oil to use. This was omitted in the user guide. Big omission, I think. Otherwise, the pistol works great, is easy to use and load.

Great training pistol!

A friend of mine has this gun and I really liked it, so when my first, cheap starter pistol died on me, there was no question that this was going to be my new gun. I love it!

I did a lot of research before I bought this starter pistol. Belonging to a bunch of Versatile Hunting Dog Clubs, I had the opportunity to try numerous pistols. The Alfa pistol proved to be the most reliable. The quality of the pistol speaks for itself.

Very solid piece. Trigger pull not too heavy to use double action even with lady hands!! 209's nice loud report. Easy to load and unload. Overall a big improvement over the .22 blank pistol we've been using. Orange grip's a great idea. Makes it easy to locate in the training pack.

So far it's great! The trigger pull is much better than my old starter pistol. Solid made pistol, should last for years.

High quality piece of equipment that you can rely on for years to come. We use these in our trial practices and they are great.

A great product. I wish I had purchased sooner. Ordering was easy and shipped out quickly. Thanks Steve!

Only had this pistol for a short period but like the feel and action. Feels like a solid product and look forward to a long service life.

I am a Track and Field starter and ordered the incorrect pistol. Gun Dog is a very good company and I am sending back the Alfa primer and ordering the Alfa 32 blank starter. Gun Dog Supply responds very fast and gets your order to you quickly.

When you receive the pistol ensure that the excess lubricant is thoroughly removed before firing, other than that it works as designed and intended.

Nice pistol.

Just had a chance to try it at a trial. Best tool out on the market today!

I wanted a training pistol that had a locking cylinder. My new pistol has performed flawlessly since the day it arrived. I expect this gun to last me a very long time. This gun is very well made.

Shipping was fast and quality of product is great! I have already recommended GDS to a few friends for their next purchase!

It's a little off to the left.

Best gun out there. The cheaper ones will work for a year or so, but spend the money and buy this one that will last forever.

Excellent pistol. Finally have one worth the money.

Every high school track starter should consider this starting gun. The retort is loud enough and concussive enough for all automatic timing systems, and you will save at least fifty dollars a meet or more on spent powder.

Was having a tough time finding blanks for my .22 caliber blank gun, plus they were expensive. I got 1000 209 primers for $37

Very reliable.

In the short time I have had this pistol it has operated very well and appears well made.

This is my 2nd Alfa Starter Pistol. Very Satisfied!!

Just purchased my new Alfa pistol, and it works great. It has a nice feel with good hand grips and a solid action.

Easy to shoot. Very pleased.

Pistol was as ordered.

Rugged and loud. When small fireworks were legalized in RI about ten years ago, I started using 22 blanks to keep Canadian geese from destroying my lawn on the river's edge. Now the 209's do it. My dogs also perk up when they hear the pop, and they come in to me if they are out in the fields. The low cost of the primers is the main reason for getting the Alfa pistol, and even though I've already had one jam in the first fifty rounds, the gun seems solid and easy to use.

Louder than a 22. Maybe not so good for starting a pup, but good for competitions.

It's everything that I had expected.

I couldn't be happier with it.

Very nice blank gun. High quality, solid feel and balance. Runs good single or double-action. Pretty loud, which is the desired result. I would endorse this model to anyone who is serious about their tools and training.

Excellent starter pistol and functions great. Just a bit heavier than expected. Other than that, it's nice.

Placed my order on a Sunday, and it was at my house in 2 days!

Super nice! Works every time!

Like all guns, you must clean it occassionally. Otherwise works great. No problems and fired hundreds of times

After 4 years. I wish that I bought it sooner Never failed. My other cheaper pistols broke & had to be replaced after 2 years!

worth every penny

Had mine for two years use at PD in swat training best one I ever bought others give out after a month or two

Very reliable, easy to load and unload. Will last a very long time.

It a great tool for training. The gun is very realistic when used for training in the field.

Love the Alfa 209. Best starter pistol/blank gun I have ever owned. Durable, reliable, and no issues. I have recommended it to friends.

The pistol was absolutely great until someone accidentally poured an energy drink in my gear bag without telling me. Of course, it would have been a little hard for the dog to explain in a way I would have understood. Regardless, let's just say I have good reason to believe Monster drinks are a bit corrosive. I loved the pistol. I'll be getting another soon.

I use both the Alpha 22 and 32 to start track events. Both are top shelf pieces that work flawlessly. I bought both at gundogsupply because of the good price and friendliness! I buy the hard to get black powder shells from gundogsupply as well. I use the 22 for work at the start line because it isn't as loud. The 32 is really loud and I use it when starting away from the starting line or when there is a big starting stagger.

Worked every time. Easy to use. Primers are easy to find.

Built like a gun, not a toy.

Great product- well built and perfect functionality. The only drawback for me is the weight. Pretty heavy for wearing all day training or at a Field Trial, though some may prefer this as you'll surely notice if you drop it and the Orange grips make it easy to find and fit nice in your hand. Wish they still offered it in nickle finish though-

I am currently training two dogs at the Master Hunt test level. I have also co-instructed a class for retrievers at a retriever club for the last three years. I have shot hundreds of primers through this training pistol without as much as a missfire. Worth every cent....

Winchester primers work the best, others must expand when fired and don't eject easy

Very happy with the pistol. Thank You.

Works great!!

Works fine with no problems.

I'm a professional trainer (www.ruggedretrievers.com) and use the blank pistols on a daily basis. The Alpha 209 Primer Pistol is probably one of the worst I have ever owned. I purchased 4 of these a few years ago. Had not even had them 6 months when problems started. I am now down to 1 working Alpha pistol. A complete waste of money. I will never purchase these again, nor will I recommend them. Since the H&R .22 caliber, 9 shot blank pistols are no longer being produced, I am still looking for a reliable blank pistol that will stand up to daily use.

Some primers didn't fit in the gun very well. Drilled out the cylinders and that fixed the problem. Never have had any problems with the gun. Heavy construction. Worth every penny. Don't waste your money on cheap training pistols. This is the one you want.

Its a great training tool and always fires!!

Quality is great i use pistol min. 4 times a week no problem cheap to use, works great. I had a n.E.F. Was a good gun but as it got older the pin would fall out once i lost the cyl., No way with the alpha just a great tool to have when training. Jim

The most durable, rugged and reliable starter pistol I have ever owned. I have been through 2 other training pistols that did not stand up to all weather conditions or heavy use, this one does. The 209 primers obviusly have the real shotgun sound, are economical and readily available. Definitely worth the investment for the exceptional quality.

Fires reliably but is too heavy and should have been manufactured with an eight shot cylinder

Like: Well built. Easy to handle and has never not fired. Don'ts: Little too heavy. Harder to squeeze trigger for women and younger kids while helping me train. Pro trainer says he has worn one out in a couple years. Had Six Shooter that got stolen. Really liked it. Lighter and easier to pull trigger.

Awesome!!!

good solid pistol, way better than the cheap versions.....fairly loud report for primer used....overall quite satisfied

I've used many brands of blank pistols and most of them are so cheaply made that you spend time tinkering around and less time dog training. The Alfa is well made, works smoothly and is much more durable than other brands. It's a bit pricey but with the blaze orange grip its hard to misplace.

Dang Reliable, love this startergun, Used it at a track meet when theirs died, went through 60 shots flawlessly, it performs well, easy to clean. great product. SMG Central Nebraska

Great quality and reliability

When I tried to clean it part of the mechanism at the firing pin came loose and fell into the works. I had to take it to a gun smith to repair it. I didn't expect that dabbing it with solvent could loosen something. Otherwise it has performed flawlessly.

Reliable, easy to load and well built. For a trainer (amateur or professional) you can not have equipment that fails you in the field and this pistol has not failed.

excellent product

stainless steel would be better

I like the weight and it is easy to load.

Best on the market for handler/trainer who trains more than one dog every 7-10 years. The Alfa is a professional quality training aid. RmG

I have now used this pistol for a year shooting over 500 rounds through it with no difficulties. This pistol must be kept clean, and serviced routinely should last me a number of years. The only alteration I made was to remove the lanyard ring. I believe a light belt holster is more practical for dog training purposes where use of both hands is required. Stan

The Alfa 209 Primer Starter Pistol I purchased from Gun Dog Supply is excellent. It is very well made compared to other starter pistols I have and the primers for it are relatively cheap! Gun Dog Supply's shipping was also very quick and their website is user friendly!

If you are looking for a great training 209 primer pistol get the Alfa 209! It is well built, and reliable. It takes any 209 primer which are very easy to find and very inexpensive. The shots are clear and laud. I highly recommend it!

reliable shoots every time holding up very well with frequent use have recomended it to several others, all are pleased