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Alfa 209 Primer Starter Pistol

"Our highest-quality primer pistol. This is what I use for my dog training." -- Steve


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$299.95






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Alfa 209 Case and AccessoriesAlfa 209 Barrel DetailAlfa 209 Pistol Ejector Open DetailAlfa 209 Shell EjectorAlfa 209 Cylinder DetailAlfa 209 Hammer DetailAlfa 209 Grip DetailAlfa Pistol in Use

Restricted shipping. Cannot be shipped via USPS. Shipping prohibited to Puerto Rico.








These blank pistols are not props and can cause serious injury if used improperly. They are not recommended for use in theatrical productions or indoors.

Alfa 209 double-action revolvers are rugged and reliable.

  • Limited lifetime manufacturer's warranty
  • Bright orange grips -- easy to find if you drop it in the field
  • Grips made of high impact polymer
  • 6 shot swing out cylinder allows easy loading and unloading
  • A lanyard ring is included for security
  • Bright orange cap on the barrel is a reminder that the revolver is not a firearm
  • Comes complete with a carrying case and cylinder cleaning brush
  • .209 primers recommended


  • The design and superior manufacturing quality of the Alfa is at the same level as those of licensed arms. The Z-MAC zinc-aluminum frame with a rust-resistant blued finish and the high strength heat-treated steel parts promise trouble-free usage. Thanks to the automated drop safety lock and machine-tooled steel double-action-trigger mechanism the revolvers are absolutely safe.

    Alfa 209 Primer Blank Pistol Specifications:

    Barrel: 2"
    Overall Length: 7"
    Height: 5.25"
    Weight: 1.6 lbs.
    Capacity: 6
    Finish: Blued

    Use and/or possession of blank pistols (starter pistols) and blanks is prohibited and/or restricted in some jurisdictions. Laws change frequently. Therefore, all buyers should check with local authorities prior to ordering pistols and/or blanks.

    Limited Lifetime Warranty

    In addition to offering repair and service, Alfa-Proj warrants to the original purchaser that the product is free from defects in materials and workmanship under normal use. Damage due to abuse, misuse, neglect, or unauthorized adjustments or modifications made or attempted by anyone other than the stated factory repair service is excluded from this warranty. The Lifetime Service Policy covers functional defects. Alfa-Proj will repair or replace, at its option, any defects due to faulty materials or workmanship.

    The conditions of this warranty are twofold:

    First, the purchaser must return the warranty card with proof of retail purchase to: Elite Custom Guns, 2522 Tranquil Way, Sevierville, TN 37876-0170 within thirty days of purchase. Please include a copy of your purchase receipt.

    Second, the purchaser must notify Elite Custom Guns service department, in writing or by e-mail (elitecustomguns@gmail.com), stating the difficulty experienced and the date and place of original purchase.

    Excluded from this warranty are malfunctions caused by misuse or abuse of the starter revolver, damage due to lack of proper cleaning and maintenance, unauthorized modification, adjustments or repairs, shipping damages, careless handling, normal wear and tear, and defective or improperly loaded ammunition and corrosion.

    Alfa-Proj's responsibility under this warranty is limited to the repair or replacement of the revolver. Responsibility or liability for damage to property other than the revolver, personal injury or death, or consequential damages is SPECIFICALLY EXCLUDED.

    owners-manualOwner's Manual for Alfa 209 Primer Pistol



    Steve Says: Alfa 209 Primer Pistol

    Using a .209 blank pistol is a great way to save a few bucks:
  • 209 shotgun primers are very inexpensive compared to other blanks.
  • 209 shotgun primers are pretty easy to find locally.

    We DO NOT sell the 209 primers since they are VERY expensive to ship because of additional handling fees. Make sure you can get them locally. Any good gun shop will have them for folks that reload shotgun shells.

    Double Action means that you can "cock" the starter pistol and fire it or you can pull the trigger without cocking the hammer. It will fire either way - that's Double Action.

    This blank pistol is our highest-quality primer pistol. This is what I use for my dog training.


  • Transcript from Steve's Video:

    We're looking at the Alpha blank pistols. Alpha is a large-frame blank pistol. It's built on an actual gun frame, so it's got a lot of weight to it, a lot of feel. One of my favorite things about all the Alphas is that they come with orange handles, which makes them easy to find when you drop them in the field. They've also got the orange plug, which is required on a blank pistol.

    Alpha is a swing-out cylinder. What that means is you have a button to press. And when you open it up it stays in the cylinder. It has an ejector so that when your blanks are out you can fire them out. Comes with a lanyard ring, which I highly recommend that you strap it to yourself once it's in your holster. This is a large frame pistol. It will fit any of our large frame holsters.

    The Alpha comes in three different calibers. This is the .22 caliber. This is the .209 primer. And this is the .32 caliber.

    I prefer the .22 because you have three different volumes of blanks that you can use. You can use the small crimp blanks. You can use a medium crimp. And then you can use the loud Winchester .22 short blanks. So that gives you an increase in volume, which is great when you are working with a puppy.

    The .209 is probably the most popular we sell, and that's got to do with the price of the blanks. .22 caliber blanks are a little on the expensive side as far as per shot, where .209 primers are a good bit cheaper. The downside of .209 primers is that they are harder to come by because they cannot easily be shipped. So if you are getting a .209 pistol, you need to make sure that you can buy the primers locally. It's just a standard shotgun primer. I prefer CCI's. Most gun stores are going to have them, places that specialize in reloading.

    .32 is the least used of the ones that we sell, and a lot of that has to do with the blanks. They are for track and field and for field trials. Certain pointing dog field trials require a .32 caliber blank. I generally do not recommend them for folks that are dog training. The blanks are incredibly expensive.

    All three of the Alpha pistols are what are called double action pistols. What double action means is that you can either cock the pistol and then fire it or you can fire it without cocking it.

    All of the Alphas come with a hard-shell case. They also come with a cleaning rod. Highly recommend that you keep your blank pistols clean. Typically, if we see problems with them it's folks that just fire them all the time and never bother to clean them off. Any standard gun solvent is going to take care of them. It also depends on the blanks that you fire. The .22 shots are a very dirty blank and they require that you clean it on a more regular basis.

    I switch back and forth. With young puppies I use a .22 caliber because I can get that quiet. With older dogs I use a .209. Most people are not going to want that. So a lot of it depends on what you are doing. If you are using a .209 with puppies you just want to back off from them a good bit more and gradually introduce them to the gunfire. I would not take a .209 primer. A .209 primer is almost as loud as a .22 short. It might be as loud as a .22 short. For most people, the .22 is really the way to go. It just depends on how many blanks you are firing.

    These pistols cover all of our upland and retriever folks. And really good for rabbit hunters, coon hunters. Anybody that's going to be shooting around a dog, they need to gradually introduce the sound of gunfire to them. And blank pistols are the best way to do that. They're much safer than using an actual load. So you want to gradually introduce gunfire. We've got a couple articles on the website about that.






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    Customer Reviews

     
    Review Summary
    4.8
    97 Reviews
    5
    85% (82)
    4
    12% (12)
    3
    1% (1)
    2
    0% (0)
    1
    2% (2)
    98% Recommend this product (95 of 97 responses)
    By Paul
    S. E. North Dakota
    Professional quality.
    August 31, 2024
    Simply wore out the primer pistol I bought somewhere else. This was recommended to me by a highly respected trainer, so I tracked it down. Built extremely well, made to hold up. Very pleased.
    Pros
    • I LIKE that it's got some weight to it. It feels like you're holding a real pistol, not a dime store cap gun. This thing will last until my training days end.
    Cons
    • I have none.
    By Steve
    Pretty Prairie KS
    Blank Pistol
    August 15, 2024
    So far am very pleased with the look, feel and operation of this blank gun. This was a replacement for a cheaper version I bought several years ago.
    Pros
    • Good feel
    • Easy trigger
    • Holds 6 rounds
    • Great warranty
    Cons
    • None yet
    By Steve
    Baltimore, MD
    .209 primer pistol
    April 22, 2024
    Quality product
    By Eric
    Virginia
    Perfect for exposing your dog to their first gun
    March 28, 2024
    This pistol operates easily and reliably (brand new). My 4 month old lab puppy did great with it and i was able to progress her nicely to shooting the gun right beside her to kickstart retrieves. Now Im confident she can handle some next level boom sticks.
    Pros
    • 209 primers are easy to find
    Cons
    • None yet but its brand new
    By Tom O.
    Massachusetts
    Quality product
    August 17, 2023
    First impression is a nice fit. The gun has a heavy feel. operation is smooth. very pleased so far. In the product description. It was recommended by Steve.
    By Rhonda
    Maine
    great pistol for training
    August 2, 2022
    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.
    By Karen
    PA
    Great blank gun
    June 9, 2022
    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.
    By TCB
    Fairport, New York
    Alfa 209 Starter Pistol
    June 5, 2022
    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.
    Pros
    • Ease of use, reliability.
    Cons
    • None
    By Carl
    Wilton, NH
    Great dog training pistol for the shotshell reloader
    February 11, 2022
    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.
    Pros
    • Compact and fits in a jacket pocket. Nicely made, quality manufacturing.
    Cons
    • If you don't reload, you'd need to find a source of 209 primers locally. Perhaps one of your hunting buddies reloads and can help you out.
    By Mike K.
    Alaska
    Quit Working
    January 8, 2022
    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!
    By Steven
    STEVENSVILLE, MT
    209 blank pistol
    November 4, 2021
    Very solidly built, easy to clean and maintain.
    By Mark
    Howell, N.J.
    A professional tool for your dog training needs
    September 28, 2021
    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.
    Pros
    • Well made, a professional tool. Smooth double action trigger pull. Smooth single action lock-up and trigger pull. I would anticipate this arm will last a lifetime for the average hunter-trainer.
    Cons
    • Heavy to carry, but, that's what you get with a quality tool such as this. A good belt for your holster will help support this weight, just as when carrying a handgun.
    By Sean
    Greenfield, Massachusetts
    Great starter pistol
    September 24, 2021
    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.
    Pros
    • -Feels like a standard pistol in the hand
    • - Double action
    • -Easy to clean
    • -comfortable textured rubberized grip
    • -ejector makes unloading a snap
    • -swing out cylinder makes loading easy
    Cons
    • -full frame, so a holster would be better than a pocket.
    By Randy
    Idaho
    Starter Pistol
    June 6, 2021
    Nice pistol, works great, very comfortable to handle.
    Pros
    • good grip
    • Easy to load
    By Brett
    Northern Michigan
    Great Track Starting Pistol
    May 7, 2021
    Using to start track meets. Well made gun. 209 is plenty loud and shells ar one-fifth the cost of 32 blanks.
    By Jim J.
    Fruita, CO
    Great training pistol
    January 8, 2021
    Very well made, feels like a real firearm. Operation is very smooth.
    Pros
    • Construction
    • smooth operation
    • feels like a real firearm.
    Cons
    • Cost a little higher than others but otherwise no cons
    By S M.
    Alabama
    5 Stars for the Alpha 209 Primer Starter Pistol
    December 25, 2020
    Gift for my son-in-law who says this Alpha 209 Primer Starter Pistol is great for training his Labrador Retriever.
    Pros
    • The pistol is nicely weighted with a comfortable grip.
    By Webfootkennel H.
    St. Louis mo
    Alfa primer gun 1st and last that you'll ever need
    December 19, 2020
    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
    Pros
    • Heavy built, high visibility always fires
    • Easy to load and unload
    Cons
    • Heavier gun than all others
    By Jay M.
    Charlottesville, VA
    Been using this training pistol for years!
    October 4, 2020
    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.
    Pros
    • Quality for price
    • Economic cost of 209 loads
    • Nice and loud for long marks
    Cons
    • Doesn't come with a holster unless you buy the kit package - Standard revolver holsters available separately.
    • Requires some break in for ease of use
    • Frame will pit if not kept cleaned and oiled - like most guns.
    By Christian
    Chattanooga
    Buy it!
    September 3, 2020
    Love it, you need it, don't hesitate, buy it.
    By Justin T.
    WI
    Review for Alfa 209 Primer Starter Pistol
    October 18, 2018



    By John P.
    WI
    Review for Alfa 209 Primer Starter Pistol
    October 18, 2018
    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.



    By Tommy B.
    MN
    Review for Alfa 209 Primer Starter Pistol
    October 11, 2018
    You get what you pay for. I bought junk before and now I own the best.


    By Lynn P.
    Review for Alfa 209 Primer Starter Pistol
    October 11, 2018
    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.


    By Tommy B.
    MN
    Review for Alfa 209 Primer Starter Pistol
    October 11, 2018
    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.

    By PATRICK W.
    IN
    Review for Alfa 209 Primer Starter Pistol
    October 18, 2016
    Great training pistol!
    By Janice M.
    MI
    Review for Alfa 209 Primer Starter Pistol
    September 21, 2016
    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!
    By JB 1.
    NH
    Review for Alfa 209 Primer Starter Pistol
    August 4, 2016
    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.
    By Elizabeth S.
    MA
    Review for Alfa 209 Primer Starter Pistol
    August 3, 2016
    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.
    By Mike S.
    OK
    Review for Alfa 209 Primer Starter Pistol
    May 31, 2016
    So far it's great! The trigger pull is much better than my old starter pistol. Solid made pistol, should last for years.



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