Astra A-100 or Star M43

Redcoat3340 · Nov 23, 2015

Now that I have a couple of Stars and an Astra, thinking about my next purchase. I think I've narrowed it down to either a Star M43 or an Astra A-100.

I doubt I'll use either for carry, my Shield is a pretty great carry piece for me. So the Spanish gun would be for the range....and a bit of rounding out of a collection (or accumulation, depending on how you define these things).

Wondering what fair prices for the Astra and M43 would be...assuming it's in decent shape. And if anyone has had any experience with either. I like shooting my Astra 70, Star Super B and Star 30M...and have a new-to-me Star 28 on the way.

Or is there something else I should be looking for.

And since I've started on Spanish pistols, I'm starting to do a bunch of reading about the Spanish Civil War. Like the Finnish Winter War it gets short shrift in the history books and seems to get boiled down to evil fascist Francos versus the good guy republicans. But I'm thinking its a lot more interesting and a lot more complicated....the communists apparently tried to hijack the war and turn it into a Mediterranean Russian Revolution...there were all sorts of factions on both sides, and I think I need to get it straight. Plus the firearms used on both sides are pretty iconic: Mosins, Mausers, the Spanish pistols, etc.

growr · Nov 23, 2015

I already have a Star Firestar M43 and would highly encourage you to pounce on it! You will NOT be disappointed. Seems like the A100 is an Astra copy of a Sig.

Randy

loknload · Nov 23, 2015

I can attest to the Star M43, it's a great handgun. Back when I purchased mine I don't think I paid more than $250. for it but that was back in the 90's

I think I've seen them going now for about 425.00 as new in the box?

LVSteve · Nov 23, 2015

I also have an M43 in Starvel. I had to give it a new recoil spring as the ejected cases were going into the next zipcode, and that was 115gr FMJ practice fodder. With the new spring from Wolff it runs great with all kinds of ammo.

Did have one issue, but that's more me than the gun. I have long fingers and found that the grip shape is such that I couldn't draw it consistently to use it as a carry gun. As a result it lives in the safe with my 9mm Ultrastar.

alwslate · Nov 24, 2015

You might want to consider the Astra 600. The 600 was developed in
1943 at the request of the Nazis for a copy of the Astra 400 9mm
Largo scaled down to use the 9mm Luger ctg. The story is that the
Nazis ordered 25,000 to start but only received 11,000 before the
allied advance intervened. Total production was around 60,000 I have
read but I don't know. Usually a few on GB. They are straight blowback
9mms and are very well made. I have a really nice one. Different pistol
for sure. The Nazi marked ones are scarce. The Nazis also bought lots
of the Astra 300s which is the same design scaled down to the .380.

Texas Star · Nov 25, 2015

The Astra M-70 SA auto and the Star BM are also worthy of consideration.

Be aware that Spanish pistols often don't have inertial firing pins. The pin may contact the primer of the loaded ctg. and if the gun drops, an AD may occur. Be sure which type firing pin your gun has before carrying with a loaded chamber.

Redcoat3340 · Nov 25, 2015

I went with the Astra A100. My rational was that I'm not going to carry anything but my Shield (or a S&W 908 or M60 .38 sp) so why get a "smaller" gun. As I have an Astra A70, I figured this would be a nice bookend to the line and the BM and 43 are similar to the 70 as all three being SA all steel pistols.

Plus I got suckered in by the Astra's "Gun of the Year" title from the 90's...lol.

Won't get it 'till next week, so no pics for a while.

Thanks to all who contributed...it's much appreciated.

BC38 · Nov 25, 2015

My only Astra is a Terminator revolver, but it is first rate IMO.
The M43 is also a very nice compact 9mm. I believe it is the gun that won them the "Gun of the Year" award.
Being all steel it is a little on the heavy side, compared to the poly pistols, but that weight also reduces recoil and makes it a lot easier and better shooting than most other 9mms it's size...

Astra A-100 or Star M43

Redcoat3340

growr

Member

loknload

Absent Comrade

LVSteve

Member

alwslate

Texas Star

US Veteran

Redcoat3340

BC38

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