Not a Smith, but my new .44 magnum.

Evil One · Mar 6, 2010

Astra Terminator.
Not sure if its early or late production, not much info on these things out there that I have found, but it doesnt have the "Terminator" script on the barrel.
2 5/8" barrel, adjustable sights, Pachmayer grips.
Took it to the range today and let me tell you, this thing is fun as hell and more accurate than I am.
Put a box of 240 gr WWB magnums and a few 250 gr Black Hills Thunder Ranch .44 specials thru it.
Easy to shoot with the magnums, and a bit too tame with the specials.
It looks to be designed after the S&W N frame, fits my Galco Silhouette holster perfectly, uses my 629 speed loader, and even the Pachmayer gripper grips are for a round butt N frame.
4 screw side plate, screw in the front of the trigger guard...
i LOVE this thing.
The finish isnt as nice as my Smiths have been, but it seems VERY solid and the action is NICE.
Here are some quick snaps.

Here is the grip frame and interesting 4 position hammer spring adjuster.

Jim

Swissman · Mar 7, 2010

I think this will be some kind of thread-stealing

Evil One,

What a big gun! Looks real great. How is the reputation of spanish guns in the United States?
Here is a surprisingly continuation of the story of Astra, the famous gun-factory of Spain which moved
some years ago to a small country in the europeean alps.

About Us - Astra Arms - AR15 & 1911 Swiss Manufacturer

Have fun with your old six-gun. I'd like to see a targetpicture @ 15 yards or so.

Swissman

gregintenn · Mar 7, 2010

Those are actually good quality handguns. My father had a stainless Astra 44 with a 6" barrel. The action was every bit as smooth as my model 29. I keep an eye out for a short barreled version like the one you have, but all I see have ported barrels, of which I'm not a fan.

Evil One · Mar 7, 2010

Yea, I lucked out... this one is non ported.
Not a fan of ported handguns at all... especially snubbies.

Jim

M29since14 · Mar 8, 2010

Well, congratulations on your new purchase. I was expecting a Ruger, or some other dreary old thing...

A few years ago, a friend (and retired Marine) used to enjoy buying things like that and then baiting me into making comments about them that I might later regret. One spring day he came in with one of those. We shot it quite a lot during the summer, before he traded it in the fall for a 629.

I was able to keep my tongue. It never did anything bad and we both had to admit it was a pretty fair old gun for what he paid for it - especially if all one considered was how it shot.

Evil One · Mar 8, 2010

Well... I picked it up to use as a beater gun.
Figured it would take the brunt of my desert outdoor carry.
I just didnt figure it would be so well put together... nor such a good shooter.
I got it priced right, well under $400 out the door... and as such just expected a bare minimum type revolver.
Instead I got a revolver that impressed my more than my newer Smiths, and wouldnt hesitate to put up against my old 629-1.
Not downrating the Smiths, I love them, but its nice to have a firearm exceed any expectation you have for it.
I have my eyes peeled for these any time I enter a pawn or gun shop.

Jim

ImprovedModel56Fan · Mar 8, 2010

For many years, Astra made .25 ACP pistols for Colt. They were sold under the Colt name. I never owned one, but I have owned a couple of Astra Firecats, a SMALL grip-safety .25. When I had the second one, I also owned a Bauer .25 which was a Browning copy. The workmanship on the Astra made the Bauer look sick.

As scattergunners know, the Spanish, like us, make both junk and very fine weapons.

Evil One · Mar 8, 2010

I have a Star Super in 9mm Largo, my first handgun... had it for years.
In all honesty, it is the most reliable pistol I have ever shot.
I have owned and shot it since 1993... and has never had a non ammo related failure.
I tried some surplus ammo in a ziplock from a gunshow once... at least half were duds. Never again.
My luck with my Star was a large factor in trying another Spanish handgun.

Jim

viceunit · Mar 8, 2010

As I remember, those were some of the best 29 copies, at least from external appearance. Is the lockwork a sort of gear-set type, where the trigger "teeth" engage teeth on the hammer? I've read where that gave them a smooth, consistent action. Are the chambers recessed? Hard for me to tell in the photos because I cannot judge the gap between the cylinder and recoil shield. Great looking shooter!

Gary · Mar 8, 2010

Evil One said:
I have a Star Super in 9mm Largo, my first handgun... had it for years.
In all honesty, it is the most reliable pistol I have ever shot.
I have owned and shot it since 1993... and has never had a non ammo related failure.
I tried some surplus ammo in a ziplock from a gunshow once... at least half were duds. Never again.
My luck with my Star was a large factor in trying another Spanish handgun.

Jim

Ditto for a 9mm Star BM that I bought a few years back. It rides in console of my car and can be used for concealed carry if necessary.

Evil One · Mar 8, 2010

Have not popped off the side cover yet, but the Astra IS P&R.
I am very pleased with the trigger on it, nice and smooth.

Jim

Texas Star · Mar 8, 2010

Swissman said:
Evil One,

What a big gun! Looks real great. How is the reputation of spanish guns in the United States?
Here is a surprisingly continuation of the story of Astra, the famous gun-factory of Spain which moved
some years ago to a small country in the europeean alps.

About Us - Astra Arms - AR15 & 1911 Swiss Manufacturer

Have fun with your old six-gun. I'd like to see a targetpicture @ 15 yards or so.

Swissman

Swissman-

The reputation of Spanish guns here is generally bad, except among those who've tried them! Steel and heat treating seem to vary, though. And parts availibility is often poor, with most now out of production. The bluing sometimes changes to red, as with some other makers.

The Astra revolvers have the rep of being among the best made outside of this country. Look at the quality of the work on the one pictured.

T-Star

Ronson2 · Dec 26, 2013

I have a Astra Terminator .44 mag.and it is a very high quality firearm. I also have a very similar 629 Perfomance Center .44 and they both are very fine guns.

Not a Smith, but my new .44 magnum.

Evil One

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