UNAMERICAN HANDGUNS: DANI'S ASTRA .38 SPECIAL SPORT-REVOLVER

Swissman · Apr 23, 2010

This is the introduction of the Astra Sport .38 Special. The spanish gunfactory built this gun many years ago. The highly polished surface, the blueing,
the pure single-action, the lockwork and timing is first class. The rearsight and the frontsight delivers a great sightpicture.
The frontsight is changeable.

The gun shows some very good solutions.
1: The DA-function is not in operation. The cylinder turns, but the hammer don't move, when you pull the trigger.
2: One can adjust the triggerpull with the screw on the back of the grippiece. No opening of the gun is necessary. The screw got direct influence to
the spring of the sliding-piece.

3: The ring in the grippiece got 4 holes with different depths for the main spring. Turning this ring one fourth, will change the pressure of the hammerspring in a fast and easy way

4:The uncommon remaining material on the grippiece adds additional weight and you can hold the gun very stable in the hand.

Dani payed less than US$ 350.-- for this gun. In my eyes is this not to much for a gun with this quality.

Any comments? We take them all.

Dani and Swissman

Andy Griffith · Apr 23, 2010

Supernice!!!

I have never looked at Astra before, but you have opened my eyes- very, very nice!!!

RonJ · Apr 23, 2010

Very nice. Reminds me of a J frame inside.

sipowicz · Apr 23, 2010

Does the DA not work or is it designed that way?

CAJUNLAWYER · Apr 23, 2010

I really like that one-interesting engineering regarding the different pull weights. Sip it looks like it is designed to be a single action target revolver. Look closely at the trigger and you will see that it lacks that double action do-hicky that you see on the Smith.

Jellybean · Apr 23, 2010

Their double action triggers are fairly similar but that one is obviously made for single action only.

4:The uncommon remaining material on the grippiece adds additional weight and you can hold the gun very stable in the hand.

I've always preferred a butt heavy handgun myself, and for this very reason. While heavy barrels may dampen recoil from light target loads, it seems to magnify wobble too. Butt heavy versions seem to hold rock steady and are especially nice for long range shooting.

It's worth would depend on how it feels, how smooth the action is, how accurate it is and mostly how well you like it. I would buy it over a new S&W, Colt or Ruger myself.

panther · Apr 23, 2010

Astras were one of the better made Spanish guns. I used to see very nice examples of their revolvers at a shop that dealt alot in police trade-ins and imports. That shop is gone and the only Astras I see anymore have had alot of rough use.
You found a gem there. Congrats.

HOUSTON RICK · Apr 23, 2010

Hi fellas. Nice gun, Dani. So when are you headed back this way?

H Richard · Apr 24, 2010

The internals look very similar to S&W. I wonder about patent infringements?

boykinlp · Apr 24, 2010

Very nice ideas and engineering.

Evil One · Apr 24, 2010

My current daily carry is an Astra .44 mag Terminator snubby.
I am amazed by this gun... the feel, accuracy, shootability.
It really is a gem.
CONGRATS!

Jim

HAWKEYE10 · Apr 24, 2010

I really like that Astra revolver. Thanks for the post. Don

m657 · Apr 24, 2010

nice! [lust mode /on]

Swissman · Apr 25, 2010

A quick first testfiring with the Astra Sport

Each of us two made some .38 Wacutter loads and we had to learn, that this round needs a lot of attention. Keyholes and tumbling bullets
are a standard routine until the right load for a specific gun is found. What works great in my Model 52 was a desaster in Dani's Astra.

The gun got a big potential. Dani made this 27.5 yard 5 round group in a free standing position. The powder was Solo 1000.

The gun will get now a special treatment by Dani. Complete disassembling, cleaning and oiling will additionally improve the feel of the fine lockwork.

Swissman

TennTony · Apr 26, 2010

Very nice gun. Nice classic lines. Congrats to Dani on great find.

I am just getting my feet wet with S&W revolvers and you have to show me something else I might want! Thank you for advanced gun educating.

Swissman · May 16, 2010

More details about this gun!

Dani is very fascinated about the improvements of the known technique in this spanish made revolver. The lockwork is similar to the S&W, but here is another speciality
of this bullseye-gun. The transfer of the "let-off"-power goes via a metallplate that is linked with two axis with the trigger and the slide. Please excuse the bad picture-quality.
They were taken with a cellphonecamera.

In between, Dani customized his gun with a selfmade triggerstop. He set the pin into the trigger and secured it with some "super-glue".
Then he filed the lenght of the pin that the trigger got only 0.007 inch overtravel. That's enough for a positive hammer-let-off and a reduced movement of the gun.

Swissman

M29since14 · May 16, 2010

Swissman said:
Dani is very fascinated about the improvements of the known technique in this spanish made revolver...

Let me see. "Improvements."

"Improvements"...

There, I think I've got it right!

You two are having a real field day with your un-American handguns, but we cannot let that one slide.

You could build two guns with the unnecessary parts in that thing.

Swissman · May 18, 2010

M29since14 said:
......

You could build two guns with the unnecessary parts in that thing.

Hello M29since14!!

I know exactly ninety-two unnecessary parts, that will never, ever become a weapon!

Swissman

M29since14 · May 18, 2010

Greetings Swissman!

For members who may not have the pleasure to know Swissman so well, this last remark refers to the 92FS/M9, which he is so determined against it borders upon the theatrical.

For some reason, I once made the fatal mistake of telling Swissman his newly-acquired S&W Model 59 was roughly the equal of my Beretta 92. He has never let me forget it.

Swissman is no slouch with his Model 59 - but he cheats! He resorts to Swiss military ammunition, which appears to be of pretty good quality compared to ordinary 9mm ball that we buy here in the U.S.

Actually, the number of parts in the Italian pistol is around 80, IIRC. Probably still too many for Swissman...

Anyway, interesting revolver that Astra!

Cocked & Locked · May 18, 2010

P&R Flat Latch

Nice looking Astra. Plus, its a .38 Special with recessed cylinder (unlike S&W .38 Spl)...and has a pinned barrel plus is a flat latch.

UNAMERICAN HANDGUNS: DANI'S ASTRA .38 SPECIAL SPORT-REVOLVER

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