Astra 960 38 special

Defilade · Nov 7, 2011

I have a question about an Astra 960 38. I purchased one a few years back as a car gun for my wife. I was cleaning it up today and messing around with it. I was looking at the cylinders and noticed that they didnt seem to have a taper to them. I grabbed a 357 round and it dropped in!

I know that Astra had a 357 model, and this is definately marked 38 special on the barrel, but is it possible that this gun will also safely shoot a 357? It was built as a N frame copy of a Smith & Wesson.

Anyone have any experiance with these?

Plunkum · Nov 28, 2011

I, too, have an Astra 960. The barrel is marked '38 SPL. CTG.' and the cylinder is cut for a 357 case. Not bored through - the cylinder is throated for a 357 length case. My thought is to load +P pressure loads in 357 brass so the bullet enters the cylinder throat directly rather than jumping the gap from 38 to 357 case length. Will experiment to see if there is a noticeable accuracy difference. The cylinder diameter is the same for 357 and 38, since the frame size is identical.
... Anybody else running one of these underrated revolvers .. ?

glenncal1 · Nov 28, 2011

.357 might make that gun go kaboom. I wouldn't want to experiment to see if the frame and cylinder is strong enough for .357 pressure. If you want to shoot an N frame size .357 get a model 28.

perrazi · Nov 29, 2011

bought your wife an astra? what do you carry?

2152hq · Nov 29, 2011

Spain uses C.I.P proof regs as does most all of Europe.
They run 2 proof rounds through each revolver.
I'm fairly certain the handgun proof rounds currently have a 30% increase in chamber pressure over what is allowed in commercial ammo under CIP regs.

Proof round(s) caliber must match the caliber the manufacturer has stamped onto the firearm.
So even if the manufacturer used 357 chambered cylinders (interchangable/usable from another model?) in this case, the revolvers would have received a 38Special proofing at Eibar Proof House because of the manufacturers marked caliber designation.

Not knowing what if any difference there may be between the model 960 in 38special and a similar one (if there was one made by Astra)chambered in 357Mag as far as factory heat treat or steel alloy is concerned for the frame & barrel,,I'd use the 960 as a 38special.
Just my opinion..

A 357 can generate twice the breech pressure + as a 38 special no matter whos proof & service pressure system is referenced.

Texas Star · Nov 29, 2011

There was a .357 version, and a .44 Magnum. The guns are generally well thought of, but they shouldn't have bored the .38's to take .357 cases.

Llama also made all three calibers in their revolvers.

Defilade · Mar 1, 2012

Im not near brave enought to put a 357 Magnum round it the gun and shoot it, but I did think it was very odd that the cylinder will chamber it. They must have just used the same dimentions on the 38 cylinder.

Defilade · Mar 1, 2012

perrazi said:
bought your wife an astra? what do you carry?

It wasnt for her to carry, just to have in the car while she traveled.

Astra 960 38 special

Defilade

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Plunkum

glenncal1

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perrazi

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2152hq

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Texas Star

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Defilade

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Defilade

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