Astra Cub and Rossi Princess

Speedo2 · Aug 18, 2020

Went out to try to get a haircut today and for some reason wound up at my LGS. They're getting cleaned out of all their EBR's and plastic fantastic stuff, and as a result of this the owner is starting to bring out some more interesting stuff from the depths of his back room. Attached are a couple of "gems" that I found interesting and hence put on layaway.

The Astra "Cub" was just too darned cute to pass up and the Rossi "Princess" reminds me of a modern day 22 Lady Smith. Nothing that I needed, and I probably paid too much for them, but I guess that I was getting bored with all the overpriced and unavailable tactical stuff. -S2

Pisgah · Aug 18, 2020

Although neither of those is on anybody's "must have" list, I've owned both in the past and kind of wish I'd held on to them.
Have fun!

murphydog · Aug 18, 2020

The Rossi is a cool gun; it is exactly like an S & W .22 HE. I have read that even though it is supposed to use .22 LR that the forcing cone is happier with Shorts and Longs.

Texas Star · Aug 18, 2020

murphydog said:
The Rossi is a cool gun; it is exactly like an S & W .22 HE. I have read that even though it is supposed to use .22 LR that the forcing cone is happier with Shorts and Longs.

Reminds me more of a Ladysmith, the old one.

I guess I should add that the late Colt .25's were basically Astra Cubs.
Don't know much work Colt actually did on them.

desi2358 · Aug 18, 2020

Texas Star said:
Reminds me more of a Ladysmith, the old one.

I guess I should add that the late Colt .25's were basically Astra Cubs.
Don't know much work Colt actually did on them.

The Colt Junior pistols that appeared on the market in 1958 were the result of a contract with Astra. Made in Spain then imported by Colt for US sales. After the 1968 Gun Control Act cut off the imports Colt negotiated a deal with FIE Corp. to import parts from Spain which they then assembled onto new US made frames. This only lasted until @ 1973 when Colt decided to discontinue the gun. This wasn't the end of the little Cub clone in the US though as FIE continued to make the guns under their own name and sold them as "The Best" into the 1980's.

Tom K · Aug 18, 2020

Nice. Mouses beware!

Here is a Princess at left with some Ladysmiths. The hammer is noticeably more clunky on the Rossi and the grips are plastic, but they are "magnas"!

hittman77 · Aug 18, 2020

Good for you!

I really like that revolver and would have paid that price in a heartbeat.

merl67 · Aug 19, 2020

I have the short barreled Rossi Princess got it to go with my S&W Ladysmith 22. They are neat little guns the action is not near as smooth as its S&W cousin. I did just a bit of polishing on the internals of mine which helped some double action is horrendous though.

delcrossv · Aug 19, 2020

I've got 2 Princesses as adjuncts to my M frame Smiths- The Rossis are cute and a lot of fun, but the difference between a Rossi and a S&W is really noticeable. Still fun little shooters.

Here's one of the Princesses

and the real deals

walter o · Aug 19, 2020

I Was informed that the princess frames were a alloy not steel ,similar to zimac (sp).And the action could not be made to S&W feel .I wanted 1 because of the high cost of an original S&W LadySmith but passed .Glad i did because i finally found an original

murphydog · Aug 19, 2020

Texas Star said:
Reminds me more of a Ladysmith, the old one.

The factory called it a .22 Hand Ejector; Ladysmith was an unofficial nickname due to its proported use by ladies.

max503 · Aug 19, 2020

I've got an Astra Cub. Good excuse to keep a brick or so of shorts around. I don't shoot it much, just because.

ispcapt · Aug 19, 2020

My Colt Jr in .22 Short. Paid $25 for it in 1969.
Also made in .25. I have seen at least one that was a kit with both barrels, mags, etc.

2152hq · Aug 19, 2020

I've had a couple of Astra Cubs, both in 22short. Both great shooters w/o any problems. Why I never never held on to at least one of them is a mystery. An earlier Astra FireCat in 25acp was a very nice pistol as well. Hammerless, much like the FN or older Colt 25auto,,,but gone too.

Never had a Rossi anything. The Princess .22 looks like something I could be interested in though. Just different enough.
A guy offered me a Rossi revolver in .32cal a long time ago but I passed on it w/o even seeing it. I thought my Browning 25acp was worth a bit more in an even trade.

Drm50 · Aug 19, 2020

I’ve had a couple Astra Cubs but only one Rossi Princess. Got it in case with phony pearl grips/ original ones too. Sold it with the pearls and still have the stock plastic grips, like new. I’m not sure I shot the Rossi but I did the Astra Cub. Not bad for function and made well, not a target gun. The minx is best 22short pistol I have run across.

nutsforsmiths · Aug 20, 2020

I own a Princess with the 2" barrel. I think the price you paid for it was fair. They're neat little pistols. Enjoy it!

Astra Cub and Rossi Princess

Speedo2

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