Astra Constable

[Milton]

My son has an opportunity to buy an Astra Constable for a good price,what are the opinions about this auto? Good,Bad !?

 

[desi2358]

I have owned a couple in the past. Generally a decent little pistol, never had any issues that I can recall. The 22 preferred high speed over standard velocity, the 380 worked with everything I fed it. Extra magazines may be hard to find as they have been out of production for a while (Astra closed shop years ago).

 

[Linejudgemick]

I have an Astra A-60 that is similar to the Constable. Nice gun, but you need to remember they haven't been built in a long time. Parts are virtually unobtanium. If he's looking at the .380, they are direct blow back pistols and have a surprising amount of recoil for what they are. Of course there isn't any customer service available if you do have an issue. Guess I'm just saying that I'm glad the one I have is just something I plink with on the range and not something I rely on. Not saying you couldn't, just that I wouldn't - YMMV.

 

[Milton]

Thank you both very much! I think I will try to steer him clear this time as he was considering as a carry piece.

 

[Gene L]

Good pistols. I'd buy one if the price was right. I had a .308 back in the 70s, reliable and well built. I couldn't afford to shoot it a lot.

As for parts, I wouldn't buy a gun based on parts availability. Lots of parts available means lots of parts needed.

 

[bmcgilvray]

Once had an Astra Constable in .32 ACP. Was a great little all steel pistol. Bought it new in its box for something like $87. Wish I'd hung onto it.

 

[Pisgah]

The advice about not carrying a long out-of-print gun sound, and you'll realize it as soon as some minor spring or pin gives up the ghost. It can happen to a brand-new gun, of course -- but a remedy is a lot easier.

If the young man likes the style of the Constable, a modern, inexpensive, reliable and readily-available equivalent is the Bersa Thunder .380.

 

[rockquarry]

The gun may work fine, but consider potential resale value before such a purchase, particularly if there is a chance you may want to sell or trade someday. This could make a good buy not such a good buy.

 

[Kiwi cop]

I have an Astra Constable in .32 that I shoot in a 48 round classic pistol match at 10 and 25 yards.

Firstly it is only reliabLe with Federal primers. Even Winchester Primers, which I have very few issues with in other calibers, will misfire at least 1 in 6 rounds.

Spare mags were an issue. I ended up waiting 5 months for Tripple K to do a run and even then had to hand fit them to my pistol.

And I cannot find any instructions on disassembly beyond stripping the slide. Nor can I see any obvious pins for removal of the firing pin and replacement of the spring.

But.... is this pistol accurate!

With my hand loads at 25 yards I can put 6 rounds into a group slightly bigger than my hand, with a 3.5” barrel and almost non existent sights!

Of course the group is centred at 2 o’clock in the region of the 7/8 ring but I hold low and left to compensate.