I bought an 1972 6 inch Astra .357 Magnum

[MelvinWalker]

So, I am looking at a local estate auction and I see this Astra .357 Magnum 6 inch about to close. I bid on it and won and went to get it this week. I checked with the Astra database and it was made 1972.

I am well impressed with the craftsmanship of this revolver. I won't say it is S&W or Colt level, but it's really close. Tight lock-up, machining is very good. Trigger has a four adjustment wheel under the grip for four different spring settings...Very unique.

It is large too and they apparently made a .44 Magnum on this same frame. It has adjustable sights, a nicely machined low rib and the hammer is made like a Colt.

It is shown here in a Safariland S&W Model 29 6 inch holster and it fits like it was made for it, so it is almost exactly N frame size. Pics are a little dark, but that's my dumb camera on this Android phone.

Price after the gun, fees, NICS was $280...I am quite pleased.

Now I don't have to cry about the bluing on my near mint 1969 Colt Trooper MKIII when I shoot it, because this will take its place.

 

[AlHunt]

Very nice snag. Lots of cool old "off brand" guns out there. One I let get away was a Bulldog 44SPL.

 

[LVSteve]

If there is no end shake and the lock-up is good, that is an outstanding deal.

 

[luvsmiths]

I had the 44 Magnum, 2 1/2 inch bought new in early 80s for about 220.
That one was called "Terminator"--

They were nicely made guns, and shot well. Had a lot of fun with that gun.
Yours is a great find. Don't find them often.

 

[mikerjf]

I have a 44, super tight lockup. The Astra’s are fun, and you got a great deal.

 

[SnidelyWhiplash]

Astras are pretty good guns...Llama...not so much.

 

[max503]

Good thing I wasn't there. I'd a been bidding against you.

Congratulations.

 

[MelvinWalker]

Good thing I wasn't there. I'd a been bidding against you.

Congratulations.

I know...i think I got it that cheap, because just before this gun came under the hammer, a matching P-08 luger with named tag from the GI who got it and a P-38 all matching had JUST closed from the same estate...They went high of course, (I didn't bid on them)....

What I think happened was that the bidders in the auction for those items just checked out of the auction after they didn't win the high end lots...In other words, they said "I didn't win what I wanted, so I'm going home".

That left me and one other guy bidding on this...My wife was sitting there and she was like "You bought what...that's not a Smith and Wesson".

 

[LVSteve]

What I think happened was that the bidders in the auction for those items just checked out of the auction after they didn't win the high end lots...In other words, they said "I didn't win what I wanted, so I'm going home".

That left me and one other guy bidding on this...My wife was sitting there and she was like "You bought what...that's not a Smith and Wesson".

Doncha just love it when all the big money leaves the room (either in reality or on the Web)? Now you are free and clear to bid on that rather interesting looking piece that everyone else seems to have missed so far. BTDT.

 

[MelvinWalker]

Doncha just love it when all the big money leaves the room (either in reality or on the Web)? Now you are free and clear to bid on that rather interesting looking piece that everyone else seems to have missed so far. BTDT.

So true...I couldn't afford the P38, and even if I could have, they are worth more than they are actually worth if that makes sense.

I was actually bidding on an average condition 1920's S&W hand ejector... It went over my price range by a little bit. Then I stayed for the Luger and P38 popcorn event...I knew this Astra would be coming up within a few minutes, so I made a spur of the moment bid...And won.

 

[mk70ss]

<a href='https://postimg.cc/fSmLcRsz' target='_blank'><img src='https://i.postimg.cc/J0dkWsdk/IMG-3101.jpg' border='0' alt='IMG-3101'/></a>

This 3 inch Astra is a great gun and does duty protecting the family in my nightstand.

 

[MelvinWalker]

<a href='https://postimg.cc/fSmLcRsz' target='_blank'><img src='https://i.postimg.cc/J0dkWsdk/IMG-3101.jpg' border='0' alt='IMG-3101'/></a>

This 3 inch Astra is a great gun and does duty protecting the family in my nightstand.

Let me help you out again...We gotta stop meeting like this

 

[CajunBass]

Good find. I used to lust after those in the Shooters Bible back in the 70's. I never even saw one, knew nothing about them, but they cost less than a Smith and Wesson or Colt so I could at least dream about having one.

 

[stansdds]

From what I understand, Astra was one of Spain's better firearms manufacturers. I expect finding spare parts might be the biggest problem with them as Astra went out of business in 1997.

 

[LVSteve]

From what I understand, Astra was one of Spain's better firearms manufacturers. I expect finding spare parts might be the biggest problem with them as Astra went out of business in 1997.

I see comments about spare parts for guns made by defunct companies quite often. I would love to know how many have actually broken such a firearm due to use and found themselves with a funny shaped paperweight.

I have done it once, breaking the firing pin of a no-name Ruby pistol of unknown vintage through ill advised dry firing. Yes, I was very lucky to be working somewhere with a machine shop and a guy who could make a new one for me. Lesson learned, no more dry firing of old pistols without a snap cap. Thus far, my collection of Spanish pistols have survived under the new regime.

 

[MelvinWalker]

I see comments about spare parts for guns made by defunct companies quite often. I would love to know how many have actually broken such a firearm due to use and found themselves with a funny shaped paperweight.

I haven't had it happen to me, but now with the proliferation of so many parts kits from demilled police and so-called "buy-back" guns, the parts problem is easier to fix.

I know a place that has an exact version, (except 4 inch barrel), of my gun in a demilled kit for around $100. I thought about getting just in case something does happen.

 

[MelvinWalker]

Parts kit

Here's the Astra .357 parts kit available...I think with a discount, I can get it for around $115 or so shipped. The grips look like they may have been painted, but a little acetone would fix that.

 

[catcher79]

My 4" Astra and I agree with your good fortune.