I found around 30 Astra Uncetta y Guernica pistols chambered for 9 mm largo while cleaning an attic. Wrapped in wax paper and cosmoline, no grip panels, 1 magazine for each pistol.
A friend of mine carries that Astra everyday..he is retired now, like me..3 tours in Nam green beanie, as he says. I have yet to find one but eventually I will. His fires hollow points with no problems. Stay safe.
I just found one today at a pawn shop and purchased it, didn’t know how great of a gun it was till today. Sometimes being a spontaneous spender is cool 😂
I had a Star Model PD in 45 ACP back in the early 80's. Traded it away years ago. Great little gun. It's a real loss to the firearms world that the Spanish gun makers didn't stay in business.
I had a Firestar .45 that I also loved very much. One of my early guns when I didn't have money to spend on a nice 1911. That thing was absolutely accurate, and felt great in my hand and my belt. I remember when I sold it to a guy, he shot 7 shots at a 55 gallon drum and didn't hit it lol. Said it was not worth a damn even. I took it and reloaded it, and put 7 shots in about a 3 inch circle from 50 feet or so. Told him he needed some practice obviously lol.
Several things caused the Star PD's demise: (1), The magazines for this gun were "proprietary" to this gun. Had Star (or Peter Dickey - the guy who designed this gun) designed this gun to accept Colt 1911-type magazines, they would've sold 10 times the number they did. (2), In order to save a little weight, the gun's frame was made out of aluminum - the absolute WORST material you can make a gun's frame out of..! It galls, peens, and worst of all, it cracks like crazy..! I went through three Star PD's and finally gave up on them. The frames, if you shoot the guns long enough, will eventually crack out at the slide stop pin holes. From the top of the holes to the frame edges above (the slide rails), eventually, they'd all crack out. Also, (3), they only "surface-hardened" the aluminum. The lower (the frame portion) area of the feed ramp, eventually, would wear a "groove" in it after enough .45 caliber bullets struck it in the process of climbing the feed ramp in order to get into the chamber. Eventually, the lower portion of the feed ramp (the frame section) would "undercut" the top portion (the barrel chamber's "lower section"), causing the bullet's nose to "catch" or "dig in" to the lower edge of the barrel's chamber section & jam the gun. If you wanted to continue to shoot the gun after that, you had to have a manufacturing gunsmith reshape the bottom area of the barrel chamber (often referred to as "ramping and throating"), and then correspondingly, polishing out the frame's lower chamber so that the groove was removed. But eventually, if you continued to shoot the gun a lot, that all would return, & this time, you had to throw the gun away & get another one. This all happened to me years ago - not just once, but three times...!! Yes, the gun was fun to shoot - it was actually fairly "soft" on felt recoil, and amazingly enough, it was very accurate..!! The bottom line: it was designed to be carried a lot, but shot very little (for example, it would've been a SUPERB gun for a plain-clothes detective, etc). But for those reasons stated earlier, I'll never buy another one. It was a great little gun for its size & shape. But it was made (the frame) from the absolute worst material you could ever make a gun frame out of (except for wood, maybe...), and that effectively, eventually, as time wore on, destroyed the "attractiveness" of the Star PD, combined also, with that stupid little 6-round magazine that went with the gun. Yeah, it was a great shooting little gun. But it was never designed to hold up or last under long shooting sessions, unfortunately...!!
Astra, llama and firestorm(all from Spain) are very good guns. I bought a Firestorm government.45 1911 brand new for 275 back 1998. Still runs anything through it and never had an issue.
firestorm was actually one of the post-bankrupcy llama designs. star was the other of the big 3. (there used to be the echasa, too, who made the fast and the dickenson or dickerson''s detective. astra and star are regarded as the better of the 3
I had a commander sized llama in 45acp that i kept in my tackle box for over two decades. It has been replaced with a cheap lcp as of two years back. I never had issues with any ball rounds in my llama though it was finicky with certain hollow points. I have no reservations recommending a llama to the budget conscious or those wishing to learn the manual of arms for a 1911.
@@mrbreck1 one of my favorite pistols is a llama minimax ii. it has been flawless w/ ball ammo and holds 10 in the mag. it was one of llama's last gasps.
Had one of those about 15 years ago. Was a nice solid compact 45. Like a lot of other guns I've owned I let it get away in a trade for something I wanted more at the moment. Good video. I really appreciate the time and effort you put into these.
Money well spent my friend. I never had a problem with any of the Astra pistols I owned over the years. I am a big 45 ACP fan, and have owned several makes and models. Probably the one I should have hung onto was a new S&W 25-2, N Frame in 45 ACP. I would hate to try to find one today. Always enjoy your videos, you and I have similar taste in guns. I would have bought the Astra as well.
Years ago my friend was selling his S&W 25 and I regret not buying it. The good news.....I just picked up an older S&W Model 29-4 .44 magnum and we will be doing a video on it in the near future. Should be lots of fun.
@@mixup98 Many years ago I bought an unfired model 29-2, the "Dirty Harry" model in a presentation case. I decided to shoot it and one of the chambers was bored too large and it would split the brass. I sent it back to S&W, and was told the barrel, and the cylinder had to be replaced. S&W did not have any recessed chambered cylinders left and they didn't have any 6 1/2 inch barrels. So I ended up with a shooter instead of a collector's handgun. They told me they were selling 29-2's so fast at the time and they had to buy steel from other sources, and there were many problems with some them. I now own a model 29-4 with an unfluted cylinder, and a heavy underlug 5 inch barrel. There were only 500 made in a run for Hill Country Distributors back in 1989. It looks like a Classic DX, but they never came with an unfluted cylinder.
@@doublel7337 Wow....that is a huge disappoint about your 29-2, which would be worth a small fortune today. I remember when "Dirty Harry" came out in 1971 and the model 29 was the most popular handgun on the planet. My biggest regret? Selling my S&W Model 624 (.44 Special) Lew Horton limited edition with a 3" barrel and round butt. I hope you never make the same mistake I did regarding your 29-4.
@@davidmartinson1528 My pistol came with three magazines and I believe I would have paid up to $400 for it. I have been to many gun shows over the years, although not many in the last few years, and I don't ever recall seeing an Astra A75 pistol. I hope you find a nice one and buy it. Please let us know if you do.
Back in the early 90s I owned three ASTRAs. A-75, A-90 and an A-100 all three in 9mm. They were THE pistol to get if you couldn't afford a SIG. I think I recall they would sometimes fail to lock open when using very light loaded 115gr low velocity target loads. However, with higher pressure 124gr "NATO" ammo and +P self defense HPs they were always 100% perfect.
I got a nearly new Ruger KP90 (cast aluminum frame, stainless steel slide, Da/Sa in 45 acp with 7 or 8 rnd capacity) decocker only model for 325 about a week ago. It's in exceptional shape for being 22 years old, appeared to be almost never shot with the warning stick still on the magazine, original paper work, case, and old school speed loader. I couldn't believe my luck to pick it up for $325 out the door! At 2.4lbs empty, it's heavy by modern standards but all that weight really helps keep it steady!
Great deal....I'm a little jealous. I bought a Ruge P85 way back in 1987 and it was an excellent pistol, but unfortunately I sold it many years ago. Your Ruger is built like a tank and should last a life time.
@@mixup98 you should get another, I've been seeing them all over the place recently actually since I bought mine lol. Quite a few for around the same price on GunBroker right now.
i have had an a75 in 40 cal for years now and it's a great little gun. i had one in 45 once that i wish i had never traded. i have had and a few other astras and, as you said, the quality has been great on all of them.
Thanks for bringing some of the forgotten guns back to light. I had a 9mm version and it was a great guns. Traded it for something but I always thought it was a great weapon, albeit a little heavy. Thanks for the video.
Thanks! This takes me back! I developed an affection for Spanish compact 45s! First pistol I ever fired a Star PD. Although my first gun purchase was a Smith & Wesson 1006, home deence.I ended getting a my own Star PD & then a Astra A100. Fun & affordable! Same reason I got into AKs and surplus 7.62 com block ammo! Crazy how affordable Norinco AKMs were before the ban!
Love the sound of the echoes in the canyon, when you're shooting different types of firearms, great videos sir, I've been enjoying your videos for years now, keep em coming!!!
I picked up a Taurus PT 145 Millennium Pro recently. A nice 10 shot compact 45. I also spent $300 plus tax and what not. I like your $300 purchase better.
Nice looking gun and I remember the seventies I'm happy to see you and your son shooting together I lost my dad in 2006 I miss him every day enjoy the time you have together.
Thanks for the awesome video! I had a Astra Cub 25acp and Astra Model 600. I bought the 25 new and the model 600 us as it was WW I I surplus. Both were great guns. Model 600 was 9mm.
About seven years ago, I traded a Taurus 1911 for an Astra A-100 in .45 ACP. It came with three magazines and was practically new. I honestly feel that Astra’s final generations of double action pistols compare favorably to similar SIG/Sauer and Smith and Wesson models. Astra never modernized their factory and sadly went bankrupt.
What an awesome video my brother keep up the good work God bless you and your son I am barely recuperating from covid I will be home hopefully this Friday God bless brother
Sorry to hear that Ruben. I pray for a speedy recovery and I hope you go home on Friday. Covid has also hit my household, and several friends, and thankfully everyone has fully recovered. Get well my friend.
I bought two Astra A-75s years ago. One in 9mm and one in 40S&W. Both are still going strong, to this day. When cost, durability and reliability are considered, these are two of the best semi autos I own.
I never had one , it in the 70’s 80’s I had a Star PD, although wasn’t double action it sure looks pretty close to it . Great 👍 videos and camera 🎥 work👍❤️👩🚒
@@mixup98 , you'd like the Star PD. Great little .45 ACP. Only complaint I had was minor: the sharply checkered wood grip panels and striated front strap left my bare hands raw after a range session. But, like the S&W Shield Plus coarse sandpapery grips, that pistol was staying put in your hands. One batch had a balky trigger reset, easily fixed by de-burring the trigger linkage. IIRC, National Rifleman or another 1980s magazine published a quick tutorial on this simple repair. Star did some clever simplification of the Browning design, using more stamped metal parts in the trigger linkage and disconnector. So if there were any slight burr edges left it was easily honed. That Star PD and Super B were among the few pistols I regret selling or trading.
I've got the A70, was my first handgun purchase and I really like it. I've had to replace the recoil spring, but after I did that there were no problems with it.
I have had a few of these but never in 45. I would love that. Heck feller I would give you your money back in a heartbeat. Congratulations on that awesome find.
Thanks glockerbob. I was at the right place at the right time when I found this little beauty and I'm glad it was still there the next day when I went back to buy it.
Star is another pistol made in Spain that l really like. I've had one for years. It's a 45 also and I've had one for years and never had a problem with it.
I can't recall any Spanish made pistols I didn't like. A friend of mine carried a stainless compact Star in .45 ACP as his EDC at work in the 1990's. At that time, my carry gun was a Ruger Super blackhawk in my truck. The boss had a Desert Eagle .44 Mag and his boy had an AMT .22 Mag. I say we carried, as we were working in a bad part of Phoenix, AZ. One day, while we were sitting around eating lunch, a guy came into our fenced work area (drilling a water well) at a high rate of speed on a bicycle. Of course he couldn't get out and we heard sirens behind him. It is when he tried to steal one of the work trucks that he turned around and saw 4 guns pointing at him. The cops came in and picked him up and thanked us. Then we finished our lunch and got back to work. Surreal times, back then. That whole summer had weird things happen out there.
I also owned a Star Starfire .45 pistol back in the early '90's and it was a great little pistol. I also had a Spanish made Llama 1911 .45 but the quality didn't come close to Star or Astra. By the way, great story....thank you.
The 90's was the heyday for Spanish made pistols. I had a couple of Firestar M-40's in .40 cal that I bought back in the early 90's. They were both excellent pistols that never malfunctioned in thousands of rounds of use.
Julius Clark I got mine brand new way back in the 90s. I don't even recall what I paid for it but most pistols I got back then ran around $350. Conceal carried it and shot loads of rounds through it. It still runs great with some bends for added tension to the mag springs.
3:02 Who WAS that dapper, long-haired cowboy hippie from the 70's, all well-armed and ready for action with a Star revolver and (what looked like) a Marlin Model 60? I had a chance to shoot a Star 9mm years ago - reliable and accurate, but unfortunately it wasn't my own. Nice review. Stay safe out there.
My NRA instructor had an A-75 back at the gun club ages ago and that is what turned me on to my A-100 that is a SIG P226 copy with some differences. Thanks for sharing. Astra pistols are old and so are the mags. It probably needs new mags or mag springs. The springs have lost tension over the years and with use. Mine did the same thing so I put bends in the spring to increase tension to push the follower up against the mag catch like its suppose to.
Great to see you guys having fun. I had the A-70 over 20 years ago. I only shot it occasionally, but never had a problem or failure with it. I would like to add a .45 to my collection, but for now I'm trying to make sure I get what I have fully supported. Enjoyed the outtakes 😆 🤣 😂 👍
Wow! You looked like you could have been a movie star. Where's Ratso??? LOL. Always entertaining videos and dang good shooting. You have definitely put in the practice. 45 acp for ccw is great if you can handle it. Thanks.
You are an excellent bargain hunter. Nice little pistol in great shape. Love 45 acp. My favorite pistol caliber. Always enjoy your videos and good shooting by you and your son. A good reminder what fun shooting can be and your son is lucky to have a dad like you.👍🇺🇸😎
I just picked up a .45 ACP revolver today and hopefully I will have a video posted in a week or so. Thank you for the kind words....I really appreciate it.
You guy's are good shots and even good at throwing rocks . I like watching you guys shoot together, it's a fun time . You did good for $300 , I got two gun shows this weekend and I hope to find something decent
I have that same Astra 357 revolver in my collection today. It came with the original box and I think I paid around $350 for it. I also have 8.375" S&W models 29 and 57 in my collection and the Astra fits right in there. I do know that Astra had some QC issues at times, back around 1994 a local dealer had 3 or 4 Astra 44 magnum revolvers in his used gun case and each and every one of them had a huge ring gauged in the cylinder from the locking bolt. But the three Astras in my collection have never given me any problems. I also have a Model 400 9mm Largo and a Model 600 9mm Luger.
I still have my Astra .357 6" I bought in 1976, lost count of the rounds I put through it and it is still my EDC. South African Firearm Legislation seem to benefit the criminal and makes it a schlepp to apply for a a firearm licence, that's why still shoot a wheelgun. I have, by the Grace of God stopped quite a number of condition Red situations, without firing a shot. It still does'nt miss a beat, cylinder lockup is real tight and it is still very accurate. Know your tools, be proficient in handling it, take care of it and it will serve you well. The Spanish Star pistol I was issued in the military, also performed flawlessly, although accuracy was not too good. Thank you for your reviews, I really enjoy it. Regards from South Africa!
@@carlpretorius1584 I wish I could find a nice Astra .357 revolver and do a review on it. Maybe I will get lucky and find one someday. It is a shame that Star and Astra are no longer in business. I also owned a Llama 1911 .45 back in the mid '80s.Thank you for taking the time to watch and comment on my video. Regards from the United States.
@@carlpretorius1584 I wish I could find a nice Astra .357 revolver and do a review on it. Maybe I will get lucky and find one someday. It is a shame that Star and Astra are no longer in business. I also owned a Llama 1911 .45 back in the mid '80s.Thank you for taking the time to watch and comment on my video. Regards from the United States.
I am amazed at some of the prices you are able to pay for guns that you buy. Here in my area of Texas, everyone pretty much wants full retail. Big box, pawn shop, gun shop, and most will no longer haggle about the price the way you did with this gun at your local gun shop. It is pretty much take it or leave it.
Most gun and pawn shops around here also won't haggle, but fortunately there are several that will, and they are the ones that end up with my cash. I usually won't shop at a gun shop that won't haggle on a used firearm.
Just shot my first rounds with my new FEG GKK-45 all steel frame and it was a blast. I've already been looking at Star firearms so I'll keep an eye out for an Astra as well. Thanks gentlemen, and keep the Shasta flowing.
I love those gems that stand the test of time and owners. Hahaha. That's why I don't go to corporate gun stores with only new guns. Pawn Shops have all kinds of older but dependables. Great gun.
I got a full size Taurus 1911 for $300 once. Novak sights, skeletonized trigger and hammer, extended beaver tail. Only thing that was so-so on it was the stock mag, which worked great after a drop in spring and follower from Wilson Combat.
I bought an A100. Astra many moons ago and carried it as a duty weapon for my last few years on the PD. I always came out either 1st or second at the range, only loosing back when our Sheriff, an old man who shot an ancient M&P pre war smith and could not hit the broad side of the barn would shoot, they gave him first as an honor I guess. I still have my A100 and would trust it for defense any time, the100 holds more ammo, a 9 round stacked .45 but is basically the same type pistol built to look more like the SIg.
I'm enjoying your videos a bunch, thanks for putting them up. Every time you drop the slide with the lock you shave metal from the slide and the slide lock. This will result in eventual failure of your slide lock. Not saying that is what's happening. The spring in the magazine could be at fault, the slide may not be cycling far enough to lock with the ammunition your using. It'll take some troubleshooting to figure it out. To repair a damaged slide or slide lock, a little filing on both surfaces to restore the engagement angle will suffice. I teach all my students to release the slide lock by pulling the slide back, then releasing the slide.
The Spanish made great guns. I have quite a few pistols, rifles and revolvers. Good quality and pretty accurate. My favourites are an Astra revolver in 44 magnum, reminiscent of the S&W models 29 and 629. Then I have a smaller Star Firestar in 9mm, single action and it is such a beautiful shooter. Thank you for sharing this with us. I would love to have one in my collection. Cheers.
Sympathetic, kinda "retro looking", very accurate (for that barrel length) and easy to use - small enough for every day concealed-carry, yet packing quite a punch.
Got a 9mm off my buddy,carried it almost a year ran about 50 rounds through it without a single problem..still gonna get something newer soon but mines definitely been dependable
I have one of these in 40 and love it. Stainless steep model in a matte finish. Heavier then the plastic guns but comfy to carry. Weight makes it a pussycat to shoot. Iffy to get it to lock open on an empty chamber without a steel spacer on the hold open on the magazine lip so I modified all of mine.
That's a very good deal. I wouldn't hesitate a second on this for 300! I've seen almost identical ones but in 9mm for 500. I am definitely looking for one in 45 now. Heck maybe even 40
Years ago when we were permitted to have a hand gun in my country I had a Star mod B in 9mm made in Spain good gun and well made just like your Astra, always enjoy your videos with your son wonder how many bullet holes are in the old truck
None of my business but I'm just curious as the fellow before me asked what country are you from and what happened why did they get legislated out the handguns that is!!??
Many many years ago I purchased the A-100, .45, never a single issue, to feed, eject or fire, just a great little firearm, I realize it's a clone of a Sig, but smaller, and I now also own a P 220 in .45, a very fine firearm but I couldn't say I like it any better that the Astra, it remains one of my favorites
You are more accurate with a rock than most people are with a Red Dot Sight.
I feel attacked
I disagree, u don’t know how to sight in your red dot!
I found around 30 Astra Uncetta y Guernica pistols chambered for 9 mm largo while cleaning an attic.
Wrapped in wax paper and cosmoline, no grip panels, 1 magazine for each pistol.
@@carminemurray6624 Wow, that was a great find.
A friend of mine carries that Astra everyday..he is retired now, like me..3 tours in Nam green beanie, as he says. I have yet to find one but eventually I will. His fires hollow points with no problems. Stay safe.
Thanks for the video, been a while. Nice pistol, too. Could Colt mags be modified to work? Also, where did you find a holster?
That's the kind of proof I like.
Thank you and your friend.
You stood in the door for us
I just found one today at a pawn shop and purchased it, didn’t know how great of a gun it was till today. Sometimes being a spontaneous spender is cool 😂
@@DatMothBoi just found one today in 9mm. Pawn wants 400 with one mag. How much you get yours for? I was thinking 400 is a but high...?
Watching you and Sonny have fun shooting together is always good entertainment, and your success as a bargain hunter is downright impressive.
👍😎 👍🤠
I have several Astras in different calibers all are excellent! Spanish pistols are all generally well made!
I have a Taurus and it's Brazilian made. Haven't had any problems thus far out of the 500+ rounds I've shot out of it.
I had an Astra Constable .380. Excellent pistol.
Astra made some damn fine Handguns in their day. I liked the .32 Constable.
The Cub was also another fine little handgun made by Astra, which I reviewed about eight years ago. I would love to review a Constable pistol someday.
I had a Star Model PD in 45 ACP back in the early 80's. Traded it away years ago. Great little gun. It's a real loss to the firearms world that the Spanish gun makers didn't stay in business.
I had two and one of my sons took one.
I had a Firestar .45 that I also loved very much. One of my early guns when I didn't have money to spend on a nice 1911. That thing was absolutely accurate, and felt great in my hand and my belt. I remember when I sold it to a guy, he shot 7 shots at a 55 gallon drum and didn't hit it lol. Said it was not worth a damn even. I took it and reloaded it, and put 7 shots in about a 3 inch circle from 50 feet or so. Told him he needed some practice obviously lol.
@@Coopdog1911 sounds more like he needed a shotgun! 😂
Several things caused the Star PD's demise: (1), The magazines for this gun were "proprietary" to this gun. Had Star (or Peter Dickey - the guy who designed this gun) designed this gun to accept Colt 1911-type magazines, they would've sold 10 times the number they did. (2), In order to save a little weight, the gun's frame was made out of aluminum - the absolute WORST material you can make a gun's frame out of..! It galls, peens, and worst of all, it cracks like crazy..!
I went through three Star PD's and finally gave up on them. The frames, if you shoot the guns long enough, will eventually crack out at the slide stop pin holes. From the top of the holes to the frame edges above (the slide rails), eventually, they'd all crack out. Also, (3), they only "surface-hardened" the aluminum. The lower (the frame portion) area of the feed ramp, eventually, would wear a "groove" in it after enough .45 caliber bullets struck it in the process of climbing the feed ramp in order to get into the chamber. Eventually, the lower portion of the feed ramp (the frame section) would "undercut" the top portion (the barrel chamber's "lower section"), causing the bullet's nose to "catch" or "dig in" to the lower edge of the barrel's chamber section & jam the gun. If you wanted to continue to shoot the gun after that, you had to have a manufacturing gunsmith reshape the bottom area of the barrel chamber (often referred to as "ramping and throating"), and then correspondingly, polishing out the frame's lower chamber so that the groove was removed. But eventually, if you continued to shoot the gun a lot, that all would return, & this time, you had to throw the gun away & get another one. This all happened to me years ago - not just once, but three times...!! Yes, the gun was fun to shoot - it was actually fairly "soft" on felt recoil, and amazingly enough, it was very accurate..!! The bottom line: it was designed to be carried a lot, but shot very little (for example, it would've been a SUPERB gun for a plain-clothes detective, etc). But for those reasons stated earlier, I'll never buy another one. It was a great little gun for its size & shape. But it was made (the frame) from the absolute worst material you could ever make a gun frame out of (except for wood, maybe...), and that effectively, eventually, as time wore on, destroyed the "attractiveness" of the Star PD, combined also, with that stupid little 6-round magazine that went with the gun. Yeah, it was a great shooting little gun. But it was never designed to hold up or last under long shooting sessions, unfortunately...!!
Astra, llama and firestorm(all from Spain) are very good guns. I bought a Firestorm government.45 1911 brand new for 275 back 1998. Still runs anything through it and never had an issue.
firestorm was actually one of the post-bankrupcy llama designs. star was the other of the big 3. (there used to be the echasa, too, who made the fast and the dickenson or dickerson''s detective. astra and star are regarded as the better of the 3
I had a commander sized llama in 45acp that i kept in my tackle box for over two decades. It has been replaced with a cheap lcp as of two years back. I never had issues with any ball rounds in my llama though it was finicky with certain hollow points. I have no reservations recommending a llama to the budget conscious or those wishing to learn the manual of arms for a 1911.
@@mrbreck1 one of my favorite pistols is a llama minimax ii. it has been flawless w/ ball ammo and holds 10 in the mag. it was one of llama's last gasps.
Had one of those about 15 years ago. Was a nice solid compact 45. Like a lot of other guns I've owned I let it get away in a trade for something I wanted more at the moment. Good video. I really appreciate the time and effort you put into these.
Money well spent my friend. I never had a problem with any of the Astra pistols I owned over the years. I am a big 45 ACP fan, and have owned several makes and models. Probably the one I should have hung onto was a new S&W 25-2, N Frame in 45 ACP. I would hate to try to find one today. Always enjoy your videos, you and I have similar taste in guns. I would have bought the Astra as well.
Years ago my friend was selling his S&W 25 and I regret not buying it. The good news.....I just picked up an older S&W Model 29-4 .44 magnum and we will be doing a video on it in the near future. Should be lots of fun.
@@mixup98 Many years ago I bought an unfired model 29-2, the "Dirty Harry" model in a presentation case. I decided to shoot it and one of the chambers was bored too large and it would split the brass. I sent it back to S&W, and was told the barrel, and the cylinder had to be replaced. S&W did not have any recessed chambered cylinders left and they didn't have any 6 1/2 inch barrels. So I ended up with a shooter instead of a collector's handgun. They told me they were selling 29-2's so fast at the time and they had to buy steel from other sources, and there were many problems with some them. I now own a model 29-4 with an unfluted cylinder, and a heavy underlug 5 inch barrel. There were only 500 made in a run for Hill Country Distributors back in 1989. It looks like a Classic DX, but they never came with an unfluted cylinder.
@@doublel7337 Wow....that is a huge disappoint about your 29-2, which would be worth a small fortune today. I remember when "Dirty Harry" came out in 1971 and the model 29 was the most popular handgun on the planet.
My biggest regret? Selling my S&W Model 624 (.44 Special) Lew Horton limited edition with a 3" barrel and round butt. I hope you never make the same mistake I did regarding your 29-4.
@@mixup98
If I would find an Astra A-75,
we have some gun shows coming up here in Wisconsin
what would be an amount to pay for it, $300-$400?
@@davidmartinson1528 My pistol came with three magazines and I believe I would have paid up to $400 for it. I have been to many gun shows over the years, although not many in the last few years, and I don't ever recall seeing an Astra A75 pistol. I hope you find a nice one and buy it. Please let us know if you do.
Back in the early 90s I owned three ASTRAs. A-75, A-90 and an A-100 all three in 9mm. They were THE pistol to get if you couldn't afford a SIG. I think I recall they would sometimes fail to lock open when using very light loaded 115gr low velocity target loads. However, with higher pressure 124gr "NATO" ammo and +P self defense HPs they were always 100% perfect.
I got a nearly new Ruger KP90 (cast aluminum frame, stainless steel slide, Da/Sa in 45 acp with 7 or 8 rnd capacity) decocker only model for 325 about a week ago. It's in exceptional shape for being 22 years old, appeared to be almost never shot with the warning stick still on the magazine, original paper work, case, and old school speed loader. I couldn't believe my luck to pick it up for $325 out the door! At 2.4lbs empty, it's heavy by modern standards but all that weight really helps keep it steady!
Great deal....I'm a little jealous. I bought a Ruge P85 way back in 1987 and it was an excellent pistol, but unfortunately I sold it many years ago. Your Ruger is built like a tank and should last a life time.
@@mixup98 you should get another, I've been seeing them all over the place recently actually since I bought mine lol. Quite a few for around the same price on GunBroker right now.
i have had an a75 in 40 cal for years now and it's a great little gun. i had one in 45 once that i wish i had never traded. i have had and a few other astras and, as you said, the quality has been great on all of them.
Thanks for bringing some of the forgotten guns back to light. I had a 9mm version and it was a great guns. Traded it for something but I always thought it was a great weapon, albeit a little heavy. Thanks for the video.
I had 40s&w in the 90's. Was very pleasant to shoot.and was accurate to boot
Thanks! This takes me back! I developed an affection for Spanish compact 45s! First pistol I ever fired a Star PD. Although my first gun purchase was a Smith & Wesson 1006, home deence.I ended getting a my own Star PD & then a Astra A100. Fun & affordable! Same reason I got into AKs and surplus 7.62 com block ammo! Crazy how affordable Norinco AKMs were before the ban!
What a nice gun. I would love to find one if those. Great caliber, single/double action,
decent capacity, good find.
I got a similar deal 2 years ago. $325 total cost for an ATI FX Series 1911 Commander 45 ACP. Made in the Philippines. Never jams, really accurate.
ASTRA !?
That's a blast from the past !
Great vid as usual.
Love the sound of the echoes in the canyon, when you're shooting different types of firearms, great videos sir, I've been enjoying your videos for years now, keep em coming!!!
I really appreciate you watching my videos for many years. I love making these videos and I love reading comments like yours. Thank you, Steve.
Man its just awesome to see a son and father enjoy and share something this really made my day seeing you guys have fun on the range
My son and I love getting together and making our videos and comments like yours are really appreciated. Thank you Brennan.
I picked up a Taurus PT 145 Millennium Pro recently. A nice 10 shot compact 45. I also spent $300 plus tax and what not. I like your $300 purchase better.
Back in the 70s I had an Astra A-80 in 9MM. Extremely comfortable gun to shoot.
i mean, for a budget pocket rocket,thats not bad.
2 things: if it doesnt jam or its not a hi point,its a keeper.
Well said.
@@BamaChad-W4CHD ROLL TIDE...KICK THEIR ASS!!!
Nice looking gun and I remember the seventies I'm happy to see you and your son shooting together I lost my dad in 2006 I miss him every day enjoy the time you have together.
I absolutely love spending time with my son and I cherish every second of it. Thank you for the nice comment.
I graduated high school in 1979, and you were looking like an American Bad Ass! Cool Pistol! 👍👍👍👍🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 🇪🇸🇪🇸🇪🇸
Trust me, I was more of a dork than a bad ass 👍😁
@@mixup98 Nah… 🤠😎
Love when you leave in those outtakes and behind the scenes stuff.
Thanks for the nice feedback, Yeet. Have a great weekend.
Thanks for the awesome video! I had a Astra Cub 25acp and Astra Model 600. I bought the 25 new and the model 600 us as it was WW I I surplus. Both were great guns. Model 600 was 9mm.
About seven years ago, I traded a Taurus 1911 for an Astra A-100 in .45 ACP. It came with three magazines and was practically new. I honestly feel that Astra’s final generations of double action pistols compare favorably to similar SIG/Sauer and Smith and Wesson models. Astra never modernized their factory and sadly went bankrupt.
In the 90’s, this was a big favorite of mine. Love the transporter entrance.
What an awesome video my brother keep up the good work God bless you and your son I am barely recuperating from covid I will be home hopefully this Friday God bless brother
Sorry to hear that Ruben. I pray for a speedy recovery and I hope you go home on Friday. Covid has also hit my household, and several friends, and thankfully everyone has fully recovered. Get well my friend.
I'll keep my eyes open for one. Thanks for the tip !
I bought two Astra A-75s years ago. One in 9mm and one in 40S&W. Both are still going strong, to this day. When cost, durability and reliability are considered, these are two of the best semi autos I own.
I never had one , it in the 70’s 80’s I had a Star PD, although wasn’t double action it sure looks pretty close to it . Great 👍 videos and camera 🎥 work👍❤️👩🚒
I never owned one but I heard that the Star PD was a very reliable .45 pistol. Maybe someday I will find one at a local gun shop.
@@mixup98 , you'd like the Star PD. Great little .45 ACP. Only complaint I had was minor: the sharply checkered wood grip panels and striated front strap left my bare hands raw after a range session. But, like the S&W Shield Plus coarse sandpapery grips, that pistol was staying put in your hands.
One batch had a balky trigger reset, easily fixed by de-burring the trigger linkage. IIRC, National Rifleman or another 1980s magazine published a quick tutorial on this simple repair.
Star did some clever simplification of the Browning design, using more stamped metal parts in the trigger linkage and disconnector. So if there were any slight burr edges left it was easily honed.
That Star PD and Super B were among the few pistols I regret selling or trading.
Love how the barrel is fluted at the muzzle. Really helps with accuracy.
Nice find and super video to prove it. All the best and thanks for the production.
You are very welcome John and my son and I both thank you for taking the time to watch and comment on our video.
Great picture of ya, back in the 70's! Thanks for the share!!
You are very welcome Steven and we thank you for watching our videos.
I saw that first shot right by the Bill, and thought. “this guy is a good shot!” And you proved,it with your subsequent shots. Nice shooting.
Thank you CrazyPetez....my son is also pretty good 👍😎😎👍
The first 9mm semi auto pistol I ever bought was a Astra a75l (lighter aluminum frame) , and I was not disappointed.
I've got the A70, was my first handgun purchase and I really like it. I've had to replace the recoil spring, but after I did that there were no problems with it.
I have had a few of these but never in 45. I would love that. Heck feller I would give you your money back in a heartbeat. Congratulations on that awesome find.
Thanks glockerbob. I was at the right place at the right time when I found this little beauty and I'm glad it was still there the next day when I went back to buy it.
Good to see you back! Really interesting gun and I need a dealer like yours!
It has been a long winter and we are happy to be back and making our videos.
Star is another pistol made in Spain that l really like. I've had one for years. It's a 45 also and I've had one for years and never had a problem with it.
Years ago I owned a Star Starfire .45 and unfortunately I sold it, and I'm still kicking myself.
Yeah sir. Might have look into one.
That was a steal of a deal. Nice shooting by you and your son. Great review as always. Thank you for sharing.
a had a astra -100 in the late 90's loved it a shear pleasure to shoot and surprisingly accurate
Welcome back. Great video I had an Astra 22lr years agi and really loved plinking with it.
We are glad to be back Randy and thanks for the great comment.
I can't recall any Spanish made pistols I didn't like. A friend of mine carried a stainless compact Star in .45 ACP as his EDC at work in the 1990's. At that time, my carry gun was a Ruger Super blackhawk in my truck. The boss had a Desert Eagle .44 Mag and his boy had an AMT .22 Mag.
I say we carried, as we were working in a bad part of Phoenix, AZ. One day, while we were sitting around eating lunch, a guy came into our fenced work area (drilling a water well) at a high rate of speed on a bicycle. Of course he couldn't get out and we heard sirens behind him. It is when he tried to steal one of the work trucks that he turned around and saw 4 guns pointing at him. The cops came in and picked him up and thanked us. Then we finished our lunch and got back to work. Surreal times, back then. That whole summer had weird things happen out there.
Heavens a bad neighborhood in Phoenix?
I also owned a Star Starfire .45 pistol back in the early '90's and it was a great little pistol. I also had a Spanish made Llama 1911 .45 but the quality didn't come close to Star or Astra. By the way, great story....thank you.
@@mixup98 I've shot a few of the Llama 1911's over the years, and even though they functioned okay, the quality and accuracy just wasn't there.
Been missing your videos Mixup!
Great tabletop review and shooting!
Thanks Gene. Winter is just about over and we are glad to be back and making our videos.
The 90's was the heyday for Spanish made pistols. I had a couple of Firestar M-40's in .40 cal that I bought back in the early 90's. They were both excellent pistols that never malfunctioned in thousands of rounds of use.
What a bargain! Classic Sig designs just work. Wonderful video
I've had my astra a100 /9 mm around 10 years.a great pistol
Good to know....thank you Julius.
Julius Clark I got mine brand new way back in the 90s. I don't even recall what I paid for it but most pistols I got back then ran around $350. Conceal carried it and shot loads of rounds through it. It still runs great with some bends for added tension to the mag springs.
3:02 Who WAS that dapper, long-haired cowboy hippie from the 70's, all well-armed and ready for action with a Star revolver and (what looked like) a Marlin Model 60? I had a chance to shoot a Star 9mm years ago - reliable and accurate, but unfortunately it wasn't my own. Nice review. Stay safe out there.
You're right, that was a Marlin Model 60 (Glenfield) and it was my very first firearm, which was a Christmas present in 1972.
Looks like a good carry pistol. Thanks for the great video Mr Mix.
Good morning Mark. I'm looking for a nice IWB leather holster and I will have no problem carrying this sweet little .45 pistol.
My NRA instructor had an A-75 back at the gun club ages ago and that is what turned me on to my A-100 that is a SIG P226 copy with some differences. Thanks for sharing.
Astra pistols are old and so are the mags. It probably needs new mags or mag springs. The springs have lost tension over the years and with use. Mine did the same thing so I put bends in the spring to increase tension to push the follower up against the mag catch like its suppose to.
Great to see you guys having fun. I had the A-70 over 20 years ago. I only shot it occasionally, but never had a problem or failure with it. I would like to add a .45 to my collection, but for now I'm trying to make sure I get what I have fully supported. Enjoyed the outtakes 😆 🤣 😂 👍
Hello E. Good to hear from you. If you add a .45 to your collection please let us all know what you bought.
@@mixup98 Hmmm, I tried to look up my old Astra in .45acp and see that it couldn't have been an A-70...I'm not sure what the model # is now.
Wow! You looked like you could have been a movie star. Where's Ratso??? LOL.
Always entertaining videos and dang good shooting. You have definitely put in the practice. 45 acp for ccw is great if you can handle it. Thanks.
3 years ago one could buy a Kahr CW45 American made with night sights for $300. My best $300 ever spent on a pistol. Thanks for the video.
I hope to pick up a Kahr pistol in the future and do a review on it. Thanks for the suggestion.
You are an excellent bargain hunter. Nice little pistol in great shape. Love 45 acp. My favorite pistol caliber. Always enjoy your videos and good shooting by you and your son. A good reminder what fun shooting can be and your son is lucky to have a dad like you.👍🇺🇸😎
I just picked up a .45 ACP revolver today and hopefully I will have a video posted in a week or so. Thank you for the kind words....I really appreciate it.
You guy's are good shots and even good at throwing rocks . I like watching you guys shoot together, it's a fun time . You did good for $300 , I got two gun shows this weekend and I hope to find something decent
I used to go to every gun show in town but I haven't been to one in three or four years. Please let us know if you buy a gun at the gun show.
3:02 what a damn stud! Nothing better than a good throwback gem
The rock launch while holding a camera..... wow.
Could this be the next IPSC event?
I have that same Astra 357 revolver in my collection today. It came with the original box and I think I paid around $350 for it. I also have 8.375" S&W models 29 and 57 in my collection and the Astra fits right in there. I do know that Astra had some QC issues at times, back around 1994 a local dealer had 3 or 4 Astra 44 magnum revolvers in his used gun case and each and every one of them had a huge ring gauged in the cylinder from the locking bolt. But the three Astras in my collection have never given me any problems. I also have a Model 400 9mm Largo and a Model 600 9mm Luger.
If I recall correctly I paid $200 in 1978 for my brand new Astra revolver. I eventually traded it for a Winchester 94/22 magnum rifle.
I still have my Astra .357 6" I bought in 1976, lost count of the rounds I put through it and it is still my EDC. South African Firearm Legislation seem to benefit the criminal and makes it a schlepp to apply for a a firearm licence, that's why still shoot a wheelgun. I have, by the Grace of God stopped quite a number of condition Red situations, without firing a shot. It still does'nt miss a beat, cylinder lockup is real tight and it is still very accurate. Know your tools, be proficient in handling it, take care of it and it will serve you well.
The Spanish Star pistol I was issued in the military, also performed flawlessly, although accuracy was not too good.
Thank you for your reviews, I really enjoy it. Regards from South Africa!
@@carlpretorius1584 I wish I could find a nice Astra .357 revolver and do a review on it. Maybe I will get lucky and find one someday. It is a shame that Star and Astra are no longer in business. I also owned a Llama 1911 .45 back in the mid '80s.Thank you for taking the time to watch and comment on my video. Regards from the United States.
@@carlpretorius1584 I wish I could find a nice Astra .357 revolver and do a review on it. Maybe I will get lucky and find one someday. It is a shame that Star and Astra are no longer in business. I also owned a Llama 1911 .45 back in the mid '80s.Thank you for taking the time to watch and comment on my video. Regards from the United States.
Me and my sons had a similar great day shooting last Friday. Great channel love it God Bless
Nothing better than spending the day shooting with family. Stay safe, thanks for watching and God Bless.
Got a firestar 40 cal as backup to my duty gun 30 years ago. Hundreds of guns later it is still one of the best.
Great find. I remember these guns back in the early '90s. Haven't seen one in almost 20 years though.
Another outstanding video. Like the picture from 1979, definitely you. More outstanding Markman ship by you and your son. Impressive.
Thanks Mike...you just made our day with your comment.
Great deal. You two rock. Please, keep your videos coming. Always fun and informative 👍
😎🙏
Thanks Peter. My son and I hope to shoot a new video within the next few days and have it posted later this week. Stay tuned my friend.
I am amazed at some of the prices you are able to pay for guns that you buy. Here in my area of Texas, everyone pretty much wants full retail. Big box, pawn shop, gun shop, and most will no longer haggle about the price the way you did with this gun at your local gun shop. It is pretty much take it or leave it.
Most gun and pawn shops around here also won't haggle, but fortunately there are several that will, and they are the ones that end up with my cash. I usually won't shop at a gun shop that won't haggle on a used firearm.
Just shot my first rounds with my new FEG GKK-45 all steel frame and it was a blast. I've already been looking at Star firearms so I'll keep an eye out for an Astra as well. Thanks gentlemen, and keep the Shasta flowing.
I love those gems that stand the test of time and owners. Hahaha. That's why I don't go to corporate gun stores with only new guns. Pawn Shops have all kinds of older but dependables. Great gun.
You guys are having way too much fun out there, 🤣 You got a sweet deal on that beauty, Now I want one! Thanks Fellas.
Good to see both of you! Point to remember, don't bring a gun to a rock fight with you!
That is funny....you just made my day 👍😁
Glad you tried one handed, i only have my right arm and carry a 45 acp. Good job.
I have a couple of Spanish made firearms and all are well made . But I've never run into one of these. Definitely will be looking now.
I have a Astra A100 in 9m, 17 round mags , great gun.
I got a full size Taurus 1911 for $300 once.
Novak sights, skeletonized trigger and hammer, extended beaver tail.
Only thing that was so-so on it was the stock mag, which worked great after a drop in spring and follower from Wilson Combat.
I bought an A100. Astra many moons ago and carried it as a duty weapon for my last few years on the PD. I always came out either 1st or second at the range, only loosing back when our Sheriff, an old man who shot an ancient M&P pre war smith and could not hit the broad side of the barn would shoot, they gave him first as an honor I guess. I still have my A100 and would trust it for defense any time, the100 holds more ammo, a 9 round stacked .45 but is basically the same type pistol built to look more like the SIg.
I'm enjoying your videos a bunch, thanks for putting them up. Every time you drop the slide with the lock you shave metal from the slide and the slide lock. This will result in eventual failure of your slide lock. Not saying that is what's happening. The spring in the magazine could be at fault, the slide may not be cycling far enough to lock with the ammunition your using. It'll take some troubleshooting to figure it out. To repair a damaged slide or slide lock, a little filing on both surfaces to restore the engagement angle will suffice. I teach all my students to release the slide lock by pulling the slide back, then releasing the slide.
Always liked Astra I had an Astra 1911 knockoff in 9mm, beautiful pistol reliable and great solid feel.
The Spanish made great guns. I have quite a few pistols, rifles and revolvers. Good quality and pretty accurate. My favourites are an Astra revolver in 44 magnum, reminiscent of the S&W models 29 and 629. Then I have a smaller Star Firestar in 9mm, single action and it is such a beautiful shooter. Thank you for sharing this with us. I would love to have one in my collection. Cheers.
Good to see you again.
Thank you Ron....we are glad to be back.
A man skilled with guns and rocks 😂 great video!
Thanks 👍😁
I've never owned one, but I have always heard good things about Astra pistols
I don't remember these. Great review and presentation.
God bless all here.
Another great video, I liked the side swipe sling part
Sympathetic, kinda "retro looking", very accurate (for that barrel length) and easy to use - small enough for every day concealed-carry, yet packing quite a punch.
You are absolutely right I wouldn't hesitate to carry this Astra pistol concealed.
Got a 9mm off my buddy,carried it almost a year ran about 50 rounds through it without a single problem..still gonna get something newer soon but mines definitely been dependable
I have one of these in 40 and love it. Stainless steep model in a matte finish. Heavier then the plastic guns but comfy to carry. Weight makes it a pussycat to shoot. Iffy to get it to lock open on an empty chamber without a steel spacer on the hold open on the magazine lip so I modified all of mine.
I had a a-70 9mm and it was nice and I would like to find one again.
I have two p938 sigs that are similar.
That's a very good deal. I wouldn't hesitate a second on this for 300! I've seen almost identical ones but in 9mm for 500. I am definitely looking for one in 45 now. Heck maybe even 40
Years ago when we were permitted to have a hand gun in my country I had a Star mod B in 9mm made in Spain good gun and well made just like your Astra, always enjoy your videos with your son wonder how many bullet holes are in the old truck
Well, it used to have a door on the passenger side if that helps you any with your equation.
What and who happened to your country?
None of my business but I'm just curious as the fellow before me asked what country are you from and what happened why did they get legislated out the handguns that is!!??
Wondered when you were gonna drop a new video! This definitely looks like a great deal, compact, reliable 45? Yes please!
You made a great buy! I've had one just like yours for 12 or 15 years and its not for sale!
Kool video, love 45 acp! You tube just had to put an ad in the middle of the shooting 👎! Good job and happy beaming!
Nice little pistol ,good Review , thanks for sharring 👍
And thank you for watching our video, Beto.
Most of all thanks for being honest
@@betoavila5049 👍😎
Many many years ago I purchased the A-100, .45, never a single issue, to feed, eject or fire, just a great little firearm, I realize it's a clone of a Sig, but smaller, and I now also own a P 220 in .45, a very fine firearm but I couldn't say I like it any better that the Astra, it remains one of my favorites
The pistol looks nice I'd definitely buy one now.
Spanish guns are amazing, my favourite is the Star 30M, great video thanks for sharing
What a heck of a find! I need to start going to my local GS more.
I got the 80A new in 1990's. 9 round mag. Still shoots great.
Good to know....thanks Patrick 👍😎