astra pistols - The Firearms Forum

txfever · 04-05-2003, 08:15 PM

hello friends!
Got a ? about Astra pistols. I have heard that they are now out of business? Anyway, I own an A-100 in .40 and was wonder if anyone here had any experiences with astra?
I have not had any problems yet, just wanting some more opinions-the good ones, and the bad ones!
thanks!

04-05-2003, 08:50 PM

Yes, Astra is out of business, Star has recently folded, and what is now operating as "Llama" is actually a consortium of former employees of Star and Llama that bought the company assets out from bankruptcy and are trying to carry on the business.

I own somewhere around 50 Astra pistols - however they are all 1945 or older pieces. I love the Astras, and they are fine pieces of workmanship - however, I can't really say about the last few years of production before they went out of business.

txfever · 04-06-2003, 10:23 PM

hello!
50 astra pistols!?! wowaa!
thanks for the info. I was hoping to get your input, I was directed here by a friend at another forum. Just out of curiosity, why do you think that spain is having problems with manufacturing guns? You say your astas are good, I have not had any probs with my A100 (espically considering the price). I have not shot star or llama-dont know anything about them.

04-07-2003, 05:30 AM

A combination of the world economic pressures, import restrictions in the US (one of the Spanish manufacturer's main markets) and the internal political pressures of Spain vs. the Basque have combined to ultimately spell out ruin for the Spanish handgun manufacturers.

Mankat · 02-24-2005, 05:24 PM

Own a Astra A 75 in 45acp.compact,reliable,but cobly ,made like a English motorcycle.More tool marks or nicks than a Colt or any other name brand gun.Took off the wobly R.S.ami saftey lever & replaced with a snug washer & pin,. Bought all xtra springs,extractor,ejector slide stop when they folded.They sent the wrong fireing pin,too short. I replaced the recoil spring with a 22lb.from a CZ compact & a F.Pin spring from the same, only shortened by trial & error.(Wolff Springs) Wolffs heaviest is a 17.5 .lb for the A75 in 9mm or 40S&W.Chamber is .468 front & .471 back resulting in slight fireing pin drag mark on primer.Ed Brown bbl.467 &.468.clipers are off on inside measurements,but you get the picture.Cheap nickle polished plating on frame & barrel peeled like an onion,Frame thicker & holding.Having them & all small parts done in Metalife.( same as Armaloy)I prefer to carry it to my custom 45, colts,S&W & other revolvers & guns.It, not a gun to be shot a lot,1000 rounds, its tested,Not thousands like a Springfield.Except for plating,inexpensively made,not cheap.they were 80 yrs.in business!One jam when new & dirty at 100 rounds.Don,t target with +p either,who does?

04-05-2003, 08:15 PM	#1
txfever Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: north texas Posts: 5	astra pistols hello friends! Got a ? about Astra pistols. I have heard that they are now out of business? Anyway, I own an A-100 in .40 and was wonder if anyone here had any experiences with astra? I have not had any problems yet, just wanting some more opinions-the good ones, and the bad ones! thanks! __________________ God, guns and guts! -->

04-06-2003, 10:23 PM	#3
txfever Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: north texas Posts: 5	hello! 50 astra pistols!?! wowaa! thanks for the info. I was hoping to get your input, I was directed here by a friend at another forum. Just out of curiosity, why do you think that spain is having problems with manufacturing guns? You say your astas are good, I have not had any probs with my A100 (espically considering the price). I have not shot star or llama-dont know anything about them. __________________ God, guns and guts!

02-24-2005, 05:24 PM	#5
Mankat Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: New Mexico Posts: 24	Re: astra pistols Own a Astra A 75 in 45acp.compact,reliable,but cobly ,made like a English motorcycle.More tool marks or nicks than a Colt or any other name brand gun.Took off the wobly R.S.ami saftey lever & replaced with a snug washer & pin,. Bought all xtra springs,extractor,ejector slide stop when they folded.They sent the wrong fireing pin,too short. I replaced the recoil spring with a 22lb.from a CZ compact & a F.Pin spring from the same, only shortened by trial & error.(Wolff Springs) Wolffs heaviest is a 17.5 .lb for the A75 in 9mm or 40S&W.Chamber is .468 front & .471 back resulting in slight fireing pin drag mark on primer.Ed Brown bbl.467 &.468.clipers are off on inside measurements,but you get the picture.Cheap nickle polished plating on frame & barrel peeled like an onion,Frame thicker & holding.Having them & all small parts done in Metalife.( same as Armaloy)I prefer to carry it to my custom 45, colts,S&W & other revolvers & guns.It, not a gun to be shot a lot,1000 rounds, its tested,Not thousands like a Springfield.Except for plating,inexpensively made,not cheap.they were 80 yrs.in business!One jam when new & dirty at 100 rounds.Don,t target with +p either,who does?

04-05-2003, 08:50 PM	#2
Guest Adnanced Senior Member Posts: n/a	Yes, Astra is out of business, Star has recently folded, and what is now operating as "Llama" is actually a consortium of former employees of Star and Llama that bought the company assets out from bankruptcy and are trying to carry on the business. I own somewhere around 50 Astra pistols - however they are all 1945 or older pieces. I love the Astras, and they are fine pieces of workmanship - however, I can't really say about the last few years of production before they went out of business.

04-07-2003, 05:30 AM	#4
Guest Adnanced Senior Member Posts: n/a	A combination of the world economic pressures, import restrictions in the US (one of the Spanish manufacturer's main markets) and the internal political pressures of Spain vs. the Basque have combined to ultimately spell out ruin for the Spanish handgun manufacturers.