Astra .38 Revolvers at CAI

[Harry Paget Flashman]

I've bought a few guns from Century Arms International before. They have an Internet record of "so-so" for some of their products and their customer service but love them or hate them they have some revolvers for sale that I had to buy.

Several years ago I got an Astra NC-6 .38SPCL revolver from them for ~$150. It was used but in good condition. I was impressed by the slimness of it, its fit and the price. It has been a nice shooter for me.

They have NC-6's back in stock again. They also have the Astra Cadix 4" barrel, 5-shot .38SPCL and the Astra Mdl 960 4" barrel, 6-shot .38SPCL revolver back in stock. They are $159 apiece and about $22 to ship both. I'm a .38 junkie so I bought both. I am working my way up slowly to an even dozen. It's a good price for a .38 revolver and I'm gambling that they are as nice as the NC-6.

I'll try to post some pictures when they come in and write a short review.


Not shilling for CAI but here's the link:
http://www.centuryarms.biz/products.asp?cat=21

 

[Moonclip]

I had a .22lr cadix that sucked. Do any of these Astras have the sdjustable ring under the grip to adjust the trigger pull?

 

[slick6]

Astra 960

moonclip:

I have an Astra 960 and it is a higher quality revolver than either the NC-6 or the Cadex! And, this revolver does have the neat adjustable ring under the grips inside the grip frame. The Astra 960 is built on the Smith & Wesson N-frame size revolvers and it looks and feels very much like a Smith & Wesson N-frame! But, the trigger pull is as smooth and slick as I've ever felt in a revolver-which is amazing! I mean, as good as a Colt Python!

 

[Jim K]

Everyone has lemons, but in general, those Astra revolvers were pretty good. A number of European police forces used them before going to autos.

Jim

 

[Harry Paget Flashman]

Moonclip. I hope to have these revolvers in hand by the end of next week. I'll let you know it they have adjustable trigger pulls.

 

[Moonclip]

Do a search on Astra in the revolver forum, lots of info and some pics. I'd like a 9x19 Astra revolver. I've been looking for a .357 and I'll take a .44mag if the price is right.

I have 2x Llama revolvers.

 

[Harry Paget Flashman]

I wanted the Astra Cadix Revolver too in 22LR with the 4" barrel but they were sold out. The shipping would have only been $2 more for a third handgun.

 

[Harry Paget Flashman]

I got the two Astra revolvers today and am very pleased with the quality at $159 apiece. Those were the Cadix and the Mdl 960, both .38 Spcl. They are head and shoulders above the two Eibar revolvers I own (a .38 Spcl and .32-20 Win S&W clones. Here: http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=78639&stc=1&thumb=1&d=1211403112 )

In the first picture are (l -> r) the Cadix, an NC-6(bought previously) and the Mdl 960. The Cadix and NC-6 are virtually identical except that the Cadix is a 5 shot and the NC-6 is a 6 shot as seen in the third picture. They are both comfortable to hold and light but when I pick the NC-6 up and then the Cadix I wonder about the Cadix...what's the point? You can see in the fourth picture there is little difference in the Cadix (l) and the NC-6 (r).

In the second picture is the Mdl 960 on top over the Cadix on the bottom. The Mdl 960 is a 6 shot and is thicker/heftier in every dimension. It has a solid, beautiful feel to it and for my hand a perfect weight and balance. The bluing on these guns shows some light holster wear on the muzzles, light turn marks on the cylinders. The bluing on all three was deep and dark. All these revolvers were bought from CAI and advertised as in "Good" condition. (You have a choice between "G" and "VG".) They were better than I expected. The Cadix had a little pitting on the frame and side plate but the 960 and NC-6 were rust-free. Then Cadix was also missing one side plate screw which I ordered today from Numrich for $2.20. The wood grips had a few dings and scratches as do most of the revolvers I own.

I like these revolvers and they are a deal for $159 apiece. Of the 5 Spanish I own the 960 is already my favorite.

 

[HB]

I think I may pick one up to carry around the farm. They look pretty decent, but the question is, how do they shoot/hold up?
HB

 

[Harry Paget Flashman]

I can only speak to the NC-6 which I have had a few years and put a hundred+ rounds through. I have too many .38's too wear any of them out. I am no metallurgist but I can tell you that the 960 is a solid handgun to the feel and look. I haven't read much on the Internet about Astra revolvers being in the same category as some of the lower grade Eibar guns. Astra owners seem to be a happy lot. Maybe an expert will weigh in here.

If I could pick up a mythical $159 S&W Model 10 in as good of shape as these I'd buy a dozen.

 

[Harry Paget Flashman]

The $2.20 side plate screw I got from Numrich was a perfect fit. The Cadix is a whole gun again.