Newest find; Astra Constable .22lr

usp9

I'm not sure but I think they offered a matte nickel on some of their guns in lieu of making them out of stainless steel. Nice find with your Astra Constable, especially in .22LR.

usp9

After doing some more looking online I did come across a Constable II that was stainless steel. But after seeing your photos up close it's hard to tell if it's matte nickel, stainless steel, or possibly it's been Cerakoted. Check out the area around the slide safety; it kinds of appears as though it's been "painted" over and the red dot (to indicate the gun is ready to be fired), is missing.

Nice one! Had the opportunity to shoot one of these a few times in the 70s. Along with a Bernadelli I'd like to have one of these.

I love steel DA/SA .22 autoloaders. That looks like a keeper for sure.

MedWheeler

I love steel SAO .22 autoloaders and this one is my keeper: a Beretta Model 70S!

bannockburn said:

usp9

After doing some more looking online I did come across a Constable II that was stainless steel. But after seeing your photos up close it's hard to tell if it's matte nickel, stainless steel, or possibly it's been Cerakoted .Check out the area around the slide safety; it kinds of appears as though it's been "painted" over and the red dot (to indicate the gun is ready to be fired), is missing.

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I was thinking cerakote as well. Long, long ago, I read an article that claimed the Constable was designed in response to a military contract request for a Walther PP copy- the Astra engineers said "Why, we can do one better!" In the event, the contract never materialized, but the gun had moderate commercial success.
The one .380 example I had a chance to shoot was superb- shot off 100 rounds with no problems and far less hand fatigue than my PPK. Great gun!

What an interesting and unusual pistol. I am not familiar with them. But, it looks and sounds impressive. Congrats on your acquisition!

Nice looking piece. I'm certain you're going to love it.

There were a number of metal coats by after market people in the late 1970's and early 1980s. This makes me think of the Armalloy finish from an out fit in Ocala Florida. Armalloy was supposed to be VERY HARD and some what self lubricating.

Though the finish may not be "original" I would love that Constable.

A constable was my first run in with "Super Glue" use in a fire arm. A buddy had a .380 that some how would "eat" the pin that retained the barrel to the frame. the center of the pin would get worn until the barrel actually moved, generally rotating. A Smith replaced the pin and one year later the same thing happened. The same smith then removed the barrel and carefully deburred the slot the pin fit through then coated the potion of the barrel that sat in the barrel lump of the frame with Super glue fitted them together, placed a new pin in also with super glue and three years later that barrel had not moved a hair and one could not move it ...or likely remove it. Shot better after that last fix than it ever did. He used a lot of the Super Vel ammo in the yellow boxes with the TC hollow point bullet. Think Plus P+. Also his own handloads with 100 grain soft points that seemed shall we say brisk when shot.

Again nice gun and looks fun.

-kBob

bannockburn said:

MedWheeler

I love steel SAO .22 autoloaders and this one is my keeper: a Beretta Model 70S!

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Awesome!!

I wanted one of those back in the 80's when I used to see them in various magazines and catalogues. I was too young, and later too broke, to own one back then. I'd still love to get one. Maybe one day.

I have always liked off beat guns like the Astra Constable. Never had one, but do have an older Llama IIIa .380. The closest thing in .22 is my Beretta 87BB. Great little gun.