I just bought a used A-70 in .45 and like everything about it except the plastic grips. Does anyone know of a source for wood or rubber grips? Also, where is the best place to buy magazines?
Thanks, Ken
Thanks, Ken
Astra A-70
- Thread starter pippin53
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I have the same gun in .40.
CDNN sells mags for 'em for about $25 + shipping.
I bought my last mag from the gunshow for the same price w/o shipping.
CDNN sells mags for 'em for about $25 + shipping.
I bought my last mag from the gunshow for the same price w/o shipping.
I carry it daily, if that's a clue. 
By no means is it a "range gun," at all. (IMO) Having only a 2 1/2" barrel makes it difficult for me to have good groups.
When I make it to the range, I only use this gun to practice:
1. Drawing the weapon
2. Quick sight acqusition
3. Double taps
If I want to plink or work on groups, I use my P22 from Walther. One of these days, I'll get a full size .40 for fun at the range.
Note, Astra isn't known for the best finish in the world. I had a huge problem with the front and back strap rusting on me. (My sweat has a little more salt to it than most people.) I stripped the entire gun down and power coated the bottom frame. The slide is still the original blue.
By no means is it a "range gun," at all. (IMO) Having only a 2 1/2" barrel makes it difficult for me to have good groups.
When I make it to the range, I only use this gun to practice:
1. Drawing the weapon
2. Quick sight acqusition
3. Double taps
If I want to plink or work on groups, I use my P22 from Walther. One of these days, I'll get a full size .40 for fun at the range.
Note, Astra isn't known for the best finish in the world. I had a huge problem with the front and back strap rusting on me. (My sweat has a little more salt to it than most people.) I stripped the entire gun down and power coated the bottom frame. The slide is still the original blue.
Yes, powder coat. Please don't judge me by my typas.
A coworker of mine has the stuff for powder coating and we did it one Friday night after work.
I'd post a pic the the rust problem I was having, but those pics are on my work PC, not here at home.
powder coat
So what is the powder coat? A polymer coating? How durable is it? Is it something I can do myself? Did you have to grind out the rust first? Sorry for the 20 questions.
So what is the powder coat? A polymer coating? How durable is it? Is it something I can do myself? Did you have to grind out the rust first? Sorry for the 20 questions.
Powder coating is basically this: Electro-static paint in powder form. **
In reference to my Astra, I stripped the gun of all screws, springs, and anything else until I had just the frame. I then went to a bench-grinder with a wire brush on one side and a polishing wheel on the other. The wire brush stripped everything from the gun down to the bare metal. I then polished the bare metal until it 'looked good.'
A special powder coating gun is needed to use this type of paint. It requires an air compressor (regulated) to work the paint gun. A ground lead is attached to the stripped metal while the paint gun is "positively charged" via a control box for the paint gun. As the trigger is pulled on the paint gun, a powder lightly flows from the gun and attaches itself to the grounded metal. (Opposites attract) The powder covered metal is then baked in an oven. The baking process is what turns the powder into a liquid. After baking and letting the metal cool off, you're done.
Do make note that many people frown on this practice with guns.
I took pictures of the whole process and will post them when I remember to bring the photos home.
**I'm no expert on this and I'm sure someone can clarify what the heck I'm trying to say.
In reference to my Astra, I stripped the gun of all screws, springs, and anything else until I had just the frame. I then went to a bench-grinder with a wire brush on one side and a polishing wheel on the other. The wire brush stripped everything from the gun down to the bare metal. I then polished the bare metal until it 'looked good.'
A special powder coating gun is needed to use this type of paint. It requires an air compressor (regulated) to work the paint gun. A ground lead is attached to the stripped metal while the paint gun is "positively charged" via a control box for the paint gun. As the trigger is pulled on the paint gun, a powder lightly flows from the gun and attaches itself to the grounded metal. (Opposites attract) The powder covered metal is then baked in an oven. The baking process is what turns the powder into a liquid. After baking and letting the metal cool off, you're done.
Do make note that many people frown on this practice with guns.
I took pictures of the whole process and will post them when I remember to bring the photos home.
**I'm no expert on this and I'm sure someone can clarify what the heck I'm trying to say.
powder coat
Thanks, Darrin -- very informative and looks good on your gun. It doesn't sound like something I could tackle at home. Ken
Thanks, Darrin -- very informative and looks good on your gun. It doesn't sound like something I could tackle at home. Ken
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