Astra Model 200 Firecat .25 ACP

[SammyJankis]

Picked this up at a gun show this past weekend. I was looking for a Colt 1908 or a Baby Browning or even a PSP copy but I found this one and really liked it. It was made in 1956 in Spain...I believe in Guernica but not sure... under license from Colt if I'm not mistaken. Seems to be a really well made little pocket pistol. I thought about buying one of the new PSA .25 autos that are also exact copies of the Baby Browning but they're quite expensive (and I'm sure they're good guns) and I got this relatively cheap. I need a new magazine for it as the one it came with is older and not original to the gun and kinda sticks when goin in. Any info on these would be much appreciated or the PSA/Baby Browning/ Colt/ PSP stuff. I'd love to see some pictures of other people's similar guns.

 

[Lunie]

That's an excellent specimen you have there!

 

[makarovnik]

Sweeet!

 

[test drive]

no, they had nothing to do with the colt.(they did make the colt jr. for colt for awhile) they were thier own critter. i know they were made up through the 60s maybe longer. gun act of 68 kind of killed them off. they were good guns. i have a blued one made in 63. and it still sees some back-up carry. i think they were the best .25 cal pistols of the time. it has 3 safetys. thumb,grip and mag. and is hammer fired, not striker. i still see mags for them at the gun shows around the 30 dol. range. the engraved ones like yours can go for GOOD money if its factory and yours looks to be if you carry it stay with fmj, you need all the penetration you can get. astra made good guns. i realy like mine.

 

[MICHAEL T]

Now you got me wanting one I have enough 25 autos already I think you will enjoy that more than over Priced PSA which really still just a Copy of the Bauer and the others before it. They all copied the Browning . Ive had my Bauer since 1979 but Don't carry it any more. Still pack my Beretta 950 now and then.

 

[SammyJankis]

hey test drive....how is it hammer fired? I thought it had to be striker fired becasue when i take the slide off I can't see anywhere for a hammer to be. I know the Jr. is hammer fired but I thought these were striker fired.

also, does not having the original mag detract from the value?

 

[test drive]

take off the slide and look at the inside rear of frame. you will see the hammer. it will prob. be in the "cocked" possition. its small but you can see it. if yours has the pin hole in back off the the slide, that will be the loaded chiamber indecator. if it isnt broke it will stick out with a round in the chaimber.