Colt Junior .25

[with_teeth]

I finally bought this gun for 120$ and have yet to shoot it. I was wondering though Ive heard there was a recall for many models of this gun. would i still be able to get the service done on the gun and if not could it be done myself/ what parts are needed. any information i can get would be great

Thank you

 

[Ala Dan]

I doubt whether or not service would be available from Colt; as this little
gem (also made in .22 caliber short), was actually made in Spain by Astra.
Astra's copy was called the "CUB"; and Astra has long since been out of
business, as far as the United States is concerned.

FootNote: I think their "A" series were the last Astra's imported~?

 

[bannockburn]

with teeth

As Ala Dan pointed out, service is most likely not available from Colt for this pistol. It's been many years since they were imported into the U.S. I am also not aware of any recall on these guns, though this might have something to do with it having a long, non-inertia type firing pin. Because of this it be advised that it should not be carried with a round in the chamber and the hammer completely down.

If you are in need of parts, try gun-parts.com for a listing of parts that are available for the Astra Cub. I would think that any decent gunsmith would be able to replace or fix any minor problem that might occur with your gun.

 

[HisSoldier]

I've recently learned that Colt made their own Junior's after they stopped importing the Astra Cubs with their name on them. The Astra ones say "Made in Spain for Colt's" on the right side behind the trigger in front of the grip. The ones made by Colt are cast I'm told, and don't have the "Made in Spain for Colt's", whereas the Astra made ones all have forged frames.

The ones made by Colt that I've seen all have no border on the checkered wood grips, while those made for Colt by Astra have a border all around the grips.

I also have an FIE one that has Spanish proofs on the barrel but the frame looks really poorly made, and it says made in USA. The best ones I've actually seen are made in Spain by Astra.

For a shooter I'd put my money on the Astra.

 

[rvehock]

Here is my Astra Cub .25ACP, great shooter and excellent quality:

 

[HisSoldier]

The only thing about the Astra Cub that isn't as good or superior is the plastic grips, mine (.25 ACP) broke under constant shooting, I imagine wood would hold up better.

I've loaded .25 ACP's up to 1200 FPS (35 grain HP), but I still wouldn't carry one for self defense.

 

[HisSoldier]

Here are mine, a .22 short and a .25 ACP.

My collection has probably 10 or 15 .25 ACP's, I enjoy shooting them, thinking about the time in history when they were considered adequate. Fun guns.

Edit to explain the little mushroom caps at bottom left, those are .22 shorts that I shot into a 2" thick UHMW (Polyetheline) block, they went in far enough to reshape themselves and then spit back out to the firing line 28 feet away! One of them hit my brothers chest hard enough to bring forth blood! We changed the target material after that.

 

[gpwelding1]

beutiful!

i love those astra .22 & .25's! ive got a colt model 1908 pocket .25,ive been trying to find a astra .25 to go in my collection with it.

 

[HisSoldier]

Yeah, I bought a Budischowsky after reading that it is the best .25 ever made, the one I bought was LNIB, but found it not reliable, not accurate. In other words, to me, the Astra Cub is still king of .25's.

 

[MICHAEL T]

Astra Cub is still king of .25's.

I think the Beretta 950 series be the King Cub maybe queen . I have a Astra cub but the Beretta just seems better quality . Both work but I carry my Beretta's more often.

 

[TLL]

My pre `68 Colt Jr. .22short and big bros. Jr has box cleaning rod and papers.
My new to me 1908 .25 and his big bro 1908 .380

 

[makarovnik]

Yeah just try not to accidentally shoot any of your buddies.

 

[bannockburn]

HisSoldier

I also heard the same thing about the Budischowsky; a great European design that somehow got lost in the "translation" when Norarmco built them here in the U.S. back in the early '70's.

 

[squarles67]

I recently traded my Dad for this junior, he bought it new. He said something about the recall and he thinks he still has the letter from Colt but he's still looking for it. This was the first handgun I ever shot (Of course this was in the early '70's)

 

[CZ57]

Does anyone know where I can locate a magazine for one of these? Mine is an Astra .22 Short. It doesn't say Cub on the grip like those in the pics, but is identical otherwise.

 

[rvehock]

http://www.ammoclip.com/A/astra_camper_22s.htm

 

[KsThumper]

Yes, 'with_teeth' there was / is a Safety recall

If dropped on the hammer with a round in the chamber there could be an AD.

Colt Automatic Caliber .25 (Junior?)

It has come to our attention that some of the small pocket automatic pistols marketed by Colt in 25 ACP between 1957 and 1973 (these have serial numbers ending in CC or beginning with OD) are susceptible to accidental discharge if improperly carried with a round in the chamber and dropped or otherwise carelessly handled. This is because of the type of firing mechanism in these pistols. Some of these pistols were marked "Junior Colt/Cal. 25," others "Made in Spain for Colt," and still others " Colt Automatic/Cal. 25."

COLT WILL MODIFY THE FIRING MECHANISM OF THESE PISTOLS FREE OF CHARGE. This modification will substantially reduce the possibility of accidental discharge.

If you own one of these pistols, please notify Colt but do not return the pistol at this time. You will be given further details and instructions as to when and how to ship your firearm to Colt. We will replace the firing pin and the firing pin spring, and return the gun as promptly as possible.

Tel: 800-962-COLT (2658) * Mon-Fri 9am to 5pm EST

SHIPPING ADDRESS ** (Overnight Shipping Address for Firearms)
C.M.C.
2 Talcott Road
West Hartford, CT 06110
USA


I inherited a Colt Junior Pocket .25 ACP with a Serial # beginning with OD and called them about the recall notice. They verified the S/N and stated I should return it which I did in October 2008.

Firearm was returned from Colt in 2-3 weeks and functions fine.

 

[CZ57]

Thanks rvehock!

 

[with_teeth]

Thank you all so much, I will give colt a call asap as my s/n also starts with OD

 

[ajim1942]

25 acp colt jr recall

Colt is still doing recall warrenty work on the colt jr 25 acp pistol.
I was in contact with them last week and received instructions on where to send it. The pistol is at colt now.
Jim