My Latest Acquisition: Astra A-70

[CapnMac]

Courtesy of our very own @MattTheHat I now have a spiffy new-to-me Astra A-70

A fine bit of Guernica gun smithing, if from the days of the wundernine

It's a small-medium size 8-round 9x19, the fit is really incredible. Size is perhaps 10mm (call it 3/8") longer than a SIG-365, same height, and perhaps 100grams (shy of a quarter pound) heavier

It's definitely a slick little beast--the trigger is extremely pleasant, and it functions smoothy (which could be age related--one of the boons of buying used)

Now, there are some mysteries here. As the Serial begins with "T" which, per the online reference is the 1949 code, but the A-70 was from the 80s. (the reverse-curve trigger guard not coming into fashion until then). Unless Astra ran off a batch specifically for Interarms to import into the US. (Luckily, I like a good mystery.)

FW gun show is next week, so good timing to see if I can scrounge a spare mag or two.

Color me chuffed

 

[silicosys4]

Astras are good guns, It looks a bit like a Star Firestar, a gun i've always had a secret affinity for.

 

[bannockburn]

While they were still being imported Astras and Stars were a great buy and solidly built.

 

[Shanghai McCoy]

While they were still being imported Astras and Stars were a great buy and solidly built.

Yep, I wanted one back in the 90's but never found one in good shape when I was looking.

 

[PistoleroWadcutterGANG]

Seriously I hope everyone here gets a chance to fire a Firestar pistol. Fantastic for their time and NOW, 33 years later. Get one if you can.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

Sure does seem like a direct competitor for the Firestar. Neato!

 

[2ndtimer]

I bought one new back in the 80’s. Nice solid little 9mm, traded it off some years later.

 

[commygun]

Had a .40 A-75 that was a fine reliable little pistol. Wanted an A-70, but have never seen one for sale in person.

 

[KevininPa]

I carried this one for a number of years. Recently gave it to my son when I bought a Shield EZ. Hard chrome was done by Ron Mahovsky. I've had good luck with some Triple K magazines for it. Always ran like a champ! Heavy piece for carry compared to the EZ. I hope you enjoy yours!

 

[kerreckt]

Stars and Astras are very nice handguns. Very underrated by the "experts".

 

[Dave Markowitz]

Very cool.

I had an Astra A-75 in 9mm. Good gun but I wound up trading after a couple years toward a S&W Model 28-2 which I still have.

 

[CoalCrackerAl]

I like it. Very 1911 style.

 

[CapnMac]

It looks a bit like a Star Firestar,

Has the feel of one too. If with hints of the Star BM.

View attachment 1205697

Love that finish.
I note the "U" prefix, which the per the online info means 1950 production , but clearly isn't. But, Unnnn would fall neatly after Tnnnn as a production sequence.

Was going to go over to the indoor range in Grand Prairie today, but it's thundering and I need to comfort my dog Who Does Not Approve of Big Sky Noises.

 

[hemiram]

Those old prefixes have no relevance with the later Astra guns. There's a chart out there somewhere that has the correct ones for the A60, 70, 75, 80, 90, and A100 series. My A75 is one made towards the end of Astra. I don't have access to the S# now, but by the old codes it would be made in the mid 50's, when it was more like late 80's.

 

[CapnMac]

There's a chart out there somewhere that has the correct ones for the A60, 70, 75, 80, 90, and A100 series.

Finding that is proving complicated. But, the search is the thing.

 

[12Bravo20]

I have to agree that the Astra 70 does look a lot like the Star Firestar. And if the Astra is built as well as the Star, it should be a nice shooter.

I currently have a Firestar M43 9mm and Firestar M40 40 S&W. I wouldn't mind getting the First M45 45ACP to finish the collection.

 

[sparkyfender]

Very nice! I have searched for a Firestar locally, but the few I've found have been too beat up for me to consider.

I have heard the Firestars are plagued by brittle firing pins.

 

[CapnMac]

And if the Astra is built as well as the Star, it should be a nice shooter.

Definitely feels right, and the recoil really, really evokes the way a Star BM feels to shoot, where it's a compact, but "sturdy" more than "heavy" in the hand.

 

[12Bravo20]

Definitely feels right, and the recoil really, really evokes the way a Star BM feels to shoot, where it's a compact, but "sturdy" more than "heavy" in the hand.

Glad to hear you like the Astra A-70.

The Firestar's shoot the same way. I have put a lot of rounds through my 40 caliber Firestar M40 over the years.