Need info on an odd Springfield 9mm

[LightningLink]

While browsing around at a local dealer, I saw an odd looking Springfield Armory 9mm pistol. It has the 1911 look, but it's smaller than an actual 1911. I don't mean just the slide length and grip length, I mean the whole thing feels like a scaled down 1911. Looks very much like a slightly larger Colt Pocketlite or something like that.

It has a very black phosphate looking finish. I think the grips were rubber with the Springfield Armory logo embossed or whatever you call it.

The pistol looks reasonably new, yet it's clearly not one of the newer XD series. The price tag was $425, although that might be negotiable. I'm asking about it because this thing felt so sweet in my hands. Like it was made for me.

My questions are:
1) Does anyone have an idea of what this is? I tried looking at places like Auction Arms and couldn't find anything like it. Likewise I found nothing on SA's website. I saw a reference to a pistol called something like "Fire cat", but there was no picture so I don't know if it's the same.

2) Any idea if the $400 range is a good price for it?

3) Does anyone have any experience with this, good or bad?

Thanks in advance,
LL

 

[wardog]

I believe the pistol is the Springfield Armory Firecat.
It was a renamed Astra A-75 imported by Springfield I think.
Always seemed like a neat little pistol for concealed carry. I always wondered how the SA version compared with the Astra, and if there was any difference. I did a search and found an A-75 for $325 so I think $400 may be a little high.

 

[LightningLink]

Thanks for the reply.

I did some lookups on the A-75 and it does look very similar to the SA pistol I saw with one exception. The SA has a 1911 single-action style trigger versus the A-75's double-action style trigger.

I suppose it could be a variation of the A-75 made just for Springfield that is single-action only.

Thanks,
LL

 

[LightningLink]

Actually, browsing through some other Astra handguns, I found a mdel A-70 that is a single action version and looks exactly like what I saw.

However, searching all of Auction Arms, Gunbroker and Guns America only turned up ONE instance. That was a used A-70 for $295. I don't remember if my dealer's SA was new or used.

 

[buzz_knox]

I have a vague memory of a SA Panther, that seemed to match the description you've provided.

On second thought, maybe the Panther was a copy of the A-90/100, which would make it a larger DA/SA wondernine.