Share in my good humour!!

Pond, James Pond · February 15, 2013, 10:03 AM

This thread serves no purpose and so requires little response and yet I have to post it as I am in a fine mood!!

Today, whilst nosing in a gunshop I sometimes get supplies from I saw... wait for it.. a used Astra 680 for sale!!!

"A what..?" I hear you mutter. Well, some may know that I already have that same little 6-shot snub and that I gave its barrel a "fuller figure" after an unfortunate squib incident.

I've been looking at all sorts and was getting despondent, finding only over-priced Taurae and a 5-shot smith at the other end of the country!! Not as cheap as the first one I bought, but still cheaper than all the other revolvers I've seen, by quite a margin.

This means I could replace the stricken Astra with a twin, choose the best-kept parts from each to put into my carry gun and assemble the rest around my bulge-barrelled frame to test loads (its accuracy is still OK).

Happy days....

They promised to put it aside for a week, so when I get my buying permit next Thursday I can gallop over and buy it that same day.

spacecoast · February 15, 2013, 10:14 AM

Congrats, James...

Across the pond, at least for most of us, buying permits are greenish and have pictures of dead presidents on them.

g.willikers · February 15, 2013, 10:15 AM

Here's a history of Astra, for those, like me, who were not familiar with the brand.
They made a copy of the Mauser Broomhandle that was apparently good enough for the German army.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astra-Unceta_y_Cia_SA

Pond, James Pond · February 15, 2013, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Congrats, James...

Thanks, although it is not mine yet!! Now that you mention it I will also need some of those "other" buying permits. Mine are reddish or bluish and come from a friendly machine in the wall...

Quote:

Here's a history of Astra, for those, like me, who were not familiar with the brand.

Thanks for the link. If you want to see my Astra to be, it is the snub pictured at the bottom of that page: the 680.

I've read posts where people seem to turn their noses up at this Spanish marque, but I can say that my little snub was/is great, and has a delicious SA trigger!! The little Astra Constable .380 was gorgeous too!!

I have to say I quite like Spanish firearms...

Bob Wright · February 15, 2013, 03:58 PM

You know, even if I weren't in a good mood, I would have been after just reading your post.

Your choice of words and phraseology is uplifting!

Bob Wright

warningshot · February 15, 2013, 06:20 PM

Didn't the, 'Band-dee-Toes', in the movie, Treasure of the Sierra Modray, carry Astras?

lefteye · February 15, 2013, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Taurae

I like that!

BoogieMan · February 16, 2013, 06:34 PM

My LGS has a Astra 300 (in think) in 9mmLargo with holster and box of cartridges for $300. I have been eyeing for some time. What do they run on your side of the world?

Ferretboy · February 17, 2013, 12:33 AM

You guys are gonna get me in trouble with thoughts of a snubbie. I am still getting glares for the Winchester 94 I just bought.

Chesster · February 17, 2013, 02:07 AM

Congrats. I have limited experience with Astras but all have been good.

Pond, James Pond · February 17, 2013, 04:18 AM

Quote:

What do they run on your side of the world?

Sorry! I have no idea!

Only got limited experience in that brand. Enough to know I like it, though!!

Quote:

Didn't the, 'Band-dee-Toes', in the movie, Treasure of the Sierra Modray, carry Astras?

Sorry: not seen it!

BoogieMan · February 17, 2013, 08:38 AM

Quote:

Sorry! I have no idea! Only got limited experience in that brand. Enough to know I like it, though!!

The link you posted showed the Astra SA's. I was wondering why you posted that in the revolver forum. lol
I looked up a 680 and its quite diferent than the pistol I was refering to. Sorry

Pond, James Pond · February 20, 2013, 07:31 AM

IT'S MINE!!!

Bought it and brought it home. Will shoot it in a couple of weeks. For the time being, I'll be cleaning and buffing!!

I'll also be comparing parts between to both my 680s to see which bits are best and then get the best snub from the two of them...

YankeeSpirit76 · February 20, 2013, 08:00 AM

Good for you James, you sound like a kid at christmas

Enjoy your gun!
You do know that we'll be expecting a full range report right?

Ferretboy · February 20, 2013, 12:56 PM

I am jealous, nothing like bringing a new gun home for the first time.

Pond, James Pond · March 4, 2013, 06:35 AM

Well, I've shot it!!

It is great! Nice SA trigger, and it is accurate (if I concentrate!

)

I tried it back to back with my damaged Astra and actually the old one still shoots very well, but I don't regret getting the new one.

As a carry gun, I want to have absolute confidence in it, and the newer, smoother 680 gives me that. Whether or not I sell the old one, remains to be seen, but it probably will go.... eventually

... I mean, why rush things?

JohnMoses · March 4, 2013, 04:39 PM

Boggieman
I'll go $300 on that astra 400 (the 300 is 9 luger)... I let mine get away.

Congtats James! A full range report is in order.

February 15, 2013, 10:03 AM	#1
Pond, James Pond Senior Member Join Date: July 12, 2011 Location: Top of the Baltic stack Posts: 6,079	Share in my good humour!! This thread serves no purpose and so requires little response and yet I have to post it as I am in a fine mood!! Today, whilst nosing in a gunshop I sometimes get supplies from I saw... wait for it.. a used Astra 680 for sale!!! "A what..?" I hear you mutter. Well, some may know that I already have that same little 6-shot snub and that I gave its barrel a "fuller figure" after an unfortunate squib incident. I've been looking at all sorts and was getting despondent, finding only over-priced Taurae and a 5-shot smith at the other end of the country!! Not as cheap as the first one I bought, but still cheaper than all the other revolvers I've seen, by quite a margin. This means I could replace the stricken Astra with a twin, choose the best-kept parts from each to put into my carry gun and assemble the rest around my bulge-barrelled frame to test loads (its accuracy is still OK). Happy days.... They promised to put it aside for a week, so when I get my buying permit next Thursday I can gallop over and buy it that same day. __________________ When the right to effective self-defence is denied, that right to self-defence which remains is essentially symbolic. Freedom: Please enjoy responsibly. Last edited by Pond, James Pond; February 15, 2013 at 11:50 AM.

February 15, 2013, 10:15 AM	#3
g.willikers Senior Member Join Date: September 28, 2008 Posts: 10,442	Here's a history of Astra, for those, like me, who were not familiar with the brand. They made a copy of the Mauser Broomhandle that was apparently good enough for the German army. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astra-Unceta_y_Cia_SA __________________ Walt Kelly, alias Pogo, sez: “Don't take life so serious, son, it ain't nohow permanent.”

February 16, 2013, 06:34 PM	#8
BoogieMan Senior Member Join Date: April 4, 2012 Location: South Jersey Posts: 2,217	My LGS has a Astra 300 (in think) in 9mmLargo with holster and box of cartridges for $300. I have been eyeing for some time. What do they run on your side of the world? __________________ Concentrated power is not rendered harmless by the good intentions of those who create it. Milton Freidman "If you find yourself in a fair fight,,, Your tactics suck"- Unknown

February 17, 2013, 12:33 AM	#9
Ferretboy Senior Member Join Date: December 6, 2012 Location: Longview, WA Posts: 214	You guys are gonna get me in trouble with thoughts of a snubbie. I am still getting glares for the Winchester 94 I just bought. __________________ There is no such thing as Overkill, Dead is Dead!

February 17, 2013, 02:07 AM	#10
Chesster Senior Member Join Date: September 6, 2007 Location: Dixie Posts: 2,538	Congrats. I have limited experience with Astras but all have been good. __________________ Chesster Proud NDN "The American Idle" Vote 'Pro-Choice' on 2nd Amendment issues!!!

February 15, 2013, 10:14 AM	#2
spacecoast Senior Member Join Date: October 14, 2009 Location: Sunshine and Keystone States Posts: 4,461	Congrats, James... Across the pond, at least for most of us, buying permits are greenish and have pictures of dead presidents on them.

February 15, 2013, 03:58 PM	#5
Bob Wright Senior Member Join Date: July 10, 2012 Location: Memphis, Tennessee Posts: 2,987	You know, even if I weren't in a good mood, I would have been after just reading your post. Your choice of words and phraseology is uplifting! Bob Wright

February 15, 2013, 06:20 PM	#6
warningshot Senior Member Join Date: October 7, 2009 Posts: 995	Didn't the, 'Band-dee-Toes', in the movie, Treasure of the Sierra Modray, carry Astras?

February 20, 2013, 07:31 AM	#13
Pond, James Pond Senior Member Join Date: July 12, 2011 Location: Top of the Baltic stack Posts: 6,079	IT'S MINE!!! Bought it and brought it home. Will shoot it in a couple of weeks. For the time being, I'll be cleaning and buffing!! I'll also be comparing parts between to both my 680s to see which bits are best and then get the best snub from the two of them... __________________ When the right to effective self-defence is denied, that right to self-defence which remains is essentially symbolic. Freedom: Please enjoy responsibly.

February 20, 2013, 08:00 AM	#14
YankeeSpirit76 Member Join Date: January 30, 2013 Location: Bradley County, Tennessee Posts: 24	Good for you James, you sound like a kid at christmasEnjoy your gun! You do know that we'll be expecting a full range report right? __________________ .".....that whensoever the general government assumes undelegated powers, its acts are unauthoritative, void, and of no force....." -Thomas Jefferson,Kentucky Resolutions of 1798

February 20, 2013, 12:56 PM	#15
Ferretboy Senior Member Join Date: December 6, 2012 Location: Longview, WA Posts: 214	I am jealous, nothing like bringing a new gun home for the first time. __________________ There is no such thing as Overkill, Dead is Dead!

March 4, 2013, 06:35 AM	#16
Pond, James Pond Senior Member Join Date: July 12, 2011 Location: Top of the Baltic stack Posts: 6,079	Well, I've shot it!! It is great! Nice SA trigger, and it is accurate (if I concentrate! ) I tried it back to back with my damaged Astra and actually the old one still shoots very well, but I don't regret getting the new one. As a carry gun, I want to have absolute confidence in it, and the newer, smoother 680 gives me that. Whether or not I sell the old one, remains to be seen, but it probably will go.... eventually ... I mean, why rush things? __________________ When the right to effective self-defence is denied, that right to self-defence which remains is essentially symbolic. Freedom: Please enjoy responsibly.

March 4, 2013, 04:39 PM	#17
JohnMoses Senior Member Join Date: April 11, 2008 Posts: 197	Boggieman I'll go $300 on that astra 400 (the 300 is 9 luger)... I let mine get away. Congtats James! A full range report is in order.

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