Astra Colt Manhattan

[AR22]

Just picked this Very nice Constable up at the local show..Made in 1974 as per the Spanish date code..Picture does not really do it justice..It is near mint.Fired one mag of CCI SV on the way home and it ran perfect..

I made a package deal with the 1877 Colt Lighting pictured also. Made in 1880..A very early and beautiful condition Sheriffs model,/Storekeeper version without ejector.. Very nice bore and cylinders, and perfect tight function in SA and DA..All numbers matching. I do believe the Nickel on the Colt to be original and very good..It may be worthy of spending the money on a Letter..Have not decided yet..

Got them both at an amazing price..

Top one is my early Civil War Manhattan I picked up at a local auction last weekend..Nice piece too..And very well priced also..

Pic

[Mike A]

Which caliber is the Astra?

[AR22]

Sorry it is in 22 Long Rife...There are quite a few forged Astras brought in during the 70s..Most were in .380 though...Pretty rare to find a early one in .22 though..It is a fine built, shooting and functioning PPK copy. Very well machined. Blueing is almost Colt like in quality. Really deep blue/black.

Only around 15% were the older forged .22s... 85% in .380

After I think 1978 they went to cheap potmetal junk till the end of production..

[Mike A]

I had an NIB .22 that I bought from the heirs of a gunshop that closed in upstate NYS due to owner's death. Sold it to a friend who REALLY wanted it.

When I lived in ID I had a .32 that I got in some trade deal and found it was really a very nice little handgun. Carried it when trout fishing in a stream that ran through a meadow infested with ground squirrels and popped a few with it. It was surprisingly accurate, and 100% functional with hardball. Not so good with reloads.

Had a talk with a Spanish city cop in Merida (the original one) who carried one. He loved his, partly because it was easy to qualify with it. His partner called it a "matamoscas" (flyswatter). He was packin' a 9x19mm....

[Mike A]

Nice little autos!