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Astra .357 wheel gun - Info please...
- Thread starter Ironbarr
- Start date
I recall 3" Astra round butt, kinda like K-frame or maby tiny bit larger, like L-frame. Only I have seen were chambered for .357mag/.38spec. Pricy too, over 200 bucks new. Fit, finish and feel was nice. Not like old Smiths but still quite nice. This is a 20-30 year memory stretch.
Sam
Sam
Gunslinger
Moderator
Astra offered the .357 from 1972 until 1988 in fixed or adjustable sights in 3, 4, 6 and 8.375 barrel lengths.
They are considered by most as solid, shootable guns with no collector interest.
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Gunslinger
I was promised a Shortycicle and I want a Shortycicle!
They are considered by most as solid, shootable guns with no collector interest.
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Gunslinger
I was promised a Shortycicle and I want a Shortycicle!
Sam - Gun ... thanks for your input, this really is a nice gun ... a bit bulky for carry - still working on that though.
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I'm at a loss re the J, K, and now L frame. Would someone please define them - or lead me off to that fountain of knowledge? Thanks.
AndyB
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I'm at a loss re the J, K, and now L frame. Would someone please define them - or lead me off to that fountain of knowledge? Thanks.
AndyB
With any luck, Mike or another of the Smith gurus will drop in with proper description of I,J,K,L,M and N frames. Basic ol farts cataloging of em is M early hand ejector, mid sized. I quite small hand ejector with flat hammer spring. J quite small hand ejector with coil hammer spring. K is the classic millitary and police. N is their largest frame. L is intermediate tween K and N.
M very old, I early 20th century, others still in production in assorted forms.
All corrections welcome.
Sam....May the model 19s last forever, and they probably will.
M very old, I early 20th century, others still in production in assorted forms.
All corrections welcome.
Sam....May the model 19s last forever, and they probably will.
Gunslinger
Moderator
I don't really see any needed corrections for C.R.'s description. But I'll try to put it in an easy to understand basic format.
"J" frames: The smallest of the modern day revolvers. Your Cheifs Specials and smaller "pocket guns" fall into this frame size. It replaced the older "I" frame designation.
"K" frames: May well be considered the all time "standard" Smith revolver size.
These are the typical medium sized .357's and .38's commonly used by police in pre-auto days. The "K" frame is the most commonly encountered sized Smith with guns ranging from the classic model 17, .22 to the larger (in caliber only) model 19 .357.
"L" frames: These are a new, relatively speaking, frame size. They are essentually a "K" frame gun with a full underlug. The most commonly recognized deviation would be the partial underlugged model 66 compared to the full underlugged model 686. With the only difference being the length of the underlug.
"N" frames: Are the big boys. These are the largest size offered and their origin stems from the old .38/44. Originally called the "S" frame you will find the "N" frames in your larger calibers such as .41, .44 magnum and .45 LC & ACP. Although there have been .357 examples such as the models 27, 28 and the current model 627, which is still being offered.
You'll find a few oddities like the offerings from special production runs such as those from Lew Horton and the "N" framed fixed sight model 520 .357 built but for (but never picked up) the NY state police.
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Gunslinger
I was promised a Shortycicle and I want a Shortycicle!
[This message has been edited by Gunslinger (edited September 10, 2000).]
"J" frames: The smallest of the modern day revolvers. Your Cheifs Specials and smaller "pocket guns" fall into this frame size. It replaced the older "I" frame designation.
"K" frames: May well be considered the all time "standard" Smith revolver size.
These are the typical medium sized .357's and .38's commonly used by police in pre-auto days. The "K" frame is the most commonly encountered sized Smith with guns ranging from the classic model 17, .22 to the larger (in caliber only) model 19 .357.
"L" frames: These are a new, relatively speaking, frame size. They are essentually a "K" frame gun with a full underlug. The most commonly recognized deviation would be the partial underlugged model 66 compared to the full underlugged model 686. With the only difference being the length of the underlug.
"N" frames: Are the big boys. These are the largest size offered and their origin stems from the old .38/44. Originally called the "S" frame you will find the "N" frames in your larger calibers such as .41, .44 magnum and .45 LC & ACP. Although there have been .357 examples such as the models 27, 28 and the current model 627, which is still being offered.
You'll find a few oddities like the offerings from special production runs such as those from Lew Horton and the "N" framed fixed sight model 520 .357 built but for (but never picked up) the NY state police.
------------------
Gunslinger
I was promised a Shortycicle and I want a Shortycicle!
[This message has been edited by Gunslinger (edited September 10, 2000).]
Blue Heeler
Moderator
Astra.A fellow shooter at my club has a .357 and has been shooting it for many many years.
He is eighty and got this Spanish gun in South Africa--he has never had any trouble with it. It seems robust and durable,though not as refined as a Smith.Don't know any more.
He is eighty and got this Spanish gun in South Africa--he has never had any trouble with it. It seems robust and durable,though not as refined as a Smith.Don't know any more.