Astra 900

[Rasputin]

Thought y’all might appreciate this C96 clone, the Astra 900. Only 35K were made, mostly for China. This one has an original but non-matching stock. This is also one of those few models models that is both a curio/relic and exempt from SBR regulation. So because I have a C&R FFL, I got to experience the joy of having this little short-barrel delivered right to my home!

 

[Garufa]

Cool. 

[papa61]

That is cool. I didn't know Astra built those. I was thinking about the weight of Bruin decision and historic firearms being in use before the SBR ban this morning. And this pops up! 

My mind not only wanders, sometimes it leaves completely!

Thanks Rasputin

[Rasputin]

That is something I had never considered - the implication of Bruin on SBR regulations. I’m not remotely close to a gun control expert but there probably weren’t any barrel length and stock restrictions in Ben Franklin’s day. On the flipside, there probably aren’t a lot of people who want to challenge SBR laws because of the optics. Personally, while I am no fan of the Bruin decision, I think SBR laws are dumb. This pistol is pretty heavy and hard to hold steady. Mount the stock and suddenly your grip becomes rock solid, the weapon pulls in nice and tight, and your eye aligns naturally over the sights with a firm cheekweld. The stock makes any average shooter into a capable fighter. I can envision many many situations, hunting or defense, where the addition of the stock on a compact gun makes the difference between hitting and missing your target in a stressful situation. Just my 2c.

Re: the Astra, I also didn’t know these existed until I saw them on Gunbroker. There are a few more clones out there, I think Star and Royal also made some. These Astras are known for having many improvements over the Mauser, particularly the takedown is very fast and easy. The left side lifts off to reveal the interior, which came from the factory jeweled (mine has faded but the jeweling can be seen on Forgotten Weapons’ video on this model). The bore is near perfect. As soon as ammo arrive I intend to take it to the range. I also want to do some accuracy comparisons between stocked vs unstocked. I’ll try share the results.

[Gurn]

Very cool! Chinese warlords loved these. 

[1gewehr]

I'm jealous as I do not have a stock for mine!  A Mauser stock just barely won't fit!  Do not use Tokarev ammo as it's loaded to a higher pressure.  PPU 7.63 Mauser ammo runs great in mine.

[TennesseeCamper]

That is such an awesome piece! Very nice!

[Choatecav]

Thanks for sharing that.  Love it.  

[Rasputin]

@1gewehr  Oh wow, two of us! That’s cool. Yes, I am happy to have an original stock, even non-matching. Somebody filed the serial number off the inside of the stock, but the missed the serial number on the metal slide that locks into the grip! Some people will do anything to a gun to make a buck.

The stock is functional but I was planning to use it with a mauser reproduction stock to protect the original. Sad to hear it won’t fit. Perhaps I can get it to work with some hand fitting and a dremel?

Appreciate the ammo advice. I do have some PPU mauser on the way. I really like PPU, it is usually well specced for these older european guns. 

Edited Thursday at 11:53 PM by Rasputin
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[1gewehr]

I have not tried to get a reproduction Mauser stock to fit.  My original Mauser stock looks like it 'could' be made to fit.  I may have to get one of the repro stocks to play with when I have a couple of hundred dollars I can't find another use for!

[Rasputin]

1 hour ago, 1gewehr said:

I have not tried to get a reproduction Mauser stock to fit.  My original Mauser stock looks like it 'could' be made to fit.  I may have to get one of the repro stocks to play with when I have a couple of hundred dollars I can't find another use for!

Well if I get to it before you, I’ll let you know how it goes! 

[gregintenn]

Very nice. Thanks for sharing.