Astra A-100

[KrankyKraut]

I can get a used A-100. The gun feels great in my hands, better than any other I have held. It has a trigger job @ about lbs. 1.5. He wants $350 for it. Astra went out of business a while ago, so parts would be difficult to come by. Is the Astra A-100 reliable, or am I asking for trouble?

 

[lanternlad1]

Just curious, what caliber is it?

Astra A100s are modeled after the Sig P220. If an Astra feels good, I'd bet a Sig would too. I'd try a Sig on for size before you decide. Sigs are world renowned for reliability. Astras...not so much. A buddy of mine has one, the reliability is iffy. YMMV.

Here's some info on the Astra.

http://world.guns.ru/handguns/hg81-e.htm

Here's some info on the Sig.

http://world.guns.ru/handguns/hg55-e.htm

 

[Mad Magyar]

$275 tops....I don't think you are asking for trouble...I just think the price is a little on the high side for this particular pistol...

 

[ftierson]

I have an Astra A-100 in 9x19mmP...

I have been very happy with it.

Parts availability may or may not be a problem now (I haven't checked any of the major parts suppliers out recently for Astra A-100 parts), but will be a problem eventually. I'd give EAA a call and ask them what happened to their parts supply when Astra disappeared from the marketplace...

The A-100 is a robustly made gun with a steel frame that feels really good in the hand and, from my personal experience, performs extremely well. Although I've only put around 500 rounds through mine, I've never had any problems (although I've mostly shot handloads using a 115JHP at around 1180fps). The gun has worked every time...

Keep in mind that the steel framed A-100 will be appreciably heavier than a SIG 226. However, depending on what you're planning to use the A-100 for, the extra weight might not be a problem. It isn't for me...

Good luck.

Forrest

 

[briang2ad]

I agree on the price...

I'd offer $275 OTD, if they say you pay tax - OK. I had an A75. Just like a SIG 220, but 10 rounds and all steel. It was not reliable - failure to fire problem on most ammo. INterarms sent me a NEW A90 with a decocker on the slide - no good. I traded it NEW for something else. It seemed like a good gun, and would have kept it if it had the SIG decocker on the frame. If it works, I'd think it is OK - Astra made some good stuff.

 

[hemiram]

My A-75 .40S&W is a fantastic little gun. Shoots everything, regardless of grip. My friend has a very nasty looking 9mm one that shoots great, and that was why I bought mine. Another friend has an S&W "Shorty Forty", and the A-75, while not as accurate, shoots everything, no "limp wristing" nonsense like the S&W has, and it cost less than half what the Shorty-Forty did used. It was barely fired, and except for a tiny nick on the right side of the slide, was mint. I got it, with 3 mags, for $275 shipped.

I recently bought an Astra A-100 9mm, with three 17 rd mags, and it shoots great too. My friend gave me a box of all kinds of mixed 9mm ammo, and it went through every bit of it with zero problems, except for a couple rounds that were not even close to being right. The A-100 was unfired, sat in a drawer from day one and got a few tiny nicks on it, and a couple of freckles that came right off. A little Break Free, and a some Tri-Flow, and it looks almost perfect. I got it for $285 shipped.

I used to have an A-80, and it was a great gun too, I just didn't like the Euro style mag release, so I sold it.

 

[atblis]

Ahh

1.5 lb trigger is asking for trouble. That's probably too light, and after firing some rounds through it I think you'd find it doesn't work right.

 

[Deckert]

I've owned 2 A-100's

both in .45 ACP and the first was one of the best shooting out-of-the box guns I've ever owned. Their prices, particularly used, do not indicate their quality in my opinion.

That said, I would never by a handgun for any sort of defensive work with a trigger that light... just asking for trouble.