Michael Tinker Pearce
Member
- Joined
- Oct 23, 2016
- Messages
- 1,580
The Astra Police was available in .38 Special, .357 Magnum and 9mm Luger. Mine is a .38, and I've looked high and low for a .357 cylinder to no avail. I did find a fellow who worked for Astra in the 80's when these were made, and he said to just rechamber it for .357 Magnum; the material and condition of all the cylinders was the same, the only difference was the chambering, and it was a common modification. I kept that in mind, and when I ran across a .357 Magnum chambering die for $30 I snagged it. It arrived today, and I stuck it in a t-handle and carefully reamed the chambers to accept the longer cartridge. It was pretty easy, and now a gun that was a bit of a fifth wheel has a whole new place and utility. It's always been a sweet shooter, and I'm looking forward to taking it to the range this coming week.
*Yes, with minor cosmetic changes FN sold this as the Barracuda, the only revolver they have ever offered!