Astra 357

WalterDavis

WalterDavis

Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
Joined
Nov 23, 2005
Messages
1,831
Hi all,

I'm not much of a gun guy, so please bear with me. I have a .357 Magnum made by Astra that has been in my family for a while that apparantly needs repaired. According to my mother there is a bit of blowback when firing it (I have not fired it myself), but I really have no idea what the problem could be. The cylinder is somewhat loose with about 1/32-1/64" play in it. Is this normal? Can anyone point me in the right direction to find out more about this handgun and any good gunsmiths in the Salt Lake City area that may be able to repair it? Any information is appreciated.


Thanks,

Walter
 
I googled your pistol and could only find sale references , is there a model number on it anywhere ?

I do not know much about Astra other than it's a Spanish company that's been around for a long time.

I own an Astra A100 in 9MM , no complaints about it at all. :thumbup:
 
That's all I found on Google, too. There's no model number on it, just "Astra 357" on one side of the barrel, ".357 Magnum ctg." on the other, and a maker's mark on the frame. If I can get it into working shape I'd like to dress it up a little, but until I'm sure it's in good shape I don't think it would be worth it.

Thanks,

Walter
 
i am sure any gunsmith can gather information on your revolver. I never fired Astra brand but their are a well know spainish arms maker. They might have website or the importer might be helpful. NRA store has revolver book which contains astra 357 break down.
 
Well I'm sure you can find a gunsmith in SLC pretty easy.

The thing is , I doubt those guns new cost over $350 , dunno how much it might cost to get into working order but I would wiegh that against the cost of a new one , you know ?

Although... if it has sentimental value then go for it. :)
 
It sounds like your Astra is out of time.

Try this: make triple sure it's unloaded, etc, etc.

Pointing in a safe direction, SLOOOOOOOOOWLY cock the hammer. As soon as it catches, stop pulling back on the hammer. Then see if the cylinder will move (in the same direction it was moving) a bit so the bolt engages the boltcut of the cylinder. Do this for all 6 chambers. If it moves, then clicks, it's out of time.

But if it doesn't, you're still not done. Do the same thing double action. You'll need to be very positive on the trigger, as it's real easy to go past the release point for the hammer and keep moving the trigger to the rear which will usually be enough to rotate the cylinder so the bolt engages it. Once the hammer falls, FREEZE on the trigger. Don't pull it anymore and don't let it out.

Do it six times, or more. If it does it once, it's out of time.

If it passes both of these tests, then you might have a "flash gap" (the area between the cylinder and rear of the barrel) that is uneven and/or excessive, allowing excess powder particles to exit out the side.

If the gap isn't more than .008 (less is better) then it might be the ammo. Not all ammo is compatible with all guns.

Bear in mind, since you say you're not a gun guy, that even in the best tuned revolver, there WILL be powder discharging from both sides of the flash gap. It's supposed to go out 90 degrees or so from the barrel, so if you're the one shooting it, you should not feel anything coming back on your face or even hands. If you do, as the shooter, then something is wrong. (this presumes both hands are on the handle of the gun, behind the cylinder, not past it.)

Astra is a medium/medium-high quality gun. Parts may be hard to find for it.

Good luck and keep us posted !

.
 
David E said:
It sounds like your Astra is out of time.

Try this: make triple sure it's unloaded, etc, etc.

Pointing in a safe direction, SLOOOOOOOOOWLY cock the hammer. As soon as it catches, stop pulling back on the hammer. Then see if the cylinder will move (in the same direction it was moving) a bit so the bolt engages the boltcut of the cylinder. Do this for all 6 chambers. If it moves, then clicks, it's out of time.

But if it doesn't, you're still not done. Do the same thing double action. You'll need to be very positive on the trigger, as it's real easy to go past the release point for the hammer and keep moving the trigger to the rear which will usually be enough to rotate the cylinder so the bolt engages it. Once the hammer falls, FREEZE on the trigger. Don't pull it anymore and don't let it out.

Do it six times, or more. If it does it once, it's out of time.

If it passes both of these tests, then you might have a "flash gap" (the area between the cylinder and rear of the barrel) that is uneven and/or excessive, allowing excess powder particles to exit out the side.

If the gap isn't more than .008 (less is better) then it might be the ammo. Not all ammo is compatible with all guns.

Bear in mind, since you say you're not a gun guy, that even in the best tuned revolver, there WILL be powder discharging from both sides of the flash gap. It's supposed to go out 90 degrees or so from the barrel, so if you're the one shooting it, you should not feel anything coming back on your face or even hands. If you do, as the shooter, then something is wrong. (this presumes both hands are on the handle of the gun, behind the cylinder, not past it.)

Astra is a medium/medium-high quality gun. Parts may be hard to find for it.

Good luck and keep us posted !

.
Click to expand...

Dave, is the timing check the same way for a smith?
 
Interarms was the last importer of this brand as far as I can recall. You might find something if you googled that name. I don' t think the revolver cost any more than $250 as Spanish made arms imported to the US were relatively economical.

N.

www.dozierknives.com/forum
 
Thanks for all the replies here, guys! I really appreciate the help!

Dave, thank-you for the info. I just went through the timing check, and it seems (to me) to be in time. There is just the tiniest bit of play, but the cylinder locks into place at the correct time. Just visually checking the flash gap it looks ok, but I will take it into a gunsmith just to be sure, since I can't accurately measure it myself. I really appreciate you taking the time to explain the process! I have a feeling that the last person to shoot it may have had some incompatible ammo, or may have been holding it incorrectly.

Thanks,

Walter
 
Don't worry about the play, as long as it's locking up WHEN it's supposed to.

How does your mother know there is a "blowback problem?"

A mechanics feeler gauge set is all you need to check the flash gap. Check it 12 times, once for each chamber, on both sides.

If that checks out, then buy some ammo and shoot that sucker !

keep us posted.

.
 
I agree with the above, you've most likely got a timing problem or your barrel cylinder gap is excessive. Timing shouldn't be too big of a problem but for excess cylinder gap a smith will have to pull the barrel and either face the frame or turn down the barrel. From what i remember the Astra line are pretty decent guns. good luck.
 
Since it appear the pistol isn't out of time and the cylinder play is tight enough when it needs to be, I would shoot it to see what is happening at this point because it seems to be mechanically safe to do so.

Buy some 38 SPECIAL ammo to shoot first. Buy heavier weight bullets. 357 Magnum 125gr JHP's will generally give you a "blowback" feeling, especially on a 4 inch or shorter barrel. You have so much gas volume at such a high velocity that is what you are feeling if the pistol is functionally and mechanically within original specifications.

I have seen this scenario with people who shoot a lot of cheap 38's and then buy a single box of "home defense" zombie killer bullets.
 
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