Astra DA 45 Colt
by Sarge 
, Central Misery, Sunday, December 04, 2016, 06:45 (3262 days ago)
I picked up a near new 6" Astra in 45 Colt. The DA pull on this revolver rivals my late nickel 29. The SA has a little creep but will be fine after a little sear clean-up. Cylinder lock-up exhibits utterly no movement at the 'moment of firing' position or with the hammer at full cock.
I ran three cylinders of my basic 45 Colt load (8.5 Universal/255 RNFP) through it, to get a feel for it. Function is perfect DA or SA and it left deep, centered hits in fired primers. I didn't shoot long as we just fertilized the range pasture with turkey scat and SCUBA equipment would be needed for anything more. It still managed a six shot, 3" 25 yard group on the steel plate with some overlapping bullet splashes. I'm going to have some fun with this one.
![[image]](http://www.thesixgunjournal.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/2016-12-03-12.44.07-768x543.jpg)
Looking forward to seeing more on this Sarge.
by Hoot , Diversityville, Liberal-sota, Sunday, December 04, 2016, 08:51 (3262 days ago) @ Sarge
We don't really see very many Astras up here in the Hinterland. Usually only the semi-autos show up and not very frequently. A fella just has to like the Colt round in a manly sized revolver.
Astra DA 45 Colt Looks new! Tom has one as well.
by Rob Leahy , Prescott, Arizona, Sunday, December 04, 2016, 13:16 (3261 days ago) @ Sarge
--
Of the Troops & For the Troops
Astra DA 45 Colt
by Sarge , Central Misery, Sunday, December 04, 2016, 15:07 (3261 days ago) @ Sarge
edited by Sarge, Sunday, December 04, 2016, 19:59
Thanks guys. I gutted it out today, polished the DA bearing surfaces and cleaned up a substantial burr that was on the single action sear point of the trigger. The gun was dry inside so it got scrubbed & oiled, too. The cylinder was sluggish so I cleaned & polished the arbor, while I had the cylinder out.
My trigger scale only goes to 8 pounds so I can't measure the DA pull, but I'm guessing it about 10 pounds- and it is really slick now. The SA trigger finished at 4 pounds and is as crisp as any S&W I ever owned.
Bore appears to be 0.454 and cylinder throats are YUGE at a uniform 0.458"... at least I won't need this one reamed, LOL.
I have one identical to it. Great gun and lots of fun to
Shoot.
Got it pretty well dialed in...
by Sarge , Central Misery, Sunday, December 04, 2016, 17:47 (3261 days ago) @ stonewalrus
this afternoon. 6 shots at 25 yards including one vertical sight adjustment. All six went into 2 1/2" and the five, fired after the adjustment, spanned 1 3/4". Same load, 8.5 grains of Universal with a Lee 452-255-RF sized to 0.454" I believe the old revolver will shoot.
![[image]](http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x187/SargeMO/2016-12-04%2015.39.52_zpsbcq9wyzd.jpg)
is the 8.5 grains of Universal a mild to moderate load?
Nm
Moderate...
by Sarge , Central Misery, Sunday, December 04, 2016, 23:32 (3261 days ago) @ stonewalrus
850 to 925 fps on 4-6 inch revolvers. the 8.5 grains of Universal load I mentioned is listed in the 3rd Edition of Metallic Cartridge Reloading, page 326. It was tested at 14,200 CUP with a 250 grain jacketed bullet. I substitute a 255 grain lead.
Astra DA 45 Colt
by Cherokee , Medina, Ohio, Sunday, December 04, 2016, 19:47 (3261 days ago) @ Sarge
Results look good to me, and so does the Astra. I foresee lots of fun 