astra .44 mag. snubbie- anybody seen 'em?

[woodsie57]

Bought one of these a few years ago, thinking it's a heck of a nice backup for bear country. They were made from late 70's- early 80's, as I recall, not in big numbers. Some say they were called the "terminator" model; don't know why. Never been able to find much info about them, curious as to durability. Shoots great w/ specials, a mite "bratty" with the Mags, as one would expect w/ a 2.75 in. bbl. Anybody familiar w/ them?

[Savage]

Here's a link with some information. Can't vouch for the accuracy of it--------FWIW.

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080102071859AAF8NYc

Savage

[woodsie57]

Thanks for the link,Savage-brief, but it reinforces what rumors I've come across in the past, as far as model name and aprox. age.

[bagdadjoe]

I owned one in the late 80's.  It was very accurate considering the short barrel.  I could bust gallon water jugs at 100yds with surprising regularity...probably 15-20% of the time.  I shot the heck out of it...like one time an 80rd string.  The shooters on either side of me hated it....and the basketball sized fireball it produced.  I've been looking for another ever since I sold that one.....I'm a glutton for punishment!
If you get tired of it..give ol' bagdadjoe a shout.

[Robert357]

Anybody familiar w/ them?

Yes, I own a stainless steel snub nose Astra 44 Mag terminator.  When I carry it, it is usually when I go for walks in the deep woods. 

They really take some practice to shoot with 44 Rem Mag.  A box of 50 ammo is a real wrist workout and leaves my wrist sore for a couple days.  The good news is that the extreme weight of the Astra helps tame the recoil a little as does the rubber grips.  The range I belong to has the nearest targets at 25 yards and requires that all shots must be on the target.  Even though it has a short sight radius, I can keep them on the target at 25 yards.  I feel that is reasonable accuracy, considering this is really supose to be a "shorter range" weapon.  It also is quite the flame thrower. 

My ownly real concern in carrying it is I ever have to shoot something with it, I will probably have a hearing problem for a week or so.  I conceals wonderfully with an inside the waist belt holster.

I love it and would not trade it for the world.