Pocket Fire

Two Astra pistols. These pocket pistols, also called vest pistols and mouse guns, are fun to shoot with a small package and fun report.

They may look familiar as they are basically Spanish clones of Colt Pistols. These small pistols were once made in Spain, licensed by Colt and imported in the US until 1968.

I like these little guns. The Astra 2000 "Cub" (left) looks like a mini 1911 and shoots the powerful .22 short rimfire cartridge. It is very cheap to shoot, at $4 a box you could shoot all the time. It isnt the most reliable ammo in general but its fine for the range. The problem I have found is the soft lead nose gets caught up when it is being fed into the chamber. Maybe there is a copper plated round? Its fun anyhow, with a nice fireball and bang for such a small pistol.

The other pistol here on the right, is the Astra 200 "Firecat" is a 1906 clone, and a bit peppier with its .25 cal ACP cartridge. It has a heavier kick and the round is very reliable. The gun is small but solid built and the recoil is fun and very controllable. It features a grip safety too.

 The sight is a groove or a channel that you line up looking down the top of the slide, its point and shoot. A last resort gun, but doable.

 



This is a comparison with the bigger 7.62x39mm cartridge. The .22 Short is on the left, .25 ACP middle.

The target was about 5 yards or across the living room distance and I hit the target almost every time while firing as rapidly as the range allows. so with more practice I could get better but not bad considering I was shooting more realistically than a target match where every shot is spaced out and focused. I tried to simulate a quick draw mag dump and I am quite happy. It's pricier though at $18 a box it's another gun that will see less daylight. I shot 50 rounds from both here.