Astra 300

[Singer B]

Just picked this up last week. The finish isn't very good, but it is fully functional, the patina is the same over the whole gun, and all of the numbers are matching. It is one of the 22,000 .32 caliber pistols made in 1943 and sold to the Luftwaffe in 1944. The interior of the gun is in very good shape and disassembling it was quite the adventure. Fortunately, the gun was rust free. My friends and I are looking forward to shooting it as soon as we find some ammo for it.

[Aragorn243]

Box of ammo might cost more than the gun these days. Handgun ammo is gone.

[browningautorifle]

Eventually ammo will be back I should think, then you can get it out and warm it up. Looks good even worn.

[Singer B]

You are not kidding ref the ammo! Been to 4 shops and nothing. I was even able to find 6.5 Jap at one of them (grabbed a box!) but no .32 caliber. I am learning that is part of the fun of this hobby, hunting down the firearms, the parts and the ammo then putting them all together.

[Aragorn243]

Normally it wouldn't be an issue. 32 is common and cheap. But the current situation with Covid and the civil unrest going on in the cities has everyone buying everything up. I'm just glad I'm a guy that stockpiles and never shoots any of it. My Walmart has some common hunting ammo which I'm really surprised about, 243 and 30-06. And 17HMR. That's it. Cabela's the last time I was up only had a couple of the old military calibers and 300 Savage which I have but I'm not paying $45 a box for it.

When this all calms down and nothing happens, ammo will probably be dirt cheap for years as no one will need to buy it.

[Singer B]

Hopefully after the election, things will smooth out some once the future for the next 4 years is known. After reading some of your posts reference pistols, I have started paying more attention to them and having a good time with them.