Guns We Love – Astra Constable

The Walther PP and PPK have reached legendary standing. When individuals say Walther, most individuals will image a PP variant. In actuality, there was nothing fantastically revolutionary in regards to the PP sequence. These have been high-quality firearms that have been smooth, slim and handsome. They’re additionally the weapons of James Bond. They continue to be in manufacturing with Walther. That stage of recognition led to a ton of clones. Clones from Mauser, Bersa, and an organization known as Astra. Effectively, the Astra Constable isn’t essentially a clone however a Spanish adaption of the Walther pistols.

Spanish handguns don’t get the credit score they deserve. They’ve produced some very good weapons which can be typically offered at a really low worth level. Most Spanish handguns we see are from Star or Astra. In 1997, the 2 corporations merged to turn out to be ASTAR, and the imports dried up. For many years, Spanish handguns have been imported at very low costs however by no means bought tremendous common.

The Astra Constable was one in all their extra common pistols. Individuals described it as an inexpensive Walther, and Spanish development meant the standard was excessive. At first look, the Constable appears like a Walther, however a more in-depth look is required.

The Astra Constable – Don’t Name It a Walther

The Walther PP sequence have been easy weapons. They didn’t do something new, however they did it nicely. Just like the Walther, The Constable makes use of a straight blowback system. that makes use of a set barrel as a recoil information rod. The hammer-fired DA/SA design can be much like the Walther design.

It is available in .380 ACP, which is the preferred caliber of the Walther PP/PPK sequence. The Constable additionally got here in a rimfire .22 LR variant. It has a slide-mounted security that doubles as a decocker. Yep, current. It even has the identical smooth feel and appear.

There are a couple of variations. The barrel is 3.5 inches. The Walther PP had a 3.9-inch barrel, and the PPK had a 3.3-inch barrel. It’s a minor change. One notable addition is a handbook slide lock and launch. The PP sequence had slides that lock open however didn’t have a slide launch button or handbook means to lock the slide open.

Probably the most well-known use of the Constable comes from Taxi Driver. Simple Andy calls in a .380 Walther and makes some pretty foolish claims in regards to the gun. Notably, it turns right into a Walther PPK when the primary character goes to the gun vary however turns again into an Astra when used to kill a grocery retailer robber.

Extra Or Much less

The Constables have at all times been an inexpensive various to a quote “actual” Walther. They appear to stay inexpensive nowadays. Whereas fashions just like the double stack A-60 have climbed in worth, the bare-bone Constables in .380 ACP are nice purchases. Travis Bickle paid $150 for the gun in 1976, and I paid $160 in 2024.

The Constable wouldn’t be my first choose for a concealed-carry gun. It’s not that it has some gaping flaw, however in 2024, I’ve a 9mm SIG P365 that holds 12 rounds of 9mm and suits an optic in a bundle that’s just a bit wider. Nonetheless, if I solely had $200 for a gun, I’d choose the $160 Constable, two containers of .380 FMJs for apply and a field of defensive .380.

It’s compact, mild and skinny, so it’s simple to hold IWB. After all, this all relies on whether or not the gun works, and to find out that, I grabbed some Fioochi 95-grain .380 ACP and hit the vary.

The Astra Constable In Motion

I’m not a giant fan of Walther-style weapons in .380 ACP. As a consequence of their straight blowback system, they are usually snappy and uncomfortable when taking pictures. The Constable appears to be a bit of larger and a bit of meatier. That further weight soaks up some recoil, and it’s not as snappy because the Walther or Bersa sequence.

We nonetheless get the Walther chew. Whenever you choke up on the gun and get that good excessive grip, you’re more likely to get bit. By the point I completed a single journal, the pores and skin had damaged, and the online of my hand was sufficiently irritated. It took a bit of little bit of time and a couple of vary journey to complete my gun testing.

Fortunately, it’s a really dependable weapon. I solely had one kind of .380 ACP, a brass-cased 95-grain FMJ load, and it labored with out problem within the gun. The recoil could be stiff, and the slide chew is uncomfortable, however the gun doesn’t have a lot muzzle rise. It stays low and on the right track even when quickly fired.

Sights and Set off

Sadly, the Constable takes a web page out of the Walther playbook for sights. They’re small and are available in each colour, so long as they’re black. There isn’t a lot distinction, to allow them to be sluggish to search out from the draw and harder to trace. At commonplace self-defense distances, it’s effective, correct sufficient for quick A-zone photographs at seven to 10 yards.

It’s a bit of trickier while you again off to 25 yards. If you happen to go sluggish, align the sights and get a very good sight image, it’s effective. I can hit a paper plate with cautious, sluggish hearth. Something fast isn’t fast if it’s correct. I’m not hammering 1.5-second double faucets from the low prepared. Even on a giant IPSC goal, I’m having a tough time making any fast A-Zone photographs.

The double-action set off is ok. It’s not spectacular, only a heavy wall that’s surprisingly quick. It’s tremendous heavy, however the single motion is sort of good. Single-action double faucets may be fast and straightforward with that mild of a set off.

The Certain Vendor

At $160, the Astra Constable was a terrific purchase. It’s a enjoyable little gun that’s Walther-like and with a couple of enhancements general. I bought a helluva deal, however even as much as $250, I imagine it is a good purchase. It’s a well-made pistol at a finances worth that’s not common or collectible, so it makes for a high-quality, easy-to-conceive and inexpensive possibility that’s additionally succesful and appropriate for contemporary hid carry.