Astra A-60, the underrated lefty carry option

Astra A-60, The underrated lefty carry option Video

I really enjoyed my time with the Astra A-60 and in all honesty had a difficult time letting it go back. I love the obscure, older firearms. Though this one isn't as obscure it is different and quite unique. Even though it has a few features I am not a fan of it for EDC I would definitely consider the A-60.

Astra started in 1908 in Eibar, Spain as P.Unceta y J.Esperanza for the purpose: “sale of machinery and accessories of all types”. There had been no mention of the sale or manufacture of firearms, Yet both founders,  Juan Esperanza Salvador and Pedro Unceta were involved in firearms in their own right. beginning in  1911 patents for firearms began to be issued to P.Unceta y J.Esperanza, making improvements to self-loading pistols. Beginning in 1913, manufacture of pistols began at their new factory.

 During WWI Astra supplied the Allies with an estimated 150,000 Ruby semi-auto pistols. interestingly, Astra introduced the Ruby in 1911 as the Victoria,which was based on the browning 1903. improvements on the design were patented by Pedro Careaga in 1911, and by Esperanza y Unceta (Astra) company in 1912. In 1915 copies of the Ruby were sent to the French government. The French decided to accept the Ruby as the Pistolet Automatique, Type Ruby. Substantial contracts were awarded to eight companies. Due to the war, desperation led to over 40 Spanish firearms companies, including Esperanza y Unceta (Astra) receiving contracts totaling nearly million pistols. 

Identification of Astra made Ruby's:
 
Esperanza y Unceta marked their Ruby-types Model 1914, Model 1915, Model 1916, Astra, Brunswig, and Victoria. They were also stamped with the French military identification mark EU on the frame and on the base of the magazine.

1953 the P.Unceta y J.Esperanza company changed their name to,  “Astra y Unceta Cia, S.A.”.

1977, Augusto Unceta-Barrenechea, manager and owner of Astra, was murdered by the ETA seperatist Group

1998, a new company made up of Astra Unceta y Cia and the now bankrupt Star Bonifacio Echeverria S.A. was created. This new Company named ASTAR, which also ended the same year.