The Frontier Sixshooter Community Message Board - Astra Terminator

Astra Terminator (reply)

Warhawk — Sun, 25 Oct 2015 01:58:53 +0000

I've been reading up on these, and seeing reports of them shooting loose after a lot full power magnum loads. I think this one will see a diet of mid range loads, I'm thinking Keith bullets at around 900-1000 fps.

me too! i knew about them and found one a couple (reply)

cable — Fri, 23 Oct 2015 16:46:00 +0000

of years ago. then my wife took it as it fit her hand perfectly; uses it for carrying here when four wheeling / hunting. they are bringing pretty high prices now. it shoots a big ragged one hole group at 60-70 feet.

I kept an eye out for another and found a stainless one; just picked it up from my dealer last evening. cant wait to try it.

this is a great piece for knocking around in the woods and four wheeling and small enough to not get in the way when fishing etc.

I have a 6" Astra in 45 Colt - great gun! (reply)

stonewalrus — Fri, 23 Oct 2015 03:53:53 +0000

I would not hesitate to buy another Astra revolver in good shape.

Too late, I think it is bueno! (reply)

Hobie — Fri, 23 Oct 2015 03:42:48 +0000

Looks like Jovino's work (reply)

cubrock — Fri, 23 Oct 2015 02:42:58 +0000

Follows the same line of their S&W Effector.

Astra Terminator (reply)

Catoosa — Fri, 23 Oct 2015 02:27:42 +0000

Looks like the muzzle may have been polished at some point. Some people have done that believing that a bright muzzle ring makes the bore look larger and more intimidating when pointed at someone.

I would imagine that gun would not need any help at all to look intimidating. A very nice score!

Astra Terminator (reply)

Brian A — Fri, 23 Oct 2015 01:41:51 +0000

I vaguely remember those when they fist came out and had a few gun magazine write-ups. Always thought they looked really cool, but never got to shoot one or even handle one. The write-ups were sure pretty glowing if I remember correctly. Hope it exceeds your expectations.

I had a stainless one a couple years ago. (reply)

Warhawk — Fri, 23 Oct 2015 01:16:23 +0000

Yours is proof that they did make some stainless guns with the S&W frame profile. Seems like most of these have a frame design that's different at the crane hinge area.

I had a stainless one a couple years ago. (reply)

Andrew — Fri, 23 Oct 2015 00:37:52 +0000

It was a sweet shooter with 44 Specials. Mine was also not marked as a "Terminator". I found a 629-1 3" shortly after I had picked it up, so I sold it. Wish I hadn't, but I seem to find things down the road to fix regrets.

BTW, the grip frame is more the size of a K frame round butt. I tried some Hogue grips on it, but they were a little wobbly. Other than hand fitted wood, the Pachys may be the best fit.

Don't Look Hobie! It looks like another Jorvino Snub... (reply)

Rob Leahy — Thu, 22 Oct 2015 19:04:27 +0000

Very cool find!

I LIKE it! (reply)

Hoot — Thu, 22 Oct 2015 18:57:53 +0000

Never knew that lil' beastie existed.

Astra Terminator

Warhawk — Thu, 22 Oct 2015 18:19:56 +0000

The Astra Terminator is a unique gun, one of the first big bore snub noses available. Apparently the first versions were cut down by John Jovino in NYC. Because of an import law, short barrelled "Saturday Night Specials" could not be imported. So these were brough in with a longer barrel, then cut down by Jovino. At some point Astra started doing the work themselves.

The Astra Terminator was used in the movie "Dusk Til Dawn" and on the TV series "Hunter". And probably a few more.

I have been watching for one of these guns for years, and found one Monday at a small town Arkansas pawn shop. I believe this is an early gun, possibly one of the Jovino conversions.

Astra 44 Magnum, is not marked TERMINATOR anywhere. This one has a frame profile more like a S&W that some I've seen.

It does have Pachmayr compact grips, barrel length is just a hair over 2 3/4 inches.

Five screw type frame, there is a screw underneath in front of the triggerguard.

Pinned barrel, and front sight base

Recessed chambers

No bluing on the crown, this is what makes me think it could have been a cut down Jovino gun.

The rear sight is broken, I'm going to have to find a replacement, or more likely have this one welded up. Lockup is very tight, when the hammer is cocked this is no movement of the cylinder at all. I'm anxious to shoot it.