Cub
Similar/Identical Pattern Guns
The same basic assembly/disassembly steps for the Astra Cub also apply to the following guns:
Astra Camper
Colt Junior
F.I.E. “The Best”
| Data: | Astra Cub 22 and 25 |
| Origin: | Spain |
| Manufacturer: | Astra Unceta y Compania |
| Guernica | |
| Cartridge: | 22 Short, 25 ACP |
| Magazine capacity: | 22—6 rounds |
| 25—7 rounds | |
| Overall length: |
4 |
| Height: |
3 |
| Barrel length: |
2 |
| Weight: |
12 |
Prior to 1968, the Astra Cub was imported in fairly large quantity, in both calibers. There was also a “Camper” model in the 22-caliber chambering with an extended barrel. The gun was made by Astra for Colt for a short time and marketed as the Colt “Junior,” with a conversion package available to switch calibers. It’s a fine little gun, and shooters and collectors now vie for the few remaining in circulation in the U.S. Until recently, the same basic pistol was made in America by F.I.E. Corp. as “The Best.” The instructions apply for all versions.
Field Strip:
1. Use the safety-lever to lock the slide open, turn the barrel clockwise (front view) until it stops, then pull it forward until it stops.
2. Turn the barrel back to original position, and pull it forward out of the slide.
3. Release the safety and run the slide forward off the frame.
4. Remove the coil spring and guide from the frame. Note: On the 22 version, the recoil spring and guide are a closed unit, as shown in this photo. The rear endpiece, shown at bottom in this photo, is threaded onto the guide rod and staked in place. It is not easily removed. Gun is now field-stripped.
Astra Cub field-stripped
Detail Strip:
5. On the 22 version, use a small screwdriver to put out the shaped head of the extractor pivot, releasing the extractor and its spring. The 25-caliber version has a vertical roll pin for an extractor pivot, and this is driven straight downward to remove.
6. The firing pin on the 22 version is retained by a slanting cross-pin, its outer head visible here on the left rear of the slide.
7. The slanted cross-pin is driven out from the inside of the slide, from the right and angling up to the left. On the 25 version, removal of the extractor also frees the firing pin.
8. With the grips removed, turn the safety-lever around until it is pointed toward the rear of the frame, and remove it to the left.
9. The sear spring is a round-wire type, located in a recess on the right side of the frame.
10. Flex the front arm of the spring toward the rear to clear its notch in the sear, and lift the spring out of its recess.
11. On the 22 version, the magazine release button is screw-slotted, and is threaded into the magazine catch piece on the opposite side of the frame. It is simply unscrewed for removal. On the 25, as on most of the Colt versions, the catch button is cross-pinned to the shaft of the catch piece, and driving out this pin will free the button from the catch.
12. Driving out a small cross-pin at lower rear of the trigger will free the magazine safety and its spring. The trigger is also held by a cross-pin, and after this is removed, the trigger is taken out toward the rear, along with its connector bar.
13. When moving the trigger toward the rear, flex the trigger bar very slightly outward to clear the frame. Driving out the pin recessed in the slide track (arrow) will release the sear and its spring, and the large pin at upper rear of the frame is drifted out to free the hammer. Directly below the hammer pin is a small hole through which a small screwdriver can retard the hammer spring while the hammer is removed. CAUTION:When releasing the hammer spring, use extreme care.
