7. With a small screwdriver, pry the safety disconnector spring from its recess in the frame. Add one thing not shown in the photo for purpose of clarity—a fingertip over the spring to prevent its escape.
8. Slide the safety disconnector upward and off the frame.
9. Grip the hammer spring base with pliers and disengage it from its locking recess in the backstrap. CAUTION:Spring is under tension. Ease it off, and remove spring and hammer strut from frame.
10. Drifting out the large pin at the top rear of the frame will free the hammer for removal from the top. The lower pin must be drifted out from right to left, and will release the sear and sear plunger for removal forward and downward. Take care not to lose the sear spring and plunger, housed in the left side of the sear.
11. The takedown-latch can be removed by depressing and holding in the small plunger above it, and moving the latch upward and off the frame.
12. The trigger and its spring are retained by a cross-pin. The pin should be moved toward the left side. After this is drifted out, the trigger is taken out downward, into the trigger guard opening.
13. There is a small retainer tab (arrow) just below the magazine catch button, level with the frame. Depress the retainer, and while holding it down unscrew the magazine catch button. Remove button, retainer, and spring from the left side, and the magazine catch piece from the right side.
Reassembly Tips:
1. To make replacing the trigger bar easier, insert a tool through the large opening on the left side and depress the long upper arm of the trigger spring, making sure that it is engaged beneath the inner stud of the trigger bar.
For replacing the safety lever on the slide, use a small tool to depress the plunger at the end of the safety well, holding the plunger in while the safety is moved into place.
When replacing the safety disconnector on the right side, insert the upper arm of its spring into the small hole in the part, then move the spring into its recess.
Astra 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.