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A gunwriter friend of mine told me the last batches of their 1911’s were very good, but I couldn’t tell you which ones are the good ones and which were the bad ones. He reviewed several for American Handgunner and he said he shot the snot out of them and they just ran like a scalded dog. Seems they were getting their quality problems worked out, probably with the addition/investment in CNC, but their sales never turned around and they went under.

Still have an Astra 9, its heavy and don't carry it, but never had issues with it.

One of the best carry guns that ever was is the Star PD, caliber .45 ACP.

No longer in production, it had an alloy frame, well designed safety, decent sights and was uber reliable.

The PD was an awesome pistol, and responsible for Colt creating the Officer's ACP. The STAR PD was flat, light, ergonomic, decent sights for the era, reliable, and shot straight. The only chink in it's armor was the LW frame. They went as light as they dared, and it's not a high round count gun; eventually the frame will crack. But it was one heck of a pistol back in the day.

At the same time, Astra had the A80, an all steel, hi-cap .45 ACP Sig 220 knock off, and it was very good quality. I remember when it first came out, there were a lot of our county sheriff's carrying it because there was nothing even close in .45 ACP.

The Spanish company's were innovators for sure...they just sucked at sales and marketing.

I always liked the PD.

My PD was a decent gun but fragile. Sold it.