The Springfields that never were: The SA Cat series
Before the X. D. was imported to the U.S., Springfield Armory had a plan for a very different series of handguns. Dubbed the Bobcat, Firecat, and Lynx, these handguns of SA’s “R” series were chambered from .25ACP to .45S&W, but good luck finding any…
The concept
Springfield Armory as we know and love it today sprouted up in the 1960s in Illinois and cut their teeth making M14 series rifles (what we know today as the M1A series) but soon branched out to 1911-style pistols. To liven things up they even imported a modular framed semi-auto from West Germany (the Omega) and a CZ-75 clone in 9mm from Italy (the P9).
With these guns moving out of the stable in the 90s, Springfield wanted something else besides their .45s and, as the X. D. was still unheard of, they went for a trio of very different guns to replace them. Imported as kits from European makers, they were to be assembled in the U.S. with nice extra touches like natty wood grips, park’d finishes and SA roll marks, then distributed through their existing network.
Debuted in their 1992 Catalog, they sounded like a great idea, “The biggest news from Springfield was the introduction of the ‘R’ series pistols. These four guns — the Panther, the Firecat, the Bobcat, and the Lynx — are based on the Astra automatic pistols, but with a few custom modifications, like Commander-style hammers, checkered walnut grips, and low-profile white-dot sights. The Panther comes in 9mm, .40S&W and .45ACP; the Firecat is chambered in 9mm and .40S&W; the Bobcat is made for .380ACP; and the Lynx chambers .25 auto.”
The thing is, it just didn’t work out…
The Astra A-70, I mean the Springfield Armory Firecat!
I need an astra – uncetay cia. S.A. constable Guernica-Spain 32 cal. 7.65 m/m – (ejector / slide retainer).