ASP 9mm Acquired

Donald Grant

Here are pictures of my latest acquisition. It's an ASP 9mm carried by Bond in the later John Gardener novels. It came with three magazines, has the translucent lexan grips and original operation manual from Armament Systems and Procedures dated 1982. The gun has some wear and I'll probably be replacing the original Teflon S coating with the latest version. Likewise, the grips have some fractures near the screw holes, but I've tracked someone down who can get new ones. It's very cool and an authentic weapon carried by real world covert operatives. It certainly embodies the motto "Unseen In The Best Places". Enjoy.





Thanks Wackychimp for hosting.

DG

Nightshooter

I can't get to the pics, Kodak says the link isn't valid. Even so, nice job at getting an ASP, they are very cool. They'll probably be impossible to get by the time I'm of age, but, oh well. Oh, I though "Unseen in the Best Places" was the Ken Null mott, not necessarily the ASP motto? Am I mistaken?

Donald Grant

Night,

Sorry you can't see the pictures. It works when I click on the link. I'll try and see if Sico can post them for me. The motto was originally the ASP's motto. Ken Null aquired it later and is one of the few holster makers to still make holsters for the ASP. I'm very pleased with it, it's one of the coolest looking guns I've ever seen and it still carries quite the mystique.

DG

Nightshooter

Ahah, I see, that explains it. A very cool-looking gun indeed, do you plan on shooting with it, or just having it as a display piece?

Donald Grant

Night,

I've been mulling over whether to shoot it or not. My first impulse is to keep it as a display piece. First I want to get it in pristine condition which will require sending to a gunsmith who specializes in ASPs. Once that's done I'll consider the question of firing it. One thing I did think about was putting it in some silicone rubber to make castings for interested parties. We'll see.

DG

Nightshooter

Oooh, that IS an interesting thought! I'd love a casting of an ASP! Also, if I were you, I'd want to shoot it just to try out that ridiculously cool sight on it!

Donald Grant

Night,

Yes, the guttersnipe sight is indeed cool. Although I've heard it takes some getting used to. Whenever I go to the range I always hear that voice in my head "front sight, front sight". With the guttersnipe there is no front sight, so I'm sure I'll have to adjust.

DG

Sir Miles

The link doesn't work for me either, it leads to a page that asks for your password. Shame.

Asp9mm

Nice one DG, looking forward to pics. They are a joy to shoot, so you should. Look into Theodores Quell shooting system designed around the ASP, it requires using the non-dominant eye to align the G-snipe sight, very weird at first, but surprisingly effective. And don't forget to buy Kens UNS holster for it.

Now you know why I'm a big fan of the little black beast

Donald Grant

Asp9mm,

The pitures have been upgraded above in my original post, so you should be able to click and see them. Thanks for the info you gave me. I ended up finding my original soure for the gun, but your information was invaluable in terms of smithing services. I'll look into the Quell system for certain. I'll also definitely get one of Ken's holsters as well.

DG

superado

Donald, is that your 5510 Submariner in the 2nd picture?

Donald Grant

Superado,

Yes that's my 5510. It's not a very good picture of it I'm afraid.

DG

Nightshooter

Ugh. For some reason the pics STILL aren't showing up for me.

EDIT: Hmm... it works on internet explorer, but it takes about 10 minutes for the picture to load. Very odd.

Sir Miles

Nightshooter wrote:

Ugh. For some reason the pics STILL aren't showing up for me.

EDIT: Hmm... it works on internet explorer, but it takes about 10 minutes for the picture to load. Very odd.

The pictures are working for me now - and load quickly.

The gun is fine - but I'd rather have the watch

Nightshooter

Heh, strangely, now the photos load fine for me, too. Strange! Yeah, after looking more closely at yours, the gun is quite beautiful (as is the watch, of course). Please keep me updated if you are going to do castings.

Donald Grant

Night,

No problem. I'll keep you posted on the castings.

DG

cdsdss

Nice ASP, mind if I ask where you picked it up and how much you paid?

cdomspin@erols.com

Donald Grant

The ASP was purchased from a guy who has the full collection of Bond guns and has several ASPs in his collection. I'd rather not say what the price was.

DG

Gyrojet

Has he got the MB Associates Gyrojet rocket pistol?And if so,is there anywhere i can see a picture of it?

Donald Grant

Gyrojet,

Mmm, not sure about that one. I have not personally seen his collection as he resides in another state. I just heard about it through other sources and then he confirmed it. I could certainly ask him though.

DG

asp owner

I also am the proud owner of an original ASP. I just found this forum & am interested in where to get new grips for this pistol also. There isn't a lot of info on these firearms on the net that I've found. Have you found a gunsmith that specializes in ASP's?
If you do decide to shoot your ASP, check the recoil spring length before you shoot it. They wear out & shorten quickly because of the limited length in the pistol.

Donald Grant

Asp Owner,

Yes, I've found a gunsmith that works on ASP's strictly by word of mouth. I've spoken to him via telephone only as he resides in another state. I have not used his services as yet, but I will in the near future. I'll PM you his telephone number when I dig it up, probably later today. Happy New Year.

DG

PoorMansJB

The inventor of the ASP, a Paris Theodore, passed-away just last month. Apparently, the ASP was the least of his inventions, many of which make Q sound rather quaint. I'm most intrigued by an item he supplied to the FBI: A ten-shot "firearm"concealed in an aluminium clipboard! Just the thing that notorious census taker could have used to fend-off Hannibal Lector!

Asp9mm

That would explain why I am inundated with emails from the link on my Asp web page.

ASP Owner 2

I just came across this topic and since I own an excellent, complete ASP, including all of the paperwork, inspection sheet, etc., I thought someone in this forum may be interested in purchasing it. My collecting tastes have wandered back in time to early Winchesters. Any interest?

texas007

ASP Owner 2 - did you get myPM?

ASP Owner 2

Yes, I did and emailed you photos, etc.
Did you not receive the email?

Bill Fairbanks

ASP Owner 2,

Still have that ASP with paperwork for sale, by chance?

ASP Owner 2

I have not sold the ASP yet, but have several people interested. I have owned the piece since 1982 and it is in mint condition other than a 1x2 mm scratch at the ejector port. It has been fired, but fewer than 50 rounds. The grips are original and not cracked at the screws, as many apparently are. It is my understanding that this is one of about 250-300 ASPs manufactured in the early 1980s. I still do plan to sell it for the right price. Thanks for your interest. I have emailed you photos.

Mr Henderson

The Asp is no joy to shoot, it is clumsy, holds badly and moves under recoil due to the reduced weight. The Asp was eliminated due to a problem with the frame shifting (which caused your broken grips) and the sear being made of two incompatible metals that wear unevenly and eventually distort.

The Asp was made originally from S&W model 59 that was heavily cut down, and the additional alloys used were not durable enough to stand up to heavy use and constant firing. They were an experiment that failed to produce a durable and accurate product, and the effort S&W made, in the model 39 and the "Devel" model 39 were equally disappointing, This weapon is a rarity due to it's failings, not due to it's scarcity of manufacture. Origina ASP models had no full sights, it was viewed as a close-in emergency use weapon, but there were many other production weapons with better finish and mechanics that could be had easily.

Don't fire it or alter it, leave it alone and change nothing of the finish or damage. the value on these is not going up and original carry models do have more value in the original state than in a "repaired" condition.

You have a rare historical item, don't attempt to bring it up to a shootable or carry condition, as it is not a durable item.

ASP Owner 2

It seems you miss-read my post. The grips on my ASP are not cracked, as many are. On the contrary, mine has been fired very few times and is in excellent condition.
I agree that it has mainly historical significance and the rarity adds to its value. I would like to see it owned by someone with more interest than myself, as I collect mainly antique rifles. Thanks for your interest in the topic.