Very casual Range Report on the "ASTRA Modelo 1921 ( 400 )" 9mm Largo/.38 ACP

[Oyeboten]

In a word - "Wow!" What wonderful old Automatic!

9 mm Largo ( or .38 ACP )


These were my first 9 rounds, ( 4, then 5, no reason ) fired cold, 10 yards, one handed.

[GyMac]

There's something about the Astras that have always intrigued me. I always look for them at gun shows. Someday, maybe I will own a 600.

[Oyeboten]

I have one of each ( the 400, and, the 600 )...and I will do a Range Report on the 600 one of these days.

They are very finely made, everything extremely close tolerance as for Slide to Frame fit...and always had a very good reputation.

Very distinctive looking Pistols...comfortable and natural to shoot, too.

[CWO4USCGRET]

Oyeboyten - my Spanish Army issued 400 aka Model 1921, is a great shooter (10 Yard Target); before they ran out, I bought a 2,000 round case of non-corrosive Santa Barbara made 9mm Largo...

[Oyeboten]

How cool!


I have only shot mine those several rounds so far, and it impressed me immensely.


Nice to hear your mentions also!


Now that you mention it, I really ought to send off for some more Ammunition for mine.


Apparently these will chamber fire and eject the .38 ACP Cartridge also, and, as far as I know, without any strains on the ejector or anything else, and, of course the Ballistics of the two Cartridges are just about the same anyway, so, no problems there with that.


I have re-Loading Set-ups for the .38 ACP, and I am sure they will work just fine to re-Load the 9mm Largo also.


Any idea if one should maybe think about replacing the Springs in these? Being as they are roughly 70 years old now...

Or if 'WOLF' or other makes a Spring Kit?

[Oyeboten]

Where's the 'ASTRA'??? Lol...

Post some images of it too!

[Ivan]

Bought my first Astra 30 years ago.Great shooter.Caution on ammo !
That late date Santa Barbara ammo is a bit hot. Would strongly suggest purchase of new recoil and hammer spring if you are going to shoot a lot of it.
The Wolff springs are good ,but may require trimming. Too long a spring can lead to serious trouble,cracked frame,etc.
The oldest M400s will NOT work with 38 Auto cases as is. The bolt face is too small diameter to accept most makes of the semi rimmed 38 Auto case. After a couple years,Astra opened up the face a few thousands and stamped barrels w/ 9mm/38 mark and advertised as such.That is an option today if you have one of these. Use a modified end mill to ream the bolt face by hand.
Thirty years ago,9mm Largo was scarce.The M400 I had at the time was a very early one that did not work with 38ACP.Did not have end mill,so I turned the rims down on 100 38 Super cases with a file,case held in drill press. Still have about 50 of those cases laying around.Loaded them up w/ 125 gr 9mm bullets and just enough Unique to work action well.
The M400 will work with some types of 9mm Para,but Ivan does not reccomend that. The tapered 9mmPara wedges itself in the chamber and the extractor does not always snap over the groove. You are firing with excessive headspace. IMHO,this has lead to extractors breaking. 9mm Para is an emergency only thing,like when the Zombies are on the loose,and that is all you have.
Never shoot 38 Super ammo though the old Astra ! Watched a hard headed jerk do this once in spite of my warning not to. Three shots= wrecked gun.
If you really want to shoot 9mm Para through your M400,a M600 barrel can be fitted to the M400. The barrel is slightly shorter.Ivan modified a barrel bushing with a spacer ring and did this. Had to pick though M400 mags to find a few that fed the shorter round. Modifed a couple of M600 mags with a spacer soldered to back and used these also. The pistol worked perfectly. Stick to moderate 9mm Para ammo and you are ok.

You may have guessed Ivan is an ASTRA fan. Here is pic of my ASTRA family. M400,M600 9mm Para nad a nice little M300 in 7.65/32ACP.
All three are great shooters and very reliable.

Oyboten,you did not like our President Roosevelt ?

[guy sajer]

I won an informal 4H shooting match long ago with a 400

Now I see a Spanish Destroyer carbine in your future . Here's a site that might be of interest . Destroyer Carbine

[CWO4USCGRET]

[DFrame]

I've long wanted one of the old Astras ever since I fired a friends gun years ago. Seems everytime I get close to one, some Colt gets in the way.