9mm Star BM

[Steve Richards]

A note on the Astra 400. Despite what some people will tell you, it is chambered for 9mm Largo and is unsafe with other 9mm cartriges. 9mm Parabellum is too short and is held in the chamber only by the extractor. Definately unsafe to fire. both .38 ACP and .38 Super have a semi-rim that prevents the slide from closing completely. Besides, the .38 Super is much stronger that the pistol is designed to handle.

9mm Steyr and 9mm Bergman might be safe. I have not seen the pressure charts for them but why take the chance?

These other cartridges will chamber and fire but are not safe.

Steve

[sheepherder]

Originally Posted by Steve Richards

A note on the Astra 400. Despite what some people will tell you, it is chambered for 9mm Largo and is unsafe with other 9mm cartriges. 9mm Parabellum is too short and is held in the chamber only by the extractor. Definately unsafe to fire. both .38 ACP and .38 Super have a semi-rim that prevents the slide from closing completely. Besides, the .38 Super is much stronger that the pistol is designed to handle.

I noticed this yesterday while looking at 4000 parts...I can't find it online, but if anyone with a 400/600 is really interested, give them a call...there may be one or two left...(or they may have changed the part number)...

[sheepherder]

Originally Posted by Steve Richards

...the Astra 400...is chambered for 9mm Largo and is unsafe with other 9mm cartriges...

Steve -

You reminded me of an article I read years ago...Luckily, I still have the book...

"Converting Spanish Pistols to 9mm P" is the name of the article; in George C. Nonte's 1974 book, "Pistolsmithing"...

Here's a brief excerpt -

http://www.wzrd.com/u/rbrennan/misc3/nonte.jpg

I've never tried anything like this, but I understand from my Garand friends that there is a "kit" of sorts for converting the M1 Garand to 7.62 x 51mm (.308 Win), consisting of a bushing similar to the one in the above article in principle, and two 20% overloaded cartridges to seat it...Nonte doesn't mention explosive seating, so I would imagine that his bushings are pressed in/interference fits...