Astra 400

LWaali · 10-20-2012, 01:56 AM

The recent posts that have included pistols from Spain and another on ammunition has resparked a question I have never had answered to my satisfaction..

The Astra 400 has a reputation of being able to safely fire anything and everything that can fit it.. with a designated round of the 9mm Largo, this leaves quite the range of available ammo..

Has anyone actually known anyone to fire anything but 9 Largo out of one?

I am curious because of the need to slim down my personal collection.. I am trying to limit it to less calibers in general and guns that I can afford to shoot.. this would give me a solid argument to keep my beloved 400.. it can shoot anything!

Any real life experiances would be of great help. I have already read every magazine article I can find and we know how reliable American Rifleman and such really are...

Sieger · 10-20-2012, 03:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LWaali

The recent posts that have included pistols from Spain and another on ammunition has resparked a question I have never had answered to my satisfaction..

The Astra 400 has a reputation of being able to safely fire anything and everything that can fit it.. with a designated round of the 9mm Largo, this leaves quite the range of available ammo..

Has anyone actually known anyone to fire anything but 9 Largo out of one?

I am curious because of the need to slim down my personal collection.. I am trying to limit it to less calibers in general and guns that I can afford to shoot.. this would give me a solid argument to keep my beloved 400.. it can shoot anything!

Any real life experiances would be of great help. I have already read every magazine article I can find and we know how reliable American Rifleman and such really are...

Hi:

.38 Super through it equals a blow-up!! Don't believe everything you read, as a lot of this was "marketing" for a pistol with no matching ammo commercailly available, typical for the 1950s and 1960s wholesalers.

Sieger

Ice · 10-20-2012, 07:15 AM

Why not just reload for it? Either that or get a couple of boxes of factory ammo and enjoy shooting it on special occasions.

Charlie

wlyon · 10-20-2012, 09:29 AM

I agree with both the above posts. Anytime we use ammo not designeds for a particular gun we are taking a big risk. I have had a couple 400's several 600' and 300's. They are well made firearms. I shot all of them but never with incorrect ammo. Not worth the risk. Bill

LWaali · 10-20-2012, 01:41 PM

So the answer is no, none of you know anyone who actually has tried any other ammo?

I appreciate all of the concern.. but please be assured that I really do know safe gun handling. Notice I mentioned not believing magazine articles, that the question was a long standing one that obviously I was not willing to test myself.

I was simply looking for a reason to justify keeping it over others.. I now have my dads collection plus my own and I cannot afford the addition to my house that it would need to keep them all.

wlyon · 10-20-2012, 03:03 PM

Linda
I have a solution if you would like my mailing address!!!! Bill

SteveM · 10-21-2012, 11:24 AM

I sold a couple Star model A's and a Super A last year. At that time there wasn't any commercially loaded ammunition available and I had to let go of some of my 50/60's surplus to get them out the door.

Patronen · 10-21-2012, 06:42 PM

I remember years back there was brand new Blazer 9mm Largo around. It would be nice to see it come back on the market.

MikeP · 10-22-2012, 01:14 AM

I know people who tried it and got away with it-more than once.
Used to be a common conception. I never tried it.
9mm Luger will work, but it is hard on the extractor.
Best to use the real stuff if you can get it.

Too much potential for breakage and injury.
I have a 600 in 9mm-unpleasant to fire.
Super heavy trigger and sharp recoil.

LWaali · 10-22-2012, 01:40 AM

I think I'll end up keeping it.. and let's hope the end of the world never comes so I never have to find out first hand

sheepherder · 10-22-2012, 06:38 AM

Nonte recommends pressing a .150" long bushing into the chamber to convert to 9mm Parabellum. I have the book & can scan the relevant paragraphs if you desire.

LWaali · 10-22-2012, 08:11 PM

That would be great!! I's absolutely LOVE to make it something I could shoot more often.. I just need to find out which of the gun****hs in ton are any good as the one I used forever is retired.. Anyone know anything about the 'smiths n Spokane?

sheepherder · 10-22-2012, 08:30 PM

This is from Nonte's 1974 book 'Pistolsmithing', Stackpole books, publisher.

Footnote -
( * "Or large enough to be a tight press fit in the front of the chamber" )

LWaali · 10-22-2012, 08:35 PM

I wish I could thank you more then once!

sheepherder · 10-22-2012, 09:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LWaali

I wish I could thank you more then once!

I like french vanilla cappuccino...

LWaali · 10-22-2012, 10:26 PM

You do live in the only corner of the US I have not traveled to... If I ever get the chance I will gladly buy you a cuppa!

(Well I was born on the AFB in Plattsburg but I dont think it counts when I moved away at 6months

)

10-20-2012, 01:56 AM	#1
LWaali User Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Washington State Posts: 99 Thanks: 67 Thanked 20 Times in 9 Posts	Astra 400 The recent posts that have included pistols from Spain and another on ammunition has resparked a question I have never had answered to my satisfaction.. The Astra 400 has a reputation of being able to safely fire anything and everything that can fit it.. with a designated round of the 9mm Largo, this leaves quite the range of available ammo.. Has anyone actually known anyone to fire anything but 9 Largo out of one? I am curious because of the need to slim down my personal collection.. I am trying to limit it to less calibers in general and guns that I can afford to shoot.. this would give me a solid argument to keep my beloved 400.. it can shoot anything! Any real life experiances would be of great help. I have already read every magazine article I can find and we know how reliable American Rifleman and such really are...

10-20-2012, 09:29 AM	#4
wlyon Lifer 2X Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: May 2005 Location: Somewhere in Montana Posts: 2,655 Thanks: 3,212 Thanked 2,619 Times in 971 Posts	I agree with both the above posts. Anytime we use ammo not designeds for a particular gun we are taking a big risk. I have had a couple 400's several 600' and 300's. They are well made firearms. I shot all of them but never with incorrect ammo. Not worth the risk. Bill __________________ Bill Lyon

10-20-2012, 03:03 PM	#6
wlyon Lifer 2X Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: May 2005 Location: Somewhere in Montana Posts: 2,655 Thanks: 3,212 Thanked 2,619 Times in 971 Posts	Linda I have a solution if you would like my mailing address!!!! Bill __________________ Bill Lyon

10-21-2012, 06:42 PM	#8
Patronen User Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 312 Thanks: 335 Thanked 93 Times in 70 Posts	I remember years back there was brand new Blazer 9mm Largo around. It would be nice to see it come back on the market. __________________ Dave

10-22-2012, 06:38 AM	#11
sheepherder Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: ...on the 'ol Erie Canal... Posts: 8,197 Thanks: 1,416 Thanked 4,462 Times in 2,336 Posts	Nonte recommends pressing a .150" long bushing into the chamber to convert to 9mm Parabellum. I have the book & can scan the relevant paragraphs if you desire. __________________ I like my coffee the way I like my women... ...Cold and bitter...

10-20-2012, 07:15 AM	#3
Ice User Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 552 Thanks: 13 Thanked 69 Times in 57 Posts	Why not just reload for it? Either that or get a couple of boxes of factory ammo and enjoy shooting it on special occasions. Charlie

10-20-2012, 01:41 PM	#5
LWaali User Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Washington State Posts: 99 Thanks: 67 Thanked 20 Times in 9 Posts	So the answer is no, none of you know anyone who actually has tried any other ammo? I appreciate all of the concern.. but please be assured that I really do know safe gun handling. Notice I mentioned not believing magazine articles, that the question was a long standing one that obviously I was not willing to test myself. I was simply looking for a reason to justify keeping it over others.. I now have my dads collection plus my own and I cannot afford the addition to my house that it would need to keep them all.

10-21-2012, 11:24 AM	#7
SteveM User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Texas Posts: 1,016 Thanks: 94 Thanked 275 Times in 137 Posts	I sold a couple Star model A's and a Super A last year. At that time there wasn't any commercially loaded ammunition available and I had to let go of some of my 50/60's surplus to get them out the door.

10-22-2012, 01:14 AM	#9
MikeP User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: ILL Posts: 686 Thanks: 36 Thanked 452 Times in 198 Posts	I know people who tried it and got away with it-more than once. Used to be a common conception. I never tried it. 9mm Luger will work, but it is hard on the extractor. Best to use the real stuff if you can get it. Too much potential for breakage and injury. I have a 600 in 9mm-unpleasant to fire. Super heavy trigger and sharp recoil.

10-22-2012, 01:40 AM	#10
LWaali User Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Washington State Posts: 99 Thanks: 67 Thanked 20 Times in 9 Posts	I think I'll end up keeping it.. and let's hope the end of the world never comes so I never have to find out first hand

10-22-2012, 08:11 PM	#12
LWaali User Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Washington State Posts: 99 Thanks: 67 Thanked 20 Times in 9 Posts	That would be great!! I's absolutely LOVE to make it something I could shoot more often.. I just need to find out which of the gun****hs in ton are any good as the one I used forever is retired.. Anyone know anything about the 'smiths n Spokane?

10-22-2012, 08:30 PM	#13
sheepherder Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: ...on the 'ol Erie Canal... Posts: 8,197 Thanks: 1,416 Thanked 4,462 Times in 2,336 Posts	This is from Nonte's 1974 book '*Pistolsmithing', Stackpole books, publisher. Footnote - ( "Or large enough to be a tight press fit in the front of the chamber" ) Attached Thumbnails __________________ I like my coffee the way I like my women... ...Cold and bitter...

10-22-2012, 08:35 PM	#14
LWaali User Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Washington State Posts: 99 Thanks: 67 Thanked 20 Times in 9 Posts	I wish I could thank you more then once!

10-22-2012, 10:26 PM	#16
LWaali User Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Washington State Posts: 99 Thanks: 67 Thanked 20 Times in 9 Posts	You do live in the only corner of the US I have not traveled to... If I ever get the chance I will gladly buy you a cuppa! (Well I was born on the AFB in Plattsburg but I dont think it counts when I moved away at 6months )