Astra 600 HELP!

MarkC · 11-11-2004, 12:41 PM

I bought a 600/43 as a shooter and thought I got a great deal, $250.00 with holster and spare mag. The gun was refinished with a mint bore, all numbers match.

The only problem is the 20lb trigger pull!! Does anyone know how to lighten the trigger on this gun? I am pretty good with tools having recently fitted a new ejector on my shooter Luger.

Any help would be appreciated.

Mark

John Sabato · 11-11-2004, 01:25 PM

Marc,

I don't have any experience in working on this model Astra, but if I were you, I would find an exploded diagram of the gun... identify all the moving parts that affect the dropping of the striker or hammer, and then scrupulously clean all those parts of the decades of grime and buildup.

Polish to a mirror finish all the parts that rub against each other while manipulating the trigger, with very fine abrasives strips of extremely fine polishing cloth or stones. Don't remove any metal or changing any metal geometry contours during this process...and then lubricate with a good oil and put the gun back together and test the trigger pull. If this procedure doesn't bring the trigger pull down to an acceptable weight by removing all the foreign object resisitance, and smoothing the moving parts, then it will be time to do a patient study of the mechanisms and see what other resistance can be removed or relieved...

Don't use any abrasive or grit coarser than 400 during the polishing process. You might also see if some of the springs may be TOO strong, like the trigger return spring...

If these actions don't improve the trigger pull, then it will be time to seek the services of a competent gunsmith with Astra experience.

Good Luck.

MarkC · 11-11-2004, 03:38 PM

Thanks John, good advice!

--------------

Update, I found the schematic on the gun parts website and printed it out for free. What about cutting a few loops off of the hammer spring?

Steve Richards · 11-11-2004, 08:19 PM

Marc,

That is what I did to mine many years ago and it helps a great deal. If mine is any indication, it will never have the lightest trigger in the world but it should be acceptable.

One other thing if you are so inclined is to remove the magazine safety. It does affect the trigger. BUT, remember that the weapon will then fire with the magazine removed! Use your own judgment if this is a good idea. But, keep the part if you do so it can be replace later.

You did get a good deal on yours. I now have a 300, 400, and a 600. Do you have the "Astra Automatic Pistols" book by Antaris? If you want to do any research on these, it is invaluable.

Steve

MarkC · 11-11-2004, 09:19 PM

Steve,

Thanks, I'll try that. I'm gonna purchase one from gun parts and try it on the spare. It's funny that my war time production guns have a much better trigger pull.

Just found a 400 a few months ago, really like these pistols.

Here is the link to my war time pistols.

http://www.p38guns.com/Astraindex.htm

I'll look for a copy of that book.

Mark

Steve Richards · 11-12-2004, 12:54 AM

Mark,

I was lucky enough to buy my book directly fron Dr. Antaris and he autographed it. His email is: antaris_leonardo@msn.com He may have some copies if you wanted to go that route. If not, Amazon has them starting at $52.00 used. He has been very gracious in answering some of my questions.

My 400 is a Chilean Navy. Now if I can just find a 600 from the Chilean Air Force! In addition, I have a Constable II, an A60 (13rd Constable) and an A-90 in .45ACP.

Are the pictures you link your guns?

Steve

MarkC · 11-12-2004, 04:45 PM

Steve,

Thanks for the email for Dr. Antaris, I'll send him an email about the book.

Yes, the link is to my WWII guns. I have not posted a photo of the 600/43 yet. I am in the process of restrawing some of the small parts. Only the trigger is left to do, it looks great.

Mark

11-11-2004, 12:41 PM	#1
MarkC User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 478 Thanks: 1 Thanked 109 Times in 26 Posts	Astra 600 HELP! I bought a 600/43 as a shooter and thought I got a great deal, $250.00 with holster and spare mag. The gun was refinished with a mint bore, all numbers match. The only problem is the 20lb trigger pull!! Does anyone know how to lighten the trigger on this gun? I am pretty good with tools having recently fitted a new ejector on my shooter Luger. Any help would be appreciated. Mark

11-11-2004, 01:25 PM	#2
John Sabato Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The Capital of the Free World Posts: 10,153 Thanks: 3,003 Thanked 2,304 Times in 1,096 Posts	Marc, I don't have any experience in working on this model Astra, but if I were you, I would find an exploded diagram of the gun... identify all the moving parts that affect the dropping of the striker or hammer, and then scrupulously clean all those parts of the decades of grime and buildup. Polish to a mirror finish all the parts that rub against each other while manipulating the trigger, with very fine abrasives strips of extremely fine polishing cloth or stones. Don't remove any metal or changing any metal geometry contours during this process...and then lubricate with a good oil and put the gun back together and test the trigger pull. If this procedure doesn't bring the trigger pull down to an acceptable weight by removing all the foreign object resisitance, and smoothing the moving parts, then it will be time to do a patient study of the mechanisms and see what other resistance can be removed or relieved... Don't use any abrasive or grit coarser than 400 during the polishing process. You might also see if some of the springs may be TOO strong, like the trigger return spring... If these actions don't improve the trigger pull, then it will be time to seek the services of a competent gunsmith with Astra experience. Good Luck. __________________ regards, -John S "...We hold these truths to be self-evident that ALL men are created EQUAL *and are endowed by their Creator* with certain UNALIENABLE* rights, and among these are life, LIBERTY, and the pursuit of happiness..."*

11-11-2004, 03:38 PM	#3
MarkC User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 478 Thanks: 1 Thanked 109 Times in 26 Posts	Thanks John, good advice! -------------- Update, I found the schematic on the gun parts website and printed it out for free. What about cutting a few loops off of the hammer spring?

11-11-2004, 08:19 PM	#4
Steve Richards User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Beaverton, Oregon Posts: 487 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Marc, That is what I did to mine many years ago and it helps a great deal. If mine is any indication, it will never have the lightest trigger in the world but it should be acceptable. One other thing if you are so inclined is to remove the magazine safety. It does affect the trigger. BUT, remember that the weapon will then fire with the magazine removed! Use your own judgment if this is a good idea. But, keep the part if you do so it can be replace later. You did get a good deal on yours. I now have a 300, 400, and a 600. Do you have the "Astra Automatic Pistols" book by Antaris? If you want to do any research on these, it is invaluable. Steve

11-11-2004, 09:19 PM	#5
MarkC User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 478 Thanks: 1 Thanked 109 Times in 26 Posts	Steve, Thanks, I'll try that. I'm gonna purchase one from gun parts and try it on the spare. It's funny that my war time production guns have a much better trigger pull. Just found a 400 a few months ago, really like these pistols. Here is the link to my war time pistols. http://www.p38guns.com/Astraindex.htm I'll look for a copy of that book. Mark

11-12-2004, 12:54 AM	#6
Steve Richards User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Beaverton, Oregon Posts: 487 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Mark, I was lucky enough to buy my book directly fron Dr. Antaris and he autographed it. His email is: antaris_leonardo@msn.com He may have some copies if you wanted to go that route. If not, Amazon has them starting at $52.00 used. He has been very gracious in answering some of my questions. My 400 is a Chilean Navy. Now if I can just find a 600 from the Chilean Air Force! In addition, I have a Constable II, an A60 (13rd Constable) and an A-90 in .45ACP. Are the pictures you link your guns? Steve

11-12-2004, 04:45 PM	#7
MarkC User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 478 Thanks: 1 Thanked 109 Times in 26 Posts	Steve, Thanks for the email for Dr. Antaris, I'll send him an email about the book. Yes, the link is to my WWII guns. I have not posted a photo of the 600/43 yet. I am in the process of restrawing some of the small parts. Only the trigger is left to do, it looks great. Mark