I bought an Astra 400 sometime around 1966,through the mail,pre GCA’68. Also purchased 100 rounds of 9mm Largo that came loosely packed in the same box. The pistol cost $20.00,the ammo another $3.50. The gun magazines at the time were breathlessly calling it the “multi-caliber pistol”,capable of firing anything from .380 to .38 Super. Yep,that’s right,.38 Super. Luckily,I could only afford one box,it probably kept me from wearing the slide in place of my teeth. But it was a great pistol,as is the 600 I own now. Thanks for bringing these fine pistols the exposure they deserve.
It's a damn good pistol, I know it well. I shot 500 rounds trough a 600 without a single hiccup. Very accurate, and reasonably controllable. The trigger is a bit stiff but the break is super crisp, reset super short, no creep. Recoil is a bit snappy but the muzzle returns right back to target. After prolonged shooting the grip safety can pinch the skin though. It is truly a combat pistol. I prefer it to P-38.
@@gltwn It shoots better, it's more reliable. The center of gravity of the P-38 is just strange for me. Most of the weight is shifted backwards, making it really easy to pull the shots to left/right. During shooting when switching from conventional full slide to P-38 half slide, for me it takes at least 2-3 mags to transition back to P-38, because I end up pulling most of the shots. With 600 I was accurate out to 100 meters, hitting a gallon jug off hand. Rapid fire is super easy as well. COM shots just group without any specific effort. With P-38 on rapid fire I have to control all kinds of handling anomalies. Other then shooting behavior, 600 is vastly more reliable to P-38 by the nature of the design. I did gunsmithing work on P-38s and stripped them down to the frame. I also stripped down the 600, and 600 is a tank compared to delicate springs and tiny parts of the P-38. Definite advantage of the P-38 is the DA/SA trigger group. P-38 SA trigger pull is superior to 600, but in a combat pistol such differences become mute.
I have one of the Portuguese navy contract ones. I hear they only received like 800 or something. Definitely my hardest kicking 9mm though. I seen a Nazi one at my local gun store and passed on it due to lack of funds but i figured i could always find another one.
I got to shoot one quit a few years back. At that time I knew nothing of its history or orgin. Nice to finally learn about it. What do you think was the original contract price per pistol when they were sold to Nazi Germany?
I bought an Astra 400 sometime around 1966,through the mail,pre GCA’68. Also purchased 100 rounds of 9mm Largo that came loosely packed in the same box. The pistol cost $20.00,the ammo another $3.50. The gun magazines at the time were breathlessly calling it the “multi-caliber pistol”,capable of firing anything from .380 to .38 Super. Yep,that’s right,.38 Super. Luckily,I could only afford one box,it probably kept me from wearing the slide in place of my teeth. But it was a great pistol,as is the 600 I own now. Thanks for bringing these fine pistols the exposure they deserve.
It's a damn good pistol, I know it well. I shot 500 rounds trough a 600 without a single hiccup. Very accurate, and reasonably controllable. The trigger is a bit stiff but the break is super crisp, reset super short, no creep. Recoil is a bit snappy but the muzzle returns right back to target. After prolonged shooting the grip safety can pinch the skin though. It is truly a combat pistol. I prefer it to P-38.
why do you prefer it to the P-38?
@@gltwn It shoots better, it's more reliable.
The center of gravity of the P-38 is just strange for me. Most of the weight is shifted backwards, making it really easy to pull the shots to left/right.
During shooting when switching from conventional full slide to P-38 half slide, for me it takes at least 2-3 mags to transition back to P-38, because I end up pulling most of the shots.
With 600 I was accurate out to 100 meters, hitting a gallon jug off hand.
Rapid fire is super easy as well. COM shots just group without any specific effort.
With P-38 on rapid fire I have to control all kinds of handling anomalies.
Other then shooting behavior, 600 is vastly more reliable to P-38 by the nature of the design.
I did gunsmithing work on P-38s and stripped them down to the frame. I also stripped down the 600, and 600 is a tank compared to delicate springs and tiny parts of the P-38.
Definite advantage of the P-38 is the DA/SA trigger group. P-38 SA trigger pull is superior to 600, but in a combat pistol such differences become mute.
@@BigSmartArmed would you recommend the Astra 600 over the 400?
@@gltwn 600 is in cheap 9X19mm, so unless you're in Europe where 9X19 is illegal for civvy use, the yes I would recommend 9X19mm
Mind that the Astra is a rugged gun, but for '40s standards. Do not expect it to withstand several thousands of bullets.
I have both. 4000 Falcon .32
600/43 9m/m parabellum
One of the best pistol made by Spain.
I love this gun! Just picked one up recently!
I have one of the Portuguese navy contract ones. I hear they only received like 800 or something. Definitely my hardest kicking 9mm though. I seen a Nazi one at my local gun store and passed on it due to lack of funds but i figured i could always find another one.
Does anybody know where I could get machining blueprints that show the exact dimensions of this gun and its features?
These are really nice pistols.
I have one of these in the serial number 19xxx range without the German stamp. What’s the value?
I got to shoot one quit a few years back. At that time I knew nothing of its history or orgin. Nice to finally learn about it. What do you think was the original contract price per pistol when they were sold to Nazi Germany?
Aliciyım ustam nasıl tedarik edebilirsiniz
I have one, its nice.