[Iron Sight]

Astra 400 or 600?

Are there distinct physical differences that make identification easy?

I think I have a 400? It has 2 safety's Grip and left hand lever.

Any comments on reinstalling the hammer spring?

Thank you

[Dr.Rob]

600's are 9mm Para, 400's are the oddball 9mm largo cal that can alledgedly shoot anything, but you really shouldn't shoot anything BUT what is marked on the pistol. (Though many people have.)

Every 600 I've seen is clearly marked on the left side of the sight channel.

[Jim K]

I'm glad Dr. Rob used the word "allegedly." That is an old saw that is at best partly true and one that can make trouble if attempted. It is best to use only the correct ammo in any gun.

Other than barrel length (the Model 400 is longer) and markings, the easy way to tell them apart is that the Model 400 has a magazine catch at the bottom rear of the magazine and very conspicuous. The Model 600 has the magazine catch at the bottom left side of the grip.

Installing the hammer spring (main spring) is a bit of a bear. There is a small hole on the left side of the frame. With the magazine catch installed (Model 400), and the frame clamped in a soft jaw vise, insert a center punch into the top spring plunger and push down hard. When the plunger is below the hole, insert a small punch into the hole to trap the plunger. Then install the hammer and hammer pin, cock the hammer and remove the punch.

In those guns the hammer is set at a mechanical disadvantage and its spring is very stiff. The combination is designed to act, through the hammer, as resistance to the slide in blowback operation, making the guns delayed blowback. Most writers call them straight blowback but they really aren't.

Jim

[Iron Sight]

Appears I have a 400 series.

This is some very good understandable info you people are giving. Maybe I will be able to get that hammer spring re installed.

The Barrel is marked "9mm & .38". Appears 38 acp can be used? 38 super brass is available and I am led to believe its same as 38 acp so some where there may be some reloading to do for me? (At .38 ACP standards)

Parts?

This is fun!

[Jim K]

You might find the breech face too tight for the .38 ACP which is a semi-rimmed round. I have seen them reamed out, but I wouldn't do it for the simple reason that it would allow the gun to fire .38 Super, which I consider too hot for it. 9mm Largo cartridges and brass are now available from several makers and it is an easy cartridge to reload.

Jim

[dirty dave]

400 are great guns .I have one that is a very good shooter,shoot 9mm largo not expensive but have to order it.I did shoot some 9x23 winchester rounds out of it [DONT DO THAT] but was very strong for that old of a gun.very strong guns.

[Jim K]

The main potential problem is not strength as such, but the fact that the guns are blowback (delayed, but still blowback). A hot load can possibly exert enough pressure that the breech will open before the pressure drops, resulting in an unsupported case blowing out and wrecking the gun, with possible injury to the shooter.

Jim