astra 400
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Gordon
Member
.38 acp NOT super and 9Largo NOT 9x23 is the correct ammo.
In spite of gunrag nonsense, the 400 was designed and made for one cartridge and one cartridge only - the 9mm Largo, aka the 9mm Bergmann-Bayard. Some Model 400's will work with .38 ACP; the round has a rim (semi-rimmed) and it is a matter of tolerances whether the breech face of the Astra is open enough to accept that rim (it can be opened up). Besides, where can one get .38 ACP? I don't think they even make it any more. .38 Super Auto is much too hot for the 400.
Jim
Jim
There are two chamber dimensions on Astra 400 pistols.
If your pistol is stamped on the breech 9mm/38 it was dimensioned to work correctly with either 9mm Largo or .38acp,(NOT SUPER), cartridges.
If the chamber is marked with only the 9mm Largo designation then it is not dimensioned for the .38acp nor is the breech correctly radiused.
Guns marked 9mm/38 were specifically dimensioned so for the North and South American commercial markets.
Guns marked for 9mm Largo only are Spanish Military pistols.
DO NOT shoot any other cartridges in these guns, no matter what you hear or read, these are the ONLY two cartridges the guns were designed to safely fire and only if the breech is marked as decribed.
If it isn't, then stick to 9mm Largo cartridges only.
OK, OK, real 9mm Largo cartridges operate at the same, or slightly higher pressures than most of the American made .38 Super full metal jacket bullet cartridges on the market today.
Most modern .38 Super cartridges are actually downloaded because people still keep shooting them in caliber .38acp guns and full power Supers will blow these things up.
Read into this any way you like but don't shoot any .38 Super cartridges with names like "Cor-Bomb" or "Super Exploder" in these pistols.
If your pistol is stamped on the breech 9mm/38 it was dimensioned to work correctly with either 9mm Largo or .38acp,(NOT SUPER), cartridges.
If the chamber is marked with only the 9mm Largo designation then it is not dimensioned for the .38acp nor is the breech correctly radiused.
Guns marked 9mm/38 were specifically dimensioned so for the North and South American commercial markets.
Guns marked for 9mm Largo only are Spanish Military pistols.
DO NOT shoot any other cartridges in these guns, no matter what you hear or read, these are the ONLY two cartridges the guns were designed to safely fire and only if the breech is marked as decribed.
If it isn't, then stick to 9mm Largo cartridges only.
OK, OK, real 9mm Largo cartridges operate at the same, or slightly higher pressures than most of the American made .38 Super full metal jacket bullet cartridges on the market today.
Most modern .38 Super cartridges are actually downloaded because people still keep shooting them in caliber .38acp guns and full power Supers will blow these things up.
Read into this any way you like but don't shoot any .38 Super cartridges with names like "Cor-Bomb" or "Super Exploder" in these pistols.
Gordon
Member
Onmillo has got it exactly correct on. I might mention Wolffe makes a spring kit for this gun, and being it is a blowback gun , it would be mandatory before I shot anything out of it! Careful when you unleash that recoil spring though! We use a cider press to restrain it in these parts
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