Astra 600: Shootable? How good/bad?

[Redcoat3340]

I keep toying with the idea of picking up an Astra 600 in my quest to collect German Police Guns (knowing I'll never be able to really afford a Sig P210, H&K P7, and substituting a Sig 230 for a Walther PP).

But I really like shooting what I own. I've read a bunch of stuff saying the 600 is a beast to shoot with pretty bad recoil (9mm blowback) and I worry that racking the slide will be tough in the future if arthritis weakens my hands.

So I guess I'm asking for insight from them whats owns one.

It clearly won't be an everyday range toy, I'll probably shoot it, at best, one out of five or six trips, like I do my Swedish "Lahti." But I don't want to be so turned off by shooting it that it just gathers dust in the safe.

If I don't buy one I'll probably use the money to help finance an H&K something, either a USP or USP compact, even though my Walthers cover the same territory as the H&Ks. Also, if I may ask, what's the story on Sauer 38H? I know nothing about them (gonna be me and google tonight I guess). Shootable? Pricey? Available?

Thanks in advance.

 

[jonnyc]

Awesome pistols, great shooters!

 

[Capybara]

I've had one for a few years, I like kind of ugly, funky looking guns and the 600 fills the bill. In my opinion, the 600 does have significant recoil, which is surprising since it is heavy and well built. It recoils more with regular loads than my Shield does with +P loads, which makes no sense since we are talking physics. For me, I am not recoil averse, I kind of like .44 mags and bigger handguns, they are fun but it if you are recoil sensitive, yes, the 600 kicks.

OTOH, amazing history, funky looks and great build quality. But a PITA to break down, clean and reassemble too. I too only occasionally shoot mine, mainly because field stripping is such a pain. But I don't regret buying it, it's a very cool pistol.YMMV.

 

[cfullgraf]

But a PITA to break down, clean and reassemble too.

I have a couple Astra 400s, which are predecessors of the 600 chambered in 9mm Largo. The 600 is chambered for 9x19. I do not think there is much functional difference between the two.

The 400 is not difficult to break down but it has some idiosyncrasies that you have to know, Since the pistol is a blow back operation, the recoil spring is quite stiff and this can add some difficulty to take down and operation of the pistol.

My 400s are well made and the fit and finish are quite good. I'm not sure about the 600. Late WWII German production may be iffy but outside that period, I'd guess the 600 is good as well. I know parts for the 400 are getting harder to find. I know some of the 600 parts are getting in short supply as well.

 

[tark]

I have owned two in my life, I own a 400 now. The 600s are all very high quality, they were never built by the Germans. They are a quirky gun, not really suitable for reloading , as they throw the empties into the next county. They are very reliable and will usually feed anything up to and including empty cases. (mine would, anyway) I don't know about the parts situation, but Wolff makes a spring kit which is only a few bucks. Being a blowback design, it is important that the hammer spring and recoil spring be in good shape. That recoil spring is a monster, but it is easy to replace. The hammer spring is another story, but I am sure there must be something on you-tube that can guide you through the process.

The recoil on a 600 is a bit sharper than your average 9MM but it is nothing to worry about. Racking the slide is another story. It is hard to do compared to just about any other 9MM. And you can't cock that internal hammer first which would make it easier. There is no way around this problem. If you find a 600 that is in the price range you find acceptable all you can do is judge for yourself whether or not it is too much to manage. But remember, when you replace the springs, which you really need to do, it will no doubt be harder still.

My two 600s , and the 400 I own now, are about as accurate as my other 9MMs . But I am a lousy pistol marksman so take that for what its worth.

 

[bannockburn]

cfullgraf

My 400s are well made and the fit and finish are quite good. I'm not sure about the 600. Late WWII German production maybe iffy but outside that period, I'd guess the 600 is good as well.

The Astra Model 600 was only made in Spain for a German contract so it was not subject to the effects of late WWII production issues that German small arms experienced.

To the OP: the Astra Model 600 is very well made gun but I still don't think that a straight blowback 9mm. pistol was ever a great idea. I could usually get through 50 rounds at a range session before my hand began to hurt from shooting this gun.

 

[cfullgraf]

The Astra Model 600 was only made in Spain for a German contract so it was not subject to the effects of late WWII production issues that German small arms experienced.

Thanks for the correction.

 

[bannockburn]

cfullgraf

The Model 600 I had was dated 1943 but had no German acceptance marks of any kind. Certainly a very well made gun with a high level of quality in the metal work and overall fit and finish. The bluing was also nicely done though more of a matte blue befitting it's service pistol status.

 

[Capybara]

My 600 is a little beat up but that's okay as I like honest wear on my C&Rs. I have seen a lot of really nice condition ones for sale. Also, FWIW, any 600s that were from the first batch Astra delivered to the Germans probably would have Waffenamts and may have actually seen service. Any that are later than the first batch were never delivered to the Nazis and sat in a warehouse until the war was over. Post war, they were sold off to German police, Portuguese Navy and all sorts of other interesting organizations from various countries. There are some websites that have all of this history in much greater detail, but it is a really interesting footnote to WWII history, the 600s are mostly the German spec design gun, made by the Spaniards, many of which were never delivered to the Germans.

Oh, and spare mags are hard to find and expensive when you do find them. Mine only came with one but I don't shoot it very often but I still need to source another one as every pistol should have at least two or three magazines.

 

[jmace57]

Capybara - look on eBay. There is a guy who found a whole case of magazines and has been selling them for 2 for $50. They are in great shape.

 

[Sarge]

I agree that the 60 is a bit different from most other 9mm pistols. But I like it!
I also have a 300 in 9mm corto (380) that is fun to shoot. Used to use it as a carry gun many, many years ago.
There is nothing wrong with the Astras as shooters, but for some they will take a bit of getting used to.
I wouldn't be to worried about finding, or cost of, replacement parts as the 600 is near indestructable!
Can't find a photo of my 600, but here is the 300 & holster - both German issue.
In short - BUY AND ENJOY!
Sarge

 

[PabloJ]

I keep toying with the idea of picking up an Astra 600 in my quest to collect German Police Guns (knowing I'll never be able to really afford a Sig P210, H&K P7, and substituting a Sig 230 for a Walther PP).

But I really like shooting what I own. I've read a bunch of stuff saying the 600 is a beast to shoot with pretty bad recoil (9mm blowback) and I worry that racking the slide will be tough in the future if arthritis weakens my hands.

So I guess I'm asking for insight from them whats owns one.

It clearly won't be an everyday range toy, I'll probably shoot it, at best, one out of five or six trips, like I do my Swedish "Lahti." But I don't want to be so turned off by shooting it that it just gathers dust in the safe.

If I don't buy one I'll probably use the money to help finance an H&K something, either a USP or USP compact, even though my Walthers cover the same territory as the H&Ks. Also, if I may ask, what's the story on Sauer 38H? I know nothing about them (gonna be me and google tonight I guess). Shootable? Pricey? Available?

Thanks in advance.

No. I looked at sample in 9mm Luger and one in 9mm Long and said niet to either. I would pass there are large number of better shooters for which spare parts are readily available. Some inexpensive ones like Makarov or CZ82/83 can even be used as CCW for which Astra 600 is not suitable.