Was the 9mm uncommon before the Wundernines?

[BluesBear]

other 1950-1960 9mm

Of course I negelected to mention the Star (model b or c?), and The Astra 600.

Who can forget (remember) the infamous Astra 400? It was chambered in 9mm browning long but was advertised in several magazines and being able to fire;

9mm Browning Long
9mm Largo
9mm Steyr
9mm Luger
.38ACP
.38Super
9mm Kurtz (.380)

Many writers warned against using the .38 Super but I know a person who shots humdreds of them through HERS with no ill effects. The recoil was noticably sharper though. The Astra 400 did seem capable of firing anything that would fit under the extractor. I think it was the 90º grip ange that helped the magazine feed so well.

 

[jacketch]

When I started to shoot 9mm in the late 60's, early 70', guns for it were easy to find and frequently cheaper than 45's and revolvers. The Stars, P-38's and Brownings were great to shoot but the ammo was a problem. Somewhat expensive, not much was available in bullet/round selection even when reloading. I can remember experimenting with turning ball ammo into hollow points on a metal lathe because they were dificult to get locally.
I think that the coming of age of the 9mm and the baby boomers at the same time along with the acceptance of the nine by the LEA's gave the cartridge and it's guns the commercial market success we have seen. Good ammo soon followed that success.

Me, I just love shooting BHP's