Talk me into or out of an Astra 400/600

[Baltimore Ed]

I watched a spagetti western awhile back called The Mercenary in which the Polish hero carries an Astra 400 to good effect. Well, I got a chance to handle one this weekend and actually liked it. It's a lot lighter than I thought that it would be for as big of a gun that it is. It would be my very first 9mm. I'm sure I'm late to the party and you Zooters will 'splain' everything I need to know about the Astra. There seems to be some confusion on the web as to what ammo will and will not safely work in the 9 mm largo/.38 guns though. Would one of these be legal for shooting zoots? Thanks ahead.

[hellgate]

Did you check the trigger pull on it? I've heard that some can have a beast of a pull.

[Baltimore Ed]

No I didn't, but I did work the slide. Slide locked back with the mag in but wasn't bad to cycle imo.

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[Dusty Boddams]

BE, I’ve got one of these in 9mm Luger with the holster and extra mag. A fun cool ,odd pistol! Shoots pretty good. Is the pistol you’re looking at 9mm largo? A lot of them are. Which I think a friend had one and shot 38 auto colt out of it. Not 38 super because he thought it was to hot for that pistol.  I’m in the buy camp!  As long as it’s good condition! Fits the right time frame for zoots.  Dusty Boddams

[Baltimore Ed]

It was a 400 in 9mm largo. But in looking at GB I see nicer pistols for the same amount, that's why I'm thinking he was overpriced. I didn't try to dicker with the gentleman as I wasn't sure I was buying and, well you don't do that to a seller unless you're serious, imo. He didn't offer and I didn't ask. Now I'm wondering if the newer Astra 600 would be the better choice. So many choices, so little time.

[Professor Marvel]

Ah My Dear Ed -

ooooohhhh..... talk you in OR out of it...

and your first 9mm!

If you don't have one, get a C96 red 9 first ( with stock! )

talk about zootie.

yhs
prof marvel

[Baltimore Ed]

Professor, thanks for the comment, there's a beaut of a Red Nine on GB now for 2500. I'm seeing Astra 400 and 600s for 1/5 to 1/4 of that. Think I'll start with the Astra. If I like this old 9mm I'll look for others.

[Baltimore Ed]

You guys did a bad job of talking me out of an Astra so you must have done a good job of talking me into one as I've found a nice 600 in 9mm on GB for what the gentleman at the gunshow wanted for his rough 400. And I don't have to build another darn antique cartridge in order to shoot it. Waiting for the gun to arrive at my FFL guys shop as we speak. Also have a second mag in route. Five boxes of 9mm arrived today from midway along with sg wads and parts for my mini 30/ M1a build. Now I need a nice half flap crossdraw holster made to fit the Astra. Anyone know of a leather maker who's familiar with the Astra's unusual profile? I will post more photos when it arrives. As I say, I'm spending my sons inheritance ... and loving it.

[DeaconKC]

Hunter Leather has been making holsters forever. I bet they can tell you which one of their flap holsters would work with it!

[Baltimore Ed]

Shot the Model 600 today at my clubs monthly match. Wore my peasant shirt and big sombrero, Viva la revolution! We only shot 5 stages       ( the heat precluded shooting 6).  Clean with my rifle and sg but 1911 muscle memory got me on the Astra. Shot the Astra pretty good, only had 2 misses, what killed me was trying to eject the mag when there is no blasted button behind the trigger for my thumb to depress. Duh. I liked the pistol and didn't find it difficult to shoot (as a duelist). (lead 125 gr RN  Ultramax). Next month is something different. We're doing a Punitive Expedition match using bolt guns, 1911s and 1897s. We've done a bunch of Span Am shoots but this ought to be even more fun with using the 1911s. Hopefully I'll have some photos to post of today's shoot.

[Forty Rod]

They still look to me like a spud gun from the '50s.

[Tornado]

Thanks for the report Ed, I'm glad it ran great.  Let's see those pictures.

[Pitspitr]

There was a segment on them on Shooting USA last night