Astra 400

[35Rem]

Saw an Astra 400, 9mm Largo.
What's this thing worth?  Probably 80-85% condition. Maybe. 
Has a cleaning rod, one mad, and box. 2 boxes of some old ammo (40 rounds)
Not too familiar with it, any info would be great.

Thanks

[Mikey]

The Astra 400 is a direct blowback pistol in 9mm Largo.  The ammo is available as surplus or new from Blazer.  Some of the surplus is older than I am and not reliable - also corrosive.

Those 400s are big ol beasties.  Years ago we used to shoot 38 Auto and Super auto in them but most often the 38 Supers would cause extractor failure and the guns would become boat anchors.  The 38 auto was  easier on the old guns.  The 9mm Largo used a 124 gn slug at about 1220'/sec. 

They are a unique piece of history but probably not worth more than a couple of hundred ($200 about I would think).  Mikey.

[35Rem]

Thanks Mikey,
This one has serial No. 419XX, so made in 1931 I found.  They are asking $150

The ammo is 1963 production, 50 rounds total. Probably worth nothing.

[ibfestus]

I once owned an almost pristine 400.  Neat old pistol and it would shoot 9MM Luger, .38 ACP, and the 9MM Bayard (Largo).  The 9MM Luger would not headspace but the extractor would hold it tight enough to fire.  I went broke and had to sell it... not a huge loss.  It was a nice curio but really not a modern design.  IMHO $150 is a fair price but don't expect to sell it for that much if you need to get rid of it.

[1911crazy]

After buying an Astra 400 in 9mm largo i went for a Star A in 9mm largo too I figure if i'm going to buy & stock ammo for one I might as well have both.  The Astra 600 in 9mm luger is another good addition to the collection too.  The prices seem to top out at around $200 on most of these.

[tomzuki]

And they look like a really cool squirt gun from when we were kids!!!!!!!!!!!

[dangerranger]

Federal arms sells a drop in barrel thats chambered for 9 P.

[1911crazy]

I found some spanish made 9mm largo at www.the-armory.com

[Lee N. Fielder]

FWIW, S/N 41,9XX is one of 5,600 Astra 400's sent to the Madrid Armory in 1931.  That was over 75 years ago.

Because of the age factor, most of the recoil springs in these old Astra 400's are shot.  Spend $10 and get a new one from Wolff.  Since the 400 is blowback and the recoil spring plays a big part in controlling the recoil, that's the least you could do to protect yourself and the gun.

Sarco is sitting on a large cache of non-corrosive Spanish Santa Barbara 9mm Largo ammo for $170 per thousand.  All that I have seen has 1970's dates.

If the chamber is marked 9mm/.38 then the gun has been modified to accept .38 auto ammo, none of which is readily available.  However, you can load .38 Super cases down to .38 auto specs and come up with cheap ammo that won't beat the gun up.  Be advised, the Spanish 9mm Largo ammo is pretty warm.

-Lee

[Type99]

Hello...

The Astra 400 is a pistol capable of superb accuracy.  The machining is excellent and tolerances are very close.  I bought some 1963 marked ammo recently, and it was s*#!t.  Would not cycle the action, although it was extremely accurate.  The Santa Barbara ammo of '70s vintage is excellent ammo, but hot.  I do not shoot any other round in my Astra but what it was made for ... 9mm Largo.  I would not recommend shooting any other caliber in the gun, despite the hype. 

Cheers,
Gary

[blackpowderbill]

Ditto what T99 said. Contrary to the popular preconception of Spanish pistols, Astra pistols (400, 600 and others in that series) are finely made weapons. They are very reliable and accurate when used with the correct ammo. Always use what the weapon was designed for. Even if something else will fit, that doesn't make it right. I remember fellow who claimed he used .308 win in his Mosin Nagant and since it didn't blow up it must be safe! I asked him to put me in his will.