History Primer 173: Spanish Astra 400 Documentary
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- Опубликовано: 6 мар 2023
- C&Rsenal presents its Primer series where we delve into the story of this classic firearm. Complete with history, function, and live fire demonstration.
C&Rsenal continues to present in-depth small arms history every other week. Join us each Tuesday!
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Ballistol
ballistol.com/
Prints/patches/shirts from the show:
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Additional reading:
Astra Automatic Pistols
Leonardo M. Antaris
Spanish Handguns
Gene Gangarosa Jr.
Evolución del arma corta en España
Gil Gil Borrallo
Spanish Handguns 1875s-1950s (Part III)
Juan L. Calvo & Hector J. Meruelo
INDUSTRIA ARMERA NACIONAL, LA (1830-1940)
JUAN LUIS CALVO
Ammunition data thanks to DrakeGmbH
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Animations by Bruno!
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candrsenal.com/primer-gallery/
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My grandfather found 1 of these 400s in a field while in Italy during 1944. He was in Patton's 3rd armored half track division called the Phantoms. Anyhow, he was able to mail the gun back home. The problem was he didn't know the gun needed special ammo, not the 9mm Luger. Handed down during the yrs, my dad called it 'the ray gun' based on its shape. He sold it in 1968 to a local gun shop, as it seemed to be functional and was rust free.. Other than pictures, I have no detailed info on this gun. Glad to see some additional info about this gun!
I really like the idea of having you tell us Ballistols History.
That is something really creative
Yes! Finally some Ballistol history!
The Spanish factories in Eibar had very good metallurgy and apprentices, not all the weapons were of extreme quality, but ASTRA, STAR and LLAMA were sublime.I have an ASTRA 400 in its original caliber and with another barrel modified to 9mm Parabellum.
"We need a new service pistol. No expense."
"Do you mean spare no expense, Sir?"
"No."
If the next episode is the model 600 I’m going to cry with joy. Finally I got a historical gun before C&Rsenal reviewed it
An Astra 600 was my first centerfire semi-automatic pistol over 45yrs ago. I think I paid $40 bucks for it, and I still have it! It's accurate and reliable with ball, which was pretty much all that was available back them. Or at least affordable to a 16yr old. Ergonomics was obviously not a very common term in Spanish or among Astra's design engineers.
@@pb68slab18 mine had a lot of finish wear but the bore was nice so I had it cerakoted just to protect it. When I had it cerakoted I had the gunsmith replace all of the springs (though I had to replace the magazine spring myself) it has run everything standard pressure from 115-147 grains, FMJ and hollow points. Though the trigger is horrendous 😂
C&Rsenal or Forgotten Weapons reviews a gun and then they become more expensive ..........so it goes.
@@pb68slab18 the Spanish were swordfighting long before guns were a thing, they know a lot about ergonomics, it just may not mesh with our American hands
I love mine it’s a Mod 600/43 post-war west German police not a nazi-issued one so I don’t feel bad enjoying it on the range
Othias: "9mm Largo which pushes the limit of blowback"
Me: Laughs in 10mm Hi Point JXP
Full or FBI loads?
@@Tunkkis Gruffalo Bore ;)
@@herrcobblermachen oof
"the limit of blowback" is always with the asterisk of "for a pistol of reasonable mass".
20mm Oerlikon has entered the chat:
I have an Astra 300 that was a bringback of my Father's after WWII. He actually entered New York Harbor with the Astra and two P08 Lugers but traded off the Lugers before disembarking because he didn't like the "hair triggers". What he kept is a Waffenamt stamped Astra 300 with a trigger pull that checks in at 11 lbs. using my Lyman digital trigger gauge. BTW, on the 300 the slide and frame carry a file cut that lines up when the barrel can be rotated into lock. Look on the right side about 1 inch back from the end of the frame.
Wasn’t expecting this to be the first WWII primer… but I’m not complaining in the least!
Makes sense, because the Spanish Civil War is the prelude to WWII.
I wonder what "War were declared" equivalent we'll get for WW2...
@planescaped probably just a Polish flag with a frown and crying emoji
I want more ww2 guns :)
@@planescaped "Poland were divvied up", "Germany got cheeky", or "Achtung! Blitzkrieg"
this gun is so prevalent in spanish shows and movies set from the 20s to the 30s that you could kinda call it the colt single action equivalent of spain
first gun I ever shot was an Astra 600, I'll never forget. I remember trying to take it apart afterwards and being totally confounded. it quickly made me appreciate how easy modern pistols takedown.
I have had many ‘tube’ Astras in the shop (principally to complete disassembly and clean) and own a 600/43. They are all beautifully made and are stylish too. The soft rust blue outside with the ‘in-the-white’ interior, and the L-shaped pins that hold everything are unique. The sights are odd as the rear is radiused like the slide and so do you match the front with the radius, or go flat across the top?
I’ve put several thousand rounds of 9mm through my 600 in the past 20 years and while the slide and trigger are heavier than a modern gun, I don’t feel they are off-putting. I don’t need tools to depress the inner sleeve of the recoil spring lock (at least the first couple of times) and find takedown easy.
Very cool and unique pistol - great to see you cover it!
Though I have used Balistol for decades, the second they sponsored C&R I bought a 16 oz can for each area, as well as the repro antique bottle and I love the booklet included with it!!!
I also sent a note thanking them for the sponsorship.
A little TV trivia, this is the same model gun Dobson used to shoot Kaylee in the pilot episode of "Firefly."
"Move, Preacher"
"You're not killing this man"
"Not right away"
@@OutsideTheTargetDemographic I want Jayne's knife.
I bought some ballistol because of this channel to protect all of the mechanical parts in my apartment
I have a astra 400 that was very rusty and missing a few parts when I got it for $25. got barrel for it, did a good bit of work to it and a few other parts and it shoots fine now. it's also in the serial number range for being sold to the bad mustache man.
Probably yes or probably no depends Because there were asta 300 in service in The spanish army in those years too
the victoria is one of my favourite guns ever and i'm feeling a moment of pride seeing it discussed, there she is, my baby
After the Martini vids, the rate of fire from a semi auto pistol seems absolutely astounding.
Lovely and simple pistols with clever design elements. Take care.
As a big Spanish Civil War fan, I enjoyed every second of this video
I kept expecting Hemingway and Steinbeck to show up.
If we get a set of Spanish Civil War episodes, I hope our hosts are able to get their hands on a wz. 28 (the 7.92mm Mauser conversion of the BAR).
Also, I'm still holding out hope for the Repercussion/WW1 crossover episode with the Trapdoor Springfield.
C&Rsenal episode solely on Rice's Trowel Bayonet of 1872 when?
The main series isn’t strictly married to WWI anymore. I’m unsure if he plans so make the Trapdoor a Repercussion or a Primer. I’d guess Primer because there are no repros of many of the sub variants.
Ballistol saved my life, brought peace to Europe and prevents communism.
I'll admit I was expecting more martini, but this was fun too. Always on board to learn about something I'd previously never heard of.
You guy's are one of the best, and most informative sights on RUclips! I have been in the gun collecting business for over 40 year's. And you guy's are spot on! I plan to support your channel. So keep up the great work! J.C. 👍
I freaking love you guys! This was my first milsurp pistol about a year ago now, and I have never heard of using the safety to help find where to rotate the barrel. I definitely won't be using the magazine on the front of the barrel though. I personally use a piece of Lego that fits perfectly around the barrel.
I think you'll also find that the toe of the magazine protrudes just the perfect amount to depress the front barrel bushing if you line the front of it up against the sight groove. Also rotate the lock ring one direction prior to depressing it, then with it depressed rotate it just 10 degrees more, release, and cup your hand over the front before rotating it the rest of the 90 degrees and hold on tight.
This pistol appears in simplified line art format on the cover of Peter Kemp's book about his time serving on the nationalist side during the Spanish Civil War "Mine Were of Trouble: A Nationalist Account of the Spanish Civil War". Great book on a not-often covered (in English language) experience of a volunteer foreign officer fighting on that side in the Spanish Civil War.
I love Spanish pistols. There is just something about their cheap but cheerful functionality
This pistol is not cheap to manufacture at all. Forged and with a lot of machining. Americans have little knowledge and much predjuice againts the Astra 400. This pistol is more reliable under mud than the 1911.
@@Provo647 and your full of shit. "American's" don't anything. I'm sure some do. I'm also sure most DON'T! Generalizations are always a bad idea. How would you like it if I said "The Spanish have always been lazy and eat too many beans". That statement is not only wrong but I've generalized a whole nation of people. Also, the Spanish were known to have used cast iron in their weapons on parts where steel should be used. Did the guns work? yes. Until they didn't. The more you shoot them the higher the risk of metal fatigue. Lastly, unless you can cite a study, government trial or some other "official" test I'm going with both guns are about the same in mud.
Edit: seems a 'n' wandered off. Thankfully I had a few spares.
@@davidmiller9485 the problem with you, is that you think that Spain and South America are the same. That’s why you mention “beans”. Spain is in Europe,,and it is and industrial nation . About the Spanish using “cast iron”, Astra never did it. It was some Basque manufacturers who did it and only in the period 1890-1920.
About the Astra 400,, American authors generally have underrated this pistol, forgetting that it was a very valued pistol in places like Germany, because the Germans knew of the pistol thanks to their intervention in the Spanish civil war and were quite impressed by it’s reliability. So much that they adopted a version in 9 mm, the Astra 600.
This pistol was expensive to make, it’s more conceable than a 1911, and far more reliable under trench and mud conditions than the overrated 1911.
@@Provo647 Who the fuck said anything about South America????? I know where Spain. So Then you after being condescending about that you then go on to spew more non-sense about Astra. (They all used Cast Iron at one point or another. If they could afford it they would move to better steels but most of the time they couldn't). Then just to show just what A-hole you are, you go from "Americans" to "American Authors" as if that was any better than using "Americans", which it's not. So far all you have done is prove my point time after time. If this is the best you got, we are done. I have no problem with people loving their countries. I do have problems with people using generalized statements. So far all you've done is proved my point. You have moved the goal posts. You have played straw man arguments instead of actually addressing anything i said. I would say that this isn't going to go far and you are either very naive or young or both. So whatever.
@@Provo647 Owning both, I can easily see why the 1911 is still in service with some specialist military and law enforcement users and the 400 is a collector curio.
Nice! My uncle has this deactivated (yes, it hurts) model in his closet along with some other Spanish firearms from the era. It's goofy looking in my opinion but not that awkward to hold.
I’ve been looking forward to getting more Astra history on the Channel. You just can’t get this kind of content anywhere else. Thank you!
These have to be one of the coolest looking handguns ever made.
An empty .50cal case makes a convenient take down tool to press in the inner "bushing" piece while field stripping the upper portion of these pistols
I have one " 9mm Largo" & also the mod 4000 chambered for 9mm Kurz. Damn I love your collection & Knowledge! I bought my 400 because it is simply Stamped 9mm & the guy thought it jammed since he was loading it with 9×19mm It was in as new condition $300 dollar's was a steal! Also, "The Ruby" was manufactured under the name "Paramount" in Eibar ( I have one of those in 7.65 mm or .32 acp.)
Another fine example of the truth in complicated but beautiful.
Ballistol is amazing stuff. Great long term protection for your collection. Great for cleanup after corrosive ammo, too. Worth every penny.
frightening to think that there are years beyond 1918…
Great video. Interesting pistol.
The video I've been waiting for! Mine has the Spanish crown over the Astra logo.
So that means It was in spanish military service during The 1920's
I inherited one of these not long ago. Thank you so much for the coverage of this.
Man, just so much history here. Thanks a ton for covering it in such thoughtful and well-paced detail. You guys have your comedy, yes, but the fascination and passion for the subject is palpable through the screen and speakers. Such great work.
Me: looking to add a astra 400 to the collection
Me: sees latest candrsenal video title
Me: I'll never financially recover from this
From what they mentioned in the episode it seems the next pistols covered will be the Astra 300 and the Astra 600 and I am REALLY glad I got my 600 before. Paid 300 for it so I will be curious to see how badly prices and availability take a hit over the next six months 😂
I know this is like my third comment on the same day the video launched but one other point about the Astra series of pistols that also is interesting considering how contemporary pistols worked is the magazine construction. It’s a sturdy magazine but try taking it apart for cleaning or to replace a magazine spring.
There are two pins that go horizontally through the base of the magazine that hold the very thick base and the magazine body together. You have to use a hammer and punch to drive the pins out. So you think to yourself “well that’s not too terrible” one problem. THEY BLENDED THE PINS AND THE MAGAZINE BODY TOGETHER SO YOU CANT SEE THE PINS. 😂
(Can you tell I recently tried replacing the magazine springs in my Astra recently 2 outta 3 were successfully replaced the third I couldn’t find the second pin to hammer out and I just about cried)
The Luger, the 1911, the FN and Browning designs all had easily disassembled magazines that could be taken apart in the field incase the magazine got dirty for cleaning. Heck even the star browning clones have magazines that can be disassembled in the field without tools.
Love long-slide autos, but once the 1911 became available in .38 Super (1929), that was probably a better choice if you wanted a fairly hot 9mm. Although not the most accurate (because of how they headspaced back then), and not nearly as fast as they claimed, they had nine-shot magazines and were about the same power as the Largo, in a much easier handling package. As Othais said, the Star that replaced the Astra went that route.
I've always wanted one of those. Probably the most powerful blowback operated pistol made.
...and will blow your finger _clean_ off.
Right until someone puts a pistol grip on a Oerlikon
There is a 10mm Auto Hi-Point around, and before there was the .45 ACP.
Talking of historical guns, the Bernardelli UB was made to fire the 9M38 cartridge, a very hot 9mm Luger.
I do not mean to be tongue in cheek here, or backhanding with my praise; the opening of this video includes some of the best product placement / sponsorship information I've ever seen on RUclips or anywhere else. I hope very much that in the event your channel wins an award for its work that it might even be for marketing and advertising. I'm sure that'll impress The System very, very much... :P
Well Done!
I don't have an Astra pistol. It's been forever since I've seen one in the wild. The only Astra I have is the 6" .44 Magnum copy of the S&W model 27. As far as a Star Super A, I'd love to find one. I have the Super B and the BM, both of which are 9mm parabelum.
It would be neat to have a series on stuff like Ballistol and other gun related products/companies
Thanks! Soooo happy to see this video, been waiting for this one.
Man I'm always surprised to find out that there is another oversized blowback pistol.
Also, an episode on Balistol or just generally cleaning stuff sounds like an idea if you get stuck in a lull between guns.
Its not oversized. The barrel axis is low on the hand. They have no idea what they are talking about, The problem with recoil comes from the super hot Spanish 9mm largo ammo, as loaded by government arsenals. Very hot, a true 357 magnum. The original 9mm largo was similar to 9mm in energy.
@@Provo647what do you spect from american pepole that only know to shoot simple guns Because they broke everything
The Astra modelo 300 is the same model but scaled down in .380 9mm short or corto. These guns were commonly known as "puro" or cigar for the 400 and "purito" little cigar for the 300
Holy Shit!!! Mae's hair is down!!! It looks fantastic! Oh, and btw, great freaking episode. I'm going to spend the rest of the night learning what I can about the Spanish Civil War.
The Balistol history segment was the chefs kiss. 😂
Babe, wake up! C&Rsenal just uploaded! Thanks guys
I wanted more martini damnit!
I love the 1910s-40s all steel old handguns. Something about how generic polymer framed wonder 9s and 380s are today, while utilitarian and reliable- lack the craftsmanship and feel of the old school ones have.
In the late 1960s - early 1970s I attended a gun show back in my home state of Missouri. Somehow, I bought an Astra 400 for $ 30.00 but after trying to dis assemble it in order to clean it, I soon discovered the extreme intensity and strength of the recoil spring as I got the pistol apart. I was told that this pistol would handle some 5 different cartridges including the 9mm Luger, the 9mm Largo and a few others. After realizing the complexity of this pistol I sold the gun at a future gun show and have no regrets in dumping it.
Loving the hair, Mae!!! Longer & dyed tastefully....
Having known a number of people who have gone through that trade, it is to be said *In the voice of a refined Southern woman* "Sugar, people die. Hair gains color."
No dye at all actually... It is genuinely graying that way.
Notes that Othias is wearing his FAVORITE t-shirt design from the t-shirt drive...
I have a 600/43 variant of this gun. It is certainly something. The trigger sucks, it's snappy, and a pain to cock. It's... certainly one of the guns of all time.
an excellent unbiased overview of the spanish civil war .a history lesson .
Now that you have introduced the 9mm largo we meed a Distroyer story
This looks like it should be a Star Wars blaster of some kind. Interesting handgun!
Very simple and reliable pistol. 9X19mm recoil is a bit snappy, but it recovers quickly and drops right back on target.
wow that looked like a chilly shoot, and all that cold metal
Gotta give the Spanish credit, they know elegant designs.
Mae's hair looks great.
Love these handguns all quirky features aside like the disassembly for example... But all in all a cool looking and fascinating firearm. I own both a 400 and a 600. Have only shot the 600 so far and its a fun shooter. Thanks for the cool episode and looking forward to the next part!
Art Deco... Mauser Hsc ! and thanks for detailed take down of Astra 400, I have one and an Astra 600 (to be honest I have a lot of spanish as they WERE afordable )
As to not learning the lesson of WW I the spanish political situation did not really allow for a change once the Astra 400 was selected. Of the weapons to upgrade even if not in a series of coup / civlil war(s) the hand gun is and shouild be last for the most part.
USSR used the M1895 Nagant as standard till 1931 (TT30 vs Astra 400 its close, M1895 vs Astra 400 not close)
Italy used used the Glisenti 1910 (and others) until 1934 (Astra 400 more robust and better cartidges for service pistol)
UK used vairants of the Webbly revolver (and coppies that the .gov did not want to pay royalites ) (as a combat arm the Astar 400 is probably better than the Enfiled .38)
Sweden used the Browning 1907 as standard till 1935 continued its used in the 1980s ! ( about even as both are blow back, the 1907 is easier to carry and 400 has better cartridge)
Japan used the Nambu variations from 1909 to 1929 to be replaced by the Type 95 in 1935 (would take a 400 over them for the most part)
China.. oh well list is too long and muddled..
So yes the Astra 400 is not the best choice but not the worst either.
Oohh interwar period. Honestly feel the Spanish civil war is kinda like the Korean war, kinda forgotten and way more important that people realize
True Because The civil war of Spain was important not only being The test bench for WWII weaponery but for The political movements of The conflict like The carlists, The falangists, The army, The anarquista, The comunists and The republicans
Excellent product placement - that was actually quite interesting!
in the darkness lurks the Campo Giro, formless, forever fluting its meandering tune
woo hoo, and has a major part to play in Miller's Crossing (1990)
Spanish politics never truly recovered from Napoleon.
I love Mae's hair-do at the end of this segment! She's so cuuuute! :-)
fantastic as always. keep doing the good works
"Like a colorful frog, this indicates danger lies ahead." I want a shirt with this on it. 52:54
Another great one!
That really kicks the brass out!
Boy oh Boy that thing has a LOT of parts inside!
Thanks for the video guys
Great day!😊
Tanks for the episode.
Great stuff guys
An interesting point to me about the grip angle of the Astra is that it is the WORST grip for instinctive point shooting. If you try and just point at a target then look where your sights are you can’t even see the front sight unless you angle your wrist upwards. Another point in browning favor (and to a lesser extent the Star automatics) is how the grip angle makes for a very ergonomic point shooter.
i can't wait to get one!
I love my 400 and 600. I'd like to get a 300 and a 4000 falcon.
I picked one up awhile back, have not shot it yet but ammo has been fairly easy to find.
May, thank you for your insight. You are also looking particularly lovely.
There better be a Star A & B episode...
There's some interesting details in those.
Dang it, Othais, I just sold one of these and now you're making me want to buy another one. :)
We've been waiting.
I really would like a Ruby Redo
Wow, Deja Vu hmmmmmmm I've seen this before oh yeah Patreon 😉👍. Great video BTW. The disassembly on the Astra 400 is from outer space. I've always wondered how it was done but have never seen it visually explained anywhere. The original Mission Impossible TV series always used the Astra 400 every time the IMF team was in some 3rd world Latin/south American Franco-style dictatorship when gats were waved around it usually was an Astra 400. Again Great video
I was annoyed that the Ballistol history was so short. I know they're a sponsor, but I would genuinely like to watch a full episode on Ballistol history. There are a dozen similar history vids on WD-40, why not Ballistol?
Same here, I know it is only short because so as not to take away from the episode but I would fully support a history of balistol video.
@@tenofprime Othais can't just bait us with a black and white photo floating head and "...established his own chemical plant in 1874..." like c'mon. Don't leave us hanging there!
Got to spread it out a little bit.
Great review and history. The recoil of this pistol (because of the size of the cartridge in a blow back pistol) is so much in Mae's hand that you would think she was shooting something much more powerful such as a 10mm 1911. The 9mm Largo in a blow back pistol wasn't a great idea by Astra when a locked breach was available and by this time refined to a very reliable system.
May is the Mona Lisa of this channel 😊
Oh boy, more C&Rsenal! Yippee!
I just bought a model 1921 yesterday. It has a 3 digit serial number starting 68X. The grips were replaced at some point as they don't match the age of the pistol. I thought it was broken when I got it home and tried to rack the slide. Turns out the hammer was down and I had to use every ounce of strength I had to get it to cycle. Now that I disassembled it, cleaned and re-lubed it, it operates a lot easier. As a side note, the magazine release sits in the correct position, so the pin is not worn on this one.
Love Ballistol ♥️
Astras were dirt cheap in the 90’s. I was gifted as an Inheritance a Astra 300 (waffenampt marked), Astra 600, Astra 400, and a modern Astra. Ive shot them and they just work.
The trigger pull on my 400 is good .
when you find out you saw a navy model astra in person but didnt know it until years later.
Looking forward to purchasing a 400 and destroyer carbine. After my next acquisition of a stoner type, most recent century piece.