I want a Astra 600.. bad idea or?

[Analogkid]

I want a Astra 600. I'd rather have a 400 but I really don't want to load another weirdo caliber. I've always wanted one of these 2 and the finances may allow for it.

Just short of diving into a google search of varying info does anyone have a 600? Can you get replacement parts if the need would arise? Can these handle modern factory non +p loads?

Fill me in on the 600 if you have had hands on with them. I'm all ears.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

I want a Astra 600. I'd rather have a 400 but I really don't want to load another weirdo caliber. I've always wanted one of these 2 and the finances may allow for it.

Just short of diving into a google search of varying info does anyone have a 600? Can you get replacement parts if the need would arise? Can these handle modern factory non +p loads?

Fill me in on the 600 if you have had hands on with them. I'm all ears.

I LOVE mine!

The fit and finish on the 600 is a step above the 400 because they were meant for export to Germany. The straw bluing is at least as good as any wartime production Luger and the machining is excellent.The 600s which were never shipped to the Nazis lived a fairly easy life and are often found in good condition, unlike the 400s which were beat to death and usually show it.

Mine feeds flawlessly with all 9mm ball ammo, though the slide does not lock open on the last round with Winchester White box due to it being loaded light. Hollow points are hit or miss depending on the bullet profile- Golden Sabres work well in mine.

Good springs are a must, Wolff had them last time I looked. Spare parts might be tough, but then you are unlikely to break one of these guns anyway.

Don't expect match accuracy as the sights are tiny and the trigger is stiff- though not by any means the worst Ive ever pulled (as many people consider it), but 4-5" groups at 15YD are no problem.

The single biggest thing people complain about is the stiff return spring making slide manipulation difficult. This is necessary to fire the 9mm in a blowback weapon, but the internal hammer geometry and mainspring actually do most of the work retarding cycling. If you leave the hammer cocked, then pulling the slide is no more difficult than on a 1911 or BHP. I leave mine cocked all the time, lol.

Finding magazines is a challenge, but then you are probably never going to need to do a combat reload on one of these anyway.

 

[Deanimator]

It's a neat collector's item. I used to see them on "MIssion Impossible" in the '60s. I remember when you could buy them mail order from ads in "Guns & Ammo".

 

[paulsj]

I looked at couple one in 9x19 and one in 9 Longo. The quality was surprisingly good. I could settle for 9x19 but would not shoot 9x19 +p or NATO through it. Parts most likely being rare they do make for an interesting paper weight.
There is kool Luftwaffe issued one in 9mm Browning or 7.65 ? Model 400 I think. That would be more expensive but kooler.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

I looked at couple one in 9x19 and one in 9 Longo. The quality was surprisingly good. I could settle for 9x19 but would not shoot 9x19 +p or NATO through it. Parts most likely being rare they do make for an interesting paper weight.
There is kool Luftwaffe issued one in 9mm Browning or 7.65 ? Model 400 I think. That would be more expensive but kooler.

The 400 is the full size gun in 9 Largo, used mostly by Spanish troops and cops. The 300 was the baby gun in .32 used by pilots, cops, and civvies. A nice 300 with holster and accessories can go for over a grand!

 

[gc70]

I was surprised at how many parts are available from just one of the major parts houses.

The typical complaints about the 600/43 are:

• the grip angle feels awkward to some people;
• recoil is not excessive but it does feel different due to the blowback action;
• many new owners are befuddled by the lack of a takedown lever, and;
• removing the recoil spring from the slide is an invitation to shoot the recoil spring into the next county (or embed it into the ceiling in my case).

 

[tark]

Here are my three. I like the 600 the most. A few thoughts on it:

If you get one, rule #1 applies. Get new springs! They are available from Wolff and they are cheap. This is ESPECIALLY critical with these pistols because of their rather violent blow back action. A pistol with weak springs in it will beat itself to death in short order.

The recoil on these guns is rather unpleasant compared to other 9mm pistols of similar weight. This is mainly because of the grip angle, not necessarily because of the blow back action. There is a lot of muzzle flip. They throw their empties a long way.

When you disassemble the gun, do it in a small enclosed room or space that does not have any glass in it. These guns have the largest and possibly the strongest recoil spring ever put on an automatic pistol. If it gets away from you it can fly into the nearest mirror, in my case, taking the retaining collar and bushing with it. Once you get the hang of it, its easy. Another good trick is to drape a bath towel over the gun during disassembly.

Do NOT dry fire these guns! The firing pin is a two piece affair and the front piece is probably the weakest link on the gun. A simple way to lower the hammer on an empty chamber is to take a pencil and insert in into the barrel, eraser end first, point the gun up and pull the trigger. This is a good substitute for a snap cap, without the hassle. NIGHTLORD'S solution is even easier!

Like NIGHTLORD40K has mentioned, these are very well made, robust guns that will give good service for many years, but they are primarily a recreational shooter in today's world. Not exactly an ideal carry gun.

Standard factory loads are fine, but I would stay away from +P loads. They are loaded to a higher pressure than a 38 Super. 36,500 CUP for the Super and 38,500 CUP for the 9+P. Standard 9X19 is 35,000 CUP.
These figures are from the SAAMI website. I have to respectfully disagree with NIGHTLORD40K on this point. For recreational shooting there is really no point to shooting +P ammo anyway.

My gun likes hardball and some hollowpoints, in curious contrast to my 400, which happily feeds anything up to and including empty cases!! My 300 refuses to feed anything but standard 71 gr hardball! Go figure!

Finally, I have never had a stoppage of any kind, if the correct ammo is used. These pistols are VERY reliable.

Go get one! And enjoy!

 

[bc1023]

I have one also. It’s definitely a well built pistol with a lot of history.

The straight blowback design does lend to some sharp recoil. It’s not the most pleasant to shoot.

 

[bannockburn]

I had an Astra 600 many years ago (come to think about it, it was my first semi-auto pistol). Very well made and possessing decent accuracy though I never was (and I'm still not), a big fan of the straight blowback design, especially in a 9mm.! I was typically good for about 100 rounds before the web of my hand started to hurt. Didn't regret having it but wasn't sorry to see it go either.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

have to respectfully disagree with NIGHTLORD40K on this point. For recreational shooting there is really no point to shooting +P ammo anywa

Upon further research, I agree with Tark that +P should NOT be used in these. I never realized how low Largo chamber pressures actually were. Learn something everyday.

 

[Gordon]

My 400 is very good + condition, it has Wolf springs, It has a 9x19 stainless barrel also, and has the original barrel marked 9/.38 which shoots Largo and .38 ACP. I shot a magazine of .38 Super in it many years ago, couldn't really tell the difference between it and the Spanish Largo I had. It is for sale for $450 + shipping in its original Interarms box with 4 mags .PM me if interested all laws apply.

 

[larryh1108]

If you want one for the Cool Factor and don't plan to shoot it much then it is a cool gun.
If you want it for a range gun then it won't see a lot of range time.
The 9mm blow back design is not fun.
After my 2nd range trip I sold mine.

 

[9mmepiphany]

I remember when you could buy them mail order from ads in "Guns & Ammo".

...for $49

 

[Tallbald]

Daddy bought ours for $32 from Kmart on Taylorsville Road in Louisville, KY in 1968. Came with two magazines, beautiful issue holster and the 600. Heavy, tough and had a stiff trigger. A beautiful gun that went in trade toward a Walther PP in .380 at a gun show in 1975. I remember the 600 well, and miss the times Daddy and I enjoyed shooting it. I miss Daddy more though..... Don

 

[kBob]

Owned a 400 and loved showing folks where it was made, odd that Picaso had none in his painting. Ammo was hard to come by and sights were itty bitty. For me it was not an easy point shooter.

I got the fever for one in the 1960s because of I think a Gun World Article extoling the 400s ability to digest a bunch of different 9 sillymeter stuff, but when I finally got one shot it only with Largo.

Used a friends 600 a lot in Germany had the large Nazi Party Lapel pin inlet into the right grip panel and so raised a few eyebrows at the gun club. We shot it almost exclusively with the FMJ GECO ammo then used by the German Army and Police with no issues.

Recently handled a 300 at a show a very neat, but heavy little gun.

Ah Mission Impossible, the show that made me expect to see Danish Madsen Clamshell SMGs everywhere outside the US.....and I never did see one!

-kBob

 

[tark]

I shot a magazine of .38 Super in it many years ago, couldn't really tell the difference between it and the Spanish Largo I had. It is for sale for $450 + shipping in its original Interarms box with 4 mags .PM me if interested all laws apply.

I have a Star Super A that I shoot Supers in. I like to mix factory supers and CCI Blazer Largo's in the mag and ask the shooter to tell the difference. To this day no one has been able to.

 

[5-SHOTS]

I've seen a a late '60 or early '70 movie where those Astras were used to simulate suppressed pistols. LOL!
Unfortunately I can't remember the title.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

I've seen a a late '60 or early '70 movie where those Astras were used to simulate suppressed pistols. LOL!

The Alliance Federal Agent uses one in the pilot episode of Firefly as well- which would make it over 300 years old at that point. How's that for a durable pistol?