Astra 400: Federal Arms 9mm Luger barrel

[scoobysnacker]

Ok, I recently won a pair of Astra 400's on auction, and then picked up a Federal Arms 9mm Luger barrel off Gunbroker.

I am seeking the advice/feedback of knowledgeable smiths here, on the purpose of properly fitting this barrel.

For those not familiar, it's a blowback design, the barrel has lugs/rails that fit into the frame. It's not a rotating barrel like the Savage 1910's, but it fits into the frame like that, or like the CZ 27.

It does fit into the frames of both guns, but it appears that the notch in the barrel chamber (where the extractor fits) is slightly out of time. With the barrel properly rotated to where it fits correctly in the frame, the notch catches the edge of the extractor on one pistol, and BARELY allows the other to fit (I think it rubs).

My thought is to file that slot wider a bit, allowing it to take the extractors. It shouldn't hurt the integrity of the barrel, and shouldn't risk a case rupture, to do that, right?

 

[desi2358]

I am familiar with the Astra 400 series and have had a couple of the modern replacement barrels. Mine fit without any alteration but any machine made part can be subject to slight variations in production dimensions. ......... It sounds as if you have ensured the barrel is fully seating in the frame notches and aligned with the slide. At this point if there was a small interference from the extractor I would do just what you are thinking and open the extractor notch in the barrel just enough to allow it to enter freely. The extractor engages the web of the case head (it's strongest area) and so long as you do not make it deeper (just wider) there should be no increase in the likelihood of a case rupture.

 

[scoobysnacker]

I am familiar with the Astra 400 series and have had a couple of the modern replacement barrels. Mine fit without any alteration but any machine made part can be subject to slight variations in production dimensions. ......... It sounds as if you have ensured the barrel is fully seating in the frame notches and aligned with the slide. At this point if there was a small interference from the extractor I would do just what you are thinking and open the extractor notch in the barrel just enough to allow it to enter freely. The extractor engages the web of the case head (it's strongest area) and so long as you do not make it deeper (just wider) there should be no increase in the likelihood of a case rupture.

Thank you.

Yes, the barrel is fully seated and aligned. Viewing from the chamber (rear), it is slightly more bell shaped than the original barrels, which are more oblong ovals. It is thicker at the bottom, and when you rotate to seat it, the barrel itself aligns perfectly. It just looks like the notch is cut a tiny amount early.

I have 2 such guns, one is a 13xxx with Largo markings, the other is 73xxx with 9m/m&38 markings on the original barrels. The extractor just barely fits the aftermarket barrel on the later (73xxx) gun, and as stated I'm concerned there may be some slight rub.
On the earlier one, this is way more pronounced, it looks like I may need to take a full millimeter off.

I have fiddled around with the barrels, swapping back and forth and such without the spring in. I can not physically turn the barrel clockwise any further than where I am getting. The later barrel does fit in the older gun, but you have to fiddle a bit to prevent the exact same issue occurring. But since it's narrower at the base, there IS a little wiggle room.

I would guess that this being an aftermarket barrel made in S Korea, and the originals made in Spain when there was still an element of hand-fitting, the tolerances were just a hair off.

 

[scoobysnacker]

update- I took a file to it, and opened it a bit, enough to where it's clear on both. I may do a little more, just to be 'safe' on the tighter one.

I have some Largo, but not a ton. I'd like to be able to run these with something gentle, like Blazer Brass (never seemed hot enough to hurt anything).

 

[dsf]

I have the smaller Astra in 380 - Model 300. And would like to pick up a 400 but already have lots of oddball 9mm chambered guns. If I read correctly, there are 9X19 barrels that can be dropped into the Astra 400 and so long as the ammo not hot stuff, is OK to shoot?

Visiting this website isn't always free.

 

[scoobysnacker]

I have the smaller Astra in 380 - Model 300. And would like to pick up a 400 but already have lots of oddball 9mm chambered guns. If I read correctly, there are 9X19 barrels that can be dropped into the Astra 400 and so long as the ammo not hot stuff, is OK to shoot?



Visiting this website isn't always free.

Yes, there are.

Made by Federal Arms, not current but if you hunt you can find one.
I have a goodly supply of 9mm Largo from Steinel, due to my owning some Star Supers, but want to hold on to that. 9mm Luger is the cheaper option. Looking at the ballistics posted on Steinel, compared to what Blazer Brass posts, (and comparing them in the Stars with barrels for both calibers), I feel comfortable saying Blazer is softer than Largo loads.

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