Astra 3000

February 2010

Like many other Spanish manufacturers, Esperanza y Unceta (later Unceta y Cia, more commonly known as "Astra") started out by making "Eibar" style pistols close to the start of the 20th Century.

In 1920, the Spanish War Ministry held trails with only three pistols, two from Esperanza y Unceta, one from Bonifacio Echeverria ("Star"), The Model 400 (in 9mm Largo) was chosen as the winner.

The Model 300 is a scaled-down version of the Model 400, in 7,65mm (.32 ACP) and 9mm Kurtz / Short (.380 ACP), and in turn, the Model 3000 is an updated version of the Model 300, introduced in 1946.

This example, serial number 646948, was built in 1947, and is chambered in 7,65mm.

Pictures and disassembly

Proofmarks and other markings

The safety is a trigger block only.

Disassembly

Line up these marks...

...and turn the barrel anti-clockwise to unlock it from the frame and lock it into the slide.

The slide then slides off towards the front of the pistol.

Of course the barrel is still held under pressure of the return spring, so if you turn the barrel clockwise now, it'll slip back into the slide and it's tricky to get it back out.

There's also a trick to further disassembly. You need to press on the collar around the barrel, then turn the knurled ring until it unlocks.

Quite nifty, really.

The slide

The extractor is held in by this pin.

Fits in this slot.

And is, like many other parts, stamped with a part of the serial number. (Incidentally, scroll up and notice that the left hand side of the frame carries four digits of the serial number, while the right hand side carries the full number. Why? The frame is a one-piece affair!)

The frame

The frame carries the disconnector (at the bottom of the frame, when resting in the corresponding indent in the frame, the trigger will trip the sear) and the slide lock (at the top, engaged by the magazine follower).

Shooting

2010-02-06:

Two magazines (14 shots) at 10 meters, standing. I'm actually a better shot than this, if I take my time. But that's what they all say.

[Image] Hit Count

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