Astra Model 900 | |
---|---|
File:Pistol Astra Model 900.jpg | |
Type | Semi-automatic pistol, Machine Pistol (Astra Model 904) |
Place of origin | Kingdom of Spain |
Service history | |
Used by | See Users |
Production history | |
Manufacturer | Astra-Unceta y Cia SA |
No. built | 35,076 (all versions) |
Variants | 900, 901, 902, 903, 904 |
Specifications | |
Mass | 1.275 kg (Astra 903) |
Length | 308 mm (Astra 903) |
Barrel length | 160 mm (Astra 903) |
Height | 150 mm (Astra 903) |
| |
Cartridge | 7.63x25mm Mauser, 9mm Largo |
Caliber | 7.63mm, 9mm |
Muzzle velocity | 461.28 m/s (1,513.4 ft/s) |
Maximum firing range | 1,000 m (1,100 yd) |
Feed system | 10, 20 round box magazine |
Sights | Iron |
The Astra Model 900 is one of many Spanish copies of the German Mauser C96 semi-automatic pistol. It shares the same caliber, magazine capacity, and holster type and is generally very similar to the German handgun.
Machine-Pistol Variants[]
The Basque- manufactured Astra-Unceta y Cia SA Astra 901 is a compact machine-pistol, with a magazine capacity of 10 7.63x25mm Mauser cartridges, which is a considerably smaller capacity than is standard for a machine pistol. The next model, the Astra 902, was provided with a fixed magazine of 20 cartridges and with a lengthened barrel, and Astra 903 had a removable magazine instead of the usual fixed one. Astra later added a mechanism to slow the rate of fire and make the gun more manageable (to an extent) when being fired on full-auto or burst modes, calling the model with this the Model 904. The Model 904 is comparable to the German Mauser 712 'Schnellfeuer' Broomhandle pistols, having a detachable magazine, automatic fire capabilities, and general appearance.
The Astra Model 904 was produced in a 9 mm Largo variant, the Astra Model 904E, which was identical to the Model 904 in all other respects.
Production and Distribution[]
- Astra 900: 21,000 weapons from 1927 to 1941 for China, Latin America, Spanish Republicans, and the Wehrmacht (1,050 delivered in 1943).
- Astra 901: 1655 weapons in 1928, destined mainly for China.
- Astra 902: 7075 weapons in 1928 to 1933. Some delivered to China, others delivered to the Wehrmacht in 1943.
- Astra HOPE: 500 weapons made in 1929.
- Astra 903: 3082 weapons in 1932 to 1934. Same users as the 902.
- Astra 904: 90+ weapons in 1934.
- Astra F: 1126 weapons in 1936. Issued to the Guardia Civil during Spanish civil war.
- Astra E: 548 weapons assembled between 1949, 1951 and 1961 from stored parts. Reserved for export to Egypt, India, Iraq and Pakistan.
- 8 Astra 900 and 12 Astra 902, as well 9 Astra 400, all rich decorated, was presented to Joseph Stalin during Civil War in 1937.
Numerical data[]
MODEL | ASTRA 900 | ASTRA 901 | ASTRA 902 | ASTRA 903 | ASTRZ 904 | ASTRA F | ASTRA E |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Length | 29 CM | 29 CM | 33 CM | 31 CM | 31 CM | 31 CM | 31 CM |
Length with Stock attached | 64 CM | 64 CM | 72 CM | 68 CM | 68 CM | 68 CM | 68 CM |
Barrel | 14 CM | 14 CM | 18 CM | 16 CM | 16 CM | 16 CM | 16 CM |
Weight loaded | 1,26 KG | 1,26 KG | 1,53 KG | 1,45 KG | 1,45 KG | 1,45 KG | 1,45 KG |
Caliber | 7.63 Mauser | 7.63 Mauser | 7.63 Mauser | 7.63 Mauser | 7.63 Mauser | 9mm Largo | 7.63 Mauser |
Magazine (Mag) or Charger (Clip) |
10 rounds (Clip) | 10 rounds (Clip) | 20 rounds (Clip) | 10-20 rounds (Mag) | 10-20 rounds (Mag) | 10-20 rounds (Mag) | 10-20 rounds (Mag) |
Users[]
- Egypt
- India
- Iraq
- Nazi Germany
- Taiwan
- Spain
References[]
- Luc GUILLOU & PHILIPPE GOURIO, The Astra Guns, Pardès Editions, 1991
See also[]
External links[]
- Astra 900 (Spanish Copy) Information
- Weapons of the Spanish civil war Spanish only
- Astra 903 Advertising
The original article can be found at Astra Model 900 and the edit history here.