Astra Model 900
Astra Model 900 | |
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Type | Semi-automatic pistol, machine pistol (Astra Model 904) |
Place of origin | Kingdom of Spain |
Service history | |
In service | 1927–1945 |
Used by | See Users |
Wars | |
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 | 7.63×25mm 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 7.63×25mm 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 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 this the Model 904. The Model 904 is comparable to the German Mauser M712 '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[]
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/ce/ASTRA_903.jpg/220px-ASTRA_903.jpg)
- 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: 1,655 weapons in 1928, destined mainly for China.
- Astra 902: 7,075 weapons in 1928 to 1933. Some delivered to China, others delivered to the Wehrmacht in 1943.
- Astra 903: 3,082 weapons in 1932 to 1934. Same users as the 902.
- Astra 904: 90+ weapons in 1934.
- Astra F: 1,126 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, 12 × Astra 902, and 9 × Astra 400, all richly engraved, were presented to Joseph Stalin during the Spanish Civil War in 1937.
Model | Astra 900 | Astra 901 | Astra 902 | Astra 903 | Astra 904 | Astra F | Astra E |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Length | 29 cm | 29 cm | 33 cm | 31 cm | 31 cm | 31 cm | 31 cm |
Length (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 | 9 mm 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
Germany
Japan[1]
Pakistan
China[2]
Second Spanish Republic
Nationalist Spain
Uruguay
See also[]
References[]
![]() | This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (November 2014) |
- Luc GUILLOU & PHILIPPE GOURIO, The Astra Guns, Pardès Editions, 1991
External links[]
- Machine pistols
- Semi-automatic pistols of Spain
- World War II infantry weapons
- 9mm Largo firearms
- 7.63×25mm Mauser firearms