History Primer 174: German Astras Documentary

[@richhardie6897]

I know a lot of people are eager to jump to World War II, but I would enjoy immensely a deeper exploration of the weapons used in the Spanish Civil War similar to the breadth and depth of what you provided for the Great War

[@KuroNekoKohi]

I feel like a whole bunch will carry over, so this war will be coming back again and again. Some of these weapons are extremely rare though

[@Funhaus_Ryan]

Oh god please no

[@brettbaker5599]

Chaco War too, please!

[@chooseyouhandle]

It's mostly the same weapons

[@salvadorsempere1701]

Most of the weapons of the Spanish Civl War were already treated in the WW1 episodes. Mind you, we don´t get the latest and newest things...

[@cannonfodder4376]

To think that C&Rsenal started out as a WW1 oriented channel. And now to see how far and wide they have branched out. So proud to support them.

[@klauskervin2586]

You integrate the sponsor ad so well as a part of the episode. You all have made chemical history interesting and relevant to the time period covered in this series. Excellent work.

[@GunsmithSid]

I have a 600/43 (non-German), and a 300 (German). I also get to work on these from time-to-time. The 600 early models do have the Astra Sunburst on the top of the slide. The 300 magazine catch doesn’t normally drag on the magazine. Story I got from the family that sold me the 300 was that it was taken from a downed German pilot in the Mediterranean theater.

[@anderss6818]

I used to have an Astra 300. I never had trouble with the mag release. Like someone else commented, mine had no proof marks. Based on the serial number, it was made during the civil war and issued to a Nationalist artillery unit. One of the things I liked about it was, compared to similar sized 380 pistols, both contemporary and modern, it had very little felt recoil. I have a PPKs which is a very similar pistol in a lot of ways, but the PPKs has noticably more felt recoil. Another thing I liked about it was in a pistol with an overall length of 6 inches, they managed to give it a four inch barrel. I don't know of any other similar sized pistol with a barrel that long.

[@danielkorladis7869]

You're never "ruining" the market. What you're doing is making formerly rare knowledge publicly available. And that's a good thing.

[@acerock013]

I always like it when MAe's smiles after she shoots. She looks like she is having so much fun and I always learn something new from her Minute of Mae videos. Keep it up. I am here fot it.

[@TheSpartan11774]

Thank you for making really cool videos.

[@beargillium2369]

Whenever they have a new video I sit through that 5 seconds of commercials saying to myself "get to the cello you $&+#@#!" 🤠

[@TenaciousTrilobite]

TOOB 🗿

[@DiggingForFacts]

GOOB TOOB

[@paleoph6168]

BOOT

[@Trainman2177WS]

I think somewhere in my head I expected some new numbering sequence or something when you made the jump to covering newer world war 2 era stuff, but this feels more natural. Tracing one lineage between the wars is a reminder that the technology at play didn't cleanly divide between 1918 and 1939

[@danielkorladis7869]

very true. Even what the actual start of WW2 is can be a matter of some debate. While September 1939 is the "standard" and most common definition, some consider the German invasion of what was left of Czechoslovakia/Czechia earlier that year to be the start, or the Anchluss in 1938. Others consider the Japanese invasion of China in 1937 to be the start of WW2. Still others think that the war started in the form of Spanish Civil War due to it being partly a proxy war between Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy and the USSR (and to a lesser extent the other European powers and the USA) on the other. And there are those that argue for a start date all the way back in 1931 with the Japanese invasion of Manchuria.

[@Trainman2177WS]

@@danielkorladis7869 yeah the gambit of "when did world war 2 start' isn't really a clean line as you point out. I'm impressed you got basically all the major dates that can be argued for. I picked 1939 here as the service life was referring to Germany's war with other countries, hence picking 1939.

[@Lomi311]

I see your Old Guns shirt Othais! We know it’s your favorite design ever.

[@TerryDowne]

Good to see you guys starting WWII guns with the lesser known secondary types, which are often more interesting. RE Spanish pistols, the British got some Llamas in .32 ACP and maybe other calibers. Another British perhaps was the Star.

[@KuroNekoKohi]

It's exactly why we love them. Obscure and interesting firearms, or knowledge nobody else will share when regurgitating the 1911 story. One of my 2 fav firearms channels for a reason

[@TerryDowne]

@@KuroNekoKohi I agree completely. Othais, Mae, and Gun Jesus have multiplied my firearms history knowledge by a factor of 10.

[@life_of_riley88]

A family heirloom of mine is a Llama in .32 that was sent to Berlin in 1944. It's 1 of 1000 marked both Spanish civil guard and Nazi party stamped. They were meant for Nazi high party officials and dignitaries. It's pretty cool, a perfect 2/3 scale 1911.

[@awokado5710]

It's wild seeing C&R crew going from WW1 to episodes which dip into WW2. I have been watching for a long time and im excited for future episodes!

[@danielkorladis7869]

I imagine when they cover the Colt 1911, it will be similar, given the extremely long service life.

[@rediius]

Worth the long listen to hear Mae and Othais say "chibi version" regarding a firearm. Keep up the good work!

[@Tunkkis]

They are friends with Fudd Busters Matt after all, and that man is quite cultured, so to say.

[@totensiebush]

someone who I used to know had a 400 and said he had no trouble firing 9x19 in it, although obviously that isn't a guarantee. I picked up a 600 a while ago and it works quite well. Surprisingly not bad for something I jokingly refer to as "my Spanish Hi Point"

[@Provo647]

Only americans think poorly of these pistols. Astras are not Hi Points, but extremly well made pistols, with forged frames and slides, and lot of machining operations that would make them unprofitable to manufacture today, and very well fitted. More reliable under mud than a 1911, they were very well regarded by the Germans and the British, who knew the pistol in the Spanish Civil War, were it gained fame as very very reliable. I insist, only Americans underrate these pistols. In Europe these pistols are valued by collectors, and many are still in use in Spain by target shooters.

[@paufernandezboj5517]

​@@Provo647that's Because americans break everything that they touch thats Because their guns are simple and cheaper with bad materials 😅

[@davidturin3823]

​@@paufernandezboj5517...no es por eso hombre....es que tienen "manos sexuales"....todo lo que tocan lo joden.

[@mrfluffytailthethird]

I absolutely love my 600/43 it’s probably the coolest gun I own with its art deco looks I chose it over a post war p-38 on looks alone

[@kamata93]

The P38 is one of the coolest looking pistols. Its a winner in my book.

[@wyattp9152]

Yes!!! This is what my day needed.

[@comiketiger]

I remember Dad having some Astra pistols around when I was a kid. I knew very little about them but we had fun with them. I certainly wish he had kept them! I know he had one in the Largo chambering but I remember most the 9mm parabelum. I don't recall the .380 but he did have several of them and could be. Fascinating history.

[@jacktheaviator4938]

I am actually a big fan of 9mm Largo...in a suppressed carbine. The Destroyer carbines used to be ridiculously cheap, I bought one at a weird knock off K-mart knock-off in Hattiesburg Mississippi in the 90s (for some reason think the store might have been called Rose's...) for 45$ out the door with a box of ammo. The same store had mosin "parts" guns stood up in a barrel for 20$ a piece. Looking back, I wish I had bought their entire firearms inventory.

[@richhardie6897]

I have similar regrets about the 5 SKSs I saw being sold for $299 many years ago. 😂

[@itatane]

I bought my destroyer carbine for like a hundred bucks 15 years ago, because the gun shop I used to frequent was going out of business. (Long story.) The only problem I have with my destroyer is that parts are frickin' UNOBTANIUM, and ammo is getting harder to find. (I need a new safety for mine, trying to figure out if I can order a standard Mauser wing safety from Numrich and modify it to fit...) If someone made a repop in .38 Super or 9mm Parabellum, I'd buy it in a heartbeat.

[@jacktheaviator4938]

@@itatane I've considered rechambering one of mine, but as you said, the parts are becoming harder and harder to find. So I don't want to modify a working rifle. Have you reached out to Sarco for the parts you need? I know they don't have any bolts, but they might have some small parts.

[@seanhraba747]

For what it's worth, the German army issued small handguns to staff officers ( battalion and above), line officers carried full-size handguns, I've never seen pictures off line officers carrying small handguns. The Luftwaffe issued them to pilots as it was impractical to carry large frame guns in the cockpit. The State police forces ( Gestapo, criminal, etc) where likely the primary users of small caliber handguns of any type. However, the guns would have purchased through the German government or through the RZM ( SS).

[@paufernandezboj5517]

True and not only that this was used too by Germán party oficials at least if they want to buy one or a PPk

[@johnnygooch8361]

Woah the WWII Primer is starting! So exciting!

[@jameswheeler10472]

Othais, so glad you did this episode! After watching Primer 173, I was hoping you might cover the 300 in the future. I have what I believe to be a 1944 production in 7.65mm, 596909. I can send photos if you like.

[@chpet1655]

I just love these guns. Always have since I was a kid and had a weird spring powered Astra 400 pellet pistol that propelled a pellet so slow it couldn’t even break a pop bottle. And yet was fascinated with the look. I just say their neato 😂. ( btw I bought that pellet gun for 5 whole dollars ) The Astra 400 maybe have been very big but you do get to say “Largo” when talking about your ammo and that’s reason enough for me. And besides if you have little girlie hands like me you can always get that Astra 600 what else can I say ? I love you Astra RIP

[@comiketiger]

Oh my.....talk about a bucket list!? To spend a full afternoon going through the weapons in this room. Ultimately to get to shoot a few. Wow! 😊😊 Dream big. After all, you don't have to smoke or drink, to have fun. 😁😁😁😁 A great review of the pistol and history of it. Love you guys. God bless all here.

[@bryansimon4072]

I really enjoy your videos. Please keep up the great work. Thanks

[@eugenio8260]

If I had 1% of your knowledge of weapons, I would consider myself very happy with your knowledge, and it shoots many weapons of different calibers, this is very top

[@KuroNekoKohi]

For that 1%, just watch all of their vids and you'll be quite the knowledge base afterwards

[@Provo647]

The Astra 400 is not a huge pistol, on the contrary, it is more conceable than a 1911, and more reliable too. It’s just a long pistol, and with slow barrel axis over the hand.

[@alexandertaliaferro2621]

Sweet! Wasn't feeling very well today, so time to lay down and relax with another great video!

[@tomisawkalembka3659]

It was very interesting to see that video just after visiting one of Spanish military museums with huge amount of made in Spain pistols.

[@silverfingerthesilverstack5062]

I got both of these guns, excited to watch this.

[@Enterstyx]

I have an astra 300 that was brought back from the war and nickel plated. It had the same issue with the mag release. I found that a previous owner had absolutely cranked the grip screws in, loosening them just a tad improved the mag release tremendously. Also with all the Spanish gun talk recently, are there any plans to potentially cover the destroyer carbine? I love that stupid little rifle and would love to learn a bit more about it.

[@brianfoster4434]

Thanks! Great stuff.

[@ewangrainger2898]

Shame to see the show move into WW2, i know it had to happen but I'm so glad for the coverage of WW1

[@RonJohn63]

The 300 is perfect for summarily giving spies and political dissidents a .32 headache.

[@herrcobblermachen]

Thanks!

[@herrcobblermachen]

Spanish pistols, now we're talkin :)

[@enriquekahn9405]

As a Spanish speaker I find the pronunciation of "compañia" endlessly amusing. Excellent video though, who thought some simple little blowback from Spain could be made be this interesting?

[@hanisk2]

I agree Spanish firearms always grab my attention. Super interesting and of course the patent system is Spain being what it was makes it more interesting.

[@kennethzullick6897]

I just received my 600 4 days ago. awesome firearm, came with holster and extra magazine.

[@nc_classics9767]

The 300 is an accurate and nice pistol to shoot. Sights are pretty minimal. I like the Waffenamt on mine, adds to the interest. I think its Waa 251

[@Provo647]

In Spain both 9mm Parabellum , and 9mm largo, have allways been legal for civilians and not regarded as exclusive military calibers. Only rifle cartridges like 7,92, were, at that time, forbidden for civilians.

[@TerryDowne]

A new C&R epsiode? There goes my afternoon plans...

[@crankygunreviews]

Holy crap, the Victoria looks just like a mini 1911… Like at p238 or something like that

[@SteppingR]

great channel !

[@tqbcpc]

Great episode

[@snowyren5135]

Thanks that was excellent

[@jonathanhudak2059]

Thanks for covering these waaaay cool pistols! I have a 600 which is a nice shooter and a 400 in 9mm Largo which I like equally but still haven't shot it yet even though I have ammo for it. I didn't realize the 300 preceded the 600 either! Good one guys 👍

[@cheesenoodles8316]

Thanks guys, ruined my chance to get a 300, I am broke. Lucky I have a 600/43. Great show, again.

[@bobhill3941]

These designs are cool. Modern guns should try this cylindrical centerfire receiver.

[@jinks6410]

Great work guys. Your depth of research and knowledge are astounding. I guess I'll ask a question as everybody does and I know these take alot of time and work. Ever thought about doing a series on firearms manufacturers and have a video on each weapon type and it's generations? Like Remington but have a video on bolt actions, video on sbotguns, video on semi's etc. Then do H&R, Savage, Browning, etc. Whatever you guys put out, it will have my attention either way. Keep it up!

[@pb68slab18]

"The 9mm Luger round it too hot for a straight blow-back pistol!" "Oh really?" An Astra 600 was my first centerfire auto-pistol over 45yrs ago. I still have it! If you have one, put a fresh Wolff recoil spring in if you haven't lately.

[@caseymuzio7609]

Ahhhh and when I think back to the fact that the first episode I ever saw was the t-gewehr I'm glad to be a supporter

[@TerryDowne]

Oh yes, the British also bought a handful of Astra 900 series in the Far East. The Chinese used those too, of course.

[@JerryEricsson]

Cool old guns, I purchased a new Astra A100 in .45 ACP and used it as a duty weapon for the last 5 years on the Police Department, she served me very well and I always qualified at the top of my tier when firing for score. Over the years I owned many Star pistols including the BM BKM and PD all very nice Spanish pistols as well as a little Llama in .380 that I am still sorry that I sold to a fellow officer, I had even made a scale flap holster for it using one of my old combat boots from my days as a soldier in the US Army. That was a sweet little copy of the M1911 as were the Stars. I particularly loved the Star PD, wish I had that one back as well, now I have a Citadel .45 in the short conceal carry as my M1911A1 she is not nearly as pretty as the PD was since she is parkarized instead of blued but the wood used in her grips is much nicer and the checkering on the grips is first rate.

[@vitoscaletta7151]

Mein Hermano

[@fhsreelfilms]

@C&Rsenal, how would you say the recoil impulse and handling on these stacks up against other large blowback pistols like the Hi Points?

[@brianwatkins2974]

Your slide on the 9mm Parabellum shows a 124 gr. bullet at 1080 fps and has been shown before on this channel. Post WW2, H. P. White company performed tests on various 9mm rounds. Two of them were German Govt. standard pistol loads. The 1918 load was 123 gr. at 1207 fps and the 1941 load was 124 gr. at 1242 fps, both from a Walther P-38. While I have no idea what the original load from Luger was in 1904, these tests show that by 1918, at least, the 9mm Parabellum was a fairly powerful cartridge. Do you have any info as to why there's a difference? Keep up the good work!

[@Skeppo1]

During the continuation war finnish civil guard bought 300 Astra 300´s from germany. These were model with wooden grips and are marked S.k.Y .

[@richardanderson2742]

Since you have delved into the world of 9mm Largo, how about the Destroyer carbine. While not intended for military as such, it saw wide spread use in the Spanish Civil War.

[@ejharbet6390]

Never stop smiling mae❤

[@andneekey]

thanks for this

[@greydonstautzenberger3901]

Keep it up yall

[@bhoward9378]

Please consider doing an entire video on the history of Ballistol, just like a regular video. Delve into it, have May use it in various firearms, and then discuss it with her. It would be fascinating.

[@BasedGrimace]

God that would be amazing

[@scronk4486]

Dawg I am not here for history on oil this is a terrible idea.

[@harvesterofsorrow4930]

Narrated by Crozier & Lewis. WEET WEET WEEEEEEE!

[@zacharyrollick6169]

Love my 9mm Parabellum Astra.

[@timewave02012]

9mm Largo isn't unreasonably long to feed through the grip. It seems long compared to 9mm Luger, but not bad compared to 45 ACP or 7.62x25 Tokarev, and quite short compared to modern long cartridges like 50 AE or 5.7x28.

[@itatane]

A friend of mine in Argentina (he worked at Bersa before a stroke ended his career) said that because military calibers were restricted for civilians, .38ACP and .38 Super were very popular. He used to come across Astras and Star Modello Supers modified for those calibers quite regularly. (He never fired one, because he valued his fingers and his face. I can't imagine it's healthy to fire .38 Super out of a 20's vintage blowback pistol!)

[@charleykeenan6171]

Awesome episode! Love these! I have Llama "Extra" in 9mm largo and several years ago I bought one of the last surplus ammo cases available at the time.. If possible I would love to see a breakdown on the "Destoyer" 9mm largo rifle..

[@TheJsmitty85]

WW2 starting with Spanish pistols was not what I was expecting

[@paufernandezboj5517]

That's Because WWII started with The spanish civil war or at least The test bench for The guns of that war

[@williammason8673]

Anndddddd there goes my hope of buying one of these

[@necrontyr5258]

ok, that intro was cool. Now for the actual history meat and potatoes of the episode.

[@ethanphillips8637]

thr astras are very similar in take down ,design, and construction to the savage semi-automatic pistols.

[@Scooter-dm3qo]

When you have the two takedown notches aligned you CAN then rotate the barrel and remove the slide with the spring captured. Personally when I field strip a pistol it's because I want to clean the gun and that cleaning includes the barrel. So the captured spring method is not very useful. It's best to remove the front bushing and spring as this makes it much simpler to line up the slide and frame.

[@briankerr4512]

Since Im in Canada I can only own the handguns I have. so all of the guns you show are now only dream guns. Those early semi autos / autos are soooooooo cool. Ill neve be able to own a Luger ... pisses me off. But I do have some nice hand guns. Oldest gun I have is a Chinese Model 45.

[@tonydeaton1967]

Had several Astra wartime pistols. Dead reliable firearm.

[@cameronmccreary4758]

I can't see why they didn't make it a rotating barrel lock up type system. I have thought about it and I was also thinking that maybe in gunsmithing classes in this country they ought to have one semester dedicated for reengineering blowback pistols such as this one into a locked breech system. I owned a Mauser Model HSc years ago in .380 caliber and practiced my AutoCAD drawing software by re-engineering the pistol into a locked breech .45 ACP caliber. Mae has done a great job firing these pistols accurately.

[@WALTERBROADDUS]

Looking at a lot of these early automatics just kind of reinforces why I think revolvers lasted as long as they did? A lot of the controls, ergonomics and chamberings just remind me why they did not fade away...

[@tangero3462]

Britain: commitment to the venerable top-break revolver Germany and America: pushing the envelope with modern locked breech handguns Spain: hehe toob

[@RichardGoth]

Would love to see you cover Llama and Mugica

[@rkimberly985]

May needs to watch her videos, especially the :"slow" motion ones. Watch her face before she pulls the trigger. She makes a grimace! Then in the slow motion, you can see her close her eyes. Bad case of flinchies! A good training technique for getting rid of the flinchies, is to take a revolver, and have some one else load it with one or two rounds, and spin the cylinder and then close the cylinder, and hand it to her, and have her go through her normal routine for shooting at the target. She will see just how bad her flinchies are! I think her grouping will will really improve. We are all naturally inclined to the flinchies in some degree or another. But doing the revolver training method will greatly help in gaining control over the dreaded "Flinch-ies" Even with the bad flinch problem, her groups are not terrible, but I honestly do believe she will be pleasantly surprised how much her grouping will improve once she gets control over her flinch problem. I did the revolver method, long ago, and was very shocked at how much I flinched. I then practiced on control! I think with practice on control, she just might eat your lunch at the range!

[@showtimeridershouston6054]

After watching this episode I don't know what to frick I have lol my 9mm Ascra made like that, with the side magazine release. It's a 4 digit serial # I gotta get that book lol. I love your content and you guys. Maybe it's a Naval 400

[@showtimeridershouston6054]

I honestly don't know (what the flarg) kind of gun I have (SMH) LOL.

[@showtimeridershouston6054]

I just found out what in the "Krue Tak" kind of Astria I have, it's a 600/43 Astria just cool beans. Again I love you all's channel. The content is just so educational and fun thank you for all your hard work and we can tell it's a lot of flarging work!

[@HeliophobicRiverman]

The size differences are bonkers.

[@christophersilsby7829]

Those 2 rounds are very popular in Europe

[@stevenwestswanson9263]

So glad to see you guys cover the second world war

[@DS-si5cp]

TO THE TIME MACHINE!

[@Bidimus1]

have 400 and 600 both are find to shoot both are hard to press check ! the 4 mm longer cartridge makes a difference but still easier than a double stack 45.

[@PajamaPantsStudios]

when do we get the ballistol episode itself? I really want one!

[@Primarch359]

This really makes me want a Ruby Redo. Maybe with a certain Bloke contributing some thoughts somehow?

[@fatttelmundo]

Wooh! Astras!

[@brogeoti]

I have an early Astra 300 complete with no proof marks on the right hand side and the classic horn grips with logo. My understanding is it was taken directly from the factory during the Spanish Revolution by anti-government forces?

[@annhilater1985]

Sweet

[@davidfriend1919]

btw that loose slide on your 600 is something you should look at , its not normal , the slide on mine is tight as a drum ... the 600's safety is problematic if you are a lefty . luckily I'm not , but I do practice in my left and have noticed it as an issue . Not only is the safety hard to reach for a lefty but it sticks out in a way that makes a hot spot or even a cut on your left index finger .

[@Oldmankingspiffy]

I prefer your longer format and in depth research

[@RyTrapp0]

This is the longer format - it's spanned multiple episodes

[@donaldrussell4218]

I've got a 400 I've got the box and paper and cleaning rod that it came with.

[@nicholasresar]

Didn't have a drink and somehow I'm seeing double in the intro.

[@coldandaloof7166]

Never really seen any of these before.

[@fbweaver63]

the earliest 600's did have the logo on top of the barrel and had unceta y cia on one side of the back of the slide and guernica on the other. these all went to germany.

[@DavyRayVideo]

I have a leather holster for my Astra 400. It has a shoulder strap, a cover flap, and has a pocket for a spare magazine. I don't know whether the holster was military or police issue.

[@ROB0049]

Is this the start of the LONG AWAITED WW11 Primer? H*LL YEAH!

[@akatripclaymore.9679]

I had a mod 4000, was that more rare? It didn't have a grip safety either. It was 9mm Kurz/380 acp.

[@nathanbrown8680]

Why would the witness marks on the slide be any easier to machine than the hold open notch?

[@beargillium2369]

I will buy some more ballistol when you convince them to give you an affiliate link. Until then I will spray lightly. Ps I do need some so make it happen 🤠

[@salvadorsempere1701]

A bit surprised about all the complains about the with of the grip caused by the length of the Largo. The soviets used 7.62x25 Tokarev, that is somewhat longer and I don´t have heard this kind of complain..