Astra 600

{{Short description|Semi-automatic pistol}} {{Infobox weapon | name = Astra 600 | image = Pistola ASTRA 600.jpg | image_size = 300 | alt = | caption = | type = | origin = Spain  | is_ranged = yes  | service = 1944–1960s | used_by = See ''Users'' | wars = World War II  | designer = | design_date = | manufacturer = Astra-Unceta y Cia SA | unit_cost = | production_date = | number = 59,400<ref name="spr1">Gangarosa Jr, Gene''Spanish Handguns The History of Spanish Pistols & Revolvers'' (2001) pp.148</ref> | variants =  | spec_label = | mass = {{convert|1.08|kg|lb|abbr=on}}<ref name="pow1">Hogg, Ian ''Pistols of the World'' (2004) pp.412</ref> | length = {{convert|205|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}<ref name="pow1"/> | part_length = {{convert|135|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}<ref name="pow1"/> | width = | height = | diameter =  |cartridge=9×19mm Parabellum |action=Blowback operated |rate= |velocity= |range= |max_range= |feed=8-round box magazine<ref name="pow1"/> |sights=Blade, V-notch }} The '''Astra 600''' is a Spanish semi-automatic pistol that was used during World War II by the Wehrmacht. Designed by Unceta y Cia, it was a shortened version of the Astra 400 manufactured to fire 9×19mm Parabellum, which was the standard pistol ammunition for Germany at the time. The Astra 600 was designated the Pistole Astra 600/43 when used by the German Military during World War II. Approximately 59,400 Astra 600s were manufactured before production ceased.

==History== In 1943 the German government requested Unceta y Cia redesign the Astra 400 to fire the 9×19mm Parabellum cartridge. In late 1943, fifty examples of the newly designed Astra 600 were sent to Germany and were approved for issue to German armed forces,<ref name="spr2">Gangarosa Jr, Gene''Spanish Handguns The History of Spanish Pistols & Revolvers'' (2001) pp.139</ref> receiving the designation Pistole Astra 600/43.<ref name="pihi">Kinard, Jeff''Pistols: An Illustrated History of Their Impact'' (2003) pp.250</ref> Approximately 50,000 were ordered by Germany, with the first delivery of 2,950 pistols taking place on 16 May 1944. A second shipment of 5,000 pistols reached Germany on 23 June, and a final shipment of 2,500 pistols were shipped to Germany on 16 July 1944.<ref name="spr2"/> Supply to Germany stopped when German occupation of the border between Spain and France ceased and supply lines were cut.<ref name="pow2">Hogg, Ian ''Pistols of the World'' (2004) pp.355</ref> The Astra 600s that could not be delivered to the German government during World War II were then stored by the Spanish government.<ref name="spr3">Gangarosa Jr, Gene''Spanish Handguns The History of Spanish Pistols & Revolvers'' (2001) pp.140</ref> Small quantities of pistols were sold to Turkey, Portugal, Chile, and Costa Rica until 1951,<ref name="spr4">Gangarosa Jr, Gene''Spanish Handguns The History of Spanish Pistols & Revolvers'' (2001) pp.148</ref> when the remaining Astra 600s were sold to West Germany. Those pistols were extensively used by West German police forces until the late 1960s when Interarms purchased the remaining pistols for export to the United States civilian market.<ref name="spr3"/>

==Design== Modeled off the Astra 400, the Astra 600 had a similar design and internal mechanism to its predecessor. The Model 600 had an internal hammer and fired with an unlocked breech, blowback mechanism. It had an unusually strong recoil spring that caused a stiff trigger pull.<ref name="spr3"/> The strong spring could make it difficult for individuals with weak hands to retract the slide making disassembly and cleaning difficult.<ref name="spr3"/> Around fifteen pistols were manufactured to fire .32 ACP.<ref name="spr4"/>

==Markings== The Astra 600s that were sold to the German military during World War II are commonly referred to as "first contract" Astra 600s. They can be identified by a Waffenamt stamping on the right rear grip. The colloquially known "second contract" pistols were the batch sold to West Germany and can be identified by having a serial number 31,350 and above.<ref name="spr4"/> Pistols sold to the Portuguese Navy were marked with the abbreviation "MRP" on the upper left part of the slide.<ref name="spr5">Gangarosa Jr, Gene''Spanish Handguns The History of Spanish Pistols & Revolvers'' (2001) pp.149</ref>

==Users== * {{flag|Chile}}<ref name=AmericanRiflemanAstra/> * {{flag|Costa Rica}}<ref name=AmericanRiflemanAstra/> * {{flag|Egypt}}<ref name=AmericanRiflemanAstra/> * {{flag|Nazi Germany}} * {{flag|West Germany}}<ref name="spr4"/> **Bundesgrenzschutz Adopted Astra 600/43 in 1951<ref name=AmericanRiflemanAstra/> **Bundeswehr Adopted Astra 600/43 in 1956<ref name=AmericanRiflemanAstra/> * {{flag|Jordan}}<ref name=AmericanRiflemanAstra/> * {{flag|Philippines|1936}}<ref name=AmericanRiflemanAstra>{{cite magazine |last=Morgan |first=Martin |date=October 2023 |title=Astra 600/43|magazine=American Rifleman |publisher=National Rifle Association}} </ref> * {{flag|Portugal}} * {{flag|Thailand}}<ref name=AmericanRiflemanAstra/> * {{flag|Turkey}}

==Notes== {{reflist}}

==References== {{refbegin}} * {{Cite book|last=Hogg|first=Ian|author2=Walter, John |title=Pistols of the World|edition=4th|publisher=Krause Publications|location=Iola, Wisconsin|year=2004|isbn=0-87349-460-1}} * {{Cite book|last=Kinard|first=Jeff|title=Pistols: An Illustrated History of Their Impact|publisher=ABC-CLIO|location=Santa Barbara, California|year=2003|isbn=1-85109-470-9}} * {{Cite book|last=Gangarosa Jr.|first=Gene|title=Spanish Handguns The History of Spanish Pistols & Revolvers|publisher=Stoeger Publishing Company|location=Accokeek, Maryland|year=2001|isbn=0-88317-223-2}} {{refend}}

Category:9mm Parabellum semi-automatic pistols Category:Semi-automatic pistols of Spain Category:Simple blowback firearms Category:Weapons and ammunition introduced in 1943 Category:World War II infantry weapons of Germany