ASTRA 1921

The Astra Model 1921 pistol was adopted in 1921-23 as the standard pistol of the Spanish armed forces and police. It was an unusual design in that, although chambered for the powerful 9mm Largo cartridge, it operated on the blowback system - i.e. with an unlocked breech. It achieved this by the employment of very strong recoil spring (which coils around the barrel) and a heavy slide. The Model 1921 (sold commercially as the Model 400) was produced until 1946. It armed both sides in the Spanish Civil War and 6,000 were purchased by Germany during the Second World War. For any questions or further information, please call Hammond Cabelas at (219) 845 9040.