Automatic Pistols Assembly/Disassembly. J B Wood
6. The firing pin on the 22 version is retained by a slanting cross-pin, its outer head visible here on the left rear of the slide.
7. The slanted cross-pin is driven out from the inside of the slide, from the right and angling up to the left. On the 25 version, removal of the extractor also frees the firing pin.
8. With the grips removed, turn the safety-lever around until it is pointed toward the rear of the frame, and remove it to the left.
9. The sear spring is a round-wire type, located in a recess on the right side of the frame.
10. Flex the front arm of the spring toward the rear to clear its notch in the sear, and lift the spring out of its recess.
11. On the 22 version, the magazine release button is screw-slotted, and is threaded into the magazine catch piece on the opposite side of the frame. It is simply unscrewed for removal. On the 25, as on most of the Colt versions, the catch button is cross-pinned to the shaft of the catch piece, and driving out this pin will free the button from the catch.
12. Driving out a small cross-pin at lower rear of the trigger will free the magazine safety and its spring. The trigger is also held by a cross-pin, and after this is removed, the trigger is taken out toward the rear, along with its connector bar.
13. When moving the trigger toward the rear, flex the trigger bar very slightly outward to clear the frame. Driving out the pin recessed in the slide track (arrow) will release the sear and its spring, and the large pin at upper rear of the frame is drifted out to free the hammer. Directly below the hammer pin is a small hole through which a small screwdriver can retard the hammer spring while the hammer is removed. CAUTION:When releasing the hammer spring, use extreme care.
Reassembly Tips:
When replacing the hammer in the frame, use a drift to compress the hammer spring and follower, and hold it in place with a small screwdriver inserted in the hole in the left of the frame below the hammer pin hole. After the hammer is in place and the pin installed, cock the hammer and remove the screwdriver.
When replacing the firing pin in the 22-caliber version, be sure it is oriented properly for the retaining cross-pin to engage the notch in the firing pin.
Astra 400
Similar/Identical Pattern Guns
The same basic assembly/disassembly steps for the Astra 400 also apply to the following guns:
Astra Model 300
Astra Model 600
| Data: | Astra Model 400 |
| Origin: | Spain |
| Manufacturer: | Esperanza y Unceta. Guernica |
| Cartridge: | 9mm Bergmann-Bayard (9mm Largo) |
| Magazine capacity: | 8 rounds |
| Overall length: |
8 |
| Height: |
5 |
| Barrel length: |
5 |
| Weight: |
33 |
The Model 400 is also called the Model 1921, after the year of its adoption for use by the Spanish military. A shorter version, the Model 600, was chambered for the 9mm Luger round, and a smaller pistol, the Model 300, was made in 380 ACP and 32 ACP chamberings. The Model 600 and Model 300 had a different magazine catch, but they are otherwise mechanically identical to the Model 400 and the same general instructions apply.
Field Strip:
1. With the hammer down and the magazine removed, use a strong thumbnail or some other non-marring tool to depress the collar that surrounds the barrel at the muzzle. While holding the collar in, turn the knurled bushing at the front of the slide until the recoil spring forces the bushing and collar out toward the front. CAUTION:The Model 400 has an extremely strong recoil spring, so keep a firm grip on the bushing as it is turned, aim it away from the face, and ease it out of the slide.
2. Turn the barrel back to original position, and pull it forward out of the slide.
3. Move the slide all the way to the rear, then move it forward while pushing the safety-lever upward toward the rear, to the on-safe position. The inner arm of the safety-lever will catch and hold the slide in the position shown.
4. Turn the barrel to the left (front view) as far as it will go.
5. Pull the slide to the rear to clear the safety, or manually turn the safety down to the off-safe position, and run the slide assembly forward off the frame. Turn the barrel until its retaining lugs are visible at the underside of the slide, and remove it toward the front. Gun is now field-stripped.
Astra 400 field-stripped