Astra 400 (9MM Largo/38),removing barrel

T

TGS

New member
This gun is becoming more and more mysterious.
We,ve had some discussion about what it is suppose to fire and that has raised a new question.
In my NRA gunsmithing book on assembly and dis...bly it indicaates that one locks the slide back and rotate the barrel and it suppose to slide out of the slide I think..
The barrel wont rotate though I havent applied much force. Its time to take a close look at what this thing is all about. 9mm largo, just dropping a largo round into the chamber it appears to be about 2-3mm long and naturally the slide wont close. I want to get the barrel and slide off and will begin to do some measuring. I have dropped .380acp into the chamber and they seem to fit. cant tell what they headspace on.
Anyway do I need to use a little more force to get the barrel to turn or whats the correct drill for get the top end off this gun?
 
TGS, remove the bushing and spring, pull the slide back, pushing up on the safety until the safety locks the slide. Turn the barrel as far as it will go to the left (counterclockwise). Pull back on the slide a little and push the safety down to the off safe position. Remove the slide to the front. Turn the barrel until the locking lugs are visible through the bottom of the slide then pull the barrel out. George
 
Try this. With the slide closed and the gun pointed at a soft surface and away from people, press in (rearward) on the bushing lock (the "ring" around the barrel) and turn the knurled bushing 90 degrees to line up with the lock. The lock and bushing will come out under spring tension and you will see the reason why I gave the directions about the soft surface.

Then retract the slide so the safety will engage and turn the barrel to disengage the lugs and lock them into the slide. Then release the safety and pull the slide and barrel off to the front. Turn the barrel back to the lugs down position and pull it frontwards out of the slide.

Sounds complex, but when you see how everything fits together, you will see that it is simple and gain respect for the designer.

Jim
 
Don't remember where I read this but the best tool for taking one these down is an empty .50 AE case. Slip it over the end of the barrel and push down with your thumb, turn the knurled part with you other hand and let the tension off. The whole works comes out in your hand (if you are careful not to let the spring buckle!!).

BK
 
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