IMHO people have gotten a little too enamored of that Astra 400 that could fire a variety of a cartridges
Fixed that for you. The Astra 600 was the dedicated 9mm Para for a German contract.
The Astra 400 was chambered for 9mm Largo, 9x23, based on the 9mm Bergman Bayard. A lot of guns but little ammo came in during the Golden Age of Surplus, the late 1950s and 1960s before GCA 1968. They were touted as the "any 9mm" pistol. They would readily shoot 9mm Steyr which was more common in ammo than guns.
A lot of Spanish guns were marked 9mm/.38 meaning 9mm Largo or .38 Auto. I am sure a lot of Astras, Stars, and Llamas were beat up with .38 Super.
They would shoot 9mm P ok IF the round came up under the extractor and/or if the round seated on the case/chamber taper.
Maj. Geo. C. Nonte demonstrated what would happen if it didn't. The gun has unrestricted firing pin protrusion like a 1911 and a 9mm P in front of the extractor would still fire. The resulting blown primer and slamback of the floating cartridge case were exciting.
Anecdote: My Dad was once in a store, no doubt picking up ammo for teenage me, when the dealer told a customer that he did not have the proper ammo but had something "just as good" for his pistol. "Here, let me show you." Bang! as he dumped a bullet into the floor between the customer's feet.
I wonder if that were not an Astra.
