1916 Spanish Astra

djdarrin · 11-28-2010, 11:51 AM

I just inherited this Astra from my father-in-law. He registered this in 1968 but I have no clue who he bought it from. I believe the first time it was fired in the last 30 years was this past Saturday when I took it to the range. I have cleaned it up as well as I could (took it to a gunsmith by my house and he said he couldn't do much more with it at this point), but I did have some issues while firing it. About every 2nd or 3rd round, I would get a stove pipe shell. What could this be from? The spring appears to be pretty good in force, but as I'm not familiar with this pistol, I don't know what to expect. The magazine is only holding 8 rounds and I am reading that this should be able to hold 9 - but since my magazine doesn't appear to have some of the markings of others that I have seen on this site, perhaps it's not the original? Would a new magazine help?

Thanks in advance!
Darrin

Jim K · 11-28-2010, 11:45 PM

In most stovepipe cases, the magazine is to blame, but you also need to look to the ammo. Most .32 pistols were designed for full metal jacket and some won't work with the new hollow points. Smoothing the feed ramp with some emery cloth may be all that is needed, or there may be some other problem.

Just FWIW, I would not depend on that old pistol for serious purposes even if you get it working.

Jim

djdarrin · 11-29-2010, 06:27 AM

Thanks Jim. I was using FMJ, round nose. The ramp seems pretty clean, as I spent some time yesterday looking at it. I am planning on getting a new magazine for it, as that seems to be the one part that shows it's age.

I'm not looking for using this gun other than as a fun piece to shoot at the range every once in awhile anyway, but appreciate the help!

Archie · 12-01-2010, 10:03 PM

Was the pistol stove piping an empty case or a unfired case?

If an empty shell doesn't eject properly, the slide either isn't opening fast enough - maybe dried up oil in the works, or the ejector is either broken short or gone.

It it's an unfired round in the ejection port, the magazine lips are too wide. Any of that help?

11-28-2010, 11:51 AM	#1
djdarrin Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 5	1916 Spanish Astra I just inherited this Astra from my father-in-law. He registered this in 1968 but I have no clue who he bought it from. I believe the first time it was fired in the last 30 years was this past Saturday when I took it to the range. I have cleaned it up as well as I could (took it to a gunsmith by my house and he said he couldn't do much more with it at this point), but I did have some issues while firing it. About every 2nd or 3rd round, I would get a stove pipe shell. What could this be from? The spring appears to be pretty good in force, but as I'm not familiar with this pistol, I don't know what to expect. The magazine is only holding 8 rounds and I am reading that this should be able to hold 9 - but since my magazine doesn't appear to have some of the markings of others that I have seen on this site, perhaps it's not the original? Would a new magazine help? Thanks in advance! Darrin -->

11-28-2010, 11:45 PM	#2
Jim K Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 6,408	Re: 1916 Spanish Astra In most stovepipe cases, the magazine is to blame, but you also need to look to the ammo. Most .32 pistols were designed for full metal jacket and some won't work with the new hollow points. Smoothing the feed ramp with some emery cloth may be all that is needed, or there may be some other problem. Just FWIW, I would not depend on that old pistol for serious purposes even if you get it working. Jim

11-29-2010, 06:27 AM	#3
djdarrin Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 5	Re: 1916 Spanish Astra Thanks Jim. I was using FMJ, round nose. The ramp seems pretty clean, as I spent some time yesterday looking at it. I am planning on getting a new magazine for it, as that seems to be the one part that shows it's age. I'm not looking for using this gun other than as a fun piece to shoot at the range every once in awhile anyway, but appreciate the help!

12-01-2010, 10:03 PM	#4
Archie V.I.P. Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Hastings, Nebraska; the Heartland! Posts: 294	Re: 1916 Spanish Astra Was the pistol stove piping an empty case or a unfired case? If an empty shell doesn't eject properly, the slide either isn't opening fast enough - maybe dried up oil in the works, or the ejector is either broken short or gone. It it's an unfired round in the ejection port, the magazine lips are too wide. Any of that help? __________________ Be at Peace; go forth, spread enlightenment and joy to all. Wear clean underwear and take a gun. http://oldmanmontgomery.wordpress.com/ for my thoughts...