Posted on 07/23/2022 6:51:31 AM PDT by marktwain
I bought a case of it(Super Colibri) when CTD had it on sale many years ago for 6.50/brick.
I recall it was on sale.
I figured it would have its uses.
“The Spanish Astra 400 was commonly chambered for the 9x23 cartridge. Some models were stamped 9mm/.38, and would reliably fire .38 auto cartridges as well...” [marktwain, post 39]
Astra’s 400 was chambered for 9mm Largo (aka 9mm Bergmann-Bayard), which is not the same as today’s 9x23mm (introduced 1996).
38 ACP is semi-rimmed but has been known to feed and cycle the 400. 38 ACP pistols (M1900, M1902, M1903 Pocket Hammer) went out of production at Colt’s in 1929, when the 38 Super Auto was introduced. 38 Super develops higher pressure than 38 ACP and should never be fired in the earlier guns.
38 ACP is tough to come by these days; it has the same external dimensions and bullet as 38 Super, and ammunition can be handloaded to the lower pressures/velocities safe in 38 ACP pistols.
Users are advised to exercise extreme caution. Avoid firing 38 Super in the 400.
Yes, the 9x23 or 9mm Largo, is loaded to different specifications than the 9x23 today.
You can use the 9x23 brass to reload 9mm Largo, which gives ballistics about the same as a 9x19.
Do not fire modern 9x23 in the Astra 400 pistols, or the Berman/Bayard pistols.
I use that for rattlers when I find them around the house.
I never thought of building a choke!
Well... now I have some bad news for the wife. Clearly I require a .22 with a threaded barrel. It’s a safety issue.
Yep, that’s exactly how I use it.
The Ruger Charger fits that bill!!!
Built on a 10-22 with a threaded 10 inch Barrel.
Around 300 bucks.
Bam!
Dang, I like that takedown version!
You may find the link in post #12 useful.
My issue with it is that there’s no iron sights !?!
A cheap Red-Dot would do.
Sometimes a center-mass hit on a raccoon has resulted in them going about 60 yards away, and going into the most insane screaming death throes.
Nice story! 😉
[I have a Taurus TX22 semi-automatic pistol. I have shot the Super Colibris in it. While they do not cycle the action, they feed very reliably if you manually cycle the action.
With a suppressor attached, they are BB gun quiet out of the pistol.
They have good accuracy out to 10 yards, enough for small pests.]
Love that round
You really don't need to thread the barrel, I just used a 2 foot piece of aluminum pipe and some gorilla tape.
I did remove the front sight {never used it since the 22 has a scope} so the pipe fit over the barrel and I shot and then tweaked it until I got it on correctly.
I've been using it for over 2 years and it still works fine.
30 ft is a good working range. I might chance a shot to 50 foot, but would probably try to get closer. They use a 20 grain bullet at about 500 fps. About decent airgun power.
[the extremely low velocity of the super colibri rounds means they start becoming unstable after about 50 feet or so. ]
Thanks for the tips and link! I used 1/2” EMT and a friction fit, 30”.
It’s pretty unwieldy, the gun was a long one to begin with, but it sure does work as advertised!
It looks promising.
I have been thinking of trying a .22 magnum shot shell, as it has 52 grains of shot vs 31 grains for the .22 LR.
Haven't gotten to the point of having a magnum to play with, yet.
I suspect it will give fairly dense patterns to 15 yards. Having a 24" tube on a handgun means you still have an easily handled firearm.
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