So why won't a .38 super fit into my Star Model B Super in 9mm Largo ??

Because the .38 Auto/Super is a semi-rimmed round, and the 9mm Bergman-Beyard/Largo is rimless.

 

So how does that work in an Astra 400 ?? Thanks, B

 

You are wrong about the pressures.

 

I don't know what edition of Cartridges of the World you're using, but my CotW 16th Edition doesn't list pressures (nor does my 12th edition). Are you sure you're not looking at the velocities?

 

Starline makes a rimless 38 Super that will work just fine in all 9MM Largo firearms. From my experience, the Largo is slightly underpowered compared to the Super.

 

There is a very recent post in the Military Handgun Forum where the owner of an Astra 400 tried some .38 Super in his gun.

The .38 Super functioned just fine, but he felt it was too powerful for the old gun, and did not intend to continue doing so.

 

I had 2 copies of COTW and can find only one. Anyway, for a 115 grain bullet, my COTW say 5 grains of Bullseye for both .38 auto AND .38 super !!!!! That I don't understand because I certainly wouldn't want to shoot a .38 super in a 1902 Colt !!! It also says 7 grains of unique for a 115 grain bullet for a 9 Largo. I don't know how that matches up with 5 grains of Bullseye for the super because I don't reload. B

 

If you were a reloader...you would understand COTW is NOT a technically sophisticated or competent source of reloading data.

 

Early Astra 400's will not chamber a 38 ACP OR 38 Super case because the counterbore for the casehead in the slide is smaller on the older pistols. Many newer Astra 400 will chamber 38 ACP and .38 Super brass. Your Star was made correctly for it's proper ammunition.I had a friend with an early Astra and it wouldn't chamber 38 ACP rounds. I have 2 later 400's and they will.As far as power and PSI goes, it's BAD to shoot .38 Super in an Astra, recoil is violent and it will crack the slide after a while. 38 ACP and 9 mm Largo are about the same power and just a little less powerful than the 9 mm Luger. 38 Super is substantially more powerful with a much higher PSI than the Largo round. Star-line currently makes 9 mm Largo brass if you need some. I use the Star-line brass for my 9 mm Largos and my 1911 Steyr. It's too bad .38 ACP is no longer loaded by the major companies, as if your Spanish pistol would chamber you'd be in business.

 

I have a sealed tin of Largo ammo, 1000 rounds. I bought 2 of them back a while ago and am thinking about selling one. B

 

IIRC, length of standard 9mm is 9X19mm, whereas .38 super is 9X21mm.......

 

Actually, it and Largo BOTH are 23mm.

Exact spec case length of .38 Super is 22.86mm -.025mm, so 22.61 to 22.86mm.

 

GUNBB ---- I have an Astra 400 that I reload for using .38 Super brass and 125 grain 9mm bullets. I load to 9mm luger commercial ballistics and everything works just fine. The 400 is in excellent condition but I don't want to over stress anything and damage the old girl. Additionally I avoid any ammo I suspect to be corrosive that would include Largo etc.