Astra 4000 Falcon
Astra-Unceta y Cia · Pistol · Discontinued · 1956
Also known as: Astra Model 4000, Astra Falcon, Falcon
Overview
The Astra 4000 Falcon is a compact single-action, straight-blowback semi-automatic pistol produced by Spain's Astra-Unceta y Cia from 1956. It was a redesign of the earlier Astra 300/3000 series, replacing the internal striker with an exposed, manually cocked hammer and adopting more streamlined, modern lines to compete with the Walther PP, Mauser HSc and Beretta M1934. Chambered here in .380 ACP with a single-column six-round magazine, the Falcon could also be supplied in .32 ACP and .22 LR, and factory conversion kits allowed one frame to be changed between calibers.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 652 g (23.0 oz) |
| Overall Length | 165 mm (6.50") |
| Barrel Length | 99 mm (3.90") |
| Height | 112 mm (4.41") |
| Width | 25 mm (0.98") |
| Action Type | Blowback |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Action |
| Trigger Pull | 31 N (7.0 lbf) |
| Magazine Capacity | 6 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 291 m/s (955 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 261 J (193 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 25 m (27 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Slide Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Plastic |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- .380 ACP · primary — also known as .380 Auto, 9x17mm, 9mm Kurz, 9mm Short
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic
- Feed systems: Detachable Box Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Thumb Safety, Half Cock Notch, Magazine Disconnect
- Features: Exposed Hammer, Fixed Sights, Single Column Magazine, Caliber Conversion Kit
Variants
- Astra 4000 Falcon .32 ACP - Caliber
- Astra 4000 Falcon .22 LR - Caliber
Production
Production years: 1956-1983
Blowback pocket pistol offered in .22 LR, .32 ACP and .380 ACP with caliber-conversion kits
Origin
Country of origin: Spain
Discontinued: 1983
Notes
Introduced 1956, production ended 1983. Sold as a tri-caliber kit combining .22 LR, .32 ACP and .380 ACP barrels, magazines and grips. Grips were checkered plastic, with walnut used later in production.
Background
The Falcon carried forward the lineage of the Astra 300/3000 pocket pistols, giving the design an exposed hammer so shooters could see and thumb-cock it, a feature buyers increasingly expected on a modern self-loader by the mid-1950s.