Star 9mm trash or treasure

Sooner Shooter · 03-03-2008, 10:45 AM

This STAR is my first 9 and I picked it up used for $200 a couple of years ago. I haven't shot many others so I don't know how to compare it. I'm not very good with it but then again I'm not very good with any handgun bigger than a 22. It fires and ejects fine with factory ammo. I know it was made and used in Spain and I believe as a police or military weapon so surely it can't be entirely bad but tell me your experiences. I don't care if you bash it or not. The pistol is a Star BM model. Bashing is okay but calling it the Bowel Movement model would just be cruel so I beat you to it. Let me know!

Windwalker · 03-03-2008, 11:19 AM

Lol, never had one of that model but I did have a Firestar in .45 cal. I shot a lot of rounds through with never any problems, and the accuracy was good.

Big Dog · 03-03-2008, 06:09 PM

There is nothing wrong with Star pistols. I love my Modelo Super (9mm Largo).

BaserRonin · 03-03-2008, 06:19 PM

I love my Star B's. I have quite a few of them actually, and carry one pretty regularly. When I want to go slimmer then a 1911, thats what I grab. It has been 100% reliable, and I have found it to be more then accurate enough for "plinking".

I haven't bought one in years, so not sure what to say about the purchase price. Overall though, I have found them to be a fine 9mm.

rick343 · 03-03-2008, 06:21 PM

I have a Star 9mm Largo and I love it. I had a tough time finding ammo for it but have some now. I got mine and a Norenco 45 auto for $300. The Star looks brand new. Good luck with yours.

____________________
I'm your huckleberry

PONTIACDM · 03-03-2008, 07:33 PM

I love the star pistols. I had the model bm, b, and the 45(1911 copy). All were really accurate and reliable. The only problem I had was with the bm. It didn't like weak loads, hot loads worked awesome. I wish I still had them.

stitchclimber · 03-03-2008, 10:27 PM

My dad owned one of their .45's for years. Had very few problems with it.

Don357 · 03-06-2008, 09:44 PM

I had a Star Firestar Plus 9mm, in the Starvel finish. The second biggest mistake I've ever made was to sell it.

It was a good shooter. It had a 10rd mag, but was designed for a 13rd. It would also accept the barrel and slide assy of the .40S&W Firestar. Really a cool gun. Great CCW and extremely accurate for a 3" barrel.

Doctor Larry K · 03-07-2008, 05:19 PM

I have a Star 43 in 9mm and it has a broken firing pin. I can't find a replacement firing pin for this pistol, and neither can my gunsmith. I have done several searches with negative results.

Any help would be appreciated.

Doc

Taurus Fan · 03-07-2008, 07:00 PM

Star made a delightfully trim single column magazine 9mm, all steel, heavier than it looked. I think that describes the Star BM you have, right? Or is it a lighter alloy frame? In either case, you have a keeper, Star made some good pistols, their Star PD, a compact .45 was much sought after when they came out.

Sooner Shooter · 03-07-2008, 10:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Taurus Fan

Star made a delightfully trim single column magazine 9mm, all steel, heavier than it looked. I think that describes the Star BM you have, right? Or is it a lighter alloy frame? In either case, you have a keeper, Star made some good pistols, their Star PD, a compact .45 was much sought after when they came out.

Yes, heavier than it looked. That's why I bought it. Inexpensive, and a good solid feel. Glad to hear you guys have had good luck with them. I'm sure in time I'll fall for those thick handled, expensive polymer ones but for now I'll learn how to shoot this one.

Taurus Fan · 03-08-2008, 06:19 AM

Here's a review of your little Star, author seems to know his stuff:
A Critical Look at the Star Model BM

Sooner Shooter · 03-08-2008, 07:49 AM

[quote=Taurus Fan;442436]Here's a review of your little Star, author seems to know his stuff:

Taurus, Thanks for the article. Don't dry fire this baby!! SS

Don357 · 03-08-2008, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doctor Larry K

I have a Star 43 in 9mm and it has a broken firing pin. I can't find a replacement firing pin for this pistol, and neither can my gunsmith. I have done several searches with negative results.

Any help would be appreciated.

Doc

Try "Bob's Gun Parts", Sarco also has a limited inventory.
Also go to the Star website, I believe that they said that there is still parts available through them.

Taurus Fan · 03-08-2008, 01:24 PM

[quote=Sooner Shooter;442479]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Taurus Fan

Here's a review of your little Star, author seems to know his stuff:

Taurus, Thanks for the article. Don't dry fire this baby!! SS

I had forgotten about some of the Star models having a problem with dry-firing. In the mid-70's I worked in a gun store, and I was impressed with the little Star BM when it came out. Star was an innovator in that they were the first company to come out with a thin, flat little gun scaled down for the 9mm, most other nines were still big and bulky by comparison back then. The closest thing anyone else offered was the Colt Commander in 9mm, which was still clunky by comparison because it was the same size as the regular .45 version, and what's the point of that? I also liked the heft and feel of the little steel Star compared to the light alloy frame Commander, which I thought felt chintzy.

Don357 · 03-08-2008, 09:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Don357

Try "Bob's Gun Parts", Sarco also has a limited inventory.
Also go to the Star website, I believe that they said that there is still parts available through them.

I did a little research. Try this for your Star parts needs. Go to iparguns@iparguns.com , This company bought all of Stars leftover inventory when Star went out of business, and they do ship internationally! Of course barrels and recievers may be a different story. BTW, they also bought Astra inventory. I hope this helps. Bobs has parts for the "Firestar 'Old Model'". I looked at the diagram and the "Old Model' looks to be the same as the M-43. Also, M-243 slide parts will work. I believe the slides are the same, only the frames are different. I had a M-243. What a great gun! Parts ie, barrel and slide, from the M240 (.40S&W cal) will interchange with the M-243 (9mm Luger), but not the M-43 as the magazine is thicker to accomodate the .40S&W round. However the firing pin "may" be the same.

LEE3370 · 03-09-2008, 08:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doctor Larry K

I have a Star 43 in 9mm and it has a broken firing pin. I can't find a replacement firing pin for this pistol, and neither can my gunsmith. I have done several searches with negative results.

Any help would be appreciated.

Doc

Howdy Doc,
You might give these folks a try for the firing pin.

Hoosier Gun Works : Online Catalog : Gun Parts : Commercial

Good Luck,
Lee

spurrit · 03-12-2008, 03:54 AM

Total piece of crap. Send it here.

big shrek · 03-23-2008, 05:44 PM

I owned a Star Model 30M, should have never sold it...oddly, I found 2 spare magazines and a Mil-Spec mag holster in my closet...forgot I had them...lol

Many Stars were carried by Spanish Police officers...they are VERY reliable pistols. I put around 1000-1500 rounds thru mine. As long as you cleaned it regularly there were no headaches.

03-03-2008, 10:45 AM	#1
Sooner Shooter Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 614	Star 9mm trash or treasure This STAR is my first 9 and I picked it up used for $200 a couple of years ago. I haven't shot many others so I don't know how to compare it. I'm not very good with it but then again I'm not very good with any handgun bigger than a 22. It fires and ejects fine with factory ammo. I know it was made and used in Spain and I believe as a police or military weapon so surely it can't be entirely bad but tell me your experiences. I don't care if you bash it or not. The pistol is a Star BM model. Bashing is okay but calling it the Bowel Movement model would just be cruel so I beat you to it. Let me know! __________________ Save the drama for your mama!

03-03-2008, 11:19 AM	#2
Windwalker Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 3,596	Lol, never had one of that model but I did have a Firestar in .45 cal. I shot a lot of rounds through with never any problems, and the accuracy was good. __________________ America: Love it and protect it or leave it

03-03-2008, 06:09 PM	#3
Big Dog Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Tallahassee, Florida Posts: 10,219	There is nothing wrong with Star pistols. I love my Modelo Super (9mm Largo). __________________ Moderator of: AR15/M16, M14/M1A, New/Beginning Shooters and Militaria/Collectables.

03-03-2008, 06:19 PM	#4
BaserRonin Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: In a Dark Cubicle Posts: 371	Star B I love my Star B's. I have quite a few of them actually, and carry one pretty regularly. When I want to go slimmer then a 1911, thats what I grab. It has been 100% reliable, and I have found it to be more then accurate enough for "plinking". I haven't bought one in years, so not sure what to say about the purchase price. Overall though, I have found them to be a fine 9mm.

03-03-2008, 10:27 PM	#7
stitchclimber Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: The great northwest Posts: 945	My dad owned one of their .45's for years. Had very few problems with it. __________________ turning up the radio, got just enough religion and a half tank of gas...

03-03-2008, 06:21 PM	#5
rick343 Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 83	I have a Star 9mm Largo and I love it. I had a tough time finding ammo for it but have some now. I got mine and a Norenco 45 auto for $300. The Star looks brand new. Good luck with yours. ____________________ I'm your huckleberry

03-03-2008, 07:33 PM	#6
PONTIACDM Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: OHIO Posts: 624	I love the star pistols. I had the model bm, b, and the 45(1911 copy). All were really accurate and reliable. The only problem I had was with the bm. It didn't like weak loads, hot loads worked awesome. I wish I still had them.

03-06-2008, 09:44 PM	#8
Don357 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Semmes Alabama Posts: 273	I had a Star Firestar Plus 9mm, in the Starvel finish. The second biggest mistake I've ever made was to sell it. It was a good shooter. It had a 10rd mag, but was designed for a 13rd. It would also accept the barrel and slide assy of the .40S&W Firestar. Really a cool gun. Great CCW and extremely accurate for a 3" barrel.

03-07-2008, 05:19 PM	#9
Doctor Larry K Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Palm Springs, Calif. Posts: 428	I have a Star 43 in 9mm and it has a broken firing pin. I can't find a replacement firing pin for this pistol, and neither can my gunsmith. I have done several searches with negative results. Any help would be appreciated. Doc

03-07-2008, 07:00 PM	#10
Taurus Fan Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Cobra Command Headquarters Posts: 814	Star made a delightfully trim single column magazine 9mm, all steel, heavier than it looked. I think that describes the Star BM you have, right? Or is it a lighter alloy frame? In either case, you have a keeper, Star made some good pistols, their Star PD, a compact .45 was much sought after when they came out.

03-08-2008, 06:19 AM	#12
Taurus Fan Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Cobra Command Headquarters Posts: 814	Here's a review of your little Star, author seems to know his stuff: A Critical Look at the Star Model BM

03-08-2008, 07:49 AM	#13
Sooner Shooter Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 614	[quote=Taurus Fan;442436]Here's a review of your little Star, author seems to know his stuff: Taurus, Thanks for the article. Don't dry fire this baby!! SS __________________ Save the drama for your mama!

03-12-2008, 03:54 AM	#18
spurrit Banned Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 60	Total piece of crap. Send it here.

03-23-2008, 05:44 PM	#19
big shrek Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Northwest, FL Posts: 471 Images: 37	I owned a Star Model 30M, should have never sold it...oddly, I found 2 spare magazines and a Mil-Spec mag holster in my closet...forgot I had them...lol Many Stars were carried by Spanish Police officers...they are VERY reliable pistols. I put around 1000-1500 rounds thru mine. As long as you cleaned it regularly there were no headaches.