Star Firestar Autoloaders

Gun Master · May 2, 2013, 05:49 PM

How good were (are) the Star Firestars ? Trash or Treasure ?

Ash · May 2, 2013, 06:37 PM

Firestars were good. They were clunky single-actions that were rough around the edges but they were solid & reliable.

loose noose · May 2, 2013, 06:52 PM

I've got a Star Firestar in .45 I like it really well, it is one of the most accurate small singlestack .45's I've ever shot.

The Lone Haranguer · May 2, 2013, 08:07 PM

Those are neat little guns, but I didn't buy one while they were still being made.

gulogulo1970 · May 2, 2013, 08:35 PM

Girlfriend of mine had on when I was in college. It was the M45, 45acp one and was much more accurate than my Colt Officers Model, much to my dismay.

Walt Sherrill · May 2, 2013, 08:41 PM

Good solid guns. Certain parts may be hard to find if they break on some of the models (like extractors for the .40 Firestar); they can be found.

The modern versions where heavy steel, single-stack guns, single-action guns. The Firestar Plus models had almost the same top end, but a double-stack alloy frame. I've had a number of them the, and they've all been accurate and reliable. The Firestar Plus models have been my personal favorites. I generally have one in the gun safe, but tend to trade it for something else, and then end up with one, again. Some of the very last models were pretty innovative, but the company was having problems and they never really had a chance to promote them, etc.

trekgod3 · May 2, 2013, 09:12 PM

I lucked out and snagged this gem for $349 a while back. Heavy as a brick, very reliable, great trigger.

MICHAEL T · May 2, 2013, 10:05 PM

I owned a couple over years They always shot fine and reliable. Like every one said was a brick

BSA1 · May 2, 2013, 10:23 PM

I have one mated to a Sparks EX holster. As commented it is on the heavy side but carries well.

Walt Sherrill · May 2, 2013, 10:32 PM

The joke at the range where I shot mine a lot was, "if the bad guy comes to get you, and you run out of ammo, drop it on his foot, and he'll be out of action for quite a while."

Heavy guns. (Not the Firestar Plus, however.)

WardenWolf · May 2, 2013, 11:00 PM

Looks like the bastard child of a Browning Hi-Power and a Ruger P90.

Willie Sutton · May 2, 2013, 11:15 PM

Mine, in 40, was the only handgun I have sold in the last 20 years. Why? It was a high quality, heavy, single stack, single action pistol. It didn't scratch any itch that something else would not do better. The quality was unquestionably high. The "Uhh... why?" factor was also high. I NEVER took it out shooting, as there was ALWAYS something else better for that day.

Willie

.

Certaindeaf · May 2, 2013, 11:35 PM

A shooting machine. Had one in 9mm.

Ash · May 3, 2013, 06:12 AM

To me, the Star Firestar and Astra A-70 were competing designs that were solid, reliable pistols that were natural evolutions of a compact 1911. They weren't 1911's, of course, but they filled the niche that the Star PD created, and it was more 1911-like. Indeed, a 1911 shooter would be comfortable with either product as the safety is in the same place, even if the feel is different. The Astra A-75 and SIG 225 took that one step-further with double action and the single-action versions lost their luster. The new compact 1911's further degraded their desirability.

With Star and Astra going out of business, nobody really stepped forward to keep the deisngs going (okay, Republic Arms of South Africa kept the 75 going for a while, but not the Firestar). Gabilondo's Llama products didn't help the reputation of Spanish pistols or their designs, either.

**Walkalong** · May 3, 2013, 08:37 AM

A buddy bought a Firestar in .40 when they first came out. Great gun.

Fishbed77 · May 3, 2013, 09:17 AM

A friend of mine has a 9mm M43 Firestar. It's a surprisingly accurate little pistol with a very good trigger. It's well-made and also quite easy to conceal (which he does on occasion).

The obvious downsides are the weight associated with an all-steel pistol, and the fact that Star is out of business and spare parts are limited. I also find the trigger guard area to be uncomfortably small.

sarge83 · May 3, 2013, 09:22 AM

Got the firestar in 9mm, accurate and reliable, just heavy as posted already. I think I paid in the $250 range for mine used a couple yrs. back.

12Bravo20 · May 3, 2013, 11:00 AM

The Firestar pistols are heavy. They do function and shoot very well. I have a M43 - 9mm and a M40 - .40S&W. I wouldn't mind finding a M45 to complete the collection. I find myself grabbing the M40 sometimes over my compact 1911 for EDC.

alex4922 · May 3, 2013, 11:21 AM

If you do have one do NOT dry fire it even once! I had not even gotten to the range, 2nd click went "bloop" and the tip of the firing pin falls out of the barrel. Getting a replacement pin proved impossible (and this was years ago when they were being produced.

Fleetman · May 3, 2013, 01:46 PM

I've never had any issues with my .45acp but as said already, very heavy.

kBob · May 3, 2013, 05:07 PM

Of those I shot, I liked the .45 best, but to be honest I liked the older PD better, especially the later PD with the simpler rear sight.

As I never owned a Star Fire of my own though, I must ask if like the PD they had a plastic buffer system that needed occasional replacing.

A buddy used one (FS)in a pouch for CCW for ages. He had an ND with it. He carried the thing in a pouch not fitted with a holster and not in a holster AND used the pouch for other things. He also carried Cocked and Locked with a round up the spout. One day the combination of being loose in the bag with crap resulted in the safety being off and a pencil through the trigger guard and a dead can of motor oil and a hole in the floor of another friend's car..... He gave me the pouch which I used as an example of why one should use decent holsters in classes.

-kBob

Walt Sherrill · May 4, 2013, 07:45 AM

Quote:

If you do have one do NOT dry fire it even once! I had not even gotten to the range, 2nd click went "bloop" and the tip of the firing pin falls out of the barrel. Getting a replacement pin proved impossible (and this was years ago when they were being produced.

Parts can be a problem. You might try a search here and on The Firing Line, as there are a couple of folks who know of parts sources and I've seen references on one of these sites.

As for dry-firing. I've done it a good bit with a number of different Firestars; I don't think your problem with a broken firing pin (from dry-firing) was typical; dry-firing is not normally a "no-no" for these guns. Finding parts may be a "no-no", however.

Here's a link to one or two sources, from this forum -- and while old, they may still be good. Do your own search, too: http://www.thehighroad.org/showthrea...Firestar+parts

Fleetman · May 4, 2013, 09:05 AM

yeah....I know I've dry-fired mine a bunch without issue. I have three Stars - Model B 9mm, Firestar .45acp, and a Model 31P .40S&W.....all fire without issues but I would like a spare magazine for the 31P. The Firestar and 31 have the Starvel finish and it has held up extremely well.

Walt Sherrill · May 4, 2013, 10:03 AM

Numrich had a number of Star magazines the last time I went there.

I just checked for the 31P and nothing, right now, but check back weekly, and you may find one. They did have a few parts.

http://www.gunpartscorp.com/Manufact...Star-33508.htm

Century Arms sometimes has oddball parts for a variety of guns, too. You can check in there from time to time.

alex4922 · May 4, 2013, 10:42 AM

Yeah, the firing pin was probably faulty. Fortunately the distributor took it back no questions asked.\\

My PD was probably one of the best CC pistols I ever had. Really kick myself for letting it go.

I had an AMT Backup in .45 that was great for it's purpose. I had my gunsmith do a "dehorn" job and it was a pleasure to carry and shoot. Unfortunately I accidently fired a GI proof load in it and broke the toggle link.

May 2, 2013, 05:49 PM	#1
Gun Master Member Join Date: April 23, 2012 Location: Wolf River Bottoms Posts: 62	Star Firestar Autoloaders How good were (are) the Star Firestars ? Trash or Treasure ?

May 2, 2013, 06:37 PM	#2
Ash Member Join Date: May 10, 2004 Location: Mississippi Posts: 4,410	Firestars were good. They were clunky single-actions that were rough around the edges but they were solid & reliable. __________________ Read Rise of the Dark Son!!http://www.amazon.com/Rise-Dark-Son-...4488373&sr=8-2 http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/rise...dle/1104139515

May 2, 2013, 08:35 PM	#5
gulogulo1970 Member Join Date: July 29, 2003 Location: Fort Worth, Texas Posts: 780	Girlfriend of mine had on when I was in college. It was the M45, 45acp one and was much more accurate than my Colt Officers Model, much to my dismay. __________________ You know everybody is ignorant, only on different subjects. Will Rogers

May 2, 2013, 09:12 PM	#7
trekgod3 Member Join Date: March 14, 2008 Location: Jupiter FL Posts: 241	I lucked out and snagged this gem for $349 a while back. Heavy as a brick, very reliable, great trigger. __________________ Check out my firearms blog:http://nicksfirearms.wordpress.com/

May 2, 2013, 10:05 PM	#8
MICHAEL T Member Join Date: February 3, 2004 Location: outback Kentucky Posts: 5,028	I owned a couple over years They always shot fine and reliable. Like every one said was a brick __________________ http://bersachat.com #1 board on net for Bersa pistols and now American Classic 1911's have their own place http://www.americanclassic1911forum.com

May 2, 2013, 06:52 PM	#3
loose noose Member Join Date: February 22, 2012 Location: Southern Nevada Posts: 804	I've got a Star Firestar in .45 I like it really well, it is one of the most accurate small singlestack .45's I've ever shot.

May 2, 2013, 08:07 PM	#4
The Lone Haranguer Member Join Date: July 30, 2006 Location: Johnson City, TN Posts: 11,237	Those are neat little guns, but I didn't buy one while they were still being made.

May 2, 2013, 08:41 PM	#6
Walt Sherrill Member Join Date: January 1, 2003 Location: Winston-Salem, NC Posts: 3,043	Good solid guns. Certain parts may be hard to find if they break on some of the models (like extractors for the .40 Firestar); they can be found. The modern versions where heavy steel, single-stack guns, single-action guns. The Firestar Plus models had almost the same top end, but a double-stack alloy frame. I've had a number of them the, and they've all been accurate and reliable. The Firestar Plus models have been my personal favorites. I generally have one in the gun safe, but tend to trade it for something else, and then end up with one, again. Some of the very last models were pretty innovative, but the company was having problems and they never really had a chance to promote them, etc.

May 2, 2013, 10:23 PM	#9
BSA1 Member Join Date: April 20, 2011 Posts: 1,215	I have one mated to a Sparks EX holster. As commented it is on the heavy side but carries well.

May 2, 2013, 10:32 PM	#10
Walt Sherrill Member Join Date: January 1, 2003 Location: Winston-Salem, NC Posts: 3,043	The joke at the range where I shot mine a lot was, "if the bad guy comes to get you, and you run out of ammo, drop it on his foot, and he'll be out of action for quite a while." Heavy guns. (Not the Firestar Plus, however.)

May 2, 2013, 11:00 PM	#11
WardenWolf Member Join Date: November 11, 2008 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 5,032	Looks like the bastard child of a Browning Hi-Power and a Ruger P90. __________________ Heart of the guardian, way of the warden, path of the exile. Autistic Gun Owner Asperger's does NOT cause violence.

May 2, 2013, 11:15 PM	#12
Willie Sutton Member Join Date: April 28, 2013 Posts: 52	Mine, in 40, was the only handgun I have sold in the last 20 years. Why? It was a high quality, heavy, single stack, single action pistol. It didn't scratch any itch that something else would not do better. The quality was unquestionably high. The "Uhh... why?" factor was also high. I NEVER took it out shooting, as there was ALWAYS something else better for that day. Willie .

May 2, 2013, 11:35 PM	#13
Certaindeaf Member Join Date: January 16, 2012 Location: Wet Oregon Posts: 4,637	A shooting machine. Had one in 9mm. __________________ Sent from my computer using my fingers.

May 3, 2013, 06:12 AM	#14
Ash Member Join Date: May 10, 2004 Location: Mississippi Posts: 4,410	To me, the Star Firestar and Astra A-70 were competing designs that were solid, reliable pistols that were natural evolutions of a compact 1911. They weren't 1911's, of course, but they filled the niche that the Star PD created, and it was more 1911-like. Indeed, a 1911 shooter would be comfortable with either product as the safety is in the same place, even if the feel is different. The Astra A-75 and SIG 225 took that one step-further with double action and the single-action versions lost their luster. The new compact 1911's further degraded their desirability. With Star and Astra going out of business, nobody really stepped forward to keep the deisngs going (okay, Republic Arms of South Africa kept the 75 going for a while, but not the Firestar). Gabilondo's Llama products didn't help the reputation of Spanish pistols or their designs, either. __________________ Read Rise of the Dark Son!!http://www.amazon.com/Rise-Dark-Son-...4488373&sr=8-2 http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/rise...dle/1104139515

May 3, 2013, 08:37 AM	#15
Walkalong Moderator Join Date: November 20, 2006 Location: Alabama Posts: 29,679	A buddy bought a Firestar in .40 when they first came out. Great gun. __________________ Do you ever wonder why nobody ever robs the bag man for the mob? No, you don't. "Oh bother" said Pooh, as he chambered another round. Author unknown.

May 3, 2013, 09:17 AM	#16
Fishbed77 Member Join Date: November 23, 2010 Posts: 1,296	A friend of mine has a 9mm M43 Firestar. It's a surprisingly accurate little pistol with a very good trigger. It's well-made and also quite easy to conceal (which he does on occasion). The obvious downsides are the weight associated with an all-steel pistol, and the fact that Star is out of business and spare parts are limited. I also find the trigger guard area to be uncomfortably small. Last edited by Fishbed77; May 3, 2013 at 09:32 AM.

May 3, 2013, 09:22 AM	#17
sarge83 Member Join Date: January 2, 2003 Location: Kentucky Posts: 491	Got the firestar in 9mm, accurate and reliable, just heavy as posted already. I think I paid in the $250 range for mine used a couple yrs. back.

May 3, 2013, 11:00 AM	#18
12Bravo20 Member Join Date: October 12, 2007 Location: Missouri Posts: 347	The Firestar pistols are heavy. They do function and shoot very well. I have a M43 - 9mm and a M40 - .40S&W. I wouldn't mind finding a M45 to complete the collection. I find myself grabbing the M40 sometimes over my compact 1911 for EDC.

May 3, 2013, 11:21 AM	#19
alex4922 Member Join Date: November 16, 2010 Posts: 58	If you do have one do NOT dry fire it even once! I had not even gotten to the range, 2nd click went "bloop" and the tip of the firing pin falls out of the barrel. Getting a replacement pin proved impossible (and this was years ago when they were being produced. __________________ I've been old enough to know better for some time... now I'm old enough to know most of it was not worth it.

May 3, 2013, 01:46 PM	#20
Fleetman Member Join Date: February 14, 2010 Location: York County Pennsylvania Posts: 200	I've never had any issues with my .45acp but as said already, very heavy. __________________ "In order to become the Master, a politician must act as a servant" NRA Life Member

May 3, 2013, 05:07 PM	#21
kBob Member Join Date: June 11, 2006 Location: North Central Florida Posts: 1,717	Of those I shot, I liked the .45 best, but to be honest I liked the older PD better, especially the later PD with the simpler rear sight. As I never owned a Star Fire of my own though, I must ask if like the PD they had a plastic buffer system that needed occasional replacing. A buddy used one (FS)in a pouch for CCW for ages. He had an ND with it. He carried the thing in a pouch not fitted with a holster and not in a holster AND used the pouch for other things. He also carried Cocked and Locked with a round up the spout. One day the combination of being loose in the bag with crap resulted in the safety being off and a pencil through the trigger guard and a dead can of motor oil and a hole in the floor of another friend's car..... He gave me the pouch which I used as an example of why one should use decent holsters in classes. -kBob

May 4, 2013, 09:05 AM	#23
Fleetman Member Join Date: February 14, 2010 Location: York County Pennsylvania Posts: 200	yeah....I know I've dry-fired mine a bunch without issue. I have three Stars - Model B 9mm, Firestar .45acp, and a Model 31P .40S&W.....all fire without issues but I would like a spare magazine for the 31P. The Firestar and 31 have the Starvel finish and it has held up extremely well. __________________ "In order to become the Master, a politician must act as a servant" NRA Life Member

May 4, 2013, 10:03 AM	#24
Walt Sherrill Member Join Date: January 1, 2003 Location: Winston-Salem, NC Posts: 3,043	Numrich had a number of Star magazines the last time I went there. I just checked for the 31P and nothing, right now, but check back weekly, and you may find one. They did have a few parts. http://www.gunpartscorp.com/Manufact...Star-33508.htm Century Arms sometimes has oddball parts for a variety of guns, too. You can check in there from time to time.

May 4, 2013, 10:42 AM	#25
alex4922 Member Join Date: November 16, 2010 Posts: 58	Yeah, the firing pin was probably faulty. Fortunately the distributor took it back no questions asked.\\ My PD was probably one of the best CC pistols I ever had. Really kick myself for letting it go. I had an AMT Backup in .45 that was great for it's purpose. I had my gunsmith do a "dehorn" job and it was a pleasure to carry and shoot. Unfortunately I accidently fired a GI proof load in it and broke the toggle link. __________________ I've been old enough to know better for some time... now I'm old enough to know most of it was not worth it.