Star Model Super B 9mm for CC ?

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Gun Master

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Right now Star Model Super B in 9mm are selling for $250+ online.
Many consider Star Super B to be a "super buy" at this price, and likely to increase in price in the near future.

Could you express your opinion regarding the Super B as being a good choice as primary or backup for concealed carry, and the reasons pro or con ?
 
Some time back I had a Star Model B which made for a great gun to teach new shooters with. It also served as my truck gun for a number of years. Well made, reliable, durable, and accurate. If I were looking for a Star 9mm. to conceal carry it would probably be the BM or BKS Starlight.
 
I have a Super B, and I think it's a fantastic pistol. Great design, good materials, good fit and finish, etc. I've been able to hit whatever I want with it at 30 yards, so it's passed my accuracy requirements. While it is very heavy, it's also much slimmer than most handguns. Even thinner than a 1911 for instance. That said, I think it only holds like seven rounds, and the magazines have been finicky. The 9x19 cartridges tend to nosedive in the 9mm Largo magazine on my gun. I have doubts that hollow points would be 100% reliable in most Stars unless you did some magazine, throat and feed ramp work. Just a hunch. Also, mine came with a recoil spring so worn out that the gun doesn't function reliably. So make sure you test yours out well before carrying it. These are just some observations from my time with my specific gun. I'm not sure there are any higher quality pistols out there right now for ~$250. I personally consider it more of a range gun, but lots of people carry full size 1911's, so why not a slicked up Star with some HST 147's?
 
Super B is a bit heavy for me to CC. Might work for you.
It's a great gun but you could grow old waiting for it to appreciate in value
 
I've got six 9mm parabellum Stars....plain Jane B, Super B, 30MI, 28PK, 30PK and UltraStar and consider all but the UltraStar as either too heavy or too big to carry. Plus I do not/will not carry cocked and locked, which you must do for the Super B.

If I were going to carry one of my Stars IWB with a shirt tucked over, it would be the UltraStar...it's polymer, so a bit lighter; definitely compact; and I trust it with HPs and functionality. I may put it into the rotation.

That said, however, my edc is a Shield all gussied up: night sights, Apex trigger and springs, and Talon grips. I can shoot it very accurately, its totally dependable (S&W just sold its 1 millionth Shield), and as small and light as you could want. My other CCW guns are a Smith m60 .38 snubbie and a Smith 908. If I were going to carry an SA only 9, it would be my Astra A70. If I were going to carry another plastic pistol, it would be my Smith SD9VE.

I think there are better choices for concealed carry than a Super B even though I'm a big fan of Star and the Super B in particular.
 
I'd pick the Star over a Hi Point every time.

Very true, though personally I'd say the Taurus PT111 G2 is a better carry gun and value vs the Star (it's been a while since I had it but I used to own an old Star Modelo Super in 9mm Largo). As long as you're familiar with how it operates though the Star will do its job if needed.
 
I like my Super B, but like others have repeated it is a little too big and a little too heavy for full time cc. It is thinner than other full sized guns, so it does have that going for it. If you are just going to occasionally carry it then you could probably make it work, but probably not well with an IWB holster.
 
If I wanted to CC a Star, it would be the Firestar Plus, the alloy-framed double-stack compact. I've had several over the years. Great little guns.
 
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My Super B is a great pistol. When I got it, it looked like it hadn't been fired much. It has been completely reliable and is quite accurate. My FiL liked it so much that he got one too. He got his for a few dollars cheaper and it looked to be NIB! He shoots it better than his Beretta.

Personally, I wouldn't carry it due to size/weight and because cocked and locked makes me uncomfortable.

But if a SA pistol of that size is okay with the OP, go for it. They seem to be high quality pistols and I would feel well-armed with one.
 
Be aware that the Star pistols of this kind do not use John Browning's design for a safety lock (manual safety) which was an afterthought demanded by the Army.

In Browning's design the safety blocks the sear, that holds the hammer at full-cock. If a hard blow hits the hammer the tip of the sear might break and the hammer go down - at least in theory. In practice I've never heard of it happening.

In the Star, when you engage the safety the hammer is lifted off the sear, and then it (the hammer) is blocked by a substantial lug on the safety.

Of the two options, the Star is the better one.

I have no qualms about carrying either pistol in the cocked & locked mode, but those that do might consider the advantages offered by the Star.
 
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