I have a chance to get a Starr 40 caliber Firestarr handgun at a decent price. I believe the company is no longer in business. Is this a good firearm? It is all stainless, heavy but compact. I have not seen or heard anything about these guns. Anyone have any experience with this gun, and if so what can you tell me about them?
Starr Firestarr?
- Thread starter Fyrstyk
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Steve762us
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Interesting, well-crafted guns with a rep for accuracy. Star is long out of business
and parts can be a challenge. There are some sites online with limited parts
available. Some models had rep for fragile firing pins.
and parts can be a challenge. There are some sites online with limited parts
available. Some models had rep for fragile firing pins.
The Firestar pistols are good guns. What you describe is not actually stainless but is a finish. Star called it Starvel. Star made three different versions: M43 9mm, M40 40 S&W, and M45 45 ACP. I have a M43 and M40 and both have been very reliable and accurate. The only time I had an issue with the M40 was when using Remington/UMC FMJ ammo. My pistol didn't like it and would stove pipe.
The M40 was my first semi auto that I owned after getting out of the service and it has gotten shot a lot. I've never had any failures (except ammo related)
From what I can tell, the current price is $250-$350. The Starvel models I've seen are closer to $350. If you can get it at a decent price, go for it.
The M40 was my first semi auto that I owned after getting out of the service and it has gotten shot a lot. I've never had any failures (except ammo related)
From what I can tell, the current price is $250-$350. The Starvel models I've seen are closer to $350. If you can get it at a decent price, go for it.
FL-NC
Member
I have seen several with broken firing pins.
MachIVshooter
Member
They're OK, not fantastic. If it's in really good condition, $250-$300 is about the most you should consider paying. Honestly, though, in the current market, there are better traditional DA handguns that can be had for similar money brand new.
It is a model 40 with the starvel finish. It comes with 2 magazines, and the seller is asking $200. The trigger pull seems to be rather heavy. I test fired it a few times with Blazer ammo and it functioned fine. I think I will go for it.
I have a Firestar 40 in Starvel. It’s a stout little gun, but on the heavy side for such a small pistol, which is why I don’t carry it.
I had an extra barrel made for it in 357 Sig. Talk about a flamethrower!
For $200 you can’t go wrong.
I had an extra barrel made for it in 357 Sig. Talk about a flamethrower!
For $200 you can’t go wrong.
MySuomi
Member
I have all 3 Star Firestar Models. I have not had any issues (beyond magazine scarcity) with any of them. They feel great in the hand but they are heavy. And like someone said parts are difficult but not impossible to find.
Ok sights and an ok trigger. I really do enjoy shooting these pistols but I have a weakness for older all metal Euro pistols.
Ok sights and an ok trigger. I really do enjoy shooting these pistols but I have a weakness for older all metal Euro pistols.
Dunross
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I have the M45 and a friend of mine had the M40 for which I loaded the ammo he used.
They are good guns. Yes, a bit on the heavy side, but I liked it that way as it made for faster follow-up shots. As you noted Star and Interarms are long gone so finding parts and magazines can be a challenge.
My M45 is still one of my favorite EDCs.
For $200 I'd say it's a bargain if it's still in good shape. You'll have to put your licks in finding more mags though.
They are good guns. Yes, a bit on the heavy side, but I liked it that way as it made for faster follow-up shots. As you noted Star and Interarms are long gone so finding parts and magazines can be a challenge.
My M45 is still one of my favorite EDCs.
For $200 I'd say it's a bargain if it's still in good shape. You'll have to put your licks in finding more mags though.
NIGHTLORD40K
Member
Not bad at all for $200. Mine was reliable, though heavy and inaccurate beyond 10yds or so. They make decent nightstand or glovebox guns. Magazines are tough to find. Starvel is just hard-chrome.
The magazine safety is very easily removed if youre so inclined, and makes the mags drop-free.
Garandimal
member
Was my 1st serious Semi-Auto, after a tryst with a Colt Officer's ACP.
If you do pick it up?
Do yourself a favor - remove the firing pin and find a machinist to make you a replacement out of tool/stainless/titanium.
...for later.
GR
nofendertom
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I just saw a stainless one at a gun show---$495.
The Starvel finish is just Star's name for a nickel finish.
I wouldn't mind finding a M45 (locally at a decent price) to go along with the M43 and M40. I have found that my M40 is plenty accurate. I have no problems knocking down bowling pins or ringing steel gongs at 50+ yards.
I wouldn't mind finding a M45 (locally at a decent price) to go along with the M43 and M40. I have found that my M40 is plenty accurate. I have no problems knocking down bowling pins or ringing steel gongs at 50+ yards.
MachIVshooter
Member
If you like the gun, there are certainly worse ways you could be separated from 2 C-notes!
Well, gun shows are loaded with vendors who either sell beef jerky, knives & jewlery, or are smoking crack and think their inventory is solid gold.
Guns shows are a horrible metric for market value. Use ended auctions on Gunbroker.
shoobe01
Member
Four models of Firestars actually. Don't forget the M243, double-stack Firestar Plus. Aluminum also. I carried the one at the top of this page forever.
http://star-firearms.com/firearms/guns/firestar/index.shtml
Star went out of business in the 90s. Story: http://star-firearms.com/star/index.shtml
Parts are GONE. US dealers bought crates of parts when they closed. More than apparently existed in the rest of the world. But it's been decades. Fun to have for shooting, etc. especially if cheap enough. But less so for a serious gun. If something breaks, that may be it anymore.
Magazines and so on are pretty easy to find though, and a few make holsters so they work.
Info on mag safeties: http://star-firearms.com/info/mags.shtml
http://star-firearms.com/firearms/guns/firestar/index.shtml
Star went out of business in the 90s. Story: http://star-firearms.com/star/index.shtml
Parts are GONE. US dealers bought crates of parts when they closed. More than apparently existed in the rest of the world. But it's been decades. Fun to have for shooting, etc. especially if cheap enough. But less so for a serious gun. If something breaks, that may be it anymore.
Magazines and so on are pretty easy to find though, and a few make holsters so they work.
Info on mag safeties: http://star-firearms.com/info/mags.shtml
Garandimal
member
As for the mag activated safety...?
IIRC, it's a flat cast steel arm, under the grip panel, with a cam lobe on the end that is activated by the side of the inserted mag.
Snapped the cam lobe end off with a pair of pliers - problem solved.
GR
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That is the easiest way I have found to get rid of the magazine disconnect, plus the magazines will then drop free.
Walt Sherrill
Member
About the only part that can REALLY be a problem for the .40 version is the extractor. (Some folks in Europe have made some for resale.) Quite a few Star .40s are now paperweights because of that broken part.
I've had several, and I particularly liked the Firestar Plus. (The Firestar Plus had an alloy frame and double-stack magazines, which gave you a much lighter gun than the steel-framed versions.) At the range where I shot, years ago, the joke, when I was shooting the steel-framed model, was "if you run out of ammo, drop the Star on the bad guy's foot and he'll be out of action!"
The Starvel finish is, I think Electroless Nickel, which is a good finish, applied chemically rather thanthe older way, which uses electrical plating.
I've had several, and I particularly liked the Firestar Plus. (The Firestar Plus had an alloy frame and double-stack magazines, which gave you a much lighter gun than the steel-framed versions.) At the range where I shot, years ago, the joke, when I was shooting the steel-framed model, was "if you run out of ammo, drop the Star on the bad guy's foot and he'll be out of action!"
The Starvel finish is, I think Electroless Nickel, which is a good finish, applied chemically rather thanthe older way, which uses electrical plating.
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Like my friends.
Valkman
Member
For $200 I'd already have it! 
I had a M45 and it was my carry gun along with a .380 Makarov. I have sold both now but it was a good gun that weighed a ton.
I had a M45 and it was my carry gun along with a .380 Makarov. I have sold both now but it was a good gun that weighed a ton.Starvel. I did not know that. Learn something new every day.
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