Star BM- who has one? Tell me about it.

FL-NC said:

I have recently had an opportunity to purchase a surplus star BM. Besides YT videos, I know nothing about them. Who has one, and in what role is it used? What do you think of it?

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I've heard good things about them. Sturdy and reliable are most often mentioned. Down side is magazines and parts are hard to find and to face facts modern 9MM guns of that size are just better.

I had one. Good little gun, small 9mm Micro Commander would be a good description. Downside? Heavier than the wondernines so prevalent today. I'd wager you can't stray too far from an FMJ profile for reliability. Mine worked fine with factory FMJ.

They are good pistols but as stated parts are hard to find. The BM fits into the Star lineup between the Model A/B and the later Firestar models as far as size goes. I passed on a BM last year and probably should have bought it to go with my Model A Super and my Firestars.

I've got one, and like it a lot, even though I'm a lefty and it's a right hand only safety. All steel, so a bit heavier, but very accurate and reliable, and for the price I paid it was very worthwhile. It compares in looks to an 80% size 1911, somewhat, and I'm told the internals are actually more similar in construction to the Browning Hi Power, but I can't say that based on my own observation, since I've never handled a Hi Power.
I do enjoy shooting it, and it functions well with 115 or 124 FMJ. It does have some history, and I'd encourage looking that up, if you are interested militarily.

For most folk, range duty or with properly tested ammo, it could serve a solid role as a nightstand gun. Maybe a bit heavy for carry, though.

I like mine fine. No problems BUT do not dry-fire it or you will be hunting a new firing pin which are hard to find and therefore more expensive than they should be.

I don't like plastic guns and this BM is my cup of tea. My 15 y.o. granddaughter shot mine with hot handloads and really likes it.

Source for parts: Star BM, BKM, BKS 9m/m pistol (jackfirstinc.com)

It's nice to see there are still parts available. I replaced the extractor on mine from Ipar, the Spanish company that picked up the inventory when Star was liquidated. I believe Ipar is also out of business now.

Comparing the two parts, my old extractor looked like it had been chewed by beavers. It explained my initial problems with the gun.

It's been fine ever since. I put it in rotation when checking out rounds, including JHPs, even though I don't carry it for defense. It has not choked on any of them, including my reloads.

As stated above, it's a good gun for training beginners.

I got one when they were very cheap a few years ago. They were surplus Spanish police pistols, IIRC.

They were suitable for police use back in the 70's or whenever: basically a smaller 1911 in 9mm and no grip safety.

I like mine. It's a good shooter. Its weight makes the recoil very easy. Mine has never malfunctioned.

FL-NC said:

... Who has one, and in what role is it used? What do you think of it?

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I like the Star BM a lot ... well, for the English-speaking market the model designation could be better.

I bought my first pair a few weeks apart in '02. When I received the initial pistol I disassembled, inspected, reassembled and testfired it out back. I found it to be a (relatively) heavy, old-school STEEL pistol that was accurate, comfortable, concealable and a delight to shoot.

I immediately ordered the 2nd.

Shortly thereafter, they seemed to disappear from the marketplace.

When I saw some pop up in '04, even though these were probably best described as "rode hard & put away wet" (which the pricing reflected), I quickly placed my order for another pair. I had to do some repairs, crafted at least one missing part and reblued them (just straight Fe3O4 magnetite) on the back patio during one of the last of my efforts in that arena.


BTW, be sure to read this recent Thread:

https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/star-bm-barrel-link-issues.891819/

I had a Star Model B, the slightly larger full size service model. It was incredibly reliable with FMJ ammo, handled and balanced nicely, and was a very soft shooter. I use to let folks I was teaching how to shoot "graduate" to the Model B when it was time to move from rimfire to centerfire guns. Everyone loved shooting it and did rather well with it.

I’ve had mine for several years. I think I bought it back in 2005. I paid around $250 with an extra magazine. It came with the original box and owners manual.
For me it’s basically a range toy, I have plenty of guns that fill duty rolls. I’ve shot several of them, probably ten or more and have found that they all shot very well. I had a set of aftermarket grips, but found them to be to thick. I gave them to @H&R Glock and he said that he really likes them. I guess he has bigger hands then me.

Here's the one I had with the RIA 1911 I had



My older son (quite a few years ago, he's 28 now) shooting my Star BM. It fit him perfectly at the time.

Not much to say that hasn't been said except I got mine back in the early 2000's and have enjoyed shooting it quite a lot. I got the $99.99 bargain gun with cracked grips and a worn barrel (non-original box and a photocopy of the manual) and it has been reliable, if not remarkably accurate, for range work. I test new loads with it - everything from soft swaged target loads to jacketed hollow-point hi-vel - and it has fed everything reliably except my original concept 124gr. Remington Golden Saber loads. I had to shorten the OAL by .010" for them to feed in the BM, even though they fed well in my Firestar and passed the CZ 75B plunk test.. It's my canary in the coal mine gun - if anything could be wrong that a gauge or plunk won't catch, the BM will.

@GeoDudeFlorida How do you like the BM compared to the Firestars?

I have a SUper A in 9mm Largo and two Firestars. I do like the Firestars and how they shoot for a small pistol. One is in 9mm and the other in 40 S&W.

12Bravo20 said:

@GeoDudeFlorida How do you like the BM compared to the Firestars?

I have a SUper A in 9mm Largo and two Firestars. I do like the Firestars and how they shoot for a small pistol. One is in 9mm and the other in 40 S&W.

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I have two Firestars: 9mm and .45ACP. In terms of a small format pistol I've never tried better. I'm told by a fella who has one, they're one of the first and best of the .40S&W's. The BM is much more comfortable to shoot - it fits my hand as well if not better than the 9mm Firestar - but I like the 9mm Firestar better overall. The .45ACP Firestar is my favorite in that caliber, and I have a couple of Springfields, an accurized Auto Ordnance, and a Remington-Rand 1911A1 WW-Second US Army issue. The BM is nice and I like it but the Firestars are just a better design and better built, in my opinion.

There are times that I wouldn't mind adding the M45 to the collection. And if I find a BM at a reasonable price, I'll probably pick one up. I can say that the M40 is definitely a little snapper in recoil versus the M43 but it still isn't bad. Yes the Firestars are heavy for their size but that does help with recoil. I'm sure the BM is a bit smoother than the M43 since it is a little bigger.

I am little bit sorry that I never came across a BKM (light[er]weight version of the BM ... alloy frame, IIRC).

I did manage to score 2 vg/exc Star PDs (.45acp w/alloy frames) on separate occasions and for good prices in Spring ($250) & Summer ($205) of '05. I had originally wanted one of those during '75 & '76 off-seasons while I was working graveyard shift at a new beachfront hotel ("Interesting Times") but had to settle for a .45acp Colt's Combat Commander.

I don't know how the BKM pistols are, but with the PD you definitely want to change out the buffer on a regular basis to keep from cracking the frame.

Ab-so-lute-ly! Thank you!

I only shoot them rarely, but shooting one (or both) always begins with a buffer (and recoil spring assy & frame) inspection on both.

Star pistols are definitely underrated in my experience. I haven't had any issues in any that I have owned over the years. I can't say the same for a lot of other Spanish gun manufacturers though.

I was so impressed with the form and function that I also bought 4 of them. One of them wears the beautiful grips that the Gunny was talking about. Thanks again Sarge.
Check it out...."RACING STRIPES"
If I could find another one in the same condition as my first 4, I'd also buy it as an investment. You just hafta' suck up on surplus guns when they are released, or you always regret it. Guns are what stimulus checks are for. Your insurance against inflation!
You also need a good dachshund to guard your guns.

I LIKE my 3 Stars...*****!
Top: 9mm Luger
Middle: 45ACP
Uncased: 9mm Largo

TRUE THAT! RE: having extra buffers on hand.

Star model B M {Medium}, The one I have eats everything I have stuffed into it. 124 LSWC, any FMJ, JHP from three different mfg. It is a bit heavier by a few ounces than my EDC Springfield compact 1911 9mm. The Star's trigger is quite good, darn near match grade, clean and crisp, but about 4 1/2 ~ 5 lb. Accuracy is adequate for a combat pistol, minute of human at 50 yards easily.
Things to do with your Star B Medium, After you have cleaned it thoroughly, and lubricated it properly. Shim the barrel stop (U tube is your friend) Replace the barrel link with an EGW link, Replace the firing pin with an inertial firing pin, (Numrich Gun Parts has them, they are shorter than the original) then fill it up with ammo and shoot the snot out of it. Replacement grips are readily available and moderately priced. Parts seem to be available too.
They are a darned good pistol for a moderate price.