9mm on a budget

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velocette

velocette

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Not wanting a plastic fantastic pistola and not wanting to pay an outrageous amount for an all metal pistol, I found a Spanish police surplus 9mm pistol. The Star BM.
Paid just over $200.00 for it (before the Covid / Democrat craze) including the dealers transfer fee.
What I got was a used pistol needing some TLC. First, some research, then a lot of cleaning, a set of Wolff springs some Brownells cold touch up blue and a set of Herretts grips. got me started. Then I replaced the non inertial firing pin with a later design inertial pin and fitted a 0.008" shim between the frame and back of the barrel along with an EGW barrel link. Net cost of the parts was less than $100.00. So for a bit less than $300.00 I have a reliable all steel 9mm pistol that is just the right size for concealed carry and yet soft and easy shooting. Trigger breaks at a clean 4.5 lbs. Its accurate enough to clang the 50 yard steel silhouette at my club. It feeds and fires all kinds of ammo, from JHP 125s & 147s to my 124 gr cast lead SWC handloads, basically anything I can stuff into its magazine.
What's not to like? Pictured here with my 9mm SA 1911 compact and a Zastava .32 acp for size comparison.
IMG_1522.JPG IMG_1503.JPG
 
I am unsure of the model but a Star pistol chambered for 9mm Largo was the first handgun I bought myself. I wound up trading it off for a Mossberg 20 gauge back in the 90's. It was a nice little pistol. Star made good guns.
 
buba68
No it does not. It looks like a 1911, handles like a 1911 shoots like a 1911 but is in no way interchangeable with a 1911. However, with its curved butt, it is more ergonomic than a 1911 and fits your hand better. Much like a Hi Power.
 
The 1911 got a quite comfortable "curved butt" in 1925. I don't quite understand the rush back to the flat mainspring housing. I have gotten used to it since my first Gold Cup of years ago, but my old Commander with arched mainspring housing feels better.
 
Mark_Mark said:
Nothing wrong with my LC9 that cost me $239 out the door. It’s light and reliable.
Click to expand...

Yes- the original hammer fired LC9 was pretty good (a negative being the comically huge loaded chamber indicator). The LC9S (and especially the "Pro", or would that be the "Rookie" variant) was unfortunately a step backwards for safety.
 
Years ago I had the "full size" Model B and it was a super reliable 9mm. with any load, provided it was FMJ ammo. I also liked it's slightly downsized dimensions from a 1911; much more comfortable in my smaller size hand.
 
velocette said:
Not wanting a plastic fantastic pistola and not wanting to pay an outrageous amount for an all metal pistol, I found a Spanish police surplus 9mm pistol. The Star BM.
Paid just over $200.00 for it (before the Covid / Democrat craze) including the dealers transfer fee.
What I got was a used pistol needing some TLC. First, some research, then a lot of cleaning, a set of Wolff springs some Brownells cold touch up blue and a set of Herretts grips. got me started. Then I replaced the non inertial firing pin with a later design inertial pin and fitted a 0.008" shim between the frame and back of the barrel along with an EGW barrel link. Net cost of the parts was less than $100.00. So for a bit less than $300.00 I have a reliable all steel 9mm pistol that is just the right size for concealed carry and yet soft and easy shooting. Trigger breaks at a clean 4.5 lbs. Its accurate enough to clang the 50 yard steel silhouette at my club. It feeds and fires all kinds of ammo, from JHP 125s & 147s to my 124 gr cast lead SWC handloads, basically anything I can stuff into its magazine.
What's not to like? Pictured here with my 9mm SA 1911 compact and a Zastava .32 acp for size comparison.
View attachment 1000153 View attachment 1000155
Click to expand...
Nice pickup. The Star Model B, Model BM, Models 28/30/31 and the "Firestar" M-43 have been the hidden gems in plain sight for decades in the 9mm stable of options. I have had a BM since they came into the country in 1998 and picked up both a Model 30M and an M-43 not long after. I recently sold the Model 30M because the profit margin was just too high to keep it. Still have the BM and M-43, and an M-45 with Star's "Starvel" nickel finish. They're nicely made guns. Enjoy!
 
GeoDudeFlorida said:
Nice pickup. The Star Model B, Model BM, Models 28/30/31 and the "Firestar" M-43 have been the hidden gems in plain sight for decades in the 9mm stable of options. I have had a BM since they came into the country in 1998 and picked up both a Model 30M and an M-43 not long after. I recently sold the Model 30M because the profit margin was just too high to keep it. Still have the BM and M-43, and an M-45 with Star's "Starvel" nickel finish. They're nicely made guns. Enjoy!
Click to expand...

I do like my Firestars :D I have a M43 and M40. I wouldn't mind finding a M45 to complete the collection.
 
12Bravo20 said:
I do like my Firestars :D I have a M43 and M40. I wouldn't mind finding a M45 to complete the collection.
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Chunky little guns, but I’ve never heard anyone say much bad about them at all :thumbup:. It’s too bad they’re relegated to the used gun market, they would certainly sell a bunch if they were being made today :).

Stay safe.
 
Riomouse911 said:
Chunky little guns, but I’ve never heard anyone say much bad about them at all :thumbup:. It’s too bad they’re relegated to the used gun market, they would certainly sell a bunch if they were being made today :).

Stay safe.
Click to expand...

I so wanted a Firestar in the 90’s, but I resisted because they were so darn heavy. Since 90% of my carry time was in business dress without a jacket it just wouldn’t work for me for pocket carry.

When they quit making them I decided to buy a 40. I had sent it to a gunsmith that specialized in lightening them and adding a fiber optic sight (this was in the 90’S !). Anyway he had it so long I had forgotten about it. Ten years plus later he sends it back to me without doing the work, but he converted it to 357 Sig and did not charge me. I guess he got me mixed up with another customer.

I haven’t shot it yet. I keep forgetting to take it to the range with me. When the ammo situation calms down I’ll give it a go.

As far as the OP, my Model B Star is very enjoyable to shoot, it’s amazingly soft shooting.
 
I have a Super B that I would swear was unissued; it's in such good condition. Bluing you could get lost in staring at. Hammer that, when drawn back, feels like pulling a hot knife through melted butter.

But, like many of my intended shooters, I haven't gotten around to shooting it yet.
 
I had three of them back iv the day, along with a Star PD in .45 ACP. Good rough-and-ready guns! Mine were all reliable and accuracy was adequate. My only complaints were a lack of dedicated holsters and the boat anchor weight-pretty heavy for such low capacity. But for $200 I'd buy another!
 
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