FI Industires 380

[Plan2Live]

I was prowling around an independently owned local gun store today. I came across a small 380 auto that looks like a mini 1911. The owner said he got it from an estate sale and couldn’t find any info on it. The medallion on the grips said FI Industires, Washington, DC. From the limited info I can find on it, it appears to be a Star manufactured pistol that was originally supposed to be a joint venture with Colt. I didn’t have a camera so no pictures. I did a search here under FI Industries and Star and couldn’t turn up any hits. I looked on Gun Broker and same result.

It’s smaller than a Bersa Thunder but very heavy, seems well built.

Is anyone familiar with this pistol, it’s reputation and current value?

 

[usp9]

Is it FI or FIE?

 

[Plan2Live]

The slide just says fi in non-caps. The tiny medallion on the grips says fi ind. (ind is abbreviated), Washington, DC. Again, I think the fi ind part was non-caps also.

 

[capttom]

If I remember correctly (and my memory fades as the years increase), this was a U.S. version of one of the small Star Pistols, maybe the Model D. It was rumored to be produced as the Colt Pony, but those plans fell through. I think it was also produced by Iver Johnson. I've never fired one, but would like to own one. Nice and flat, easily concealable. I've heard the quality was OK but nothing exceptional. Good combat accuracy.