firestar m40

[test drive]

I know this subject comes up time to time but I thought I would share. From owning a couple and reading the forums I know the firestars are well liked but known to have the dreded FTE with next end jamming underneath it sometimes and the extractor is usually blamed. Well I picked up a m40 recently and yep started to have FTE with empty shell about half way out. Extractor didn't look bad and tension felt good but ordered a extractor spring from SARCO. New spring was a good bit longer than the original but I installed it anyway. 250 rnds later and still no FTE.

 

[Snowdog]

Awesome! Those Star Firestars have a special place in my heart, having been introduced when I was first getting into firearms as a kid. I vow one day to own one and it's good to know folks are still enjoying them.
Good job on bringing yours back to life.

 

[kBob]

Been wondering if anyone out there had and still used a Firestar. They seemed like nice midsized guns to me. Easier to shoot well than the PD, yet still small enough for some CCW folks.

-kBob

 

[bannockburn]

Over the years I have had several 9mm. Stars; a Model B, a Model 30, and an UltraStar. All were solid well built pistols with excellent reliability and accuracy.

 

[tranders]

I have had a 40 caliber Firestar for a number of years and it still shoots fine. Well made pistol.

 

[loose noose]

I have a Star Firestar in .45 and do like the features, Starvel finish, and a sweet trigger pull, very accurate also. Mine has kind of become a "gun safe queen" cause I went and bought a Sig Sauer 1911 Ultra Compact in .45, which can be carried locked and cocked, which unfortunately you can't safely carry with the Star. Do like it though.

 

[12Bravo20]

I have two Firestars, a M40 and M43. I wouldn't mind having M45 to complete the collection.

 

[tranders]

Why not carry cocked and locked? Safety blocks hammer and has firing pin block.

 

[loose noose]

The main reason is if that safety comes off in the draw, it doesn't take much to have the trigger pulled and an accidental discharge, with the grip safety the gun has to be gripped properly and while extending the firearm, is when the safety is disengaged; After reading my example it doesn't really make much sense, perhaps someone else can explain to him why the Star should not be carried locked and cocked.

 

[tranders]

Browning HiPower must be in the same boat. I don't agree with your view point, but to each their own.

 

[xv920j]

Yep. Firestar M40 Starvel carried in a Ted Blocker LFI rig. Comfortable, easy to conceal. Never had a FTE with it.

 

[BSA1]

I have the M-43 and am confident with carrying it cocked & locked. I do carry it in a Sparks EX IWB holster which not only helps with the weight of the gun but also keeps the safety from accidentally being swiped off.

 

[maseden]

I found that my m40 started to have FTE from a little spot of carbon underneath the extractor. It seemed improbable, but removing that completely solved my FTE issues.

 

[test drive]

Wow good to see so many of you still have and cary your old firestars! There is just something about the feel of those guns and yes they are a tad heavy but I believe that is a factor in the exelant accuracy they exhibit. This one has definitely made it into my Cary rotation and I agree with others that the starvle finish is nice, really looks like stainless steel.

 

[Walt Sherrill]

I've had both the 9mm and .40 versions of the Star Firestar and found them reliable and accurate -- but much preferred the Star Firestar Plus which was, in effect, the same top end with an alloy, double-stack frame. (The 9mm version held up to 13 rounds.) I think Star planned to build a .40 version of the Firestar Plus, but never did it. You can sometime find mags offered for that version.

Parts can be a problem, although some places in Spain can still make needed parts. (Extractors for the .40 version were like hen's teeth some years back.)

Just about anything you wan to know about the Firestar line can be found here: http://star-firearms.com/firearms/guns/firestar/index.shtml

These folks might be able to help find parts, if you need them: http://forums.gunboards.com/forumdisplay.php?40-The-Spanish-Pistol-Board&s=&daysprune=