Just got my new (old as hell) Star B 9mm

[firestar]

I just got my Star B in the mail today (C&R is so nice). It is in O.K. shape but I was wondering if I have a mag problem. The follower does not engage the slide stop. Is this normal? I have heard that the Star B was originally designed for the (9mm Largo and not the 9mm Luger, could this be the problem? Is this a common thing for 9mm Luger Stars to do?

Other than that, it is a nice older pistol. I haven't shot it yet but it seems like it is going to be fun. It reminds me of a WWII vintage Colt .45 with the arched mainspring houseing and the checkering on the controls. Can't wait to shoot this puppy!

 

[WonderNine]

My guess is....if it has a slide stop, it should be engaging with an empty mag providing the mag is not the problem....

What's a 9mm Largo? Now I'm gonna have to do a Google search

 

[firestar]

9mm Largo is a little longer than the 9mm Luger round and the mag appears to show this. I see what you mean about the follower should engage the slide stop but what I meant to ask was, do I have a 9mm Largo mag in a 9mm Luger pistol? Were any Star Bs even originally chambered in 9mm Luger? It says 9mm on the slide but that doesn't tell me anything.

I think I figured it out, the follower is just not making contact with the slidestop for some reason. I will try another mag and see if that helps.

 

[Preacherman]

Firestar, I confirm your problem, even without seeing the gun. I was issued one of these in the South African Defence Force in the 1970's, while doing my military service. The biggest single problem with the gun was that the barrel was for 9mm. Parabellum, but the magazines were designed originally for 9mm. Largo. This led to all sorts of fun and games, as rounds would sometimes "nose-dive" off the follower into the feed ramp and comprehensively jam up the works. I ended up buying several Colt 9mm. Parabellum magazines and modifying them to fit the Star. This solved my feeding problem, but I was less than impressed by the interest shown in my continued well-being by an army that would issue an unreliably-configured pistol!

 

[BevrFevr]

Not only that but Never Ever....

Dry Fire an old star. The firing pins are very easy to break and you may be hard pressed to find a replacement part. I did this as a teen to my dads pistol. So I know what I'm saying here.

Good luck! -bevr