Pretty nice little 9mm C&R

[DMK]

A few weeks back I posted a thread asking about the Star B pistols that Dan Tobin's selling. Well, I just got mine last week. I'm pretty pleased with it. It came with what looks to be a brand new black leather holster, a cleaning rod and two mags. Unfortunately, there was no documentation as shown in the picture. The barrel has good rifling and there's no pitting. The nice wood grips are in very good condition. It came with a light coat of cosmoline over everything, but a little mineral spirits on a toothbrush cleaned it up easily.

I looked up the markings at http://star-firearms.com and found it was made in 1945. The rumor is these came from Russia (presumably they captured them from the Nazis), but I found no evidence of German or Russian markings, although the magazines are force matched with an engraving tool which is typical of Russian refurbs. One has to wonder where these pistols were and how they came to get there.

Notice the external extractor. It has a different firing pin setup too and no grip safety. It has a linked barrel and field strips just like a 1911.

This side shows obvious evidence of refinishing. There's some light pitting unter the bluing and the roll marks are little worn down, but still readable. I guess they tried to polish off the pitting, but thankfully did try to salvage the markings. The slide latch looks like somebody hit it with a ball peen a few times.

Looks kinda funny to see such a small bore on a 1911 type pistol

 

[Onmilo]

Nice looking handgun.
Star and Astra pistols are far and away the very best of the best of the Spanish made handguns.

Your Russian connection is somewhat founded in truth.
My understanding is that these guns were actually South African surplus sold to Russia and Imported into the US.
Because of sanctions still in place against South Africa,surplus firearms cannot be imported directly but must go through countries that can legally import surplus into the US, hence the Russian connection.

You have yourself a decent pistol with an interesting past, enjoy it.

 

[berettaman]

http://pub176.ezboard.com/bcurioandrelicfirearmsforum

You might go to the above link and in the Spanish Pistol section,ask "Bob In StLouis" to check the serial number for you.He's kind of a Spanish Steel Guru.
I'm glad to hear that the importers didn't try another fake stamping scheme on this batch.

 

[XavierBreath]

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Until I obtained a 9mm Colt Commander, my Star Model B was my favorite 9mm, edging out the B92, an XD, and even a P7. It's a fine gun.

 

[Moonclip]

Very nice, I've been looking for one for awhile. It is a classic designed, slim graceful looking pistol I thinkl.

 

[Mauserguy]

I got one about ten years ago. When I picked it up I had buyers remorse. I felt like I should have spent the money on a better gun. I took it to the range, of course, and absolutely fell in love with it. The Star B is a great piece. Now, I think it is the coolest thing around.
Mauserguy