Replacing Firing Pin In A Star PD 45ACP?

[Quentin]

Hello, new here. Found you when Google pulled up some old threads on the Star PD. I'm hoping some of you guys still know something about the PD.

Has anyone replaced the firing pin? It doesn't look easy and I suspect the rear sight needs to be removed to get at it. Then of course finding a new part will be a problem. I haven't taken it to a gunsmith yet as I hoped to find out from experts what may be involved to get it repaired.

I've had my PD since about 1981 but last time I tried to fire it discovered the firing pin is broken. No dents at all on the cartridge primer... the pin's just not coming through the hole to strike the primer so I think the tip is broken off.

This pistol hasn't been fired very much and is in like new condition so I was surprised it wouldn't fire now. I doubt that it has 300 rounds through it in 25 years. I suspect dry firing may have broken the firing pin but thought that didn't hurt center fire pistols. (Sure hasn't hurt my 1975 Colt 1911!)

Do you think the Star is worth fixing if possible? If an original part isn't available I hope a gunsmith with real skill can make a new one but don't know if that is done often... Really it's a nice little gun with a real wallop!

Thanks for any help!

 

[Quentin]

Still googling... yep, dry firing did it... hope I can get it fixed.

http://www.hipowersandhandguns.com/StarPistols.htm

(There is a picture of a Star PD at this link. It's the smaller gun lying on the chipped blue paint background.)

 

[railroader]

M&M Gunsmithing
204 S. Union St.
Alexandria, VA
703-739-1250 They use to have star parts. Mark

 

[MICHAEL T]

dry fireing doesn't work well on a Star.

 

[Quentin]

Thanks guys, I'll see if I can still get the part but suspect it's pretty grim. Otherwise I'll have to find a pro who can fabricate one on a lathe or something. Oh, well it just takes time and money but it's worth fixing.

Learned a lesson the hard way.

 

[slopemeno]

Did you try Gun Parts Corp?

 

[Quentin]

Thanks for the tip! I'll have to try them.

 

[Rockstar]

Try Jack First Corp.

 

[JERRY]

i was looking into buying one of these exact guns, but the parts easily breaking and the scarseness of replacements lead me to another snubby.........

i still have the chance to buy it, an older gent i work with has it, it is in very good shape and for $300. its a good deal, unless the aluminum frame cracks.............

 

[Quentin]

I saw a Jeff Cooper quote that "the PD should be carried a lot but shot very little". I suspect the aluminum frame will hold up to light use with standard 230 grain ammo and even lighter faster loads like the 185 grain ammo. You're right, though, I would worry about the steel slide slamming against that aluminum frame if you fired it a lot with hot loads.

Really the recoil discourages using super hot loads that would beat the gun to death. I've read that the recoil spring and bushings take a beating when the gun is shot a lot. Mine looks great with very little wear but hasn't got a lot of rounds through it.

This PD never jammed once over 25 years and never gave a problem until the firing pin broke. I'd say at $300 it's tempting if you want a small single action 45. Just have to remember parts are scarce. Goes to show you can't beat a Colt if you're going to hang on to your 45 a long time!

 

[tracer]

Also try Lee's Gun Parts in Irving Texas,Tues-Fri.
tracer

 

[Quentin]

I found a gunsmith here in Boise who's highly recommended. He said he can make a new firing pin. He got the old one out and the last half inch had broken off where the cylinder necks down from about 1/4" to 1/8" inch.

He said his part should be better than the original and not be hurt by dry firing but from now on all it has to do is live fire (every time).

**Fingers crossed here!**

 

[Rockstar]

Quentin: Just curious, as I do a lot of work on my guns, do you think your smith will start from scratch, or is he going to modify a firing pin from some other brand/type of pistol, such as a 1911?

 

[Sam]

I am pretty sure that Quentin's smith will make one.
Star's have a pretty generic pin. really a 2 diameter cyl with a notch.
20 min on the lathe and another 10 with a Dremel getting the notch right.

If Star would radius the things at the spring seat they wouldn't break so easy.

Sam

 

[Quentin]

Oops, haven't checked this thread for a while...

Sam's right, the gunsmith made a new firing pin from scratch. He said he test fired a magazine through it with no problems. I'll try to get out next weekend and see how it goes.

Looking at the broken pin, it is a poor design and dry firing definitely broke it. Most of the pin is about 3/8" in diameter but the last 1/4" or so (that broke off) necks down to about 1/16". Without a cartridge in place to stop it, the large diameter part of the shaft certainly slams into the 1/16" hole in the breech. Can't be good for the slide itself and over the years the firing pin point broke off. I won't be dry firing the PD again!

He said it was a nice pistol but a little tight still (after 25 years!) Guess I'd better shoot this thing more...