Spanish Star

[Okiegunner]

I notice on the Sarco website that they seem to always have a variety of Spanish made "Star" pistols for sale. These all appear to be 20-30 year old firearms.

The Star B, Super B, BKS, BM, BKM, etc. I really do not know much about these. Is any one model preferable above the others? Also parts would be a problem. Are these guns prone to breakage? They all seem to be of steel construction. At the very least, would recoil springs be available?

They appear to be built like tanks and an all steel 9mm should have very little recoil.

Anyone have any experience or info on these?

 

[commygun]

I had a BM and a BKM and they were both horribly unreliable pistols. Though the BKM was like new it would not reliably feed a whole magazine of FMJ-ever-and the BM was not much better. Which was a shame because they are solidly built, attractive, ergonomic pistols and I really wanted to like them. I'm sure others have had a better experience with these two models.

 

[dubya450]

I'm not sure about those models but my grandpa has an old star SI and its been very reliable every time I've shot it.

 

[mgmorden]

I used to have a Star Modelo Super a few years back. When I got it it had an issue with hammer-follow (ended up on half-cock about once per mag), but I was able to correct that with some careful filing.

After that fix mine was reliable for the remaining time I had it. Overall they're good, 1911-ish pistols (in external appearance and feel anyways - mechanically they're quite different).

Only advise I'd give is to not get the 9mm Largo models (which is actually what I had). 9mm Largo really isn't anymore powerful than modern 9mm Luger loadings, and ammo costs more (and is harder to find). I handloaded for mine. You can load 9mm Largo with Luger dies which is nice, but you have to get ahold of the 9mm Largo brass. Seems like with autoloaders I never come back with more than 60-70% of the cases I took. With 9mm Luger that's no problem, but with the rarer cartridges its a bit of a downer.

 

[Orion8472]

I have a TYPE of "Star" pistol, . . . the F.I. Industries Model D in .380acp and except for an occasional [maybe one per outing, but not every time] stove pipe, . . . it is quite good and accurate.

 

[Storm]

I can highly recommend the Star 30M 9mm. It is built like a tank and is very accurate. The full length rails really help. Mags can be difficult to find but the ProMags work with a very simple alteration.

 

[blazer610]

I have owned a Star BM and a Star PD. Both were completely reliable and both had exceptional triggers. I regret getting rid of them, especially the Model PD.
The PD is a compact 4 inch barrel .45 ACP with alloy frame. Very easy to carry and conceal. If I could find another at a reasonable price, I'd buy it.

 

[GCBurner]

I've also got the Super Star, and I got a spare barrel in 9mm Luger so I can switch and shoot the Luger or the 9mm Largo, the magazines are the same. The CCI Blazer 9mm Largo ammo is considerably hotter than 9mm Luger, almost up in the .38 Super Auto power range. The Super Stars are sturdy, all-steel pistols that work well, but parts are going to get harder to come by, since Star went bankrupt a few years back. For reloading the 9mm Largo, Starline makes new brass, and you can use 9mm Luger dies and data for starting loads, just back them out a couple of turns for the difference in length between the 9x19mm Luger and the 9x23mm Largo.

 

[Certaindeaf]

I had a BKM (lightweight single-stack alloy 9mm) that was completely reliable, accurate and handy. Stupidly sold it.. I want another one.

 

[napjerk]

I own a Star PD, the compact alloy framed .45acp (second one I've owned). Totally reliable and shoots like a dream. Parts are hard to come by so it spends a lot of time in the safe. I also like the alloy BKM, but I can never find one when I'm in buying mode.

 

[MachIVshooter]

Only advise I'd give is to not get the 9mm Largo models (which is actually what I had). 9mm Largo really isn't anymore powerful than modern 9mm Luger loadings, and ammo costs more (and is harder to find). I handloaded for mine. You can load 9mm Largo with Luger dies which is nice, but you have to get ahold of the 9mm Largo brass. Seems like with autoloaders I never come back with more than 60-70% of the cases I took. With 9mm Luger that's no problem, but with the rarer cartridges its a bit of a downer.

My Modelo Super will feed, chamber, fire and eject 9x19mm just fine. I do have correct ammo for it, and it's a decent round. Moderate loads will put a 124 gr. out at 1,250 FPS

 

[Furncliff]

I have a Star b, it was made in 1943. I believe they stopped making the b and BM in the 70's. The b is similar to the 1911 in style, it's about 7/8's the size of a 1911, and though they field strip the same that's where the similarity ends. The BM is a short barrel version of the b, and nicely concealable. I've had my b to two different gunsmiths and it's still not reliable enough to carry. But mine is a range toy so I'll forgive some of that because I like the ergonomics and mine is quite accurate.

Most parts are still availible (most parts). There is a a gentleman in Spain who worked for Star before it closed. He's knowledgeable and seems to have access to a lot of parts. His prices are fair and shippings not too bad.

I found him on the Spanish Pistol Forum I believe his screen name is Star...http://forums.gunboards.com/forumdisplay.php?40-The-Spanish-Pistol-Board

Bob's gun parts in Az. also has parts and I've seen some on Ebay.

 

[Okiegunner]

Not sure if this is correct or not, but I belive I read somwhere that certain elements of the Spanish Military still carry the Star.

Certaindeaf: Last I checked "Sarco" had what you are looking for.

Thanks

Gunner