Star 31P

[leadcounsel]

New owner of a nickel plated Star 31P 9x19mm. This thing is in 95%+ condition and feels great in the hand!

The good:
Was only *gasp* $200!
Nearly perfect condition. Faint pitting on the frame/slide. Owner kept the gun in a PLASTIC SANDWICH BAG! But I would still rate the gun, barrel, and overall condition as at least 95%+, maybe even 98%.

The bad:
Previous owner disassembled it to render it inoperable for the safety of his kids. He lost critical parts. Lost the magazine. Lost the slide release lever.
I've located a few blued slide release levers but I'm looking for a nickel one. Any help or leads would be appreciated. The blued one is $25, but assuming the 30 and 31 are interchangeable it should work.

I'm also looking for mags, which appear quite hard to find. I've read where S&W 59xx series mags will work, but I my factory mags are a poor fit. The bottom is definitely not flush; it's close but not perfect. And they don't appear to hold the slide back... however that may change once I remove the magazine disconnect.

But check this out: I've tried fitting XD 9mm Mecgar mags, and these appear to be a good fit. I've also found that Sig Sauer extended 9mm P226 mags have a lot of promise. Has anyone tried these magazines? I can't very well right now because my pistol is not in working order (yet).

I'm also trying to remove my magazine disconnect lever on my Star 31. I've found this description on the web:

The M28, 30 and 31, and Megastar all have similar magazine safeties. They are levers in the right side of the magazine well that are spring down and push the drawbar (trigger transfer bar) down and out of engagement of the trigger system. When a magazine is inserted, a stamped lump on the right side of the magazine engages the safety lever and pushes it back up, reengaging the safety. This action requires some extra push to run a magazine fully home, but the lever also acts as an ejector, assuring the magazine comes completely free of the gun. This effect is particularly pronounced on the Megastars. The M28 series uses a single piece of spring steel, shaped to perform the function. the Mega has a similar piece, but it is cast and machined, and uses a separate coil spring to perform its function. Both are held in by the trigger pin. To remove them, remove the slide as for a field strip, and simply push the trigger pin to the left about half way (it is not necessary or suggested that the trigger be removed). The safety is now free to be removed. Note that on the M28 series particularly, the lever can become quite wedged. Make sure that the trigger pin is fully clear, then try pushing up thru the mag well, or pulling with a pick, as close as possible to the attachment point. On the Megastar, be sure to remove the spring also.

So, I've located the mag safety disconnect lever. Looking from the back of the gun, it's about 1/4 inch below the top of the right side of the mag well. I've carefully punched the trigger pin about 1/2 way, from right to left. But that mag release disconnect lever will not come out with relatively significant pushing up and prying with a flathead screw driver. I can't get any purchase on it with needle nose plyers. I don't want to break it in place. Is there an additional step I need to follow? Does the gun need to be cocked or not cocked - or does that matter? It simply will not budge.

Thanks for any help!

 

[Storm]

Numrich has 30M mags ($29.95) that should be good to go in your 31P.

 

[bannockburn]

One of the reasons I got rid of my Star Model 30M was the fact that I couldn't find extra mags and spare parts. Other than that it was a real solid tank of a pistol with some really well thought out engineering in its design.

 

[jmace57]

I have a couple of the Numrich mags for my model 30. I think it is pretty common to have to do a little adjusting of the mags before they will insert and eject - I know I did. I had to take a buffing wheel to them before they would.

I agree - it is a TANK of a gun.

 

[Storm]

The Numrich mags come in two flavors. You have the factory originals which are currently available which take no adjusting. The ProMags are usable if you tap the dimple up by the lip with a punch just enough to get clearance. The factory original mags currently in stock are good to go.

 

[gripper]

I am still scratching my head at the whole " safe storage by disassembly, incorrectly reassembling; and losing key components" thing.....damn.

 

[Storm]

Yup, safe storage equals paper weight.

Btw, if I recall correctly, there weren't all that many 31P made. It was right towards the end of Star.

My 30M is a wonderful pistol. I have used it to teach a number of folks how to shoot.

 

[Jorg Nysgerrig]

I am still scratching my head at the whole " safe storage by disassembly, incorrectly reassembling; and losing key components" thing.....damn.

Same with, "Nearly perfect condition" and by that he means, "lost critical parts" that are "hard to find."

 

[leadcounsel]

Okay, but can anyone help with the gunsmithing of removing the mag disconnect safety?

 

[LeftyTSGC]

This sites may help:

http://star-firearms.com/firearms/guns/283031/

http://www.armas.es/foros/reparacio...ontaje-de-la-star-30pk-y-familia-t881373.html

Scroll down on the second site and it shows what the safety bar looks like so you get an idea. If you can read Spanish you may be able to figure it out.

I have two STAR 30M 9mm, I take my guns apart as shown in the handbooks and then the magazine safety comes out with just a little prying, Make sure you have removed all the items above it that hold it in place or contact it during operation.

Take your handgun apart, take off the Backstrap and Grips, then hit the frame with BrakeKleen or someother cleaner to get out all the gunk and it should them be easy to take apart. Just Oil well after this.

 

[Big Shrek]

If you ever get bored/frustrated with it & wanna make your money back, let me know

Stars are my absolute favorite, and I'm a little better than the average bear on repairs...

I've actually got two 30M mags, but they are in rough condition...
due to leaving them in a WW2 mag pouch and loosing them for 6 years in the back of a cabinet...
they got a wee bit rusty where my fingers last touched 'em...
and stuck in the pouch...killed the rust, but have been slowly sanding off the pitting...
very slowly, as I want them to work when I finally get another Star 30/31

Oh, the mag safety can be used with other mags,
you just have to cut the appropriate hole in exactly the right location on the mag.
Although, it requires an original to get it right...