Star BM Followed Me Home

[Detachment Charlie]

Went to the Ft. Myers (FL) gun show today and, honest, all I was interested in was some ammo, maybe a low scope mount for my Saiga, and possibly a SMLE .303 if the price was right.
I walked out with a Star BM, 9mm. Finish has some holster wear, no rust, pits or rash. Barrel is great with sharp rifling and perfect crown. One factory (nickel follower) magazine. Very nicely machined on exterior – no tool marks. Very positive frame-mounted safety. This was one that was imported by CAI in Vermont. If my understanding of the marks is correct, it was made in 1976. Paid $160…not the deal of the century, but fair, I think. Especially fair considering the trigger. The last time I felt a trigger like this on an autoloader it was on a Kimber and the guy had more in the trigger job than the total cost of the Star. It is sooooooo sweet.
Bought 100 rounds of ball and CCW holster (just in case this was a real keeper – OK, I am an optimist with some handguns).
Drove right to the range. Ran a patch through it, loaded a mag and let rip. Oh, so cool. So sweet. 93 rounds and not a burp (kept 7 so I wouldn’t have an empty gun on my hip on the way home from the range).
To be real honest, the sights suck. Stock 1911 sights are better. Shot a little high and left at the range – need some nail polish on the sights.
This is a keeper.
Gotta see if it’ll handle JHPs.

 

[albanian]

They are nice. I have two of them. one has a trigger that is as good as any I have seen on a 1911 and it is a real shooter. I got a one hole group with it last time I punched serious paper. It has had a few jams but the the other one that is not as accurate has been flawless.

$160 is a good price considering that just a year or so ago, they were were closer to $300 if you could find one.

 

[Dain Bramage]

Congratulations! Those are sweet pistols. I'm not the greatest 9x19mm fan (I only have one gun in that caliber), but I really like the Star BM.

I hemmed and hawed and missed out when SOG had them. I think you got a great price compared to theirs, especially when you include shipping and transfer. Also, it is my opinion that being able to handle and inspect the gun is worth a slight premium over internet sales.

I think it was Gun Tests that gave it a stellar review. I am surprised that no one else makes a medium size 1911-style pistol, with the frame shrunk to 9x19mm. I think all the modern 9x19mm versions are rebarreled .45 ACP Commander sized frames. I especially like Star's take on the 1911 action with no grip safety.

So enjoy! I'll have to keep my eyes peeled at gun shows around here.

 

[stans]

Many years ago I almost bought a Star BKM. Back then, they were readily available brand new. I also looked at a used S&W 39-2. The prices on them were the same. I ended up buying the 39-2. I probably would have been better off with the BKM as the 39-2 turned out to have less than stellar accuracy and had been very well used.

 

[sigma 40ve]

Really like mine. I did remove the mag safety. I don't think the sights are bad. The trigger on mine is probably the best of any of my 9mm's (glock34,xd9,steyrM9 and arcus94). Heck, I would say it is probably the best of any of the pistols I own. I found it doesn't like the 147gr HP Silver Bear???? ammo, probably the ammo, kept sticking in the chamber.

 

[earthworm]

I've 3 Star BMs plus an extra top end.
Gripes:Not the lightest or most compact 9mm on the market.
All 3 shoot to the left (thanks guys:thought it was me*G*)
Rear sight is TIGHT in the dovetail & a bitch to drift.
Magazines don't drop free.
Praises:Not too heavy not too light.
Shootum Heap Good!
Usually found at a good price.
Had a firing pin to break:slapped on extra top end & kept shooting.Sarco has pins & some springs.
Be wary when buying magazines.To date all my failures have been with after-market mags.Factory mags have a shiney(?nickel?stainless?) follower
& a 'slit' up the side vs. holes.

 

[albanian]

earthworm,
There is a simple fix to the mag frop free problem you have. Just remove the mag safety. It is located under the right (I think) grip panel and it will just pop right out with no tools. I hate mag safeties so when they are easy to remove, I do it. It doesn't affect trigger pull like when you remove the mag safety on a Hi-Power but Star BM triggers are often superb as they come.

 

[armoredman]

Hakan actually does BM grips....http://www.imageseek.com/hakan/

 

[albanian]

armoredman,
I tried the link but I couldn't find the Star BM grips. Do you have a link that takes me to a pic of some of his BM grips? Maybe I just missed it or something. I have seen his work before and he is a master.