Star BM

[MosinT53Hunter]

Hello everyone, and I hope I can get some hopeful answers through here.

I have a Spanish National Police Star BM that has started to malfunction. When I bought it, it was grimy and greasy, so I took my time, and stripped it down, cleaned it, lubed it, and fired about five rounds of Blazer Brass 9mm FMJ. All five rounds when off without a hitch. Its been riding around with me for a while, and this winter I figured I would finally put a box through it. That's where the trouble begins...

I took it out yesterday, and after the first round, the slide seemed to lock, the spent cartridge still in the chamber, and very difficult to rack the slide. I did so eventually, and tried a second round, and it did it again. It ejects the spent round out fine manually, but it will not function like it should. I have read reports that it might be the link, but when I stripped it down again, all parts are accounted for, and nothing is broken. I put it together again, lubed it up, and tried again the next day. First round goes bang, and the slide locks up, though each time I manually rack the slide, it gets a little easier than the first. Eight rounds I fired, and it does this each time, with one or two times showing its also out of battery slightly. I have put it away for now, and will see about bringing it to a gunsmith in the near future.

I really like this pistol, as it fits my small hands nicely, and I have put on some wood grips, making it much easier to grip it. I did not limp wrist it when I fired it, doing a two handed grip when testing it. I have no idea what to look for now. It has an almost new magazine, and it looks fine, functions fine. I am just at a loss right now as to what could be the issue.

 

[Rubber_Duck]

Is the recoil spring binding?

I used to have a Star BM. One of my favorite pistols, it's a perfect size for what it is.

 

[MosinT53Hunter]

Is the recoil spring binding?

I used to have a Star BM. One of my favorite pistols, it's a perfect size for what it is.

I'm not sure. It seems to be in good working order, how would I be able to check if it is malfunctioning?

 

[Ibmikey]

Don't guess you will have the pistol up and running quickly if a competent gunsmith looks at it. What you describe could be caused by one of many issues so let the expert solve it. The BM is normally a robust pistol and works with great reliability, and are fun to shoot. Do not dryfire without a snap cap or yow will be replacing the firing pin..

 

[MosinT53Hunter]

Don't guess you will have the pistol up and running quickly if a competent gunsmith looks at it. What you describe could be caused by one of many issues so let the expert solve it. The BM is normally a robust pistol and works with great reliability, and are fun to shoot. Do not dryfire without a snap cap or yow will be replacing the firing pin..[/QUOTE

I never dry fire any of my guns if I can help it. I have a Super Star in 9mm Largo too, so I learned on that one. Have to reload for it too. Fun guns.

 

[lincen]

Have you tried racking the slide with the magazine out?

 

[Janos Dracwlya]

I think I've seen something similar with my WWII Star B. It was indeed the recoil spring that had gotten sort-of kinked-up (no damage), and it kept it from cycling properly. Stripping and careful re-assembly solved the problem for me.