Star, especially pre "Firestar...."

[Herself]

Does anyone else like these little sluggers? Looking for something small but not tiny, I bought a well-worn Star model BM (9mm para.) a few months ago, and after a detail strip and serious cleaning inside and out, I have become very fond of it. In appearance, it's kind of like a scaled-down cross-cousin of the 1911, with Ballester-Molina ancestry. (And I admit to a childish fondness for shiny blued-steel sidearms: they look serious!)

While it lacks some modern safety features, the Star BM is recent enough to have an intertia-type firing pin. (Not all -- I'm told the originals had a realllly long pin). And not so recent that you won't break the pin dry-firing without a snap cap, caveat emptor. ...No lawyer in the world would tellya to carry one of these cocked'n'locked with a full chamber (YMMV), but mine shoots plenty straight, with no trouble feeding hollowpoints.

I've shot a "modern" Star, the M43 Firestar, and found that example significantly less accurate than the older one. Is this typical? The more recent Stars don't seem to have much of a rep. (I wasn't impressed by the bulky cast frame and slide)

What do other folks think? Are Stars something serious shooters snigger at? Or do they have a place in the pantheon, however far down from the fancier/more tuned Semiautos?

I've about started collecting them; a cosmetically nice, bargain-priced BM (damaged extractor) came my way, and I'm working up to adding some other models. "Art objects," or workin' guns? I'm not entirely sure!

--Herself

 

[telewinz]

I have a NIB Star PD and have had in the past a Star BKM and a previous Star PD (traded for the Colt). In both cases I enjoyed them and only recently obtained another PD (24oz), it holds it's own against my all steel (34oz) Colt Officers Model. I guess I'll pick up a BKM also, they are a little easier to find than the PD. I'll only get the ones imported by Interarms, their quality control was first rate.

 

[Tamara]

I only have one, an SM Super in .380, that I just had to have because it was so... well... [looks around furtively ] gosh-darned cute. Like a 1911 that somebody left in the dryer for too long.

The Firestars were actually a popular gun amongst CCW toters back before CCW reform swept the country and all the Kahrs and baby Glocks came along. They may have been a tad clunky, but they were reliable, small, and accurate enough.

It's a sad fact that the Spanish pistol makers seemed to go under in reverse order of quality. Star and Astra are gone, but Llama lumbers on.

 

[Dave Sample]

These are Fun Guns and are very nice back up's for a 9mm type of carry gun. I carried one in my boot when I was a LEO and it was the same as pictured, but the LW BKM version. I like the Stars because they are much easier to take down for cleaning and they have some features that are user friendly, like being able to put the thumb safety at full cock, half cock, and with the hammer down. They feed and function fine and I have this one under the arm rest of Number 17 as we speak. It was $150.00 including an extra magazine at J&G Sales here in Prescott. I also have a Star Modelo Super that I converted to 38 Largo or 38 Super. It is a sweet shooting gun with some extra stopping power for concealed carry. It was a gift. Do not carry them with the hammer down and a round in the chamber. This is a no no. The large Stars are about 7/8ths the size of a Colt Type 1911. They are all very well made.

 

[greg531mi]

I have two stars, the Model 30, and the Firestar Plus. I think they were the most underrated guns. Mine are acurate, and reliable, inexpensive, and fun to shoot, what else do you want from a pistol? The only thing I am mad at is the life-time warranty I got, it is worthless now.......

 

[Herself]

Tamara, it may be a bit embarassing, but it's true: the smaller Stars are cute. ...We just won't tell anyone.... Who knew the 1911 could be scaled down so gracefully.
...And how sadly true about Spanish arms makers. There have been rumors about ASTAR, supposedly a venture by some ex-Star and Astra folks, but not a lot of real info. It could be interesting. (The Republic Arms pistols appear to be carrying the torch a bit!)

Dave Sample: I usually carry the Star cocked, locked...and with nothing in the chamber. It's probably poor practice, and there are situations where I do take the next step before getting into them, but until I get better data on NDs due to dropping, it seems prudent. (H'mmm, I've looked at the wrong side of a gun three times now, and in none of them would carrying have helped unless it'd been already in my hand; in one, that might've got me shot at sooner! I suspect menfolk may be a bit better at "CCW Zen," at least better at it than am I -- seems I still bump into nitwits, just so far none meriting ballistic response. As soon keep it that way). Hammer-down carry on a full chamber is right out. The mere sight of a cocked sidearm often has a salutory effect on malefactors.

Actually promised a fellow I would not talk Star up too much. (Pushes the price up, you know!) It's nice to hear others express similar thoughts aboiut the make, though. Mine certainly looked well-made when I took it apart; and worked well once it was back together.

--H

 

[Gary in Pennsylvania]

Hey telewinz , Couldja post a pic of that Star PD??? I'm a big admirer of the Star PD and would love to own one some day. I also like the steel single stack FireStar's in 9mm and .45's.

Anyone else have pics to share??

 

[Rock]

Here's a Firestar 40. I had it hard chromed years ago. It is very accurate and reliable, but due to the weight I don't carry it.

 

[Gary in Pennsylvania]

N-I-C-E example!!!

HC looks brand new!