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Star Firestar... should I buy it?
- Thread starter sorny
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Stretchman
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I had a Star Firestar 9mm. Hard to carry. It is incredibly heavy for all day carry. Used to carry in condition 2, chamber loaded, hammer down. Easy enough to cock, but I can't say it was the safest way to carry.
Plus, with a single stack mag, not much capacity. You might be better off with a Keltec, smaller, lighter, and more rounds. Safer to carry by far.
Stretch
Quit cigs 1M 1W 1D 19h 23m ago. So far saved $238.84, 1,592 cigs not smoked and counting ...
Plus, with a single stack mag, not much capacity. You might be better off with a Keltec, smaller, lighter, and more rounds. Safer to carry by far.
Stretch
Quit cigs 1M 1W 1D 19h 23m ago. So far saved $238.84, 1,592 cigs not smoked and counting ...
Marshall
Member
Golddog
Member
I had a bunch of Star Firestars in 9 mm, a Star .22, and three of the B series: Super B, BKM, and BM. The Firestars were terrific guns in every way; it's a shame such a nice design went away. The old Super B was a great design but poorly executed - they weren't reliable. The newer compact BKM (alloy frame) and the compact BM (steel frame) were outstanding firearms - cocked and locked with a 1911 feel but much more slender than a 1911. Somebody ought to reintroduce those guns.
mainmech48
Member
I've been using my own Star M43 in 9x19 with Starvel finish as my warm weather CCW for almost fifteen years now. It has been 100% functionally reliable, quite accurate, and surprisingly easy to learn to shoot well with. The only modification I've added is a set of Meprolite tritiums. Drop-in fit and highly recommended.
Yes, it is a bit heavy for its size, especially when compared to many of the more recent subcompacts. With a proper belt and holster (mine rides in a Milt Sparks 'Summer Special') it's no great burden and the extra mass pays off when you shoot it in ease of handling and reduced 'split' times. The Starvel finish has held up remarkably well to both holster rubbing and perspiration, and nothing has broken after more than 5K assorted rds. The recoil, FP, and magazine springs were changed for Wolff units after about 3800 rds. Just my practice; the stock units were still in good shape, although the recoil spring had shortened by about one coil compared to the new one.
When I bought it, there just weren't many options for the southpaw in a compact semiauto that came with an ambi thumb safety already installed. The built-in beavertail prevented hammer bite and 'railroad tracks', and made it extremely easy to recover from recoil. The control layout works just like my 1911, making training a snap. I've never regretted a cent of the $310 I paid for it NIB at "Big R", nor felt any real need to replace it with a more 'modern' piece.
Given the opportunity to try a .45 Firestar for $200, I'd jump at it. While I loved the small size and light weight of the .45 PD I owned (briefly), shooting it with HB or 230 gr. JHPs wasn't much fun, and I never could find a 'smith who'd attempt an ambi safety for it for enough less than I had in the pistol to make it a practical option. I doubt seriously that you'll ever run across a another full-caliber compact of similar quality at that price again. Assuming that nothing's been futzed with on it to render it unreliable or unsafe, I'd grab it IIWY.
Yes, it is a bit heavy for its size, especially when compared to many of the more recent subcompacts. With a proper belt and holster (mine rides in a Milt Sparks 'Summer Special') it's no great burden and the extra mass pays off when you shoot it in ease of handling and reduced 'split' times. The Starvel finish has held up remarkably well to both holster rubbing and perspiration, and nothing has broken after more than 5K assorted rds. The recoil, FP, and magazine springs were changed for Wolff units after about 3800 rds. Just my practice; the stock units were still in good shape, although the recoil spring had shortened by about one coil compared to the new one.
When I bought it, there just weren't many options for the southpaw in a compact semiauto that came with an ambi thumb safety already installed. The built-in beavertail prevented hammer bite and 'railroad tracks', and made it extremely easy to recover from recoil. The control layout works just like my 1911, making training a snap. I've never regretted a cent of the $310 I paid for it NIB at "Big R", nor felt any real need to replace it with a more 'modern' piece.
Given the opportunity to try a .45 Firestar for $200, I'd jump at it. While I loved the small size and light weight of the .45 PD I owned (briefly), shooting it with HB or 230 gr. JHPs wasn't much fun, and I never could find a 'smith who'd attempt an ambi safety for it for enough less than I had in the pistol to make it a practical option. I doubt seriously that you'll ever run across a another full-caliber compact of similar quality at that price again. Assuming that nothing's been futzed with on it to render it unreliable or unsafe, I'd grab it IIWY.
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