Star Model BM - talk me into / out of it
- Thread starter Rubber_Duck
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GBExpat
Member
The Spanish Guardia Civil, also.
Rubber_Duck
Member
Well I'm happy to hear good things about this pistol from everyone. I won't be getting it too soon as I have some other things to pay off first and a road trip coming up in a few days but the fact it's on layaway means I've secured it and it's mine for good. I look forward to putting rounds through it.
Rubber_Duck
Member
Well, here it is:
I put 50 rounds through it just to get a feel for the pistol. It shoots GREAT! Recoil was very soft, very controllable, the trigger is very good to excellent, and the sights, for being of a bland, all-black variety, are easy to pick up and shoot at speed with great accuracy. I was able to hit accurately with it out to 40 yards which is saying a lot. I had a two failures to extract where the empty casing stayed in the chamber, one during the first mag and one during the third mag fired. After that it worked fine. I'm hoping this is just a fluke but for now it is just a range toy and I will be keeping an eye on it. Oh, and I also think it might have something to do with the fact I took it straight to the range from the gun shop with no cleaning/lube before its first outing.
All in all, I'm very impressed by this pistol and at a loss for words as to why I never heard of it before, or why no mainstream manufacturer is offering an appropriately scaled-down 9mm 1911-wanna-be such as this. It now competes with my Colt XSE 1911 and my West German Sig P226 as far as which one I can shoot most accurately the fastest.
I put 50 rounds through it just to get a feel for the pistol. It shoots GREAT! Recoil was very soft, very controllable, the trigger is very good to excellent, and the sights, for being of a bland, all-black variety, are easy to pick up and shoot at speed with great accuracy. I was able to hit accurately with it out to 40 yards which is saying a lot. I had a two failures to extract where the empty casing stayed in the chamber, one during the first mag and one during the third mag fired. After that it worked fine. I'm hoping this is just a fluke but for now it is just a range toy and I will be keeping an eye on it. Oh, and I also think it might have something to do with the fact I took it straight to the range from the gun shop with no cleaning/lube before its first outing.
All in all, I'm very impressed by this pistol and at a loss for words as to why I never heard of it before, or why no mainstream manufacturer is offering an appropriately scaled-down 9mm 1911-wanna-be such as this. It now competes with my Colt XSE 1911 and my West German Sig P226 as far as which one I can shoot most accurately the fastest.
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Rubber_Duck
Member
Hello everyone. I took the Star out for another spin. All cleaned and lubed up proper this time, including the magazines, which were embarrassingly filthy and full of crud on the inside, I'm surprised they even fed anything the first time.
I'm happy to report the failures to extract from the previous session did not reappear. However a new type of failure emerged. The slide stop would engage once, sometimes twice, in the middle of every magazine. Previous round extracted/ejected, next round waiting in the magazine in the normal position to be fed, slide stop completely engaged.
I believe the bullets are hitting the slide stop as they move upwards in the magazine during extraction. I have yet to disassemble the pistol but I expect to find copper marks on the slide stop and will file away minuscule amounts until the issue is resolved. I don't believe there is anything wrong with the ammo, I was using PPU 115 gr FMJ and Wolf 115 gr FMJ.
I'm happy to report the failures to extract from the previous session did not reappear. However a new type of failure emerged. The slide stop would engage once, sometimes twice, in the middle of every magazine. Previous round extracted/ejected, next round waiting in the magazine in the normal position to be fed, slide stop completely engaged.
I believe the bullets are hitting the slide stop as they move upwards in the magazine during extraction. I have yet to disassemble the pistol but I expect to find copper marks on the slide stop and will file away minuscule amounts until the issue is resolved. I don't believe there is anything wrong with the ammo, I was using PPU 115 gr FMJ and Wolf 115 gr FMJ.
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Rubber_Duck
Member
I took the Star out again today. Slide still locked back prematurely, looks like I need to file a little bit more off the slide stop. I used the file sparingly as it's easier to take metal off than put it back on and wasn't sure how much was enough.
I'm also getting 2 to 3 failures to extract out of 100 rounds. I can't explain why, but the interesting thing is the first time I shot it and had FTEs I was using a 50-round box of Federal Champion 115 gr FMJ and today I used a 100-round value pack of the same Federal Champion, both from Wal-Mart in the red box. I didn't experience any FTEs when using Wolf or PPU. I may order a new extractor and see if that cures the issue.
So far this pistol is unsuitable for defensive use until I get the kinks worked out. I shot a box of 124-grain Gold Dots through it and didn't have any problems but regardless, it's a range toy for now.
I'm also getting 2 to 3 failures to extract out of 100 rounds. I can't explain why, but the interesting thing is the first time I shot it and had FTEs I was using a 50-round box of Federal Champion 115 gr FMJ and today I used a 100-round value pack of the same Federal Champion, both from Wal-Mart in the red box. I didn't experience any FTEs when using Wolf or PPU. I may order a new extractor and see if that cures the issue.
So far this pistol is unsuitable for defensive use until I get the kinks worked out. I shot a box of 124-grain Gold Dots through it and didn't have any problems but regardless, it's a range toy for now.
Furncliff
Member
I have had the brother to your Star bm the Star b (made in 1943) for about eight years. I've had it to the gunsmith twice. I will not be spending any more money on it. I don't carry and all my guns are range toys so this one will just join the club. Sorry to see that you are having some of the same problems. Mine is accurate and fun to shoot (except for the hammer bite). It's not reliable but I'll keep it anyway. If you have the patience maybe you can work out the snags. Let us know.
1943 Star b
I thing the longer barrel/slide are about the only difference from the bm.
Link to the Spanish Pistol Forum
http://forums.gunboards.com/forumdisplay.php?40-The-Spanish-Pistol-Board
1943 Star b
I thing the longer barrel/slide are about the only difference from the bm.
Link to the Spanish Pistol Forum
http://forums.gunboards.com/forumdisplay.php?40-The-Spanish-Pistol-Board
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leadcounsel
member
Scored these gems recently.
I have yet to fire them, but looking forward to it.
They feel fantastic in the hand, with crisp triggers. I think these are sleeper pistols, meaning overlooked by most people.
I got the blued model for around $275 with 3 mags. It has import markes from CAI. It's in 85%-90% condition.
I got the nickel model with a leather holster and 1 mag for $330. It has no import marks. I'd rate it at 95% condition, with just the slightest pitting. This one appears to have the mag disconnect removed, so it fires without the magazine inserted... I prefer it in this condition.
I'm going to look for spare parts soon so I have them on hand.
I'm guessing the OP has already made his decision, but this may help another person looking into the Star models.
I have yet to fire them, but looking forward to it.
They feel fantastic in the hand, with crisp triggers. I think these are sleeper pistols, meaning overlooked by most people.
I got the blued model for around $275 with 3 mags. It has import markes from CAI. It's in 85%-90% condition.
I got the nickel model with a leather holster and 1 mag for $330. It has no import marks. I'd rate it at 95% condition, with just the slightest pitting. This one appears to have the mag disconnect removed, so it fires without the magazine inserted... I prefer it in this condition.
I'm going to look for spare parts soon so I have them on hand.
I'm guessing the OP has already made his decision, but this may help another person looking into the Star models.
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I carried one every day for some twelve years, as a rough estimation. Fine little pistol, although I had several of them as we were issued one pistol once we got deployed and if we were transferred, we were to hand it over at the regional HQ where we were being transferred and they sent the "old" one to our previous station. Some were in better condition than others, but in general is an easy to shoot, reliable pistol. Never had malfunctions using the regular FMJ 115-124 loads. +P were not allowed in this pistol.
This pistol saw service in the Spanish Navy, and was quickly replaced by the much better Star 30M, but its main user was the Guardia Civil (law enforcement) and some units were used (not many) by the "Policía Armada" (we're talking early 70's, Franco was still alive). The "Policía Nacional" was later to be renamed "Cuerpo Nacional de Policía" and to replace their .38 revolvers and BMs by Star 28PK pistols.
The units on display on those pics are definitely ex-Guardia Civil pistols. The Guardia Civil units were traded to Beretta when the BMs and 30Ms were being replaced by the current Beretta 92FS we use. Have a look at the frame and slide, just above the trigger guard, and you'll see the old (the current one is slightly different) Guardia Civil logo.
As some other members pointed out earlier, just be careful if you carry one in the pipe. A lot of these pistols don't have an inertial firing pin and I wouldn't be comfortable with a round chambered and a firing pin so close to the primer. There are no firing safeties, either. The finish could be better, too, but that is an issue that has an easy fix.
Hope you enjoy it.
This pistol saw service in the Spanish Navy, and was quickly replaced by the much better Star 30M, but its main user was the Guardia Civil (law enforcement) and some units were used (not many) by the "Policía Armada" (we're talking early 70's, Franco was still alive). The "Policía Nacional" was later to be renamed "Cuerpo Nacional de Policía" and to replace their .38 revolvers and BMs by Star 28PK pistols.
The units on display on those pics are definitely ex-Guardia Civil pistols. The Guardia Civil units were traded to Beretta when the BMs and 30Ms were being replaced by the current Beretta 92FS we use. Have a look at the frame and slide, just above the trigger guard, and you'll see the old (the current one is slightly different) Guardia Civil logo.
As some other members pointed out earlier, just be careful if you carry one in the pipe. A lot of these pistols don't have an inertial firing pin and I wouldn't be comfortable with a round chambered and a firing pin so close to the primer. There are no firing safeties, either. The finish could be better, too, but that is an issue that has an easy fix.
Hope you enjoy it.
Nordeste-
Thanks for that wonderful account. Are you Guardia Civil?
Does the Beretta 92FS do well by you, and are they obtained from Italy, or made under license in Spain? What are the holsters like?
Your Engish is certainly excellent. Thanks again for the interesing post.
Thanks for that wonderful account. Are you Guardia Civil?
Does the Beretta 92FS do well by you, and are they obtained from Italy, or made under license in Spain? What are the holsters like?
Your Engish is certainly excellent. Thanks again for the interesing post.
farm23
Member
I have a Star PD and still carry it sometimes. The Star series were good guns.
Just remember if the finish is worn, and you are leaving it in the truck, "outdoors", you are going to be exposing it to the elements.
This may cause it to rust fast. Think about a re-bluing or Parkerizing job first, or you may find a rusty gun in a month. My "career Marine" neighbor, has 2, and swears by them. I have never owned one. Is the Firestar the same company?
This may cause it to rust fast. Think about a re-bluing or Parkerizing job first, or you may find a rusty gun in a month. My "career Marine" neighbor, has 2, and swears by them. I have never owned one. Is the Firestar the same company?
Lone Star,
Thanks for your compliments. Much appreciated. Correct, I do serve in the GC, hence the first hand information
.
The 92FS is a very good service pistol. I like mine and most of my coworkers do like them, too. The small framed people and the females sometimes complain about the grip size, but the common perception is that is an accurate and reliable weapon. In my case, I have medium sized hands and handle it without problem. I like the extra bit of accuracy a 5" barrel will provide, and the minimum muzzle flip, but if I were to choose and it had to be a Beretta, I'd rather carry a PX4. Otherwise, a Glock 19 or 17. Our pistols have "Made in Italy" in the frame, but I think the quality of the finish isn't on par with that one of a unit you could purchase in a gun shop. My guess is that the government saved some money there. Holsters... the one we were issued is so much of a crap, that supervisors have allowed that we carry the one of our liking (bought with our own money, needless to say), provided that it's not the "thigh" model. They have to be carried at waist level, low, medium, or high, but waist level. Me, I chose a Vega Holsters model that has two interesting features. One is that I can remove the holster from its paddle and put it in a drawer (good for when you have to do some paperwork in front of a computer), and the other one is that if you have to drive, there's a button in the holster that will allow it to tilt backwards. It really makes a difference when you have to drive for more than 15 minutes.
I'm glad to see that these old gems are still seeing some use and that there's people who do appreciate their qualities. It was sad enough that our arms industry went belly up, and that the people who was to be blamed for that got away with it. That's actually one of the reasons I got my 30M and plan on keeping her for ever. They were nice guns.
Thanks for your compliments. Much appreciated. Correct, I do serve in the GC, hence the first hand information
. The 92FS is a very good service pistol. I like mine and most of my coworkers do like them, too. The small framed people and the females sometimes complain about the grip size, but the common perception is that is an accurate and reliable weapon. In my case, I have medium sized hands and handle it without problem. I like the extra bit of accuracy a 5" barrel will provide, and the minimum muzzle flip, but if I were to choose and it had to be a Beretta, I'd rather carry a PX4. Otherwise, a Glock 19 or 17. Our pistols have "Made in Italy" in the frame, but I think the quality of the finish isn't on par with that one of a unit you could purchase in a gun shop. My guess is that the government saved some money there. Holsters... the one we were issued is so much of a crap, that supervisors have allowed that we carry the one of our liking (bought with our own money, needless to say), provided that it's not the "thigh" model. They have to be carried at waist level, low, medium, or high, but waist level. Me, I chose a Vega Holsters model that has two interesting features. One is that I can remove the holster from its paddle and put it in a drawer (good for when you have to do some paperwork in front of a computer), and the other one is that if you have to drive, there's a button in the holster that will allow it to tilt backwards. It really makes a difference when you have to drive for more than 15 minutes.
I'm glad to see that these old gems are still seeing some use and that there's people who do appreciate their qualities. It was sad enough that our arms industry went belly up, and that the people who was to be blamed for that got away with it. That's actually one of the reasons I got my 30M and plan on keeping her for ever. They were nice guns.
Or hard chrome.
Here's my thread on hard chroming a Star BM back in 2006:
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=202788
I had a look at the thread and I have to say that I'm deeply impressed. What a job they did.
Wouldn't mind to have a BM myself, but they aren't easy to find over here. Most of the units were Guardia Civil units that got sold to Beretta, and as far as I know they ended up in the US or various countries in Africa.
Wouldn't mind to have a BM myself, but they aren't easy to find over here. Most of the units were Guardia Civil units that got sold to Beretta, and as far as I know they ended up in the US or various countries in Africa.
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