Star Model BM

[mec]

I shot one in the Mid- 1990s. I noted that Black Talons and one other jhp would stop against the frame below the chamber mouth dry cycling but that one functioned perfectly in live fire. It was in near new condition and had heavy trigger pull.

This -from a recent Gun Show- has holster wear and somebody painted the front sight red. Also noted that they had drifted the sight over for windage and did a pretty good job. Trigger pull is fairly light.

The only load we have tried is Winchester Wester White Box Ball. Frequent failures to eject/double feed:

At 25 yards, I usually managed to throw one round from a magazine well out of the central group. Probably the shooter rather than the gun

The firing pin is non-inertia. With the hammer down, it rest against the primer and obviates carry in that mode. Early literature also warns that the pistol should not be dry fired as the full length pin is prone to breakage unless cushioned by the primer.

 

[jacketch]

It is made in .380 and available for about $175.00.

Although Star made a B model in 9mmKurz (.380) I don't think the BM was ever made in anything but 9mmPara.

 

[wally]

So has anyone found ammunition that consistantly doesn't work in the Star BM? You can help the rest of us save a little money testing different brands.

For cheap shooting both of my Star BM are fine with Wolf or CCI Aluminum Blazer.

Had feed problems (nose dives into feed ramp) with Silver Bear 145gr JHP. No problems with 124 gr Gold Dots, but I only shot one box. I seem to have fixed the Silver Bear feeding problems by replacing the mag spring with an extra power Wolff spring for a Colt 9mm 1911 mag. It wasn't easy though as I had to open up the inside of the follower with a Dremel to let the spring fit.

Mags will likely be your biggest problem with the Star BM. Three of the four mags I have had the top turn of the spring bent up to give a little extra force -- last gasp method for a little extra life from a tired spring.

--wally.

 

[Dave Sample]

SOG has them in the latest flyer for about $175.00 in .380. "Police Marked Pistols from the Special Spanish Police Force under Francisco Franco."

 

[Sam]

Bibedo,
thanks for the tip on the BM mags. Got six more in on Friday, looked them over real good and took the best for myself.

It looks about 95% very little blueing wear. If I have the spanish figured out right it was made in 91. Took it to the range yesterday with 500 rds of assorted ammo for testing(gun and ammo).
Had 1 failure to feed out of 100 with my 150 LSWCHP load, average 6"group@25 yds..
It is a pretty hot load at 920FPS @ 5"bbl.. No problems other than the 1 FTF and that was expected, that load is usually shot from a tricked out 1911.

100 Rds loaded with Lyman 356402, no problems. No failures, average 4" group@25 yds.
100 rds loaded with Lyman 358460 sized to 356. No failures average group 4"@25 yds.
200 rds, of American 115gr (testing ammo) No failures average group 4"@25 yards.

I am real happy 4" at 25 is as good as I can do anyway.

Sam

note: American Ammo must have tightened up thier QC a bit. It averaged 1205fps from the 4" Star with an ES of 35 FPS in 100 rds. Haven't calculated the SD yet but I suspect it will be pretty small.

 

[jacketch]

SOG has them in the latest flyer for about $175.00 in .380. "Police Marked Pistols from the Special Spanish Police Force under Francisco Franco."

Yes, I have seen them. They are the Star Model SS in .380 cal.

 

[Sam]

I forgot to add that the 2 BM's that appear to be 91 models DO have inertial firing pins. I will compare them closely with the non inertial ones and if a reasonable conversion is possible I will post it.

Sam

 

[shoobe01]

As I said earlier, I figured out some stuff. Its posted up on the site, but here it is in shorthand:

Series Letter:
s = .380
a = .38 Super/9 mm Largo
b = 9 mm Parabellum/Luger
m = .38 Super/9 mm Largo (P=sized heavier frame)
p - .45

And then all guns in this generation are modifications of these (and a few other) series. Some known suffixes indicate:

Suffix Letter:
i = .32 version of a .380 gun (eg: si = .32 version of s)
n = .380 version of a .32 gun?
d = selective fire (not always)
b = Stocked semi-automatic
k = alloy frame
s = magazine or other safety added


So, anything that starts B was originally in parabellum.

http://www.donttouchme.com/star/firearms/numbering.shtml

 

[Sam]

Just did a comparison between 2 BM's with inertial firing pins ans 2 without.

It would be a very simple mod if you were inclined. Pin differences amount to LOA, length of the notch in the firing pin and length of return spring.
Slide dimensions are the same. Slide profiles differ very slightly.

I'll make up a dimensioned drawing of the inertial firing pin later tonight afetr I get done casting bullets.
Anyone interested PM me and I'll email you a copy.

Sam

 

[Das Pferd]

Well I must have gotten the only lemon BM there is, because mine will not extract worth a damn. It always leaves the fired case in the barrel. Two gunsmiths could not fix this, so I think its a lost cuase.

It does this EVERYTIME....

 

[wardog]

I really like my Star BM. Best 9mm bang for the buck right now. Mine came from AIM in "Good" condition. The finish was pretty well worn but otherwise the gun was in good shape. Runs like a champ and is easy to shoot.

I had our local gunsmithing school give it a matt blue finish for $60.

 

[wally]

Well I must have gotten the only lemon BM there is, because mine will not extract worth a damn. It always leaves the fired case in the barrel. Two gunsmiths could not fix this, so I think its a lost cuase.

It does this EVERYTIME....

Can you extract & eject unfired rounds whith rounds in the mag?

Load one round and release the mag, enough to not feed the next round but not so much as to have the mag safety prevent the hammer fall. Does it extract & eject?

If you load only one round in the mag does it extract & eject when fired?

The round below may be knocking the empty off the extractor if its not held down by the feed lips as the gun recoils.

Do you have an extra mag? Something doesn't look quite right with your feed lips

Also make sure you are not doing a "cup and saucer" hold, as my BM mag will move up a ~1mm if I press on the bottom and this may be enough to cause extraction interference.

Beyond this, try a replcament extractor and extractor spring. I think http://www.e-gunparts.com has them, but I'd make sure I tried a different mag first.

--wally.

 

[kimbernut]

Star BM

I'd try Wally's suggestions before anything else .From your picture it appears your magazine is allowing the top round to come up too high.The extracted case appears to be jammed against the top round in the magazine.

Edit:
Although much less likely, if the other suggestions don't correct the situation check your mag. catch.