Tell me about Star handguns

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I have a retired Marine friend who absolutely swears by them. He says they are his favorite pistols, he owns 2 and I can't get one from him, lol. This guy has one or two of everything, so for him to say that alone, is a ringing endorsement to me. I haven't fired either one. I know one is the Firestar 45.
 
I've got a Super-B in 9mm luger, surprisingly it's not having any trouble with SWC lead bullets, it's a well made gun (except for the factory brown plastic grips that are really cheap and cheesy and don't even fit the screw holes in the butt) and it's great on the range.
 
I did a fair amount of research before I found one at a gun show that was reasonably priced. From everything I had read, they got mixed reviews depending on age, maufacturing location, etc. so I decided that they price fr me would be a factor. When I did buy one, I was well pleased. I take it to the range fairly often, and it is accurate and mechanically sound.
 
"They were well known for cracked frames as they were alum. alloy."

Most of the 'cracked' frames were just above the slide lock opening in the slide, rearward from the slide stop pin. Early versions would crack in this thin area from frame flex, scared people but did not cause problems. Later pistols had this area machined open to stop this.
Gouging of the feed ramp on the receiver was a bigger problem.
I have one I bought about 10 years ago for next to nothing after spending 15 min trying to convince the shop owner he had a valuable piece with no luck. I would ,and have carried it. When I do I carry it with Win Ranger 230gr., but play with 185gr.HBRN light loaded to reduce abuse. I have put a lot of rounds downrange and will not part with it.
No longer my EDC, but still a go-to.
 
I've owned a PD since just after they came out. While it doesn't have 10,000 rounds through it, it does have between 2-3K, with no issues.

I also own a Star Super B, made in 1947, and a BM. All three have been reliable, accurate, and feed FMJ, what they were designed for flawlessly. Most will also feed JHP rounds that don't look like the opening of a storm drain, as well.

I've found that replacing the recoil springs on most used military guns is a good start towards reliability. So are good magazines.
 
+1 to N.M.Edmands post #29. My Star PD has the crack in the frame, but it hasn't caused a performance issue. I find the 230 RN loads have a little more "umph" in recoil than the 185 HP's (with multiple factory brands), but still controllable for a decent second shot.
I've read for many it was the gun to carry a lot and shoot a little, but I've shot the heck out of mine, close to 4000 rounds or so in the late 80's / early 90's. Don't shoot it much any more as I ran out of my stash of hard plastic recoil buffers and can't find any more, and I can't seem to get the soft rubber Colt style buffers to fit quite right.
But it holds a special place for me as it was my first handgun.:)
 
another_luser try here.

Jack First Inc, Rapid City S.D.-Tel 605-343-9544
New production replacement buffers. Bought 3 6 or 7 years ago from these people. The buffers seem to be very tough as I'm still on my first. Jack First has a web presence @ http://www.jackfirstgun.com/,but just tells you to call.

HTH, Nat
 
Here's a picture of a later production 'PD' with the rail machined out.:what:
Cracked on early or cut on late- never caused a problem. Mine is an early nickle slide W/adjustable rear sight.
 

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Nat,

Thanks for the tip - I will definitely give them a call. I'd love to make the PD reliable and put a few hundred downrange again.

another_luser
 
I have 2 stars, they aren't bad, but not great either compared to others. I would have to find an amazing deal to buy another.
 
wford, I know how you feel. I feel the same way about S&W. OK guns, but nothing to compare to guns with actual QC.
 
Star Firestar M43 9mm

I recently picked up one of these, cheap, off Gunbroker. Came with three mags, original case, unused cleaning tools. Gun is used but good condition. Cleaned it up, lubed it and took it to the range. I was very impressed. Heavier than the polymer guns I have, but recoil was barely there. Shot to the point of aim at 7 yards. Reliable, not a single failure in 100 rounds. Single action trigger broke clean and crisp. Mags drop free. It's single action only. Carry cocked and locked. No grip safety. Only negative is the low round count. Small and concealable.

I know about the firing pin issue on some of these. Since this gun is a keeper I bought an extra firing pin.

Bottom line: its a very fun gun to shoot. In fact, I was so impressed that I bought another one "new, old stock" on Gunbroker. I would highly recommend these. They sell online various places. Obviously Gunbroker, J & G Sales has some used ones listed too.

Later I will edit this post and put up a picture of this little beauty.
 
I love my Star PD

My Star PD must love me too, even tho I put it thru all the abuse I can throw at it. I do clean it occasionally and feed it a recoil buffer when necessary. I've collected up a lot of spare parts just in case, but haven't needed anything yet. I've read forum threads both good and bad. Usually people think they are junk or they are "obsessed" with them. I'm quite obsessed and would be heartbroken if something happened to mine.

I'm actually looking for another PD and have my eye on a BM (w/broken firing pin) @ the local pawn shop.

Get Recoil Buffers from Big Dawg Guns ; [email protected] (James A. Brennan 503-591-5159. 3 for $18.95 w/shipping. With these you just hold the spring back, take off old one, insert new one. Work GREAT for 500+ bangs. Recoil springs & Spring kits come from W. C. Wolf Co.in Pa.,610-359-9600 or 800-545-0077 www.gunsprings.com . They also include a firing pin spring with the Recoil Spring. $11.88 w/Shipping. Get the 14lbs spring!!! ($$$ prices subject to change,due to our ever sucking economy)
**Peace be with You'ens**
 
New to me Star PD

I just picked up a moderately-used PD for $315 with shipping & FFL. I put in a new buffer and replaced the springs. Looking forward to shooting it soon. It has the cut in the frame others have noted in this thread. The feed ramp has a tiny ding; what's the word on polishing it out?
 
I carried a Star BKM alloy framed 9mm for years. Wish I never sold it. My buddy has a PD. They are both fine guns. The PD needed a new recoil buffer. My buddy didn't bother trying to find one, he just made a new one out of a piece of neoprene. No issues with either gun.
 
Of all the handguns I owned and traded/sold my Star BM in 9x19 is the one I regret most.
100% reliable, solid, well built, accurate... probably the best semi-auto in its size class I ever shot. (Far better than Walther PPK imho)
Never should have let it go.
 
Had a Star 30P for years, was my favorite,
sold it when I hit hard times about 10 years ago, still miss that pistol...
still have two mags sitting in my desk drawer for when I do find another ;)
 
I know that I am late to the party but.....

I have a Star 30M that was purchased many moons ago. Thing is a tank and will eat basement manufactured ammo that has jammed my friend's XD and Glock. It might not be as pretty, but it reminds me of a quote: "The world's fastest car is a rental car". Because the gun was basically free, I use and abuse it like no other gun I own... as if it were a rental car.

I believe (don't hold me to this) that is was based off of the CZ and BHP platform... so it is in good company!!
 
JeeperCreeper said:
From all accounts, the Star 30M seems to be a fine weapon. But it doesn't seem to be related to the BHP or CZ-75.
Click to expand...
The CZ and BHP, while they look a lot alike, have almost nothing in common. Internally, they've very different, and the CZ is DA/SA, while the BHP is SA only. The 30M seems to be it's own design, sharing just a technical point or two with the CZ and BHP.

The Star 30M uses a BHP-like linkless Short-recoil system. It also has the slide running inside the frame (like the CZ and SIG P-210). Most modern semi-autos use a variation of the Browning short-recoil system, and the CZ and BHP use that system in two quite different ways. The fact that the BM's safety is found on the slide suggests some other internal differences from both the BHP and CZ. (That said, Tanfoglio did build some CZ-pattern guns with safeties on the slide.)

The Star site has a pretty good history. [Link follows...] The 30M is an improved version of the 28M, which was Star's first DA/SA gun. http://star-firearms.com/firearms/guns/283031/index.shtml

Info on the Star site says that the Star 30M was sold in the U.S. as the Starfire, and I've had several of those guns. I particularly liked the Starfire Plus model, which was a compact version in 9mm, using a double-stack mag and alloy frame. The 30M Stars were still used widely by police and military units in Spain until just a few years ago, when parts shortages started to be a problem.

Parts are scarce for many of the models, but some are still made by small shops in Spain and if you search diligently, you can sometimes find what's needed.
 
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