Star .40-S&W

Big Shrek · July 31, 2015, 08:05 PM

Found a Star Ultrastar .40-S&W at a LGS, blued, one mag...$299
I really don't Need it, but I kinda want it

Someone talk me into it, or out of it...

Ibmikey · August 1, 2015, 08:44 AM

Ok Big, Iffa youse buy dat Bubba will tear yer limbs off an Make tomato stakes out of em'. Does that discourage you? I would be the last to discourage Star purchases (i have over eighty of them) however i am not into the modern designs toward end of production. If yo like it go for it, that's what i do and "buyers remorse" be damned.

Walt Sherrill · August 1, 2015, 08:46 AM

Worst case scenario -- you're out $299.

Stars, in my experience, have been great guns. Parts (little things like extractors) now seem to be made of "unobtanium" so keep that in mind. Maybe ibmikey has learned of part sources...

Roughedge · August 1, 2015, 05:50 PM

I have a firestar I got many years ago. except for being heavy it a good gun. At the time I got it it was the smallest 40 on the market.

Big Shrek · August 1, 2015, 06:10 PM

I went back & put it on layaway this afternoon...
don't really need it, but it does have some very interesting features
that show where plastic pistols could have gone...
the slide is really light, like half the weight of a Glock slide...
and it has a safety/decocker on the slide (like a 3rd Gen S&W) as well...

I'll pick it up in a month or two and really have some fun with it then

Not too worried about parts, as I have a few sources...
and I'll order in the usual suspects in the next few weeks

Worst comes to worst, when I'm down to one of anything,
I'll have a certain local company make me a few spares...

Heh, this is my post #666...
I guess I have crossed over to the Dark Side with a Star Ultrastar!!

sureshot106 · August 2, 2015, 08:05 AM

I have the Ultrastar in 9mm and like it very much. I've had it since the late 90's and it has never failed to fire. you can find magazines online and at gun shows. GO FOR IT.

Nathan · August 2, 2015, 08:39 AM

They are good guns and you may never need a spare part. I bought one off here. Shot it a few times. Realized I would never carry it. Shot it some more and sold it for slightly more than I had in it. It was a good gun.

Due to it's weight and lockup, it was accurate. Trigger was long and heavy, but ok. I probably should have kept it, but money sounded better at the time.

Mine was a Star Firestar 40 in starved finish.

Big Shrek · August 2, 2015, 09:48 AM

That's what I was looking for, the Firestar in .40 with the Starvel finish!

But heck, my experiences with Star have been pretty darn good,
so I don't mind collecting a few extras...much like 3rd Gen S&W's, they're really sweet pistols

Sevens · August 2, 2015, 10:06 AM

At $299, I don't see much risk. The later production Star pistols occupy a strange visual category in my eyes -- I can't decide if they are a little ugly or really neat looking, but I lean toward NEAT!

Ibmikey, I stand here in AWE.
Over -80- Star pistols, are you serious?

Can you tell us more?
Should we start a different thread?
Are you the likely best source of info on TFL on the subject of Star pistols?!

Big Shrek · August 3, 2015, 08:35 PM

And the mag drops free when ya hit the button...slips out like it was buttered

Usually have to polish a bit to get that effect on most pistols...

Ibmikey · August 4, 2015, 04:19 AM

Walt, parts are difficult to find so when i began collecting there were parts offered ib Spain and i stocked up on firing pins, barrels, extractors other things i thought might give up over time. Later i bought some of GB's parts kits from pistols that had their frame cut by LE, adding to the " parts drawer". Although i have not had great demand for parts through breakage myself some others have, whenever i found someone in dire need of a part i would offer what i have. Sometimes this works out and another Star pistol is kept in shooting condition, i have not charged for a part and even paid postage however i now select those in need as ejectors, barrels etc become more scarce.

lee n. field · August 4, 2015, 04:49 PM

Quote:

And the mag drops free when ya hit the button...slips out like it was buttered

Usually have to polish a bit to get that effect on most pistols...

Firestar magazines don't. Drop freely, that is. The magazine disconnect is a little lever thing that impinges on the magazine, and there's too much friction to keep the magazine from dropping free nicely. I really wish Star hadn't made it that way.

Walt Sherrill · August 4, 2015, 06:51 PM

On the steel and alloy-framed models, disabling the mag brake was easy. The triggers were also easily tuned. I have no experience with the hybrid guns (poly frames, steel slides.)

I've had a Model B or two, several Firestars in 9mm and .40, and three Firestar Plus models -- and the Firestar Plus remains my favorite.

I've traded them all away, when folks made me offers I couldn't refuse. NEVER had a problem with any of them, but know of some folks who had Firestars in .40 that needed extractors and couldn't find them -- and had to retire the guns. That was some years ago, so there may no be sources available that weren't weren't around, back then.

Big Shrek · August 4, 2015, 08:39 PM

Sounds like it might be a good idea to pull the extractor and make some copies before doing anything else

tallball · August 4, 2015, 09:14 PM

Congratulations! My FiL and I both love our Super B's. Star made some really nice guns.

samsmix · August 7, 2015, 01:45 PM

I used to have a little M-43 in 9mm. Fantastic little shooter and my favorite carry gun at that time. I miss it and wish I had another.

shaunpain · August 7, 2015, 03:04 PM

I have a BKM and Super B. Great guns. No experience with the Firestars, but if their older guns are any indication, they are a lot of gun for very little money.

Walt Sherrill · August 7, 2015, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by samsmix

I used to have a little M-43 in 9mm. Fantastic little shooter and my favorite carry gun at that time. I miss it and wish I had another.

I had one for a while but never really considered it for carry...

At the range where I shot, the folks there liked them, but laughingly said, "If you miss the bad guy, all you've got to do is drop the Star on his foot, and he'll be out of action!!"

It is a heavy gun.

(The Star Firestar Plus has a similar slide, but an alloy frame, and is a very good "carry" weapon.)

samsmix · August 7, 2015, 03:42 PM

Lol...I see your point. It was a heavy little chunk to be sure, yet never seemed lime a burden. I had no complaints back then, but it was a $150 gun when Glocks were $399, and the 26/27 had yet to be invented. There were no XDs, and the jury was still out on Kahr's pistols. Back then if you wanted a CCW that size you paid about $500 for a J-frame or about that for a PPK. It was small, heavy or not. I had a nice Bianchi thumb break for it that rode over the back of the frame and under the cocked and locked hammer.

Big Shrek · August 7, 2015, 09:57 PM

My main EDC is a S&W CS45, so a bit of weight is alright

The Ultrastar will fit nicely into the rotation...

Right after Columbine, started CC'ing a Star 30P (Full-size 9mm) in a fanny pack...
kept a set of headphones around my neck and a tiny tape player in the front pocket...
I'd crank up the Bagpipe music so folks thought I was just a music freak

Then used it as a concealed backup to my .357 sidearm at work, with it in appendix carry holster...
(Florida used to have weird rules about Primary & BUG's, only wheelguns were allowed as Primary's for a long time)

Now we've got so many fun options for CC these days, Alien Gear, Thunderwear...etc...

samsmix · August 8, 2015, 01:10 AM

One of the fellows I trained with used to work in Florida. Can I ask what company you worked with?

Big Shrek · August 8, 2015, 02:06 PM

Vinson, Wackenhut, um, dang, I forget the other two...LOL...
Right out of the Army I worked Security while going to college on the GI Bill,
seemed the thing to do...as one can easily work & study doing Beach Security...

What got me out of doing that was working as head of security for a HUD housing project...
that will eat you up worse than anything...because you can't shoot the scumbags that really need to be shot...
even back then, it was just too much dang paperwork

Ibmikey · August 9, 2015, 11:11 AM

Sevens, yea no poop i have Star pistols (and some of the early neat Llama pistols as well) in safes, drawers, paper weights etc.

i started collecting them when the small .25, .32 and .380 pistols were more numerous and a bit cheaper (except for the DK 380 which has always commanded a premium-- pappa to the Mustang, Sig P238, Kimber Micro) and the large frame pistols were reducilously cheap. I tried to find rarer pieces like my Air Force issue number 00004 and one that was shipped to Nazi Germany but the entire shipment of 500 pistols disappeared from history (except mine). Unfortunately the records seem to have been destroyed after the demise of the company so it is up to existing publications and private collectors to carry on with any information we possess and others request. I shoot what i collect and collected many used parts that i have shared with those in need.

Big Shrek · August 9, 2015, 05:15 PM

We need more collectors like IBMikey

samsmix · August 10, 2015, 11:30 AM

Sorry for the delay Big Shriek
I know what you mean about frustrating! I took a job in January as a Loss Prevention Manager for a big box store. The money is great, and I figured it would be warm in the winter and cool in the summer...but it sucks. Avalanches of paperwork and red tape, ZERO leeway to really make any kind of difference, but tons of accountability when you don't. I still do the armored car thing on the side, but I'm seriously thinking about going back to it full time. The rules were simple, the job was fun, and it didn't have that greazy, nasty, do-anything-for-a-dollar corporate feel to it.

July 31, 2015, 08:05 PM	#1
Big Shrek Senior Member Join Date: August 6, 2009 Location: NorthWest Florida Posts: 1,358	Star .40-S&W Found a Star Ultrastar .40-S&W at a LGS, blued, one mag...$299 I really don't Need it, but I kinda want it Someone talk me into it, or out of it... __________________ Marlin Specialist Calico Specialist A gun should be a tool in the hands of a deadly weapon, not a deadly weapon in the hands of a tool.

August 1, 2015, 05:50 PM	#4
Roughedge Senior Member Join Date: January 24, 2011 Location: Monroe,NC Posts: 669	I have a firestar I got many years ago. except for being heavy it a good gun. At the time I got it it was the smallest 40 on the market. __________________ The man that die's with the most stuff win's!

August 1, 2015, 06:10 PM	#5
Big Shrek Senior Member Join Date: August 6, 2009 Location: NorthWest Florida Posts: 1,358	I went back & put it on layaway this afternoon... don't really need it, but it does have some very interesting features that show where plastic pistols could have gone... the slide is really light, like half the weight of a Glock slide... and it has a safety/decocker on the slide (like a 3rd Gen S&W) as well... I'll pick it up in a month or two and really have some fun with it then Not too worried about parts, as I have a few sources... and I'll order in the usual suspects in the next few weeks Worst comes to worst, when I'm down to one of anything, I'll have a certain local company make me a few spares... Heh, this is my post #666... I guess I have crossed over to the Dark Side with a Star Ultrastar!! __________________ Marlin Specialist Calico Specialist A gun should be a tool in the hands of a deadly weapon, not a deadly weapon in the hands of a tool. Last edited by Big Shrek; August 3, 2015 at 09:05 PM.

August 2, 2015, 09:48 AM	#8
Big Shrek Senior Member Join Date: August 6, 2009 Location: NorthWest Florida Posts: 1,358	That's what I was looking for, the Firestar in .40 with the Starvel finish! But heck, my experiences with Star have been pretty darn good, so I don't mind collecting a few extras...much like 3rd Gen S&W's, they're really sweet pistols __________________ Marlin Specialist Calico Specialist A gun should be a tool in the hands of a deadly weapon, not a deadly weapon in the hands of a tool.

August 2, 2015, 10:06 AM	#9
Sevens Senior Member Join Date: July 28, 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 11,756	At $299, I don't see much risk. The later production Star pistols occupy a strange visual category in my eyes -- I can't decide if they are a little ugly or really neat looking, but I lean toward NEAT! Ibmikey, I stand here in AWE. Over -80- Star pistols, are you serious? Can you tell us more? Should we start a different thread? Are you the likely best source of info on TFL on the subject of Star pistols?! __________________ *Attention Brass rats and other reloaders:* I really need .327 Federal Magnum brass, no lot size too small. Tell me what caliber you need and I'll see what I have to swap. PM me and we'll discuss.

August 1, 2015, 08:44 AM	#2
Ibmikey Senior Member Join Date: June 1, 2013 Location: Now relocated to Texas Posts: 2,943	Ok Big, Iffa youse buy dat Bubba will tear yer limbs off an Make tomato stakes out of em'. Does that discourage you? I would be the last to discourage Star purchases (i have over eighty of them) however i am not into the modern designs toward end of production. If yo like it go for it, that's what i do and "buyers remorse" be damned.

August 1, 2015, 08:46 AM	#3
Walt Sherrill Senior Member Join Date: February 15, 1999 Location: Winston-Salem, NC USA Posts: 6,348	Worst case scenario -- you're out $299. Stars, in my experience, have been great guns. Parts (little things like extractors) now seem to be made of "unobtanium" so keep that in mind. Maybe ibmikey has learned of part sources...

August 2, 2015, 08:05 AM	#6
sureshot106 Member Join Date: September 6, 2012 Posts: 32	Star Ultrastar I have the Ultrastar in 9mm and like it very much. I've had it since the late 90's and it has never failed to fire. you can find magazines online and at gun shows. GO FOR IT.

August 2, 2015, 08:39 AM	#7
Nathan Senior Member Join Date: July 1, 2001 Posts: 6,331	They are good guns and you may never need a spare part. I bought one off here. Shot it a few times. Realized I would never carry it. Shot it some more and sold it for slightly more than I had in it. It was a good gun. Due to it's weight and lockup, it was accurate. Trigger was long and heavy, but ok. I probably should have kept it, but money sounded better at the time. Mine was a Star Firestar 40 in starved finish.

August 3, 2015, 08:35 PM	#10
Big Shrek Senior Member Join Date: August 6, 2009 Location: NorthWest Florida Posts: 1,358	And the mag drops free when ya hit the button...slips out like it was buttered Usually have to polish a bit to get that effect on most pistols... __________________ Marlin Specialist Calico Specialist A gun should be a tool in the hands of a deadly weapon, not a deadly weapon in the hands of a tool.

August 4, 2015, 04:19 AM	#11
Ibmikey Senior Member Join Date: June 1, 2013 Location: Now relocated to Texas Posts: 2,943	Walt, parts are difficult to find so when i began collecting there were parts offered ib Spain and i stocked up on firing pins, barrels, extractors other things i thought might give up over time. Later i bought some of GB's parts kits from pistols that had their frame cut by LE, adding to the " parts drawer". Although i have not had great demand for parts through breakage myself some others have, whenever i found someone in dire need of a part i would offer what i have. Sometimes this works out and another Star pistol is kept in shooting condition, i have not charged for a part and even paid postage however i now select those in need as ejectors, barrels etc become more scarce.

August 4, 2015, 06:51 PM	#13
Walt Sherrill Senior Member Join Date: February 15, 1999 Location: Winston-Salem, NC USA Posts: 6,348	On the steel and alloy-framed models, disabling the mag brake was easy. The triggers were also easily tuned. I have no experience with the hybrid guns (poly frames, steel slides.) I've had a Model B or two, several Firestars in 9mm and .40, and three Firestar Plus models -- and the Firestar Plus remains my favorite. I've traded them all away, when folks made me offers I couldn't refuse. NEVER had a problem with any of them, but know of some folks who had Firestars in .40 that needed extractors and couldn't find them -- and had to retire the guns. That was some years ago, so there may no be sources available that weren't weren't around, back then. Last edited by Walt Sherrill; August 5, 2015 at 02:46 PM.

August 4, 2015, 08:39 PM	#14
Big Shrek Senior Member Join Date: August 6, 2009 Location: NorthWest Florida Posts: 1,358	Sounds like it might be a good idea to pull the extractor and make some copies before doing anything else __________________ Marlin Specialist Calico Specialist A gun should be a tool in the hands of a deadly weapon, not a deadly weapon in the hands of a tool.

August 4, 2015, 09:14 PM	#15
tallball Senior Member Join Date: October 17, 2014 Posts: 2,444	Congratulations! My FiL and I both love our Super B's. Star made some really nice guns.

August 7, 2015, 01:45 PM	#16
samsmix Senior Member Join Date: June 29, 2006 Location: Montana (Montucky?) Posts: 1,273	I used to have a little M-43 in 9mm. Fantastic little shooter and my favorite carry gun at that time. I miss it and wish I had another. __________________ You'll probably never NEED a gun. I hope you never do. But IF you do, you will need it worse than anything you've ever needed in your life. IF we're not supposed to eat animals, howcome God made 'em outta meat?

August 7, 2015, 03:04 PM	#17
shaunpain Senior Member Join Date: September 12, 2008 Location: Chicago Posts: 854	I have a BKM and Super B. Great guns. No experience with the Firestars, but if their older guns are any indication, they are a lot of gun for very little money. __________________ "Shut up, crime!"

August 7, 2015, 03:42 PM	#19
samsmix Senior Member Join Date: June 29, 2006 Location: Montana (Montucky?) Posts: 1,273	Lol...I see your point. It was a heavy little chunk to be sure, yet never seemed lime a burden. I had no complaints back then, but it was a $150 gun when Glocks were $399, and the 26/27 had yet to be invented. There were no XDs, and the jury was still out on Kahr's pistols. Back then if you wanted a CCW that size you paid about $500 for a J-frame or about that for a PPK. It was small, heavy or not. I had a nice Bianchi thumb break for it that rode over the back of the frame and under the cocked and locked hammer. __________________ You'll probably never NEED a gun. I hope you never do. But IF you do, you will need it worse than anything you've ever needed in your life. IF we're not supposed to eat animals, howcome God made 'em outta meat?

August 7, 2015, 09:57 PM	#20
Big Shrek Senior Member Join Date: August 6, 2009 Location: NorthWest Florida Posts: 1,358	My main EDC is a S&W CS45, so a bit of weight is alright The Ultrastar will fit nicely into the rotation... Right after Columbine, started CC'ing a Star 30P (Full-size 9mm) in a fanny pack... kept a set of headphones around my neck and a tiny tape player in the front pocket... I'd crank up the Bagpipe music so folks thought I was just a music freak Then used it as a concealed backup to my .357 sidearm at work, with it in appendix carry holster... (Florida used to have weird rules about Primary & BUG's, only wheelguns were allowed as Primary's for a long time) Now we've got so many fun options for CC these days, Alien Gear, Thunderwear...etc... __________________ Marlin Specialist Calico Specialist A gun should be a tool in the hands of a deadly weapon, not a deadly weapon in the hands of a tool.

August 8, 2015, 01:10 AM	#21
samsmix Senior Member Join Date: June 29, 2006 Location: Montana (Montucky?) Posts: 1,273	One of the fellows I trained with used to work in Florida. Can I ask what company you worked with? __________________ You'll probably never NEED a gun. I hope you never do. But IF you do, you will need it worse than anything you've ever needed in your life. IF we're not supposed to eat animals, howcome God made 'em outta meat?

August 8, 2015, 02:06 PM	#22
Big Shrek Senior Member Join Date: August 6, 2009 Location: NorthWest Florida Posts: 1,358	Vinson, Wackenhut, um, dang, I forget the other two...LOL... Right out of the Army I worked Security while going to college on the GI Bill, seemed the thing to do...as one can easily work & study doing Beach Security... What got me out of doing that was working as head of security for a HUD housing project... that will eat you up worse than anything...because you can't shoot the scumbags that really need to be shot... even back then, it was just too much dang paperwork __________________ Marlin Specialist Calico Specialist A gun should be a tool in the hands of a deadly weapon, not a deadly weapon in the hands of a tool.

August 9, 2015, 11:11 AM	#23
Ibmikey Senior Member Join Date: June 1, 2013 Location: Now relocated to Texas Posts: 2,943	Sevens, yea no poop i have Star pistols (and some of the early neat Llama pistols as well) in safes, drawers, paper weights etc. i started collecting them when the small .25, .32 and .380 pistols were more numerous and a bit cheaper (except for the DK 380 which has always commanded a premium-- pappa to the Mustang, Sig P238, Kimber Micro) and the large frame pistols were reducilously cheap. I tried to find rarer pieces like my Air Force issue number 00004 and one that was shipped to Nazi Germany but the entire shipment of 500 pistols disappeared from history (except mine). Unfortunately the records seem to have been destroyed after the demise of the company so it is up to existing publications and private collectors to carry on with any information we possess and others request. I shoot what i collect and collected many used parts that i have shared with those in need.

August 9, 2015, 05:15 PM	#24
Big Shrek Senior Member Join Date: August 6, 2009 Location: NorthWest Florida Posts: 1,358	We need more collectors like IBMikey __________________ Marlin Specialist Calico Specialist A gun should be a tool in the hands of a deadly weapon, not a deadly weapon in the hands of a tool.

August 10, 2015, 11:30 AM	#25
samsmix Senior Member Join Date: June 29, 2006 Location: Montana (Montucky?) Posts: 1,273	Sorry for the delay Big Shriek I know what you mean about frustrating! I took a job in January as a Loss Prevention Manager for a big box store. The money is great, and I figured it would be warm in the winter and cool in the summer...but it sucks. Avalanches of paperwork and red tape, ZERO leeway to really make any kind of difference, but tons of accountability when you don't. I still do the armored car thing on the side, but I'm seriously thinking about going back to it full time. The rules were simple, the job was fun, and it didn't have that greazy, nasty, do-anything-for-a-dollar corporate feel to it. __________________ You'll probably never NEED a gun. I hope you never do. But IF you do, you will need it worse than anything you've ever needed in your life. IF we're not supposed to eat animals, howcome God made 'em outta meat?