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Old August 7, 2011, 10:55 PM   #76
RickE
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Was Star and Astra cousins? I have an Astra A -75 compact .40. Good finish, eats everything, but 32oz empty.
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Old August 8, 2011, 06:16 AM   #77
Walt Sherrill
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I don't understand the whole "parts" thing. Any small parts are easily made by a competent gunsmith, springs are available, as are grips and magazines. It's not likely you will shoot a barrel out.
What, exactly, parts would you need?
Extractors for the Firestar .40 was an issue for a while, when the guy who bought the US inventory (when the importer stopped carrying them) ran out. I don't think that part is an easily fabricated part.

Since then, I've heard of other sources opening up -- and I had one part mailed to me from Spain, by a student there who needed a CZ part in exchange, but couldn't get it in Europe. Mailing parts internationally isn't terribly expensive, but there are all kinds of government regulations (on the other end) that can make it complicated (or illegal), depending on the country. Some of those countries consider it import/export and get huffy.

The website link that Bill D. posted may lead to helpful alternatives.

Last edited by Walt Sherrill; August 8, 2011 at 09:45 AM.
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Old August 8, 2011, 11:47 AM   #78
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BTW- Jorge goes by the name of "Star" on that forum.
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Old August 24, 2011, 08:58 AM   #79
Doug Bowser
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I have a Star Model "P" in .45 ACP. It is accurate and well finished and fitted. It is in the original box with factory papers. I can keep it in 3" or less at 25 yards with one hand using USGI 230 gr Ball ammo.

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Old August 24, 2011, 09:14 AM   #80
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I have a Star model 1921 in 9mm/38 ( which translates to 9mm Largo and 38ACP)...thinking about getting rid of it, but it is still a good solid shooter.
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Old August 24, 2011, 09:33 AM   #81
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Quote: Was Star and Astra cousins? I have an Astra A -75 compact .40. Good finish, eats everything, but 32oz empty.

I have an Astra A-100 9mm and it is an awesome shooter 17+1 and 34oz. Extremely accurate and can eat any type of ammo:

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Old August 24, 2011, 09:47 AM   #82
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Do Double Stars count as owning a Star pistol?

They should count, and they should count double.
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Old August 24, 2011, 10:06 AM   #83
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STAR PD here....inherited from my grandfather- NIB...
Damn that make me feel old!

I own a Star PD.

Its an amazing gun. Its lighter than my Sig SP2022, not sure if that speaks for the audacity of Star going for a somewhat too light frame, or Sig is just too heavy!

Sweet gun, sadly I can't see the iron sights to shoot it well.

Cooper liked it a lot, but also said he kept two, one for carry and one to shoot as it would break down over time. Not a smear on the gun, it pushed technology to the limits, if you kept inside the limits it worked well.

My guess is mine was carried and shot little as the buffer is in pristine shape (I learned that recently and checked it). I have shot it less than 100 rounds since I got in back in 88 or so. I think the buffer is good for only 500 rounds. Keep an eye on that and get new ones if it gets worn.

It was offered in the US originally, when no takes taken to Spain and Star took him up on it (away from home and do not have my material).

It was the Colt Commander before there was a commander.

It does pack a recoil. I never found it a problem, but I shot a lot of 44 magnum in a Ruger SA (terrible gun) and S&W in 44 and 41 magnum.

The Star still fits in a Vest pocket better than the Sig.

It was far ahead of its time and did it well. I wish I could get sights on it but it would wreck the gun inherent value.

Thoughts of selling it and passing it on to someone who can shoot it. Not much for things just sitting there. Better to think hard about it, once its gone its too late for regrets.
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Old August 24, 2011, 11:37 AM   #84
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I own a Star Modelo Super in 9mm Largo. Other than the scarce ammo supply, i absolutely love it. I would like to find a 9mm luger barrel for it to swap out so i can shoot more. Very solid gun, quite accurate. If i had a luger barrel for it, it would be my gun of choice at the range.
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Old August 24, 2011, 12:04 PM   #85
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So if mine takes largo, can i shoot 38 supers out of it, or would that be certian death?
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Old August 24, 2011, 03:03 PM   #86
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Not certain death, but not recommended.
Moist will not work with Super, unless the breech face is relieved.
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Old August 24, 2011, 06:06 PM   #87
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Tubby, check with Long Mountain Outfitters in Henderson, NV., I think they have a large quatity of .38 Largo.
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Old August 24, 2011, 10:37 PM   #88
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Had a Star 30-P years ago...still have two mags for it lying around.
If I ever find another one, I'll snag it, gotta get some use outta the old mags again one day

The mags were left in a WW2 magpounch and got a wee bit rusty in a few spots...smothered with oil & scrubbed...
but needs more love, as they are a bit pitted, but in non-function areas.
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Old August 25, 2011, 04:23 PM   #89
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I have a PD-45 and I absolutely love it!
In fact, it's such a sweet gun that my wife decided that it should be hers instead of the Tangfolio GT-32 that I gave her. The gun is actually one year older than my wife, and it still runs like a top. It has gobbled up every ammo type that I've fed it with no feed issues or jams of any sort. No misfires, no stoppages of any kind except when the buffer gave up the ghost.
When I got it about a year ago it still had the original captive buffer which disintegrated after a few trips to the range putting lots of bullets through it (I think it was someone's ranch gun), but Jim at Big Dawg Guns hooked me up with what amounts to about a lifetime of buffers and even installed the first one when it turned out that I didn't have the tools to do it myself.
And for the record, if you need buffers for your PD, the guys at Big Dawg do amazing customer service.
This thing is wonderfully accurate, and has been so much fun that I've decided to throw some money into refinishing and refurbishing it, and my wife says I have to get the pearlite grips that Jorge Star is selling.
I'll make sure to post pictures when I dive into that project.
Overall I find the gun to be fun, well-designed and well-balanced and also innovative considering how many guns currently follow the PD format (even though we're now using polymers instead of aluminium for the lighter weight grip frame) being the equivalent of a commander-sized 1911, but without that pesky grip safety.
I'm not advocating going to look for one if you don't have one, but if you happen to have one in your collection hang on to it!


In response to an earlier question: I don't know if Star and Astra are cousin companies, but I have an A-100 myself, and searching for parts for both guns led me to the same guy in Spain who used to be employed by Star.

Last edited by DiCarnage; August 25, 2011 at 05:55 PM.
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Old August 29, 2011, 10:10 PM   #90
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I have a star bm 9mm I picked up.. It shoots great and has an amazing point of aim.. The only problem I had with it was a squib round of Winchester 9mm NATO the black an white box.. I had to tap the slug out thank god it was the last shot of the clip although the casing was not cycled out so I am sure that if I would have had more rounds it would not had chambered the next round.. As to say for the Winchester that's the first time I had a problem with any of their shells.. Star is great tho...
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Old August 30, 2011, 12:47 AM   #91
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Old August 30, 2011, 09:39 AM   #92
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I have a star bm 9mm I picked up.. It shoots great and has an amazing point of aim.. The only problem I had with it was a squib round of Winchester 9mm NATO the black an white box.. I had to tap the slug out thank god it was the last shot of the clip although the casing was not cycled out so I am sure that if I would have had more rounds it would not had chambered the next round.. As to say for the Winchester that's the first time I had a problem with any of their shells.. Star is great tho...
Brings memories to me, watching that pistol. Was my first service pistol when I got out of the Academy 18 years ago. After that one I got a 30M, then my current 92FS. These BMs were solid, and could be carried cocked and locked ala 1911

Hope you don't mind the question, where did you get it? (PM me if you wanna). Does it have the characters "GC" printed before the serial number?.
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Old August 30, 2011, 11:42 PM   #93
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I have many Stars, very nice handguns. I think my favorite is the S model, I also have an A model which looks much like a 1911 chambered in 9MM Largo.
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Old August 31, 2011, 03:14 AM   #94
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It was the Colt Commander before there was a commander.
The original Colt Commander dates from the very early 1950s, long before the Star PD was even thought of.
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Old August 31, 2011, 05:57 AM   #95
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Old September 1, 2011, 01:45 AM   #96
gyvel
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So if mine takes largo, can i shoot 38 supers out of it, or would that be certian death?
If you modify the breech face, or, if the breech face is generous enough to accomodate the semi rim cartridge, you can shoot .38 ACP (.38 Automatic), but NOT .38 Super.
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Old September 1, 2011, 01:46 AM   #97
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Hope you don't mind the question, where did you get it? (PM me if you wanna). Does it have the characters "GC" printed before the serial number?.
I have a Guardia Civil Star.
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Old March 17, 2013, 05:37 PM   #98
sixgunluv
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Star BM

My favorite 9mm...to carry or otherwise. Points great, nice heft(all steel), eats any ammo, never had a FTF in over 1000rnds. Mine sports aftermarket ivory imitation grips. No grip safety!!!!!!!!!... can you tell i don't care for grip safeties?
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Old March 17, 2013, 05:48 PM   #99
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I loved my 9MM Firestar in Starvel and wanted one in .45 until I had recurring issues with firing pins. I would have kept it forever. Wanted to try a Megastar in .45 or 10MM too, but didn't have the strength to pick one up. I think they weighted about 1100 lbs, but they looked cool.... Zebulon


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