Firestar - need suggestion for a lost part

gkbikers · December 29, 2004, 09:41 AM

Hello everyone. I'm new to this forum and I find myself (embarassingly

) in need of your assistance.

I had disassembled my Firestar M40 (.40 S&W) and removed the grip panels. The thumb safety can then swing down toward the bottom of the frame. When this happens, the small "B-B" that is spring-loaded under the safety is released (sometimes flying through the air). This small metal ball (much smaller than an actual B-B) is used to click into two detents in the thumb safety, allowing the safety to operate.

When I was re-assembling the gun this morning, the "B-B" did go flying through the air and is now lost.

I need to replace it. Star and its importer, Interarms, are now out of business. Any ideas or suggestions on finding a replacement?

Many thanks . . .

Gary

MatoTanika · December 29, 2004, 12:06 PM

Hi Gary
I also have a Firestar and I bought spare parts when I bought the gun due to Interarms going out of business. I found a guy who had bought all the spare parts from Interarms. I am not at home now and will not be until Thursday night or Friday morning. When I get there I will get his name and phone # and post it for you.

Lee.................

**4V50 Gary** · December 29, 2004, 07:28 PM

Ball bearing perhaps? Betcha if you can find the diameter you can buy a replacement bearing somewhere. It's got to be pretty standard.

gkbikers · December 29, 2004, 11:10 PM

Thanks, Lee. I'll be looking for your info.

4V50 Gary, I agree. Only thing is, I don't know what size ball bearing! It's much smaller than a B-B, though. Kind'a like those little pellets one sees in cheap little kids' games, where you try to get all the balls into little holes.

Oh well. I decided that, since I had disabled my Firestar, I needed something to fill in. So, I took my Christmas money and purchased a .45 Springfield Armory Champion, G.I. model; can't wait to try it out!

joab · December 29, 2004, 11:18 PM

Go to a gunshop with a smith , tell him what you did, tell him what you have and what you need. Let him snicker for a second or two ( they always do to me).
He'll probably have the correct sized ball bearing in his parts kit.

MatoTanika · January 10, 2005, 03:52 PM

Gary
I apologize for being so long getting back to you. I searched all over for the invoice I had from getting my spare parts. Can't find it anywhere - sorry. I did notice some where that Star parts are available from Gun Parts Corp - used to be Numerich - I believe they have a web site but I don't have the address. If I come across the invoice I will let you know.

Lee.................

cntryboy1289 · January 10, 2005, 06:28 PM

that is the web page for Numrich. They have a .380 pistol listed, not sure if they have the .40 cal parts or not. There number is 1-866-686-7424. Hope this helps.

gkbikers · January 10, 2005, 06:45 PM

Lee, thanks for checking. I did get if fixed though.

I took joab's advice and dropped by Tucker Gun in Lawrenceville, GA. Ken fixed me right up. No charge.

Tucker Gun, they are good folks.

Gary

PS

Now, I have this replacement gun that I bought! (Springfield .45 Champion GI) Oh gee, guess I'll just keep it!

MatoTanika · January 12, 2005, 11:54 AM

Gary
Glad you did get it fixed. I got to thinking on the way home yesterday about some reorganizing I had done and checked one last box - found the invoice where it did not belong. The guy I got parts from is M & M Gunsmithing 204 S Union St Alexandria Va 703 739 2150.

He was real good to deal with. I bought the stuff more likly to break like slide release lever, firing pin etc.

Lee.................

December 29, 2004, 09:41 AM	#1
gkbikers Member Join Date: December 29, 2004 Posts: 19	Firestar - need suggestion for a lost part Hello everyone. I'm new to this forum and I find myself (embarassingly) in need of your assistance. I had disassembled my Firestar M40 (.40 S&W) and removed the grip panels. The thumb safety can then swing down toward the bottom of the frame. When this happens, the small "B-B" that is spring-loaded under the safety is released (sometimes flying through the air). This small metal ball (much smaller than an actual B-B) is used to click into two detents in the thumb safety, allowing the safety to operate. When I was re-assembling the gun this morning, the "B-B" did go flying through the air and is now lost. I need to replace it. Star and its importer, Interarms, are now out of business. Any ideas or suggestions on finding a replacement? Many thanks . . . Gary

December 29, 2004, 12:06 PM	#2
MatoTanika Member Join Date: September 15, 2004 Location: Montana Posts: 15	Hi Gary I also have a Firestar and I bought spare parts when I bought the gun due to Interarms going out of business. I found a guy who had bought all the spare parts from Interarms. I am not at home now and will not be until Thursday night or Friday morning. When I get there I will get his name and phone # and post it for you. Lee................. __________________ Take Care.... Stay Safe.... Only Good Hits Count

December 29, 2004, 07:28 PM	#3
4V50 Gary Staff Join Date: November 2, 1998 Location: Colorado Posts: 21,832	Ball bearing perhaps? Betcha if you can find the diameter you can buy a replacement bearing somewhere. It's got to be pretty standard. __________________ Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. *Molon Labe!*

December 29, 2004, 11:18 PM	#5
joab Senior Member Join Date: November 17, 2002 Location: Orl Fla Posts: 3,254	Go to a gunshop with a smith , tell him what you did, tell him what you have and what you need. Let him snicker for a second or two ( they always do to me). He'll probably have the correct sized ball bearing in his parts kit. __________________ Joab the Bugman Founding member- Lords of Pomposity It's a Yankee Doodle thing

January 10, 2005, 03:52 PM	#6
MatoTanika Member Join Date: September 15, 2004 Location: Montana Posts: 15	Gary I apologize for being so long getting back to you. I searched all over for the invoice I had from getting my spare parts. Can't find it anywhere - sorry. I did notice some where that Star parts are available from Gun Parts Corp - used to be Numerich - I believe they have a web site but I don't have the address. If I come across the invoice I will let you know. Lee................. __________________ Take Care.... Stay Safe.... Only Good Hits Count

December 29, 2004, 11:10 PM	#4
gkbikers Member Join Date: December 29, 2004 Posts: 19	Thanks, Lee. I'll be looking for your info. 4V50 Gary, I agree. Only thing is, I don't know what size ball bearing! It's much smaller than a B-B, though. Kind'a like those little pellets one sees in cheap little kids' games, where you try to get all the balls into little holes. Oh well. I decided that, since I had disabled my Firestar, I needed something to fill in. So, I took my Christmas money and purchased a .45 Springfield Armory Champion, G.I. model; can't wait to try it out!

January 10, 2005, 06:28 PM	#7
cntryboy1289 Senior Member Join Date: July 19, 2004 Location: Ms Posts: 1,160	e-GunParts.com that is the web page for Numrich. They have a .380 pistol listed, not sure if they have the .40 cal parts or not. There number is 1-866-686-7424. Hope this helps.

January 10, 2005, 06:45 PM	#8
gkbikers Member Join Date: December 29, 2004 Posts: 19	Lee, thanks for checking. I did get if fixed though. I took joab's advice and dropped by Tucker Gun in Lawrenceville, GA. Ken fixed me right up. No charge. Tucker Gun, they are good folks. Gary PS Now, I have this replacement gun that I bought! (Springfield .45 Champion GI) Oh gee, guess I'll just keep it!

January 12, 2005, 11:54 AM	#9
MatoTanika Member Join Date: September 15, 2004 Location: Montana Posts: 15	Gary Glad you did get it fixed. I got to thinking on the way home yesterday about some reorganizing I had done and checked one last box - found the invoice where it did not belong. The guy I got parts from is M & M Gunsmithing 204 S Union St Alexandria Va 703 739 2150. He was real good to deal with. I bought the stuff more likly to break like slide release lever, firing pin etc. Lee................. __________________ Take Care.... Stay Safe.... Only Good Hits Count