Star BM ?

tsillik · February 17, 2018, 09:17 AM

Does anybody know what the two round machine marks are on the right side of the frame 0n these pistols? And do all of them have this? terry

dwhite · February 17, 2018, 09:26 AM

They took off the original Spanish proof marks.

It's an UGLY way to have done it.

All the Best,
D. White

RUT · February 17, 2018, 09:40 AM

>>And do all of them have this?<<

Yup, that's just the way it is. Aside from that, these are great little shooters and a lot of gun for the money. :-)

Ibmikey · February 17, 2018, 10:22 AM

The recent offerings all seem to have the ugly CAI crap on the slide and the unit crest removed by milling a circle where it was. The previous imports have the Civil Guard monogram intact and most do not have such ugly import marks. CAI seems to have outdone itself lately with it’s offensive marking.
The additional numbers on slide and frame are Spanish control or issue numbers. Even though the serial is quite legible CAI chose to add their own serial number. If you want a nice BM look on GB for pistols not having the defaced areas.

KyJim · February 17, 2018, 11:19 AM

Star produced the BM for both the civil and military/police markets, including the Spanish National Guard (La Guardia). As I understand it, the current imports from Century Arms are from La Guardia and they were the ones who removed the military marking and left the unsightly scars. So, if that's correct, don't blame Century for that. Of course, they could have been a bit more subtle on some their own import marks. Not all BMs will have these marks, just the current wave of imports.

BTW, the late Stephen A. Camp did the most detailed review of the Star BM before he passed away. His family has kept up his website so you can read his review here: http://www.hipowersandhandguns.com/C...r+Model+BM.htm. Keep in mind that some references will be a bit out of date, such as price.

Big Shrek · February 17, 2018, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KyJim

Star produced the BM for both the civil and military/police markets, including the Spanish National Guard (La Guardia). As I understand it, the current imports from Century Arms are from La Guardia and they were the ones who removed the military marking and left the unsightly scars. So, if that's correct, don't blame Century for that. Of course, they could have been a bit more subtle on some their own import marks. Not all BMs will have these marks, just the current wave of imports.

BTW, the late Stephen A. Camp did the most detailed review of the Star BM before he passed away. His family has kept up his website so you can read his review here: http://www.hipowersandhandguns.com/C...r+Model+BM.htm. Keep in mind that some references will be a bit out of date, such as price.

That is a beautiful writeup on Stars!
Wish he had been able to check out the Ultrastar & Megastar lines at the time

tallball · February 17, 2018, 04:22 PM

I got my Star BM a month or two ago from AIM. It is 90% at least and an extremely good shooter. The fit and finish are excellent.

That's why I don't buy new handguns anymore. You are just not going to get a new pistol of this quality for under $300 OTD.

My Star Super B cost even less. It's a shame that company went out of business. The pistols that I've handled of theirs have been very nice.

Ibmikey · February 19, 2018, 02:38 AM

Kyjim, My defacing comments were directed mainly at CAI and their overly done marking, I understand the Spanish Gov, after many many thousands of marked pistols have been imported with unit markings, would like to be politically correct in this bizarre world and their removal is done as tastefully as possible. When I received my latest BM from SOG there was no mention made of the import billboard or I would not have ordered it, to get over my being upset I simply replaced the slide with a spare and the markings were no longer there to bug me. I really like these pistols and other milsurp and hate to see them defaced in any way, some other importers are much more discreet than CAI.

Big Shrek · February 19, 2018, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ibmikey

Kyjim, My defacing comments were directed mainly at CAI and their overly done marking, I understand the Spanish Gov, after many many thousands of marked pistols have been imported with unit markings, would like to be politically correct in this bizarre world and their removal is done as tastefully as possible. When I received my latest BM from SOG there was no mention made of the import billboard or I would not have ordered it, to get over my being upset I simply replaced the slide with a spare and the markings were no longer there to bug me. I really like these pistols and other milsurp and hate to see them defaced in any way, some other importers are much more discreet than CAI.

I wonder if it might be prudent to mill in some slide grips at that location??

That way you get rid of the ugly twin circles of doom and put something useful in its place??

Mosin44az · February 19, 2018, 10:11 PM

Do the Star BMs run hollow points?

TunnelRat · February 19, 2018, 10:55 PM

I remember MrGunsNGear rested hollow points and they seemed to work.

I have two of the BMs now, one from ‘76 and one from ‘91. For the price they’re excellent to me. I just really enjoy shooting them. Gragagun had the SKU from Century that lists them in Very Good
Condition the last I checked. I picked one up with the same SKU from another place and it was really quite nice.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Ibmikey · February 20, 2018, 12:51 AM

A draw file and trip to my friend who blues six days a week will reserect the slide for service once more.

Model12Win · February 20, 2018, 04:47 AM

The only thing that kept me from the Star BMs was the lack of spare parts.

Once these guns dry up, so will the parts, which are already tough to find. They're not especially interesting from a historical standpoint but if it weren't for the long term servicing challenges I'd own one. They seems to be great shooters.

arquebus357 · February 20, 2018, 07:22 AM

Love my little BM. It's an older Interarms import without those ugly crop circles.

Mosin44az · February 20, 2018, 09:57 AM

These look good, and if they feed HPs, even better. Spare parts are a concern.

tsillik · February 20, 2018, 06:07 PM

Love them grips!

Ibmikey · February 20, 2018, 09:09 PM

I have been shooting Star pistols for a lot of years and spare parts have been of little consequence to owning the guns. I purchased parts and parts kits during those years to be prepared but mostly those emergency repair parts have been used to help others with problems as I have shared them freely.
Things do happen and a lot of the pistols saw heavy service through the years with lots of corrosive ammo so we do see some failures fortunately not in my personal firearms. If one obtains a decent pistol to begin with parts failures are not going to occur with any regularity if at all.
Enjoy shooting your Star pistol.

turkeestalker · February 20, 2018, 09:41 PM

IF you find yourself in need of a part, look to this outfit:

https://jack-first-gun-parts.myshopi...ks-9m-m-pistol

If a listed part is out of stock, don't worry they'll make more soon enough, and the quality of the parts that they manufacture is top notch.
If a manufacturer and model or specific part are not listed, call them.
They often have what you're looking for, just haven't gotten it cataloged online yet.

Mosin44az · February 20, 2018, 09:51 PM

Thanks turkeestalker, that looks like a good company, actually making parts.

I did have some issues with my Firestar .45, the safety plunger broke and the slide stop started slipping. Back then Interarms was still around, and fixed it.

lee n. field · February 21, 2018, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by turkeestalker

IF you find yourself in need of a part, look to this outfit:

https://jack-first-gun-parts.myshopi...ks-9m-m-pistol

If a listed part is out of stock, don't worry they'll make more soon enough, and the quality of the parts that they manufacture is top notch.
If a manufacturer and model or specific part are not listed, call them.
They often have what you're looking for, just haven't gotten it cataloged online yet.

Oh, thanks man! Looks like they have a whole bunch of Firestar parts on hand.

Big Shrek · February 23, 2018, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by turkeestalker

IF you find yourself in need of a part, look to this outfit:

https://jack-first-gun-parts.myshopi...ks-9m-m-pistol

If a listed part is out of stock, don't worry they'll make more soon enough, and the quality of the parts that they manufacture is top notch.
If a manufacturer and model or specific part are not listed, call them.
They often have what you're looking for, just haven't gotten it cataloged online yet.

Amen! Jack's is a second home to many an old Spanish gun owner...
well, old guns of all types

Dragon464 · February 26, 2018, 01:01 PM

Group:

I have a bit of a puzzler. I bought a Spanish Star over the weekend, with an "A" prefix, in 9mm Largo. Its not an early A, as it has a "B" style frame, but with a slide stop like an A, (essentially the same as a Colt 1911). What do I have? Serial number is S 980XXX, which looks to me to be 1947-1948. Also, and this is the real puzzle: the slide stop will fall out all on its own. There is a transverse hole in the end of the slide stop shaft that protrudes out of the right side of the frame. The vendor had a piece of wire bent into a poor man's C clip, but I'm wondering if that transverse hole is (A) original, or (B) I have a cobbled together Star with an incorrect slide stop. All informed opinions are greatly appreciated.
Based on my reading, I'm thinking it MIGHT be an "A" third model...

Bill DeShivs · February 26, 2018, 02:28 PM

Look on the butt of the gun. The model is stamped right there.
Your slide stop is missing the spring and plunger that holds it in place.

Ibmikey · February 26, 2018, 08:25 PM

Although there are some frame differences in early and later pistols there is no difference in the slide stop. As indicated above you are missing the spring , plunger and pin required to hold your stop in place. I checked and I have given away all of my extra slide stops in that frame style. Is the button the stop locks against still in place? If your serial number begins with an “S” I have no idea what pistol you have, some photos would do a lot to answer questions.

Dragon464 · February 27, 2018, 10:28 AM

Hey Guys! In response, the Spring and plunger are present, as is the stud in the frame. I'm most intrigued by the transverse hole in the slide stop...I'll post pics when I can. Thanks!

BTW, Here is the serial #

February 17, 2018, 09:17 AM	#1
tsillik Senior Member Join Date: January 23, 2011 Location: Carter Lake Ia. Posts: 237	Star BM ? Does anybody know what the two round machine marks are on the right side of the frame 0n these pistols? And do all of them have this? terry

February 17, 2018, 09:26 AM	#2
dwhite Senior Member Join Date: September 2, 2007 Location: Wake County, N. Carolina Posts: 379	They took off the original Spanish proof marks. It's an UGLY way to have done it. All the Best, D. White __________________ 10th Amendment - The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.

February 17, 2018, 09:40 AM	#3
RUT Senior Member Join Date: November 17, 2004 Location: NH, USA Posts: 812	>>And do all of them have this?<< Yup, that's just the way it is. Aside from that, these are great little shooters and a lot of gun for the money. :-) __________________ Liberals don't care what you do... as long as it's mandated.

February 20, 2018, 09:41 PM	#18
turkeestalker Senior Member Join Date: February 2, 2015 Location: Cottleville, Missouri Posts: 1,115	IF you find yourself in need of a part, look to this outfit: https://jack-first-gun-parts.myshopi...ks-9m-m-pistol If a listed part is out of stock, don't worry they'll make more soon enough, and the quality of the parts that they manufacture is top notch. If a manufacturer and model or specific part are not listed, call them. They often have what you're looking for, just haven't gotten it cataloged online yet. __________________ Vegetarian... primitive word for lousy hunter!

February 26, 2018, 01:01 PM	#22
Dragon464 Junior Member Join Date: February 26, 2018 Posts: 6	Star A, but...not... Group: I have a bit of a puzzler. I bought a Spanish Star over the weekend, with an "A" prefix, in 9mm Largo. Its not an early A, as it has a "B" style frame, but with a slide stop like an A, (essentially the same as a Colt 1911). What do I have? Serial number is S 980XXX, which looks to me to be 1947-1948. Also, and this is the real puzzle: the slide stop will fall out all on its own. There is a transverse hole in the end of the slide stop shaft that protrudes out of the right side of the frame. The vendor had a piece of wire bent into a poor man's C clip, but I'm wondering if that transverse hole is (A) original, or (B) I have a cobbled together Star with an incorrect slide stop. All informed opinions are greatly appreciated. Based on my reading, I'm thinking it MIGHT be an "A" third model... Last edited by Dragon464; February 26, 2018 at 01:19 PM.

February 17, 2018, 10:22 AM	#4
Ibmikey Senior Member Join Date: June 1, 2013 Location: Now relocated to Texas Posts: 2,943	The recent offerings all seem to have the ugly CAI crap on the slide and the unit crest removed by milling a circle where it was. The previous imports have the Civil Guard monogram intact and most do not have such ugly import marks. CAI seems to have outdone itself lately with it’s offensive marking. The additional numbers on slide and frame are Spanish control or issue numbers. Even though the serial is quite legible CAI chose to add their own serial number. If you want a nice BM look on GB for pistols not having the defaced areas.

February 17, 2018, 11:19 AM	#5
KyJim Senior Member Join Date: July 26, 2005 Location: The Bluegrass Posts: 9,142	Star produced the BM for both the civil and military/police markets, including the Spanish National Guard (La Guardia). As I understand it, the current imports from Century Arms are from La Guardia and they were the ones who removed the military marking and left the unsightly scars. So, if that's correct, don't blame Century for that. Of course, they could have been a bit more subtle on some their own import marks. Not all BMs will have these marks, just the current wave of imports. BTW, the late Stephen A. Camp did the most detailed review of the Star BM before he passed away. His family has kept up his website so you can read his review here: http://www.hipowersandhandguns.com/C...r+Model+BM.htm. Keep in mind that some references will be a bit out of date, such as price.

February 17, 2018, 04:22 PM	#7
tallball Senior Member Join Date: October 17, 2014 Posts: 2,444	I got my Star BM a month or two ago from AIM. It is 90% at least and an extremely good shooter. The fit and finish are excellent. That's why I don't buy new handguns anymore. You are just not going to get a new pistol of this quality for under $300 OTD. My Star Super B cost even less. It's a shame that company went out of business. The pistols that I've handled of theirs have been very nice.

February 19, 2018, 02:38 AM	#8
Ibmikey Senior Member Join Date: June 1, 2013 Location: Now relocated to Texas Posts: 2,943	Kyjim, My defacing comments were directed mainly at CAI and their overly done marking, I understand the Spanish Gov, after many many thousands of marked pistols have been imported with unit markings, would like to be politically correct in this bizarre world and their removal is done as tastefully as possible. When I received my latest BM from SOG there was no mention made of the import billboard or I would not have ordered it, to get over my being upset I simply replaced the slide with a spare and the markings were no longer there to bug me. I really like these pistols and other milsurp and hate to see them defaced in any way, some other importers are much more discreet than CAI.

February 19, 2018, 10:11 PM	#10
Mosin44az Senior Member Join Date: January 15, 2006 Posts: 2,585	Do the Star BMs run hollow points?

February 19, 2018, 10:55 PM	#11
TunnelRat Senior Member Join Date: May 22, 2011 Posts: 12,212	I remember MrGunsNGear rested hollow points and they seemed to work. I have two of the BMs now, one from ‘76 and one from ‘91. For the price they’re excellent to me. I just really enjoy shooting them. Gragagun had the SKU from Century that lists them in Very Good Condition the last I checked. I picked one up with the same SKU from another place and it was really quite nice. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

February 20, 2018, 12:51 AM	#12
Ibmikey Senior Member Join Date: June 1, 2013 Location: Now relocated to Texas Posts: 2,943	A draw file and trip to my friend who blues six days a week will reserect the slide for service once more.

February 20, 2018, 04:47 AM	#13
Model12Win Junior member Join Date: October 20, 2012 Posts: 5,854	The only thing that kept me from the Star BMs was the lack of spare parts. Once these guns dry up, so will the parts, which are already tough to find. They're not especially interesting from a historical standpoint but if it weren't for the long term servicing challenges I'd own one. They seems to be great shooters.

February 20, 2018, 07:22 AM	#14
arquebus357 Senior Member Join Date: December 19, 2016 Location: Atlanta, Georgia area Posts: 455	Love my little BM. It's an older Interarms import without those ugly crop circles.

February 20, 2018, 09:57 AM	#15
Mosin44az Senior Member Join Date: January 15, 2006 Posts: 2,585	These look good, and if they feed HPs, even better. Spare parts are a concern.

February 20, 2018, 06:07 PM	#16
tsillik Senior Member Join Date: January 23, 2011 Location: Carter Lake Ia. Posts: 237	Love them grips!

February 20, 2018, 09:09 PM	#17
Ibmikey Senior Member Join Date: June 1, 2013 Location: Now relocated to Texas Posts: 2,943	I have been shooting Star pistols for a lot of years and spare parts have been of little consequence to owning the guns. I purchased parts and parts kits during those years to be prepared but mostly those emergency repair parts have been used to help others with problems as I have shared them freely. Things do happen and a lot of the pistols saw heavy service through the years with lots of corrosive ammo so we do see some failures fortunately not in my personal firearms. If one obtains a decent pistol to begin with parts failures are not going to occur with any regularity if at all. Enjoy shooting your Star pistol.

February 20, 2018, 09:51 PM	#19
Mosin44az Senior Member Join Date: January 15, 2006 Posts: 2,585	Thanks turkeestalker, that looks like a good company, actually making parts. I did have some issues with my Firestar .45, the safety plunger broke and the slide stop started slipping. Back then Interarms was still around, and fixed it.

February 26, 2018, 02:28 PM	#23
Bill DeShivs Senior Member Join Date: April 7, 2006 Posts: 10,985	Look on the butt of the gun. The model is stamped right there. Your slide stop is missing the spring and plunger that holds it in place. __________________ Bill DeShivs, Master Cutler www.billdeshivs.com

February 26, 2018, 08:25 PM	#24
Ibmikey Senior Member Join Date: June 1, 2013 Location: Now relocated to Texas Posts: 2,943	Although there are some frame differences in early and later pistols there is no difference in the slide stop. As indicated above you are missing the spring , plunger and pin required to hold your stop in place. I checked and I have given away all of my extra slide stops in that frame style. Is the button the stop locks against still in place? If your serial number begins with an “S” I have no idea what pistol you have, some photos would do a lot to answer questions.