Star BM mag availability

wnycollector · October 4, 2018, 05:18 PM

I recently picked up a Star BM 9mm. I love the pistol. It fits my hand like a glove. Its accurate, reliable and inexpensive. Mine only came with a single mag. I'm looking to pickup two spare mags. Every distributor I can find online is out of stock. The secondary market of Gunbroker and EBay has them for $40 + shipping

I can't justify spending $85 on two mags for a gun that cost me $199! I'm scowering gun shows for some but no luck thus far.

Does anyone have any suggestions?

RickB · October 4, 2018, 05:33 PM

Did you try Numrich and SARCO?

wnycollector · October 4, 2018, 05:48 PM

Yep. Sarco out of stock, Numrich $48.65/mag plus shipping.

Bill DeShivs · October 4, 2018, 06:03 PM

Why? You got a $400 gun for $200.
Suck it up and buy the magazines.

Ibmikey · October 4, 2018, 06:57 PM

I too love the Star BM, have eight or ten of them myself, I purchased extra magazines when I could afford them $40 bucks is about average for any quality pistol magazine these days. Personally I rarely have need for more than the mag in the pistol when it is empty I stop and reload it. If the weapon is for carry purposes an additional mag would be convenient however after carrying for fifty plus years I never had need for a second magazine. I think the price of the pistol is irrelevant if you need back up mags “suck it up and buy the magazine”.

lee n. field · October 4, 2018, 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wnycollector

I recently picked up a Star BM 9mm. I love the pistol. It fits my hand like a glove. Its accurate, reliable and inexpensive. Mine only came with a single mag. I'm looking to pickup two spare mags. Every distributor I can find online is out of stock. The secondary market of Gunbroker and EBay has them for $40 + shipping

I can't justify spending $85 on two mags for a gun that cost me $199! I'm scowering gun shows for some but no luck thus far.

Does anyone have any suggestions?

I picked up a Star M-43 a few years ago. When I went to find extra magazines, $40 was the going rate.

wnycollector · October 4, 2018, 07:44 PM

I bit the proverbial bullet and put a bid in on mag. Thanks for the reality check gents.

Ibmikey · October 5, 2018, 04:32 AM

Wnycollector, I think you will find two magazines will suit your needs quite satisfactorily short of an encounter such as those in the motion picture industry where a five round tube on a shotgun will hold 23 shells......and 22 of them miss the target.

wnycollector · October 5, 2018, 04:49 AM

Lbmikey, the Star is not a carry gun for me, just a range gun. I just like to have a spare mag for the spare mag. Kind of like the belt and suspenders thing

RickB · October 5, 2018, 11:06 AM

Quote:

I picked up a Star M-43 a few years ago. When I went to find extra magazines, $40 was the going rate.

I used to have a couple of Star PDs, and the mags were $40, twenty years ago.

TunnelRat · October 5, 2018, 02:28 PM

I've learned the hard way a few times now that when these surplus pistols come in waves that buying a bunch of mags is a good idea. I did so when I bought my Star BM and then when I bought my Makarov.

Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk

KyJim · October 5, 2018, 07:59 PM

I have ordered a couple of used mags off Ebay. I also found some on Triple-K's website, both used OEM and newly-manufactured Triple-K mags. Prices on the used mags at both sites were about $38 per mag but with free shipping from the Ebay web store.

As to the new Triple-K mags --- I've never used any but Triple-K seem to have a good reputation.

Aim Surplus had mags at $20 per mag, but you had to buy a $200+ pistol too. That would be a case of the tail wagging the dog.

tallball · October 6, 2018, 09:24 AM

$40 is pretty much what they cost.

The BM was a good purchase! Mine is excellent.

Ibmikey · October 7, 2018, 05:09 AM

Kyjim, Triple K magazines are a crap shoot——lay your money down and hope you will get something serviceable. I have had Triple K mags that were not dimensionally correct and would not fit the mag well, fixed floorplate mag that blew the floorplate, spring, ammo et all out the bottom, and various other problems. I also have a couple of their mags that work fine.
Ask on any forum and you will hear plenty of good and bad on Triple k.
Star OEM mags rave available and well worth buying over aftermarket

KyJim · October 8, 2018, 01:04 PM

Ibmikey--

Thanks for the info. I had already ordered a couple of the Star OEM mags. I view the BM simply as a plinker and would normally prefer an OEM mag just for the sake of authenticity.

gwpercle · October 9, 2018, 02:33 PM

I purchased a Triple K magazine for my Star model PS , it's a 45 acp but they will not take Colt magazines. It has always worked and the price was reasonable so no complaints on Triple K mags. If they have them give them a try. Star magazines are not that common .
Gary

Ibmikey · October 9, 2018, 03:41 PM

Gwpercle, I guess we both struck gold with Model P magazines from Triple K, my spare came from them and so far has not had a problem with functioning...like I said before some work some don’t.

JERRYS. · October 9, 2018, 04:16 PM

in the 80s I had a star PD and BM. they were very good guns from the limited and short time I had them. today I hear that the bigger issues are firing pin breakage and parts replacements are near impossible to find.....

JN01 · October 9, 2018, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JERRYS.

in the 80s I had a star PD and BM. they were very good guns from the limited and short time I had them. today I hear that the bigger issues are firing pin breakage and parts replacements are near impossible to find.....

You can get new firing pins (and other parts) right here: https://jack-first-gun-parts.myshopi...ks-9m-m-pistol

Bill DeShivs · October 10, 2018, 12:37 AM

I also make Star firing pins.

wnycollector · October 10, 2018, 07:01 AM

Just a follow-up. I ended up winning two auctions for Star BM factory mags. I paid a grand total of $68 for both. Thanks again for push!

RUT · October 10, 2018, 07:20 AM

I'm glad I stocked up when I did!

JN01 · October 10, 2018, 01:29 PM

Dang it, wnycollector, your thread cost me some money. You piqued my interest, so I ran up to AIM Surplus to look at their Star BMs.

They pulled out a select grade- no holster wear, a tiny ding on the rear of the slide and a couple small dings on the stocks. Barely any scratches on the barrel hood, and the finish is still on the slide rails, so I don't think it has had more than a few rounds through it. Only $229.

Now I have to find some of those expensive magazines.

Thanks.

wnycollector · October 10, 2018, 06:23 PM

Sorry JN01!!!! It sounds you got a pretty one though. Here is a link to a pair of mags on gunbroker for $65+ shipping.

JN01 · October 10, 2018, 08:41 PM

Thanks for the tip.

October 4, 2018, 05:18 PM	#1
wnycollector Senior Member Join Date: April 22, 2007 Posts: 1,996	Star BM mag availability I recently picked up a Star BM 9mm. I love the pistol. It fits my hand like a glove. Its accurate, reliable and inexpensive. Mine only came with a single mag. I'm looking to pickup two spare mags. Every distributor I can find online is out of stock. The secondary market of Gunbroker and EBay has them for $40 + shipping I can't justify spending $85 on two mags for a gun that cost me $199! I'm scowering gun shows for some but no luck thus far. Does anyone have any suggestions? __________________ The wicked flee when no man pursueth - Proverbs 28:1

October 4, 2018, 05:33 PM	#2
RickB Senior Member Join Date: March 1, 2000 Location: Boise, ID Posts: 8,518	Did you try Numrich and SARCO? __________________ Runs off at the mouth about anything 1911 related on this site and half the time is flat out wrong.

October 4, 2018, 05:48 PM	#3
wnycollector Senior Member Join Date: April 22, 2007 Posts: 1,996	Yep. Sarco out of stock, Numrich $48.65/mag plus shipping. __________________ The wicked flee when no man pursueth - Proverbs 28:1

October 4, 2018, 06:03 PM	#4
Bill DeShivs Senior Member Join Date: April 7, 2006 Posts: 10,985	Why? You got a $400 gun for $200. Suck it up and buy the magazines. __________________ Bill DeShivs, Master Cutler www.billdeshivs.com

October 4, 2018, 07:44 PM	#7
wnycollector Senior Member Join Date: April 22, 2007 Posts: 1,996	I bit the proverbial bullet and put a bid in on mag. Thanks for the reality check gents. __________________ The wicked flee when no man pursueth - Proverbs 28:1

October 4, 2018, 06:57 PM	#5
Ibmikey Senior Member Join Date: June 1, 2013 Location: Now relocated to Texas Posts: 2,943	I too love the Star BM, have eight or ten of them myself, I purchased extra magazines when I could afford them $40 bucks is about average for any quality pistol magazine these days. Personally I rarely have need for more than the mag in the pistol when it is empty I stop and reload it. If the weapon is for carry purposes an additional mag would be convenient however after carrying for fifty plus years I never had need for a second magazine. I think the price of the pistol is irrelevant if you need back up mags “suck it up and buy the magazine”.

October 5, 2018, 04:32 AM	#8
Ibmikey Senior Member Join Date: June 1, 2013 Location: Now relocated to Texas Posts: 2,943	Wnycollector, I think you will find two magazines will suit your needs quite satisfactorily short of an encounter such as those in the motion picture industry where a five round tube on a shotgun will hold 23 shells......and 22 of them miss the target.

October 5, 2018, 04:49 AM	#9
wnycollector Senior Member Join Date: April 22, 2007 Posts: 1,996	Lbmikey, the Star is not a carry gun for me, just a range gun. I just like to have a spare mag for the spare mag. Kind of like the belt and suspenders thing __________________ The wicked flee when no man pursueth - Proverbs 28:1

October 5, 2018, 02:28 PM	#11
TunnelRat Senior Member Join Date: May 22, 2011 Posts: 12,212	I've learned the hard way a few times now that when these surplus pistols come in waves that buying a bunch of mags is a good idea. I did so when I bought my Star BM and then when I bought my Makarov. Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk

October 5, 2018, 07:59 PM	#12
KyJim Senior Member Join Date: July 26, 2005 Location: The Bluegrass Posts: 9,142	I have ordered a couple of used mags off Ebay. I also found some on Triple-K's website, both used OEM and newly-manufactured Triple-K mags. Prices on the used mags at both sites were about $38 per mag but with free shipping from the Ebay web store. As to the new Triple-K mags --- I've never used any but Triple-K seem to have a good reputation. Aim Surplus had mags at $20 per mag, but you had to buy a $200+ pistol too. That would be a case of the tail wagging the dog.

October 6, 2018, 09:24 AM	#13
tallball Senior Member Join Date: October 17, 2014 Posts: 2,444	$40 is pretty much what they cost. The BM was a good purchase! Mine is excellent.

October 7, 2018, 05:09 AM	#14
Ibmikey Senior Member Join Date: June 1, 2013 Location: Now relocated to Texas Posts: 2,943	Kyjim, Triple K magazines are a crap shoot——lay your money down and hope you will get something serviceable. I have had Triple K mags that were not dimensionally correct and would not fit the mag well, fixed floorplate mag that blew the floorplate, spring, ammo et all out the bottom, and various other problems. I also have a couple of their mags that work fine. Ask on any forum and you will hear plenty of good and bad on Triple k. Star OEM mags rave available and well worth buying over aftermarket

October 8, 2018, 01:04 PM	#15
KyJim Senior Member Join Date: July 26, 2005 Location: The Bluegrass Posts: 9,142	Ibmikey-- Thanks for the info. I had already ordered a couple of the Star OEM mags. I view the BM simply as a plinker and would normally prefer an OEM mag just for the sake of authenticity.

October 9, 2018, 02:33 PM	#16
gwpercle Senior Member Join Date: November 30, 2012 Location: Baton Rouge, Louisiana Posts: 1,752	I purchased a Triple K magazine for my Star model PS , it's a 45 acp but they will not take Colt magazines. It has always worked and the price was reasonable so no complaints on Triple K mags. If they have them give them a try. Star magazines are not that common . Gary

October 9, 2018, 03:41 PM	#17
Ibmikey Senior Member Join Date: June 1, 2013 Location: Now relocated to Texas Posts: 2,943	Gwpercle, I guess we both struck gold with Model P magazines from Triple K, my spare came from them and so far has not had a problem with functioning...like I said before some work some don’t.

October 9, 2018, 04:16 PM	#18
JERRYS. Senior Member Join Date: September 23, 2013 Location: Alabama Posts: 2,968	in the 80s I had a star PD and BM. they were very good guns from the limited and short time I had them. today I hear that the bigger issues are firing pin breakage and parts replacements are near impossible to find.....

October 10, 2018, 12:37 AM	#20
Bill DeShivs Senior Member Join Date: April 7, 2006 Posts: 10,985	I also make Star firing pins. __________________ Bill DeShivs, Master Cutler www.billdeshivs.com

October 10, 2018, 07:01 AM	#21
wnycollector Senior Member Join Date: April 22, 2007 Posts: 1,996	Just a follow-up. I ended up winning two auctions for Star BM factory mags. I paid a grand total of $68 for both. Thanks again for push! __________________ The wicked flee when no man pursueth - Proverbs 28:1

October 10, 2018, 07:20 AM	#22
RUT Senior Member Join Date: November 17, 2004 Location: NH, USA Posts: 812	I'm glad I stocked up when I did! __________________ Liberals don't care what you do... as long as it's mandated.

October 10, 2018, 01:29 PM	#23
JN01 Senior Member Join Date: May 16, 2005 Location: E Tennessee Posts: 828	Dang it, wnycollector, your thread cost me some money. You piqued my interest, so I ran up to AIM Surplus to look at their Star BMs. They pulled out a select grade- no holster wear, a tiny ding on the rear of the slide and a couple small dings on the stocks. Barely any scratches on the barrel hood, and the finish is still on the slide rails, so I don't think it has had more than a few rounds through it. Only $229. Now I have to find some of those expensive magazines. Thanks.

October 10, 2018, 06:23 PM	#24
wnycollector Senior Member Join Date: April 22, 2007 Posts: 1,996	Sorry JN01!!!! It sounds you got a pretty one though. Here is a link to a pair of mags on gunbroker for $65+ shipping. __________________ The wicked flee when no man pursueth - Proverbs 28:1

October 10, 2018, 08:41 PM	#25
JN01 Senior Member Join Date: May 16, 2005 Location: E Tennessee Posts: 828	Thanks for the tip.