mtnbkr
Member
So far, I haven't found any specific ones, but it looks like generic "slide" type holsters will work.
Chris
Chris
Got a Star BM 9mm from Aim today.
- Thread starter firestar
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BevrFevr
Member
Stars are nice but...
Do NOT Dry fire them.
Those firing pins are FRAGILE! Mr. Camp is correct in that one should be on the lookout for extra's.
I think Gun Part's Corp(Numrich Arms) had a good supply of em.
Use a snap cap or live ammo and you should be fine. Just the tip will break off and usually fly or fall out the barrel.
Great Guns other wise. I could pummel the crack head that stole my dad's (previously my Grandfathers) Star. I still have the box and instruction manual.
-bevr
Do NOT Dry fire them.
Those firing pins are FRAGILE! Mr. Camp is correct in that one should be on the lookout for extra's.
I think Gun Part's Corp(Numrich Arms) had a good supply of em.
Use a snap cap or live ammo and you should be fine. Just the tip will break off and usually fly or fall out the barrel.
Great Guns other wise. I could pummel the crack head that stole my dad's (previously my Grandfathers) Star. I still have the box and instruction manual.
-bevr
The frame size on the Star B series is a little trimmer than a 1911. Helps in concealment and certainly handles well. Milt Sparks used to offer holsters for the BKS, you might give them a call and see if they still offer that model, it would just need to be a little shorter.
AUTIGER04
member
I did a search over on the Numrich Gun Parts forum. Theres a guy there from [email protected]. He says to email for more details about hard to find parts.
1.I heard only 2 bad things about these guns. Parts are hard to find. Thats bad if you are a shooter or plinker.
2.My gun dealer said that he ordered 2 and the same 2 guns got returned for repairs. I didnt ask what the problem was. Hes sort of a "ButtHead".
But I can tell you that Mr Gun Shop Owner wasnt happy with AIM and their Star BM.
I guess Ill get my Glock a little sooner now that, I put the Star on hold until furthur notice.
1.I heard only 2 bad things about these guns. Parts are hard to find. Thats bad if you are a shooter or plinker.
2.My gun dealer said that he ordered 2 and the same 2 guns got returned for repairs. I didnt ask what the problem was. Hes sort of a "ButtHead".
But I can tell you that Mr Gun Shop Owner wasnt happy with AIM and their Star BM.
I guess Ill get my Glock a little sooner now that, I put the Star on hold until furthur notice.
BevrFevr
Member
Yes they are sweet.
And they are loveable until Bang, Bang, Bang turns into Click, Click, Click.
-bevr
And they are loveable until Bang, Bang, Bang turns into Click, Click, Click.
-bevr
WonderNine
member
I hope we'll see somebody make a stainless steel firing pin replacement for these like with the CZ52's.
Where did these guns come from? Are they police /military issure from spain?/QUOTE]
Mine must have been either a Police/Military surplus or a Spanish commercial version intended to sell only in Spain. I say this because the onwers manual is written in Spanish only with no English instructions! Also on the frame is C.A.I.'s import stamp that I have seen on several C&R guns that I own. They import alot of surplus and sell to other distributors.
I also have owned a Star B that is becoming one of my favorite pistols to shoot at the range. I've had it for about 6 months now and I enjoy shooting it more and more. I hope my Star BM will live up to my Star B. I had some reliability problems with the Star B at first but after tweaking the mag follower, it has been almost 100%. I would not trust it as a self defense gun because it was originally designed to fire a longer round than the 9mm Luger (9x23 IIRC). The Star BM was intended as a 9x19 from the get-go so it should be a little more reliable.
As far as spare parts as concerned, I just bought a spare gun.
I used to think the 1911 design was overrated until I felt the difference between the rounded mainspring housing and the flat. I like the rounded MUCH better. The Star B is sort of like a 1911 but a little slimmer and it shoots cheap 9mm ammo so I can practice more often. I think I see a Colt 1911 in .45 in my future again.
Oleg Volk
Moderator Emeritus
I love my Star BM but only have onbe mag for it. Does anyone know where I could buy three more mags for it?
mtnbkr
Member
Since they are so similar to the 1911 will a 1911 9mm magazine work?
My favorite pistol (never even thought of selling since new) is my Springfield 1911A1 in 9mm Mil-spec. For some reason it is just "right".
Been toying with the idea of a Star B, and a Star BM, and a Sistema, and a ...
My favorite pistol (never even thought of selling since new) is my Springfield 1911A1 in 9mm Mil-spec. For some reason it is just "right".
Been toying with the idea of a Star B, and a Star BM, and a Sistema, and a ...
I remember a guy on another board that was issued Star B in the military, I think he was in Africa somewhere. He said that he and others were not happy with the reliability of the Star B with the 9x23 mag so they bought and modified Colt 9mm 1911 mags to fit. He said they were reliable. I don't know what mod you have to do but a 9x19 mag would be a little shorter than one for a 9x23.
WonderNine
member
Anyways, now when you say you've got a BM in your pants it could mean something entirely different!
mtnbkr
Member
I got mine today. The finish is rather poor. I'd guess it's 80%, but thin over all. The grips are intact though. That's ok, because I plan to refinish it anyway. Otherwise, the condition appears to be fine. No frame peening, etc. As soon as I shoot it, I'll post the results...
Chris
Chris
O.K., I bit.
Hey Guys,
I've been watching this thread for a while, but finally broke down and ordered a Star BM from AIM tonight. It sounds like I should expect the finish to be rough but the mechanics to be good. Are there any Do-it-yourself refinishing kits or do I need a gunsmith ? Any known CCW holsters would be helpful. Found the firing pin spares at http://www.e-gunparts.com as someone suggested, item # 715790, $13.35. Extractor, item 715800, $16.05. Anyone know of any replacement grips that will work ?
Thanks,
santai
Hey Guys,
I've been watching this thread for a while, but finally broke down and ordered a Star BM from AIM tonight. It sounds like I should expect the finish to be rough but the mechanics to be good. Are there any Do-it-yourself refinishing kits or do I need a gunsmith ? Any known CCW holsters would be helpful. Found the firing pin spares at http://www.e-gunparts.com as someone suggested, item # 715790, $13.35. Extractor, item 715800, $16.05. Anyone know of any replacement grips that will work ?
Thanks,
santai
Stephen A. Camp
Moderator In Memoriam
- Joined
- Dec 24, 2002
- Messages
- 2,430
Hello, sir. You might contact Mr. Eric Larsen at Holsters By Eric. I think he'll make a holster for your pistol to your specs if desired. I don't have an address right at hand, but a search would likely provide the information.
Best.
Best.
mtnbkr
Member
A Galco FLETCH for a 1911 Commander is a good fit as well. The snap is a tad loose (1/4" - 1/3" too large), but it's close enough.
Chris
Chris
http://www.donttouchme.com/star/index.html
Lots of information about Star pistols including the BM. In the information section they discuss many of the questions asked here.
Lots of information about Star pistols including the BM. In the information section they discuss many of the questions asked here.
Stephen A. Camp
Moderator In Memoriam
- Joined
- Dec 24, 2002
- Messages
- 2,430
This might be a bit late as you've purchased the pistol, but here's an old "range report" on the Star BM.
Hello. Though a design no longer produced by anyone and with spare parts hard to find, these are pretty good little handguns considering that they can frequently be found for under $200 in new or like new condition.
An all-steel pistol w/fixed sights and a 3.77" bbl, they offer no frills, but offer all you "need" in an inexpensive carry pistol. First, they are flat and thinner than most guns on the market. This measures 0.84" thick. The rear sight's a simple blade while the front's a serrated ramp. It comes "throated" from the factory and this one has fed most rounded type JHPs with no problems. An exception is Remington's 124 gr Golden Saber which simply will not feed in this pistol. Other Star BMs might do fine.
Finish is a reasonably even blue with no thin spots and the one-sided, enlarged thumb safety is for right-handed shooters. The stocks are plain, brown, checkered plastic or hard rubber; they are flexible, but not "soft."
Here's a picture of the pistol and one notes a removable bushing ala the 1911, although this pistol comes with a captive recoil spring and a FLGR. It also comes with a magazine disconnect, but that doesn't affect trigger-pull and this single-action automatic comes with a quite useable trigger out of the box.
The guide rod is visible in this picture as well.
Note: The Star BM's bbl comes with but one locking lug. Steel on Star pistols is traditionally "soft" compared to other handguns and one can see the heat-treated areas on the slides in many cases. Recoil springs are not so easily changed/replaced on these pistols and for these reasons I do NOT recommend much use of +P ammunition. None was used in today's test for that reason and the fact that spare parts are tough to find.
Shooting: The following rounds were fired today as they're commonly used by many 9mm shooters. Today, due to weather and wind, all groups were fired at 15 yards standing w/2-hand hold. All rounds are 10 rnd groups.
Ammunition: Two 115 gr ball standard pressure ball rounds were used, Winchester USA and Fiocchi. I also fired one group with Federal's legendary "9BP," their standard velocity 115 gr JHP.
Here are the results. Left to Right: Winchester, Fiocchi, and Federal.
All of the rounds impacted slightly high and to the right. Part of that could've been me as I found the front sight somewhat hard to keep centered in the gun's "tight" rear sight notch. The gun was never intended as a target gun, but groups pretty darned well for its size and "adequate" sights.
Recoil was minimal. There were zero malfunctions and cases were tossed about 7 to 8' to the right and slightly forward from this handgun.
Observations: For a carry gun, there are many out there that are lighter and a bit smaller, however not based solely on this session, but some years of use, the Star BM does have reliability and decent accuracy. While it IS heavy by today's standards, it's also inexpensive and offers 9x19mm power in a Makarov-weight pistol that is slimmer and trimmer.
Again, I don't recommend +P in this pistol, but could sure understand a fellow wanting to test the gun with it and use it for carry and very rare shooting. I suspect that would be OK.
Hopefully, this report might be of interest for someone wanting a "car gun" or a defensive piece of at least "adequate" caliber that doesn't cost an arm and a leg.
Best.
Hello. Though a design no longer produced by anyone and with spare parts hard to find, these are pretty good little handguns considering that they can frequently be found for under $200 in new or like new condition.
An all-steel pistol w/fixed sights and a 3.77" bbl, they offer no frills, but offer all you "need" in an inexpensive carry pistol. First, they are flat and thinner than most guns on the market. This measures 0.84" thick. The rear sight's a simple blade while the front's a serrated ramp. It comes "throated" from the factory and this one has fed most rounded type JHPs with no problems. An exception is Remington's 124 gr Golden Saber which simply will not feed in this pistol. Other Star BMs might do fine.
Finish is a reasonably even blue with no thin spots and the one-sided, enlarged thumb safety is for right-handed shooters. The stocks are plain, brown, checkered plastic or hard rubber; they are flexible, but not "soft."
Here's a picture of the pistol and one notes a removable bushing ala the 1911, although this pistol comes with a captive recoil spring and a FLGR. It also comes with a magazine disconnect, but that doesn't affect trigger-pull and this single-action automatic comes with a quite useable trigger out of the box.
The guide rod is visible in this picture as well.
Note: The Star BM's bbl comes with but one locking lug. Steel on Star pistols is traditionally "soft" compared to other handguns and one can see the heat-treated areas on the slides in many cases. Recoil springs are not so easily changed/replaced on these pistols and for these reasons I do NOT recommend much use of +P ammunition. None was used in today's test for that reason and the fact that spare parts are tough to find.
Shooting: The following rounds were fired today as they're commonly used by many 9mm shooters. Today, due to weather and wind, all groups were fired at 15 yards standing w/2-hand hold. All rounds are 10 rnd groups.
Ammunition: Two 115 gr ball standard pressure ball rounds were used, Winchester USA and Fiocchi. I also fired one group with Federal's legendary "9BP," their standard velocity 115 gr JHP.
Here are the results. Left to Right: Winchester, Fiocchi, and Federal.
All of the rounds impacted slightly high and to the right. Part of that could've been me as I found the front sight somewhat hard to keep centered in the gun's "tight" rear sight notch. The gun was never intended as a target gun, but groups pretty darned well for its size and "adequate" sights.
Recoil was minimal. There were zero malfunctions and cases were tossed about 7 to 8' to the right and slightly forward from this handgun.
Observations: For a carry gun, there are many out there that are lighter and a bit smaller, however not based solely on this session, but some years of use, the Star BM does have reliability and decent accuracy. While it IS heavy by today's standards, it's also inexpensive and offers 9x19mm power in a Makarov-weight pistol that is slimmer and trimmer.
Again, I don't recommend +P in this pistol, but could sure understand a fellow wanting to test the gun with it and use it for carry and very rare shooting. I suspect that would be OK.
Hopefully, this report might be of interest for someone wanting a "car gun" or a defensive piece of at least "adequate" caliber that doesn't cost an arm and a leg.
Best.
mtnbkr
Member
I shot my Star BM for the first time today. I ran a box of Winchester "white box" ammo through it. I had to failures to extract, but otherwise, it ran great. I'm typically a poor shot with "new to me" guns. Most handguns shoot to the left for me, as did this one. It was a bit high at 10yds. Here is the results of two mags into a target at 10yds.
I think with some more practice, I can cut the group size in half or better. The trigger felt great. Coming from a DA revolver and semiauto world, it was quite a difference. The sights aren't bad for indoor shooting. If it continues to shoot high, I may cut the notch in the rear a tad deeper. I also need to drift the rear sight to the right a bit. I like this gun though, it is fun to shoot.
Chris
I think with some more practice, I can cut the group size in half or better. The trigger felt great. Coming from a DA revolver and semiauto world, it was quite a difference. The sights aren't bad for indoor shooting. If it continues to shoot high, I may cut the notch in the rear a tad deeper. I also need to drift the rear sight to the right a bit. I like this gun though, it is fun to shoot.
Chris
axeman_g
Member
ambi needs
Does anyone know if a 1911 ambi safety can be added to the B or BM models?
Does anyone know if a 1911 ambi safety can be added to the B or BM models?
mtnbkr
Member
No parts interchange between 1911s and Stars based on what I've read multiple times.
Chris
Chris
Mike Irwin
Member
Looks like it's going to be a fun gun for you, Chris.
You'll have to bring it to the range next time we go together so I can shoot it better than you...
You'll have to bring it to the range next time we go together so I can shoot it better than you...
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