Matthew_Q
Member
I picked up a couple Star BM pistols yesterday, and got to the range today.
I got two, both serialed about 2000 apart, so they were likely made in the same year. Both have '77' stamped on the right of the trigger guard.
The first one has a lot of finish left. I'd give it maybe 80%. The heel of the grip and the beaver tail show lots of wear. From the bore, which was pretty clean, and the rails of the frame and slide, it was likely never fired very much at all. Only one mag in the box.
The second has a little less finish, probably 70% or so. Lots of holster wear. This one is LOOSE. The slide and frame rails don't show much wear, nor do the lugs on the barrel and in the frame... but it rattles like crap! I took the recoil spring guide assembly, and compared to the other pistol's, and the front little bushing is much thinner... giving about 1/10" inch of play. There is a little side to side play in the slide to frame. I'll likely part this one out or just use it for spare parts. Two mags in the box
RANGE REPORT:
I only took the tighter one to the range today with some WWB (115gr fmj). Shot a couple magazines of Olympic through it (124gr fmj). Got about 225 rounds through it. 7 total FTEs. One stovepiped and the rest caught longways between the slide and the top of the barrel. The extractor seems to not have good enough tension. The extractor from the other pistol seems to angle in more. I may try to swap them.
The trigger is GREAT! A small amount of takeup, then a crisp break at maybe 4-5lb. Recoil was light, but cycling felt kinda 'cheap' as the recoil spring looks like it came out of a ball-point pen. Wolff makes a couple recoil springs for the BM, so I'll pick up one or two (they make 14# and 16#)
The safety does click on and off with a good 'snick'. It makes kinda a 'pop' when you flick it off, as it actually hits the grip panel. Interestingly, you can flip the safety ON when the hammer is all the way down. When the hammer is cocked, it disengages the sear from the hammer, meaning the hammer is held by the safety when it's ON. Makes me a little more confident if I choose to carry it.
Accurate. Well, it is, except it hits about 3" to the left at 7 yards. (well, about 2" with the WWB, and 3" with the Olympic.... but it grouped better with the Olympic)
All in all, I like it. I will try to swap the extractors between the two pistols. If I could find a guide rod assembly, I might be able to get the loose pistol tighter. If not, I may try to pick up another one sometime in the future.
ALSO: Holster ideas. I stuffed it into a 1911 IWB holster, and it fits. It's a little loose, as the slide and frame are a bit narrower, but the BM is about as tall from the bottom of the trigger guard to the top of the slide. So I'd bet a holster for a shorter 1911 would work good. Maybe a little loose, but would work.
All in all, I'd recommend one if you got a couple bills for a neat little gun.
I got two, both serialed about 2000 apart, so they were likely made in the same year. Both have '77' stamped on the right of the trigger guard.
The first one has a lot of finish left. I'd give it maybe 80%. The heel of the grip and the beaver tail show lots of wear. From the bore, which was pretty clean, and the rails of the frame and slide, it was likely never fired very much at all. Only one mag in the box.
The second has a little less finish, probably 70% or so. Lots of holster wear. This one is LOOSE. The slide and frame rails don't show much wear, nor do the lugs on the barrel and in the frame... but it rattles like crap! I took the recoil spring guide assembly, and compared to the other pistol's, and the front little bushing is much thinner... giving about 1/10" inch of play. There is a little side to side play in the slide to frame. I'll likely part this one out or just use it for spare parts. Two mags in the box
RANGE REPORT:
I only took the tighter one to the range today with some WWB (115gr fmj). Shot a couple magazines of Olympic through it (124gr fmj). Got about 225 rounds through it. 7 total FTEs. One stovepiped and the rest caught longways between the slide and the top of the barrel. The extractor seems to not have good enough tension. The extractor from the other pistol seems to angle in more. I may try to swap them.
The trigger is GREAT! A small amount of takeup, then a crisp break at maybe 4-5lb. Recoil was light, but cycling felt kinda 'cheap' as the recoil spring looks like it came out of a ball-point pen. Wolff makes a couple recoil springs for the BM, so I'll pick up one or two (they make 14# and 16#)
The safety does click on and off with a good 'snick'. It makes kinda a 'pop' when you flick it off, as it actually hits the grip panel. Interestingly, you can flip the safety ON when the hammer is all the way down. When the hammer is cocked, it disengages the sear from the hammer, meaning the hammer is held by the safety when it's ON. Makes me a little more confident if I choose to carry it.
Accurate. Well, it is, except it hits about 3" to the left at 7 yards. (well, about 2" with the WWB, and 3" with the Olympic.... but it grouped better with the Olympic)
All in all, I like it. I will try to swap the extractors between the two pistols. If I could find a guide rod assembly, I might be able to get the loose pistol tighter. If not, I may try to pick up another one sometime in the future.
ALSO: Holster ideas. I stuffed it into a 1911 IWB holster, and it fits. It's a little loose, as the slide and frame are a bit narrower, but the BM is about as tall from the bottom of the trigger guard to the top of the slide. So I'd bet a holster for a shorter 1911 would work good. Maybe a little loose, but would work.
All in all, I'd recommend one if you got a couple bills for a neat little gun.
