Anyone Carry A Star Firestar?

[Wolfboro]

Firestar Extractor Available @Jack First Gun Parts

I know this forum is dormant quite a few years , but I ran into some Star gun parts info (especially Extractor for M43 ) for $ 37.50 at;

https://jack-first-gun-parts.myshop...star-9m-m-40/products/star-firestar-extractor

Anybody used this source for Firestar spare parts ?

Thanks for your input.

 

[Grapeshot]

I know this forum is dormant quite a few years , but I ran into some Star gun parts info (especially Extractor for M43 ) for $ 37.50 at;

https://jack-first-gun-parts.myshop...star-9m-m-40/products/star-firestar-extractor

Anybody used this source for Firestar spare parts ?

Thanks for your input.

Quite a few Stars out there. They are inexpensive, but reliable.

BTW - it's the thread that has been dormant, not the forum.

 

[Firearms Iinstuctor]

I have brought other parts from Jack first's they are a reliable company to do business with.

 

[Wolfboro]

I have brought other parts from Jack first's they are a reliable company to do business with.

Thanks for the input .

Grapeshot says "Quite a few Stars out there. They are inexpensive, but RELIABLE. "

I fired approx 5000 rounds since 1991 , the only part I replaced so far was a recoil spring ( Wolfe 18 # spring ) . 90 % of my rounds are reloads (somewhat lighter loads, 124 gr LRD+ 3.5-4 grains of Unique ) surprisingly works with 18# recoil spring and no appreciable leading in bbl.

I am GUESSING that a nicely built reliable gun like Firestar M43 should digest at least 15,000 rounds before any part failure (unless there is a fault in the gun to begin with , like an out of spec extractor,etc). After all , a very famous "plastic /composite gun" met only 15,000 rounds requirement from Austrian Military spec (as per Wikipidia article : SPECIFICATION -"After firing 15,000-rounds of standard ammunition, the pistol was to be inspected for wear. The pistol was to then be used to fire an overpressure test cartridge generating 5,000 bar (500 MPa; 73,000 psi). (The normal maximum operating pressure Pmax for the 9mm NATO is rated at 2,520 bar (252 MPa; 36,500 psi).)[11] The critical components were to continue to function properly and be up to specifications, otherwise the pistol was to be disqualified. )
Shoot safe,
regards,

 

[Wolfboro]

Star Firestar YouTube Repair Videos (or Lack of them)

There are some YouTube repair /part replacement videos on other Star models but not for Firestar M43/40/45 (except a frame disassembly video in Spanish in poor video quality). It would have been great to have some videos on basics repairs like how to replace the extractor or how to replace the firing pin without loosing the springs , etc since these parts are still available here and there).

It is obvious that there are numerous talented people in this forum , may be they consider this as a 'sharing -the knowledge " activity .
By the way ,if there are such videos already in existence (that I had missed) , I appreciate if you could point them out to me with the link. Thanks

 

[Fallschirjmäger]

... a very famous "plastic /composite gun" met only 15,000 rounds requirement from Austrian Military spec (as per Wikipidia article : SPECIFICATION -"After firing 15,000-rounds of standard ammunition, the pistol was to be inspected for wear. The pistol was to then be used to fire an overpressure test cartridge generating 5,000 bar (500 MPa; 73,000 psi). (The normal maximum operating pressure Pmax for the 9mm NATO is rated at 2,520 bar (252 MPa; 36,500 psi).)[11] The critical components were to continue to function properly and be up to specifications, otherwise the pistol was to be disqualified. )

That's not Quite what the aricle says. The Austrian Army're requirement was for a pistol that could shoot at least 10,000 rounds with 1,000 rounds MTBF. The G17 met that handily; there's even a Glock that's had close to 3/4 of a million rounds through it, so longetivity isn't a problem with occasional part replacement.

At the price any military pays for 9mm, the cost of ammunition exceeds the purchase price of the pistol by the time it's gone through 10,000 so there's no real reason to specify a more robust frame.

 

[solus]

Thanks for the input .

Snippp...

SPECIFICATION -"After firing 15,000-rounds of standard ammunition, the pistol was to be inspected for wear. The pistol was to then be used to fire an overpressure test cartridge generating 5,000 bar (500 MPa; 73,000 psi). (The normal maximum operating pressure Pmax for the 9mm NATO is rated at 2,520 bar (252 MPa; 36,500 psi).)[11] The critical components were to continue to function properly and be up to specifications, otherwise the pistol was to be disqualified. )

Shoot safe,
regards,

That's not Quite what the aricle says. The Austrian Army're requirement was for a pistol that could shoot at least 10,000 rounds with the most of 1 misfire per 1000 rounds. The G17 met that handily; there's even a Glock that's had close to 3/4 of a million rounds through it.

At the price any military pays for 9mm, the cost of ammunition exceeds the purchase price of the pistol by the time it's gone through 10,000 so there's no real reason to specify a more robust frame.

you are correct Fallschirmjager, what you posted is not what the wiki article stated:

first tho, the article specifically states, quote: The Austrian Ministry of Defence formulated a list of 17 criteria for the new generation service pistol:

• No more than 20 malfunctions were to be permitted during the first 10,000 rounds fired, not even minor jams that could be cleared without the use of any tools. (besides Wiki, oh and you might look at page 13 item #13 germane item: at this cite: https://books.google.com/books?id=CVfH8nI2IuUC&printsec=frontcover&hl=en#v=onepage&q&f=false

• After firing 15,000-rounds of standard ammunition, the pistol was to be inspected for wear. The pistol was to then be used to fire an overpressure test cartridge generating 5,000 bar (500 MPa; 73,000 psi). (The normal maximum operating pressure Pmax for the 9mm NATO is rated at 2,520 bar (252 MPa; 36,500 psi).)[11] The critical components were to continue to function properly and be up to specifications, otherwise the pistol was to be disqualified.

now using new math skills, that is a malfunction rate of 2 per 1000 rounds, isn't it?

might wish to stick with grammar corrections...your success rate is higher.

Thanks Wolfboro for the informative input!!

 

[Fallschirjmäger]

I find it amusing, and somewhat telling of your character, that you found a need to "snip" exactly that portion of what I quoted to try and make your point...

I'll post it again, without your 'snippiness'...

"... a very famous "plastic /composite gun" met only 15,000 rounds requirement from [the] Austrian Military spec (as per Wikipidia article : SPECIFICATION -"After firing 15,000-rounds of standard ammunition, the pistol was to be inspected for wear..."

My point still stands, the requirement was not that the Glock pistol only met the 15,000 round requirement. That requirement of XX rounds was the minimum standard and that Glock exceeded that standard.

I now return you to your normally scheduled snippiness.

 

[Mikes250r]

Firestar

Hi everybody! I am new to this site. Great forum! I have been enjoying reading all the posts about various old Firestars. Thanks for the link to Jack First Gun Parts. I have owned two M45’s and one M40 back when I was a younger man in the early 90’s. I sold them all when money was tight and I always regretted it. As time rolled on, I wanted to buy another Starvel M45 but it became increasingly difficult to find one in good shape that wasn’t a small fortune. I am happy to report that my patience has paid off and I finally found one! It appears to be new, unfired, with original box, etc. The Firestar series guns were way ahead of their time. It is a shame that Star went out of business. While I don’t intend to make this my full time dailey carry, I do intend to make this a shooter. Those of you who have shot one know that they are extremely accurate, soft shooting and just a blast to shoot. I can’t wait shoot my new to me M45. I’ll keep you guys posted!

Michael

 

[Grapeshot]

--snipped--
they are extremely accurate, soft shooting and just a blast to shoot. I can’t wait shoot my new to me M45. I’ll keep you guys posted!

Michael

Weight of the guns being equal, what makes one 'soft shooting' and the other stout is a factor (felt recoil) between ammo and recoil spring, not which firm built it.

https://www.learnaboutguns.com/2008...-guns-for-people-who-are-sensitive-to-recoil/

Congratulations on your new acquisition and welcome to OCDO.

We have a member here who collects Stars.

 

[Mikes250r]

Weight of the guns being equal, what makes one 'soft shooting' and the other stout is a factor (felt recoil) between ammo and recoil spring, not which firm built it.

https://www.learnaboutguns.com/2008...th recoil as there are many factors envolved.

 

[Grapeshot]

Recoil spring yes, but all of the elastic components act as recoil ‘springs’.

Sorbathane on the back strap might prove interesting.

 

[azingean]

I own a Megastar and am very happy with it. It eats any ammo except Lead, is very accurate and feels good in my hand. You will be happy with your new partner.

 

[Oyttoll]

The Firestar has an inertia firing pin. The pin is shorter than the channel it travels in, and it's spring causes the back end to protrude when the hammer is back. The hammer strike transfers momentum to the pin, which carries forward, extending from the bolt face and striking the primer. When the hammer is lowered slowly it compresses the firing pin spring slightly, then comes to rest on the firing pin retainer, with the tip of the firing pin left short of the bolt face. That's a long way of saying, it's safe to carry hammer down on a loaded chamber. There is no way for a hit on the hammer to push the firing pin into a primer. Carry Condition 2.

An agency I worked with taught this mode for single action autos, and I still habitually carry that way. I was so ingrained with thumb cocking on the draw that I had a terrible time re-learning when we switched to double action autos.

The safety on the Stars is an excellent design, so Carry Condition 1 (cocked and locked) is a safe option.
Cheers, Software engineer salary in denmark

 

[Jimsouth]

I'm curious to see if anyone carries a Star pistol. A little while ago I purchased a M45 Firestar in 45ACP. I've OC'ed one time with it so far. It shoots pretty good, and fits well in an Uncle Mike's Side Kick holster.

I have carried a Firestar .45 for many years; but I'm getting older, and I must be honest, for a small .45, it is heavy. Thinking about a Ruger ( 101 ). in .327. Even with a high end Black Hills Leather shoulder holster, the Firestar is a load.

 

[Jimsouth]

The Firestar has an inertia firing pin. The pin is shorter than the channel it travels in, and it's spring causes the back end to protrude when the hammer is back. The hammer strike transfers momentum to the pin, which carries forward, extending from the bolt face and striking the primer. When the hammer is lowered slowly it compresses the firing pin spring slightly, then comes to rest on the firing pin retainer, with the tip of the firing pin left short of the bolt face. That's a long way of saying, it's safe to carry hammer down on a loaded chamber. There is no way for a hit on the hammer to push the firing pin into a primer. Carry Condition 2.

An agency I worked with taught this mode for single action autos, and I still habitually carry that way. I was so ingrained with thumb cocking on the draw that I had a terrible time re-learning when we switched to double action autos.

The safety on the Stars is an excellent design, so Carry Condition 1 (cocked and locked) is a safe option.
Cheers, Software engineer salary in denmark

All the years I've had my Firestar .45, never ever a hiccup. Take down in 4 or 5 seconds is effortless. An excellent little .45. Although as I posted in another thread, it's getting a bit heavy to carry.

 

[Grapeshot]

All the years I've had my Firestar .45, never ever a hiccup. Take down in 4 or 5 seconds is effortless. An excellent little .45. Although as I posted in another thread, it's getting a bit heavy to carry.

How much does your life weigh?

Familiarity is a MAJOR asset.

I carry a Firestar .40 cal as a dress gun.

 

[Jimsouth]

How much does your life weigh?

Familiarity is a MAJOR asset.

I carry a Firestar .40 cal as a dress gun.

It's not the weight when handling - firing it. It's the weight when carrying it in the shoulder holster. I have a very high end Black Hills shoulder holster,and even added a top pad; but the weight is still there. I also have a small of the back ( right hand draw ) holster; but a bit sloppy, and needs some surgery to make it comfortable. An off the rack, and just so so.