Just picked up a Firestar Plus 9mm on the cheap!! Got the box, manual, cleaning tools and a pistol all in very good condition.
However, I'm am more than a bit confused!!! I'm finding YouTube videos that say its a single stack that holds 7 in the mag with one in the pipe. Still others say its a 13 round double stack (M-243???).
Mine came with 2 factory mags (according to the original owner from whom I bought the gun) and 1 after market mag, all of which are single stack - 10 round capacity. None of the 3 mags extend below the bottom of the grip as you would expect on an expanded capacity mag.
The owners manual is marked as "Model M-43 Firestar" and says it's a 8 rnd capacity. The slide on the gun is stamped "FIRESTAR PLUS". According to what I've found on the internet, that's the name that was given to the M-243 double stack configuration.
I've found NO information related to a 10 round configuration!
I tried to call Star over in Spain, but for some reason their phone just rings and rings and rings................
Hoping there's a STAR Expert out there who can help me understand what I've got!!
Not a expert but could it have a Firestar Plus slide on a M43 Frame?
Anything's possible I guess. Guy I bought it from said he bought it new. Could be that Star was just using up parts on hand to make guns. However, everything I've found so far lists the gun and either an 8 round single stack or a 13 round double stack. I haven't found a even one reference to a 10 round single stack. That's what's confusing me.
See how many rounds you can fit into the magazine......if it is 8 rounds and single stack you have an M-43 .....if 10 or 13 then it is a Firestar Plus.
Slide and barrel are the same.
Gunsnrovers has it spot on with your magazines.
Star Firestars are excellent handguns!! The biggest assett and biggest detriment is that they are heavy, which makes them a joy to shoot and some struggle with carrying.
I am NOT an expert on Firestars, but I DO own three of them.
Yes, you have a Firestar Plus, the aftermarket magazines were made in response to the then current 94 Crime bill that had 10 round restrictions.
Again, you have a great firearm.
With the Firestar line up, Star was a pioneer in the then new concept of a compact concealed carry firearm. The same for the Astra A-70-75 series of guns as well.
Yes, you have a Firestar Plus, the aftermarket magazines were made in response to the then current 94 Crime bill that had 10 round restrictions.
Again, you have a great firearm.
With the Firestar line up, Star was a pioneer in the then new concept of a compact concealed carry firearm. The same for the Astra A-70-75 series of guns as well.
Randy
So.......the gun was originally marketed as an 13 rnd double stack and the 3 mags are "later" to allow for only 10 rounds???
See how many rounds you can fit into the magazine......if it is 8 rounds and single stack you have an M-43 .....if 10 or 13 then it is a Firestar Plus.
Slide and barrel are the same.
Gunsnrovers has it spot on with your magazines.
Star Firestars are excellent handguns!! The biggest assett and biggest detriment is that they are heavy, which makes them a joy to shoot and some struggle with carrying.
I am NOT an expert on Firestars, but I DO own three of them.
Randy
Thanks to everyone who responded. People on this forum NEVER fail to come through with the info!!!
Picked it up yesterday from private owner. Got gun, 3 mags, box, paperwork and cleaning tools for $250. Didn't see how I could go wrong.
Actually, the guy was asking $275. When I asked him for his best price he said $250!! I looked at completed sales on GunBroker and almost all were $400 - $450 and up! Except for a little bit of finish that's worn off of the slide by the serrations, the gun is almost like new.
I guess it's true, even a blind sow finds an acorn once in a while...............
Keep an eye open for original Plus magazines, you MAY find the 10 rounders don't function with 100% reliability, especially if made by ProMag, which I think most 10 rounders are/were....
Might be 100% with aftermarkets, just be watchful, it will reward you.
Keep an eye open for original Plus magazines, you MAY find the 10 rounders don't function with 100% reliability, especially if made by ProMag, which I think most 10 rounders are/were....
Might be 100% with aftermarkets, just be watchful, it will reward you.
The S&W 9mm magazines from the 69** series pistols (12rd?) are supposed to be interchangeable ...but...the S&W mag will not lock into place in the STAR.
You need to file a new locking slot in the magazine to accomodate the slightly higher placed STAR mag lock.
I've never ad any experience with that particular STAR pistol, or the 69series S&W's that are said to share a magazine. But it may be worth looking into to provide Hi-Cap magazines at a decent price.
Most STAR magazines are hard to find now and $$ when you do so.
The S&W 9mm magazines from the 69** series pistols (12rd?) are supposed to be interchangeable ...but...the S&W mag will not lock into place in the STAR.
You need to file a new locking slot in the magazine to accomodate the slightly higher placed STAR mag lock.
I've never ad any experience with that particular STAR pistol, or the 69series S&W's that are said to share a magazine. But it may be worth looking into to provide Hi-Cap magazines at a decent price.
Most STAR magazines are hard to find now and $$ when you do so.
Well, I've got 3 - 10 round mags now..........assuming they all function properly. If so, I'll just stick with those and keep my eyes open for an original 13.
The first one I owned had a blue finish. As I recall the bluing was poorly done and I got rid of the gun.
Later I decided to get one in Starvel finish. The quality of the finish and overall quality of the gun is excellent. I frequently carried it (sometimes in places I shouldn’t have). It is reliable with both factory ammo and my reloads. Before manufacturers worked out the kinks with small semi-autos I considered it as the 1911 little brother.
For conceal carry I highly recommend Milt Sparks Executive Companion IWB holster. As commented the Firestar is a heavy chunk of metal for it’s small size.
The Star Firestars are excellent pistols, since you paid next to nothing for it, $250, start searching for the original Star factory OEM 13rd magazines. I wouldn't put much if any stock in those 10rd mags unless they were mfg by Star. Original owner probably sold it to you for less than he paid purchasing the Star new. You could spend $300 on 3 factory 13rd mags and still be ahead of the game for an excellent CC weapon.
Actually, the guy was asking $275. When I asked him for his best price he said $250!! I looked at completed sales on GunBroker and almost all were $400 - $450 and up! Except for a little bit of finish that's worn off of the slide by the serrations, the gun is almost like new.
I guess it's true, even a blind sow finds an acorn once in a while...............
I’m not sure with current panic buying what the prices are, but last year $225 to $275 was pretty standard selling prices in my area for the Firestar Plus. They’re good guns, but spare parts are slim to none.
I had a Firestar for a while until someone talked me out of it. I wish I still had it. One of the smoothest shooting 9mm’s I’ve ever shot, but I’m not really big into 9, so that’s why I let myself get talked out of it. If I come across a .40, or even another 9, I’m definitely going to buy it.
If I recall correctly, it was Guns & Ammo’s pistol of the year sometime back in the ‘90s. As others have said, it’s a heavy pistol, but controls recoil to the point that it feels like a .380 ACP. If you run out of ammo in a SD scenario and need to pistol whip your assailant, it is THE pistol to have
I have the single stack Firestar. The recoil spring was dead when I got it, empties landed in a another zipcode. Wolff fixed that issue, and it shot great at the range. Then I tried to carry it. That was a disaster, but not because of the weight. My long fingered skinny hands just don't work with the shape of the grip when drawing from a holster. After weeks of dry fire/draw practice the gun still presented at all points of the compass. Mine also has the worn safety notch issue where you must can back the hammer by hand sometimes to engage the safety. That's a common Star "feature" because of the design and wear.
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Last edited by LVSteve; 02-21-2021 at 05:12 PM.
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The Star Firestars are excellent pistols, since you paid next to nothing for it, $250, start searching for the original Star factory OEM 13rd magazines. I wouldn't put much if any stock in those 10rd mags unless they were mfg by Star. Original owner probably sold it to you for less than he paid purchasing the Star new. You could spend $300 on 3 factory 13rd mags and still be ahead of the game for an excellent CC weapon.
Took another look at the box. It appears to have the original label on it. It shows the gun being shipped with 10 round magazines so I'd be inclined to believe they are "factory mags". Of course they could still have been manufactured by some company other than Star. Or the label could have been placed by a dealer somewhere along the line. Who knows. Just another mystery I guess.
Just have to wait and see how they function to determine whether or not they're a problem.
Took another look at the box. It appears to have the original label on it. It shows the gun being shipped with 10 round magazines so I'd be inclined to believe they are "factory mags". Of course they could still have been manufactured by some company other than Star. Or the label could have been placed by a dealer somewhere along the line. Who knows. Just another mystery I guess.
Just have to wait and see how they function to determine whether or not they're a problem.
I sent a personal message to huskerbob, but thought I would post my findings here too.
I decided to look this pistol up in the Blue Book of Gun Values. Here is what I found:
"Model M43 Firestar Plus- Similar to M43 Firestar, except incorporates alloy frame, new grip design, ambidextrous easy-view safety, and fast button release. 10 shot double stack magazine. Manufactured 1995-1997"
So, that pistol seems all original and a good buy for $250!
Great!!! Thanks for the research!!! Shot it for the first time yesterday. Put about 40 rounds through it using 2 of the three mags I received with the gun. It worked perfectly!!
Glad to hear it ran flawlessly! Your impressions after a live fire session?
Randy
Trigger Update - only found 2 videos that cover totally dismantling the Firestar Plus. Only problem is, in both videos the "gunsmith" is speaking Spanish!
Forging ahead without a good video as a reference would not be something that would be wise for me to attempt!!
Looks like I'll have to live with the 'pointed trigger' issue.
Star Firestar Plus 9mm???
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