Star BKM

Milton

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Aug 15, 2004
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Birmingham,AL,USA
Sometime back I was gifted a nice Star BKM,the one with the alloy frame.I have read that the frame quality is not good enough for much actual firing;anybody know much about these 9mm's?
 
The Star BKM is an excellent pistol, in my opinion. About 10-12 years ago Century International Arms was importing these as surplus from the Spanish Guardia Civil (paramilitary police) at prices from about $120 to $150 depending on condition. I ended up with 4 of them, thinking they would be decent pieces to have on hand here and there without a lot of expense involved. Fired them all with standard pressure ammo, and all did very well (no malfunctions noted, point of impact at point of aim at 50 feet).

Then my sons showed up, and they needed another handgun. Then my grandsons started needing another handgun. All of a sudden I found myself without a single Star BKM.

Seriously, for a mid-sized 9mm pistol you could do a lot worse for a lot more money. Good solid pistols. Personally, I don't go in much for +P ammo and other nonsense, so I don't have any concerns in that regard.

About the size of a Colt Commander overall, but a bit slimmer in dimensions. All of the 1911 training works pretty well for the Star BKM (no grip safety, but I never really count on that anyway). Simply put, this pistol does what it was designed to do.
 
Thank you very much for the help!Sorta sounds like a "carry often" and "shoot a little less" auto.Should be great for home usage.
 
I had a Star BM, a Star BKM, two Star PDs (in 45 ACP) and two Star Super Model Bs (in 9 Largo, aka 9 x 21). All are fine pistols and the surplus pistols were carried alot and fire a little. When I had the BM and BKM, concealed carry was only semi legal (you could get picked up, then show need to a judge). I carried the BM a little and the BKM alot to the bank and late night service calls. Magazines will be you biggest problem so get all you can and check the springs and internal cleanliness. At the time I had mine, Winchester Silver Tip Hollow Points were THE premium ammo, and that is what I carried (sometimes with Winchester NATO ball mixed in. They shot to point of aim at 30 feet and I held a 3" group with mixed ammo. If it held up to a light diet of NATO ball, it will handle any of today's "premium ammo"! The Star PD pistols are what I replaced the 9mm's with, I would never think of +P loads for them. Today I have only 1911 type and Sig 220 type Auto loaders for magazine simplicity! but I miss my compact Stars!

Ivan
 
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