Star PD

Richard Simmons · Jul 21, 2018

Been looking for one of these for close to 10 years and today I stumbled onto this one out of the blue.

It came with one mag which I think is a Triple K. Cleaned up very nice. The pic above was taken right after I got in my truck after leaving the gun store. Will post more later this weekend. The buffer is in good shape, looks like a newer replacement so I'll hit the range tomorrow.

Proof code puts it as a 1985 model. I'd like a few more mags. Originals seem to be a bit on the expensive side and hard to find. Most are used. Are the Triple K mags any good? Depending on how it performs tomorrow I'm thinking I might order a Wolff spring kit. Will also order a few more buffers regardless.

So far it feeds ball just fine from the mag when hand cycled. I've always thought the PD was a great little CCW piece and I passed on one 10 years ago and regretted it ever since. Real happy so far that the hunt is finally over

billwill · Jul 21, 2018

Today's your day. Enjoy your purchase. Go buy a lottery ticket.

sigp220.45 · Jul 21, 2018

Oh man, that is nice! Congrats on a great gun!

k22fan · Jul 21, 2018

Back in the 1980s a friend had one that shot like a target pistol and rarely or never jammed. I told him if he ever wanted to sell it bring it to me. Without warning me he dumped it at a gun show. Afterward he explained that like a used car he did not want a friend telling him about his old car's break downs.

Eventually I bought a PD then parted with it after buying a S&W Model 4516-1. I'll hunt around for left over PD magazines.

bulletslap · Jul 21, 2018

One of the pistols I regret selling, in order to purchase something I can’t remember.

27 Man · Jul 21, 2018

Years ago I was in a pawn shop while a guy was pawning his PD. I knew the guy and knew he would never come back for it. If I could have been in there 5 minutes earlier, I could have bought it for more than he pawned it for. Another missed opportunity.

dr. mordo · Jul 21, 2018

There's one at my LGS for $450. I keep thinking about it, but haven't been motivated to buy yet. If it was $100 less it would be at home already.

Qc Pistolero · Jul 21, 2018

This gun is a sleeper.People don't know how good they are until they try or buy one.I'm glad for you;you made a good buy.

Ivan the Butcher · Jul 21, 2018

I had 2 of the PD's and a few of their little brothers BKM's. They are a fantastic 45 that is Carry Comfortable! Mine were both later units. The early unit's frame cracked above the slide stop hole on the left side. Star found this had no ill effect on the gun's operation, but for cosmetic reasons, they added the cut during manufacture. I had a total of 8 mags, I too will see if any are in hiding.

A little over 25 years ago I got rid of any 45 that didn't use a 1911 mag or a 220 Sig mag (That was seven 45's). Shortly thereafter I got rid of any 45 that didn't shoot Hydra-Shoks to the sights (that was two 45's) That only left me with 23 guns that shot one ammo dead-on! My sons each received one for their 21st birthday, and sold off a few more (9), leaving me with 11. I would normally say I need more, but I proved to myself "Need" is a useless word!

Ivan

Ivan the Butcher · Jul 21, 2018

dr. mordo said:
There's one at my LGS for $450. I keep thinking about it, but haven't been motivated to buy yet. If it was $100 less it would be at home already.

I traded mine in for $300 each-25 years ago. In good shape I'd bite if I was in the market!

Ivan

ColbyBruce · Jul 21, 2018

Heads up, the early version had a polymer recoil buffer that would split and bind in the recoil spring. The buffers can still be found, the later PD’s got a redesigned recoil spring guide.

LVSteve · Jul 21, 2018

27 Man said:
Years ago I was in a pawn shop while a guy was pawning his PD. I knew the guy and knew he would never come back for it. If I could have been in there 5 minutes earlier, I could have bought it for more than he pawned it for. Another missed opportunity.

I hate it when that happens in a pawnshop. Missed a 1960's dated Enfield No.1 from India in much the same manner.

To get back on topic, I have the PD's big brother, a Megastar. It's about the most unconcealable weapon short of a 155mm howitzer.

Muley Gil · Jul 21, 2018

Back around 1977, a friend of mine had a Star PD. It shot very well. One day at the range, we were shooting it and had shot up all of our .45 ACP ammo. I got to digging around in the bottom of my ditty bag and found about 12 rounds of ACP loaded with Keith 255 grain semi wadcutters. These were left over from when I had a 1917 S&W and half moon clips.

I figured we could load them up in the magazine and then manually feed them. Nope, everyone of them feed like round nose ball ammo. I was amazed! And they grouped pretty good too!

Richard Simmons · Jul 21, 2018

Her she is all clean and ready for the range tomorrow.

Was thinking a CCW this small in a caliber this big needs a little more than your average EDC blade.

Richard Simmons · Jul 21, 2018

Her she is all clean and ready for the range tomorrow.

Was thinking a CCW this small in a caliber this big needs a little more than your average EDC blade.

Richard Simmons · Jul 22, 2018

As I mentioned earlier, magazines for this gun are some what difficult and or expensive. While gathering info I ran across a statement that S&W Model 457 mags work great in the PD.

Don't have any 457 mags so I can't confirm this. Anyone else heard this or have both the mags and the gun and can check please?

I'm finding 457 mags priced more in line with after market PD mags than the more expensive factory mags. I'm also presuming that the quality of the S&W mags would be better than after market.

ACORN · Jul 22, 2018

The PD is one that’s on my BOLO list.
FYI Jack First has the buffers.

Richard Simmons · Jul 22, 2018

ACORN said:
The PD is one that’s on my BOLO list.
FYI Jack First has the buffers.

Thanks. I found his website. There are some listed on eBay and or Gunbroker that are cheaper, mostly because JF charges a minimum shipping charge of $10.60. Can get three delivered for less than the price of one from JF.

Richard Simmons · Jul 23, 2018

Just wondering if anyone had any input regarding the use of S&W M457 mags or any other mag options?

serger · Jul 23, 2018

You can use 1911 mags, just takes a little file
Work. Got mine in 1980. Still got it. first
45 I ever had.

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