I saw this at the LGS a few weeks ago. I remember them from the Shooters Bible many years ago, but I don't think I've ever actually seen one in the real world.





A Star "Ultra Star" 9mm compact. A conventional DA/SA single stack. It has a steel "subframe" I suppose it's called, with a polymer overframe. Controls are in the conventional place, with the safety on the slide. The safety also serves as a decocker. The magazine drop free, and there is no magazine disconnect. The slide rides inside the frame, like a CZ. The trigger is sort of heavy, and gritty in DA, but has smoothed up a lot as I've lubed and dry fired it a bit. The SA is about 5.5 pounds, with some takeup before a clean crisp break. Not bad at all really.

I finally got it to the range yesterday, and did just fine. No malfunctions at all. I actually shot it pretty well, but maybe I was just having a good day.

It's a comfortable gun in (my) hand. By today's standard for a concealed carry gun, I suppose it's sort of big for a single stack (9 round mag) 9mm, but I think it's from the 80's so it was probably sort of cutting edge back then.

I'm not planning on carrying it or anything, but it turns out I do have a holster that it fits like it was made for it. For a size reference it's just a little smaller than a Smith and Wesson Model 39-2. Little shorter barrel and grip.

Am I the only person who actually likes that squared off, hooked trigger guard? All the cool kids had them back in the 70's and 80's. I don't use them like they were intended to be used, but I like the way they look.

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John 3:16 .

Stars were decent pistols.
Too bad they went under.
I had been looking for a PD
or Firestar in .45 but “settled”
for a Shield 45.

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I told you not to use Lifebuoy

I have one. It goes bang with any ammo and is comfortable to shoot, they really got the grip shape spot on.

My only compliant is that it shoots low, both for me and my buddy, with a variety of ammo. I suspect that either the slide is out of spec, or the hole for the disassembly pin is set a little high. When you look at the muzzle, it is pointing downhill compared with the end of the slide. I picked up another barrel but it still shot low.

I have a soft spot for Star pistols and own quite a few now I think about it. They turn up as strays and orphans at auctions and sales.

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Release the Kraken

always thought of the Stars being solid quality pistols like the PD, BM, BK etc.

I had one of those, I like the Star/Astra pistols. Mine did have a horrendously heavy trigger pull. But it sure was one stout gun.

I owned a PD years ago and it was a great pistol. Sold it off because like any Star or Astra pistol, parts are hard to find. But now I have a BKS in 9mm and a FR in 22. They are both great.

I have a soft spot for Star and Astra pistols.

That's a nice one. I like the sa/da option. I've got a PD and a Firestar Plus and they are both good guns. I'm always on the lookout for Stars at the gun show as I feel they are underated.

I had a BM , two BKM's and two PD's (both later ones) and about ten Super B's over the years. I always thought the were a great value for the money. I kept the PD's for carry guns, but I consolidated my personal logistics and got rid of any 45 that didn't use a 1911 mag or a Sig 220 mag. I later got rid of any 45 that didn't shoot 230 grain ammo to the POA. I still have 14 guns in 45 ACP and only 1 isn't in my magazine rules.

Ivan