My Search-Fu is weak, and I can't seem to find an answer.
Did they ever make the PD with a STEEL frame?
No, I am not talking about the successor, FireStar, pistol.
Looks just like the pic....

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Star_PD.jpg (18.9 KB, 102 views)

I have owned two Star PD guns, one mid 4 digit and one high 5 digit serial numbers. That model (or an identical model in steel) was neve marketed!

The only difference I found in the early to late production models was at the frame hole at the rear of the slid release. It was found that the frame cracked at the top of that hole. Star later made a relief cut at that spot for comedic reasons only.

Over the 5-year period I carried and shot PDs I had acquired 9 magazines, and they were all identical and flawless. Stay away from aftermarket mags!

I was heartbroken when Star dropped the PD and the BK/BKM (9mm) series and brought the Firestar!

Ivan

No, they never made the PD model with a steel frame. Only an aluminum alloy frame.

I used to own one and it was a fantastic pistol. Sold it off a long time ago for something else. Mainly sold it because replacement parts are hard to find.

The garden variety Star BM is one hell of a pistol for the price.

The great little Star PD was my first foray into the world of the 45ACP cartridge. I carried the little PD as an off duty weapon for several years until I traded it towards a SS Colt Officers 45, worst trade of my life. The spare recoil spring assemblies with the integral buffer for the PD were becoming exceedingly hard to find. The only other issue I had with my PD was that the grip screws had a tendency to loosen continuously. Great little gun.

I think maybe an earlier owner had their PD hard chromed, an enhancement to me.

One (1) prototype for the original PD was made with a Steel Frame.
One (1) prototype was made with an alloy frame

The steel frame pistol was called and marked a 'PM'
The alloy frame edition was marked 'PKM'

('K' designation on Star pistols most generaly means an Alloy Frame)

This was in 1973.
These prototypes were done by STAR and were scaled down Model P pistols which were the STAR .45acp Model frame pistols at the time.

The prototypes were sent to Garcia Sporting Arms Corp in Wash.,DC. the USA importer of STAR . The GM of Garcia was a gent by the name of Pete Dickey. A name probably familiar to many.
It was his suggestions to STAR that a small frame concealable 45acp pistol might be a good marketable handgun in the USA for Garcia and STAR.

Dickey chose the alloy framed PKM prototype and with some more changes suggested it was sent back and forth to STAR for modification several times till acceptible.

STAR was ready to make a run of 2400 or 2500 of the near final form around '75. A small group of pistols had already been made up for testing.
STAR's G/M christened the new pistol the Model PD for Pete Dickey.
Not for Police Dept as many think or some other L/E meaning.
This first production run was marked Model PDM (Modified)

The final full production model went into mfg'r in very late 75 and was simply marked as the Model PD.

STAR never offered a steel frame as an option.
The pistol was offered in a couple different Nickel finishes plus Chrome during production though.

Intrarms took over the USA import of STAR in the late 70's. They offered the PD in a 'Nivel' finish (short for Nickel and Velvet).
Interarms discontinued the offering some time later but STAR offered it as 'Starvel' finish.

When done as a brite plating it can make the alloy and steel combination appear to be the same metal(s).

Most all of this info is from 'STAR Firearms' by L. Antaris

Slight difference between the earlier PD and later. First models carried a glossy finish on the frame and a conventional trigger guard. Later models had a satin finish on the frame and a slight "index finger" bump (such as in the OP photo) on the trigger guard. Not too crazy about either.

Friend of mine in Ca. carried one and loved it Passed it to his son when he became a LEO in another city. It had some history behind it......... I was into full sized M1911's at the time and could not be bothered with the PD's. My mistake.

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USMC 69-93 Combat Pistol Inst.

I have wanted a PD since I first saw one in the late 70’s or 80’s. My available cash/available PD just never meshed. A few year back I saw a mint PD for cheap. I was going to buy it when my buddy asked me why buy a discontinued pistol with limited parts availability? I found a used .45acp Shield and haven’t looked back.

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Who are those guys?

You guys were right. The model code 'PD' is stamped right behind the mag-well. The thing is just so hefty in feel, LOL. I held a magnet to the front of the trigger guard, and no attraction. Thanks to 2152's excellent post, I surmise it's the 'nivel' finish of the one in the picture.

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Blued star-pd-45.jpg (76.7 KB, 31 views)

Star made some very solid and reliable pistols back in the day. The first handgun I ever owned was a Star in .25 ACP. It functioned flawlessly. I wanted a Star BM for off-duty, back in the day. I ended up with a Colt Satin Commander in .45 ACP.

My brother collects mouse guns and one day I came across a Star Starlet pistol in .25 ACP. The owner was a part owner of a gun shop I happened to be at and so I called my brother and put the owner of the gun on the phone and the deal was made. When I went up to visit my brother we took the Starlet along to the the local indoor range. I was really impressed at how well the Starlet shot.

Star built good guns. I had a Model 28 in .9MM. It evolved into the Model 30 which the Spanish military adopted. Still was not enough to save the company.

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USMC 69-93 Combat Pistol Inst.

I have a Star PD I acquired many years ago. Originally for CCW because I figured if I ever had to use it the authorities would take it. Better the Star than one of my Kimbers. I Still have the Star in the box with the goodies.
As I recall it shot great and reliable. Hmm, maybe it should go to the range next trip.


-don

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SWCA LM#2190 SWHF#414

Back in the 70s knew several guys that carried Stars. They shot them regularly and no issues.