Star BM?

I happened upon a Star BM today while poking around a LGS. Aside from what I would consider an appropriate amount of wear for its age, the salesman pointed out a couple oddities that ultimately made me walk away: One of these was an obvious modification to the notch for the slide catch. It appears that it was laser cut at some point, as is evidenced by a small perfectly round hole in the rear corner surrounded by a larger heat effected zone. As the heat effected zone is very visible, it would appear as though it was done after bluing, leading both of us to believe it was done aftermarket. The same was also present along the edge of the safety lever as if it was re-contoured at some point in time. The salesman also noted that the magazine, in his opinion, did not fit the firearm appropriately sitting a bit higher inside than it should, and also that the trigger felt wrong, or worked on (again, an opinion).
Just a little while ago while doing some googling on the BM, I found the same visible modification marks to the slide catch notch on many of images of BMs. I am now wondering if this was a common repair that many of these guns had done, either by Star, or the US importers?

I guess I would really like to know if anyone has any good info on these guns, and whether or not it's worth taking another look at. From what I have read about them, they seem to be a fairly good gun, and as a sort of oddity these days (read: not a Glock), I have a little bit of an attraction to it.

Finally, one additional question: The LGS has it priced at $300. I see others on Gun Broker listed at around that price, but I feel I need to ask - Is $300 a fair price for a Star BM?

Thanks.

Mine has I suspect this same thing you are talking about. It seems like the slide release must not have been fully "catching". It looks like by drilling this little hole, it would give it a little more purchase. I don't know if it was factory or importer.

This is my ugly little one. It is mechanically perfect, and really ugly. I bought it as a gun to experiment with a different finish, but have never gotten around to it. I bought this one about 1 1/2 years ago in an auction for $140. $300 seems high to me, but I could be wrong.

I really like it though. A cool little gun.

Jim

I remember reading many years ago that the Star BM being a compact
gun for the 9mm ctg was not noted for durability. Looking at the little
hole drilled in the slide catch notch it wasn't done to increase purchase
in my opinion. The purpose of a drilled hole in a notch corner is to
radius a sharp corner to help prevent the metal from cracking at that
point. Sharp corners are where metal that is stressed will crack.

Star BM

alwslate said:

I remember reading many years ago that the Star BM being a compact
gun for the 9mm ctg was not noted for durability. Looking at the little
hole drilled in the slide catch notch it wasn't done to increase purchase
in my opinion. The purpose of a drilled hole in a notch corner is to
radius a sharp corner to help prevent the metal from cracking at that
point. Sharp corners are where metal that is stressed will crack.

Click to expand...

Yes. That is exactly what that little hole is. A stress reliever at that point. A simple little precautionary design

I have one that came in the plastic case with two mags and the chamber flag. It's a nice compact solid little steel pistol.

Thanks for the info, maybe I will take a second look at it. I also found a real nice looking Star DK at another LGS this afternoon. I may take a real hard look at that one instead...

I guess I'd have to know if you are trying to fill a "need", or a "want". If you need a 9mm handgun, I think you could do much better than a firearm that is no longer made, and that spare parts could be difficult to find for, and that has at best, a reputation for light use only. If you just want the Star, then just move forward and buy it. Frankly, I think you could do better.

Good luck,

Dave

Those usually have REALLY nice triggers.

That little "hole" in the slide slot is normal. I owned two BMs just like that. One was nearly new.

The Star BM is a good gun if the extractor is not too worn, as is sometimes the case. They are somewhat heavy, though.





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I own a few star pistols in 9mm Luger and in 9mm largo.
There's a online site for 9mm largo pistols.

A stress relief it is and can be found on other STAR models including some Models B and P,,probably others.

With the salesman not sure about it having the correct magazine (originals for the Mod BM aren't cheap or easy to get), and the trigger maybe not being 'right' (safety concern),,I'd pass if I couldn't convince myself that the two issues weren't just a figment of the salesmans imagination,, and with that pay him something like $200/225 for his faulty knowledge.

AIM Surplus just sold a bunch of nice condition Model B Super (full size 9mm pistols) for around $250 dealer. Seems like they should be retailing for around $300/$300+with no magazine and trigger problems.

I am a fan of the STAR pistols,but unless you can repair some small issues that may come up, they can be a drag. Parts are hard to come by, the company is long gone since the late 90's.
Most Model BM pistols aren't safe to carry with a round in the chamber and hammer down because of the none inertia type firing pin. Some late production have the feature though. Something to consider if the pistol is to be a CCW and you are not confident with loaded/cocked and locked.
The thumb safety safety on STAR pistols wears out often from use and requires the hammer to be retracted for the safety to be engaged. It sould be able to be engaged w/one hand and visually cam the hammer back off the sear. Many don't and can fire when the safety is disengaged..

The Model DK (Starfire) 380acp is a very nice little pistol.
It's a locked breech swivel link like a 1911. TD is the same w/a captive recoil spring on the guide IIRC. Alloy frame.
They are very much sought after as a light wt 380 pocket pistol. The GCA68 stopped importation of them though mfg continued at STAR and they sold to the rest of the world into the 1980s IIRC.
They came in blue mostly. But some were sold with gold, brite blue and I think a nickle annodize frame.

IIRC a STAR Model 'S' 380 magazine will fit the DK but will extend out the frame,,and give an extra round or two capacity.
DK magazines are probably as hard to find as a Model BM mag. Maybe repro mags are available. Model S magazines were always somewhat easy to find but maybe that's changed too! I gotta get out more!

I had 2 DKs over the years and they worked perfectly with 380 FMJ. Neither worked well with any hollow pt or soft nose ammo I tried.
They are quite a hand full to shoot with their light weight and small size.
But that small size and light weight means they always come along with you and never get left behind.
Just some thoughts.

FWIW, there are 3 on GB right now.
Blued in comparable condition to the one you described - $329
Blued in what appears to be LNIB condition - $450
Factory chromed in nice shape with pearl grips - $550

To give you some historical perspective during the 1990s very good condition surplus BMs were sold through the Shotgun News for about $179. New, made to sell in the USA, Super Bs were the same price. The Super Bs had issues with too soft metal in some of the internal parts. The Spanish government surplus Stars were better guns than those made to sell here.

FWIW, I had four commercial Star pistols and all of them gave me trouble. I leave the Stars and Llamas for someone else.

In the 1990s I owned a .45acp Star BM. Neat carry gun. Negative issues.

jimmyj said:

In the 1990s I owned a .45acp Star BM. Neat carry gun. Negative issues.

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I think almost every cop in the 90's had or wanted a compact Star in .45 acp. As I recall for some strange reason mine fit in the same holster as my 66 two & a half.

The early Star compact .45 was the PD. It got a lot of favorable write ups but mostly because before the Detonics was introduced it was the only .45 that small . A friend had one that was very accurate and reliable. Mine was neither of those things. Stars were hit and miss with quality control. When it came to Stars I was always the unlucky buyer.

alwslate said:

I remember reading many years ago that the Star BM being a compact
gun for the 9mm ctg was not noted for durability. Looking at the little
hole drilled in the slide catch notch it wasn't done to increase purchase
in my opinion. The purpose of a drilled hole in a notch corner is to
radius a sharp corner to help prevent the metal from cracking at that
point. Sharp corners are where metal that is stressed will crack.

Click to expand...

BINGO ! !

It's like!stop drilling a crack that hasn't happened yet in a high stress area that is likely to crack.

The Star BM was the standard issue pistol for the Spanish Guardia Civil (paramilitary police) until the 1990's. Many were imported to the US about 15 to 20 years ago. Prices varied depending on condition, generally between $120 and $140 or so.

At the time I had the idea of having several relatively inexpensive pistols for my automobiles and concealed locations in the home. I purchased 3 of the Star BM's in the "good" condition from Century International (importer), all for less than $400 delivered to local FFL. Arrived in green plastic Star factory boxes with spare mag and owners manual (in English), leading me to suspect that Century obtained these as factory refurbished trade-in guns.

Generally excellent quality. Reliable and accurate. Those I have handled all had very good trigger pulls for a service pistol, all digested any ammo I fed them without a hiccup, and all shot to point of aim at 50 feet.

Soon after, one son urgently needed a compact handgun so one went home with him. Other son heard about it, and a second went home with him. Old friend was in a bind, very little cash but needed a defensive handgun, so the last one went home with him. Since then I have seen the BM's going for more than double what I paid.

LoboGunLeather said:

Since then I have seen the BM's going for more than double what I paid.

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Well of course, now the market has found out you want one...