Star Firestar Plus 9mm???

huskerbob · Feb 21, 2021

Just picked up a Firestar Plus 9mm on the cheap!! Got the box, manual, cleaning tools and a pistol all in very good condition.

However, I'm am more than a bit confused!!! I'm finding YouTube videos that say its a single stack that holds 7 in the mag with one in the pipe. Still others say its a 13 round double stack (M-243???).

Mine came with 2 factory mags (according to the original owner from whom I bought the gun) and 1 after market mag, all of which are single stack - 10 round capacity. None of the 3 mags extend below the bottom of the grip as you would expect on an expanded capacity mag.

The owners manual is marked as "Model M-43 Firestar" and says it's a 8 rnd capacity. The slide on the gun is stamped "FIRESTAR PLUS". According to what I've found on the internet, that's the name that was given to the M-243 double stack configuration.

I've found NO information related to a 10 round configuration!

I tried to call Star over in Spain, but for some reason their phone just rings and rings and rings................

Hoping there's a STAR Expert out there who can help me understand what I've got!!

Thanks!!!

Driswalds · Feb 21, 2021

Not a expert but could it have a Firestar Plus slide on a M43 Frame?

Steve912 · Feb 21, 2021

The manufacturer's been gone for awhile.

Poke around here for a few hours, and you'll
learn a bit

Star Firearms: Find Your Weapon

huskerbob · Feb 21, 2021

Steve912 said:
The manufacturer's been gone for awhile.

Poke around here for a few hours, and you'll
learn a bit

Star Firearms: Find Your Weapon

Yes, I'd found that sight but as of yet I haven't found any info related to capacities. But I'll keep looking, perhaps I missed it.

huskerbob · Feb 21, 2021

Driswalds said:
Not a expert but could it have a Firestar Plus slide on a M43 Frame?

Anything's possible I guess. Guy I bought it from said he bought it new. Could be that Star was just using up parts on hand to make guns. However, everything I've found so far lists the gun and either an 8 round single stack or a 13 round double stack. I haven't found a even one reference to a 10 round single stack. That's what's confusing me.

gunsnrovers · Feb 21, 2021

Sounds like a Firestar Plus and 3 aftermarket ban era mags. Pics would help.

growr · Feb 21, 2021

See how many rounds you can fit into the magazine......if it is 8 rounds and single stack you have an M-43 .....if 10 or 13 then it is a Firestar Plus.
Slide and barrel are the same.

Gunsnrovers has it spot on with your magazines.

Star Firestars are excellent handguns!! The biggest assett and biggest detriment is that they are heavy, which makes them a joy to shoot and some struggle with carrying.

I am NOT an expert on Firestars, but I DO own three of them.

Randy

huskerbob · Feb 21, 2021

gunsnrovers said:
Sounds like a Firestar Plus and 3 aftermarket ban era mags. Pics would help.

Hope these 3 photos come through OK.

growr · Feb 21, 2021

Yes, you have a Firestar Plus, the aftermarket magazines were made in response to the then current 94 Crime bill that had 10 round restrictions.

Again, you have a great firearm.

With the Firestar line up, Star was a pioneer in the then new concept of a compact concealed carry firearm. The same for the Astra A-70-75 series of guns as well.

Randy

huskerbob · Feb 21, 2021

growr said:
Yes, you have a Firestar Plus, the aftermarket magazines were made in response to the then current 94 Crime bill that had 10 round restrictions.

Again, you have a great firearm.

With the Firestar line up, Star was a pioneer in the then new concept of a compact concealed carry firearm. The same for the Astra A-70-75 series of guns as well.

Randy

So.......the gun was originally marketed as an 13 rnd double stack and the 3 mags are "later" to allow for only 10 rounds???

growr · Feb 21, 2021

That is MY understanding.....

NOW, go shoot that fabulous firearm and see what I was talking about on the weight!!

Has never stopped me from carrying any of my Firestars however.

Randy

huskerbob · Feb 21, 2021

growr said:
See how many rounds you can fit into the magazine......if it is 8 rounds and single stack you have an M-43 .....if 10 or 13 then it is a Firestar Plus.
Slide and barrel are the same.

Gunsnrovers has it spot on with your magazines.

Star Firestars are excellent handguns!! The biggest assett and biggest detriment is that they are heavy, which makes them a joy to shoot and some struggle with carrying.

I am NOT an expert on Firestars, but I DO own three of them.

Randy

Thanks to everyone who responded. People on this forum NEVER fail to come through with the info!!!

Picked it up yesterday from private owner. Got gun, 3 mags, box, paperwork and cleaning tools for $250. Didn't see how I could go wrong.

Looking forward to shooting it today!!

Bob

growr · Feb 21, 2021

Did you have a mask on when you bought it?????

You made out like a bandit!!!!!!!!!!

Randy

huskerbob · Feb 21, 2021

growr said:
Did you have a mask on when you bought it?????

You made out like a bandit!!!!!!!!!!

Randy

Actually, the guy was asking $275. When I asked him for his best price he said $250!! I looked at completed sales on GunBroker and almost all were $400 - $450 and up! Except for a little bit of finish that's worn off of the slide by the serrations, the gun is almost like new.

I guess it's true, even a blind sow finds an acorn once in a while...............

growr · Feb 21, 2021

Keep an eye open for original Plus magazines, you MAY find the 10 rounders don't function with 100% reliability, especially if made by ProMag, which I think most 10 rounders are/were....

Might be 100% with aftermarkets, just be watchful, it will reward you.

Randy

huskerbob · Feb 21, 2021

growr said:
Keep an eye open for original Plus magazines, you MAY find the 10 rounders don't function with 100% reliability, especially if made by ProMag, which I think most 10 rounders are/were....

Might be 100% with aftermarkets, just be watchful, it will reward you.

Randy

thanks for the help Randy! it's appreciated!!

huskerbob · Feb 21, 2021

THANKS to ALL who responded!!! U R the Best!

Steve912 · Feb 21, 2021

huskerbob said:
Yes, I'd found that sight but as of yet I haven't found any info related to capacities. But I'll keep looking, perhaps I missed it.

All that & more...
Star Firearms : Firestar Series Pistols

I really like the Star's "hand friendliness". They really put a lot
of attention into how they shaped & finished everything.

2152hq · Feb 21, 2021

The S&W 9mm magazines from the 69** series pistols (12rd?) are supposed to be interchangeable ...but...the S&W mag will not lock into place in the STAR.
You need to file a new locking slot in the magazine to accomodate the slightly higher placed STAR mag lock.

I've never ad any experience with that particular STAR pistol, or the 69series S&W's that are said to share a magazine. But it may be worth looking into to provide Hi-Cap magazines at a decent price.
Most STAR magazines are hard to find now and $$ when you do so.

huskerbob · Feb 21, 2021

2152hq said:
The S&W 9mm magazines from the 69** series pistols (12rd?) are supposed to be interchangeable ...but...the S&W mag will not lock into place in the STAR.
You need to file a new locking slot in the magazine to accomodate the slightly higher placed STAR mag lock.

I've never ad any experience with that particular STAR pistol, or the 69series S&W's that are said to share a magazine. But it may be worth looking into to provide Hi-Cap magazines at a decent price.
Most STAR magazines are hard to find now and $$ when you do so.

Well, I've got 3 - 10 round mags now..........assuming they all function properly. If so, I'll just stick with those and keep my eyes open for an original 13.

Thanks for the info!!

Star Firestar Plus 9mm???

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