Comparison...S&W CS45 vs Star M45

Big Shrek

Big Shrek

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Finally got my Star M45 off layaway this afternoon!

Initial thoughts: Really close in size...a lot closer than I originally thought...
CS45 barrel is 3.25", M45 is 3.8", slides are the same length...
guess that means Star had a better idea of how to make things fit ;)
75356-bc03ee64c0c9b245a5530adffdafd69d.jpg


75363-77ff43dd4e213887a9da77aa16de3c72.jpg


75352-237619d2f58774038f56d39a805d4a55.jpg


75359-1fc2447e27f9db9fe354767b05de237f.jpg


Secondary discovery: mags for the CS45/other 3rd Gen S&W 45's
actually fit the Star M45!!
As in, once I can file the hole for the trapper, should be a perfect fit!
For giggles & grins, I tried out the mags with snap caps,
oddly enough, they fit and function if you give a slight upward
push with your pinky...so after modding, interchange should be easy!

Range testing to follow tomorrow :)
 
Last edited:
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Well, that was almost as fun as dating a naughty redhead!!

Range report!
Both performed perfectly with both Federal Aluminum
and Perfecta Brass.
Unfortunately, due to time, I had 20 minutes to shoot two boxes of ammo...
Honey-do's took up my morning, so barely made it to the range...
so it was Rapid-fire 5 meters as fast as I could load, aim, & shoot!!

M45
75381-d3b094032094be3b288a35e1a565ab4d.jpg


CS45
75382-f6d0b2e5e8472e76c373b6ab5fdf6609.jpg


Still, not too shabby, considering that it was a speed run,
also the First Time I'd fired the Star M45!! Third time for the CS45!

The only thing I didn't like about either pistol were the dinky, dim sights.
At the least, this weekend, both will get fresh Orange paint...
but I'll be looking for some Hi-Viz Fronts real soon...
 
Now, to speak on the Magazine issue.

Both mags will interchange and allow snap caps to be cycled...
however, until the Magazine Safety holes are cut/filed,
neither will fire with the other mags in place.

So...looks like I've got some work to do on that front :)
 
Star Firestar's are VERY under-rated! I have all three calibers and enjoy the heck out of them. The M45 is easier to find and much less costly than a CS45.
The biggest asset and biggest detriment for the Firestar's is that it is an all steel gun and as such is heavy, which also makes it SO easy to control when firing.
I did not know about the interchangeability of magazines though.....thanks for that tip.

Randy
 
growr said:
Star Firestar's are VERY under-rated! I have all three calibers and enjoy the heck out of them. The M45 is easier to find and much less costly than a CS45.
The biggest asset and biggest detriment for the Firestar's is that it is an all steel gun and as such is heavy, which also makes it SO easy to control when firing.
I did not know about the interchangeability of magazines though.....thanks for that tip.

Randy
Click to expand...

What gave me the idea on that was Star built guns that would use S&W mags...
like the M-28/30/31, which made me think, "I wonder if...?"

Wouldn't surprise me to find that the entire Firestar line could exchange with CS's...
all I have to do now is buy a CS9 & CS40 to test that theory ;)
 
Congrats on the Star 45 Big Shrek! Very nice pistol that never got the attention it deserved.

Thanks for the size comparison pics and range report too! Much appreciated. :) Regards 18DAI
 
Big Shrek said:
What gave me the idea on that was Star built guns that would use S&W mags...
like the M-28/30/31, which made me think, "I wonder if...?"

Wouldn't surprise me to find that the entire Firestar line could exchange with CS's...
all I have to do now is buy a CS9 & CS40 to test that theory ;)
Click to expand...

CS40 and CS45 magazines share the same dimensions as all S&W .45 magazines except for length and "innards".
CS9 magazines share the same dimensions as all S&W 39 series (9mm single stack) magazines except for length.

I hope this makes your quest easier.
Let us know what you find.

John
 
JohnHL said:
CS40 and CS45 magazines share the same dimensions as all S&W .45 magazines except for length and "innards".
CS9 magazines share the same dimensions as all S&W 39 series (9mm single stack) magazines except for length.

I hope this makes your quest easier.
Let us know what you find.

John
Click to expand...

Kinda hate to buy mags for something I don't own...
also have an ulterior motive for getting the CS9 & CS40...
since acquiring the Star 43, 45, and 205...along with the CS45
This kind of vest...requires 6 pistols ;)
latest
 
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