3 new things at the range: my girlfriend and 2 Star pistols

[LVSteve]

I finally fulfilled my promise to take my girlfriend to the range. It would be her first time shooting, too. For some reason she asked to start with a semi-auto, although my preference for a first time lady is a revolver. After much racking and attempted racking of some of my semis, we ended up taking a FEG Walther PP copy in 32 ACP, a Star Model B Super and a Star BM, both in 9x19. I have owned both Stars for a few months but never shot them.

She started with the Feg and nearly chickened out of shooting at all. She got a good grip going but her index finger was oddly reluctant to get on the trigger. Eventually her brave pills took effect and she started shooting. She decided that the recoil was OK but aiming was tricky due to the tiny all black sights. Yes, I need to get some glowing orange paint from the hobby shop for the front sight.

Next I broke out the Model B Super. I found it to be very tame with 124gr FMJ and plenty accurate. Recoil is minimal as it is the size and weight of a 1911, which it resembles in looks, but not mechanics. My girl was OK handling this gun. Again, her aim wasn't that great but the purpose of the exercise was to get her used to ANY shooting.

Then I tried the BM and the first round stove-piped. Uh-oh! Must of been lack of use as the next rounds ran fine. It has a superb trigger, but shoots a bit left. That may be the gun as I usually pull right when shooting poorly. Sadly, my girl did not like this gun at all. It weighs 32 oz as opposed to the B Super at 40 oz, and that combined with the shorter barrel was enough to make the muzzle flip a concern for her.

I should point out that she is a delightfully petite 5'0" with delicate hands and wrists, so I reckoned recoil would be an issue for her before we went to the range. I thought the slightly smaller grip on the BM would work better for her, but I was wrong. She much preferred the bigger, nose heavy gun. Hmm, I wonder if my all steel 9mm Baby Desert Eagle will suit her, or my 5906 Tactical, or perhaps 686+ with the 6" tube shooting .38s. Next time...

Sorry, no pictures of girlfriend.

 

[alwslate]

You should know the rules by now, pics of guns AND girlfriend!

 

[Shorty 45 MK2]

Sounds like you both had a good time. A shop near hear has a BM and it is a neat little pistol.

 

[tim c]

i have a Star Firestar real nice little 9mm my wife who is also petite 5-1 loves it but she likes the series 80 MK4 Gold cup 45 better .

 

[LoboGunLeather]

Bought 3 of the Star BM pistols years ago when Interarms had the surplus Spanish Guardia Civil pistols for about $140 each. Excellent pistols, comparable in size to the Colt Commander. All of those were very reliable with any 9X19 ammo I ran through them. All gave good accuracy at 25 feet and 50 feet on silhouette targets at the indoor range.

I wanted them as inexpensive pieces to have one in each vehicle. Then my sons found they had need of another 9mm. Then a grandson had an urgent need. Now Grampa has none left and had to buy some more good stuff.

Great pistols at modest prices. Worth looking for.

 

[jtcarm]

You should know the rules by now, pics of guns AND girlfriend!

Yep, no gloating without pictures.

 

[Texas Star]

I've read that the Modelo BM can break firing pins easily if dry-fired. And if you find a spare, they're supposedly hard to install.

If you want a Star that she'll like, try a Model S .380. They patterned the grip on those after the old Remington .380 and it's both trim and very comfortable.

 

[LVSteve]

I've read that the Modelo BM can break firing pins easily if dry-fired. And if you find a spare, they're supposedly hard to install.

If you want a Star that she'll like, try a Model S .380. They patterned the grip on those after the old Remington .380 and it's both trim and very comfortable.

Yep, I keep a snap cap in my BM. As for a Star she likes, she found the fullsize Super B to her liking. I might need to see if AIM have another one.

 

[2152hq]

AIM still had some Model-B Super pistols as of recent.

Another STAR that is a fun gun to plink with is the Model F
22LR semiauto, all steel. Usually found at decent prices,,at least for the plain 'F' shorter bbld model. Several versions were made w/small styling changes.
The Sport & Target versions get more and if pre-war usually a bit more yet. But it's unusual for them to bring high dollar amts in any version unless factory engraved or such.

None have a slide lock in their design which can bother some,,but if you come from the era before lawyers ruled the world and common sense did,,fear won't keep you from at least examining a very nice and usually very affordable 22 pistol.