9x23 Win in Star Modelo A?

M

MuzzleBlast

New member
Okay, someone either help me get a stupid idea out of my head, or relate your own positive experiences to make it worse.

The premise: Put a new, heavier recoil spring in the thing, and maybe adapt a recoil buffer, and a Star A or Super should be able to handle 9x23 Winchester. The motive: a cheap 9x23. Some evidence:http://www.9mmlargo.com/cartridge/loads.htm
These guys worked up several loads using Starline 9mm Largo brass that push a 124gr bullet at around 1300fps. Winchester factory loads list 124gr@1450. Given that 9x23 Win brass is much thicker in the web and head than 9mm Largo brass, I'm thinking this would work. Roll 'em a little light, and it shouldn't be any problem at all.

Comments? Experiences?
 
I don't think I would shoot 9x23 Win in a Star.

I have never seen an official US pressure rating for Largo, but loading data and ballistics seem to fall between the old .38 ACP and .38 Super. The data you cite gets it up to good stout .38 Super ballistics and probably amount to +P loads for that gun. Shooting 9x23 Win would increase the velocity over that by 150 fps at a cost of about 12,000 psi; a 35% increase over .38 Super. The thicker brass of the 9x23 Win let Colt use standard barrels, but it also reduces the internal volume, and will increase pressure vs the same load in Largo or 9mm Super Comp cases.

Spanish steel has a reputation for being a bit soft. Spare parts for Stars are a bit scarce these days.

I don't *think* it would blow up, but it would shorten the life of a rather old gun.

I bet Clark has done it, or more, but he doesn't mind throwing a cheap gun away after he has ruined it. Maybe Steven A. Camp has some hard data.
 
Hello. I do not have any hard data on the Star line of older pistols, but I do not shoot "hot" loads through any of my 9mm pistols. Again, I cannot say on the Firestar line; I'm speaking of the older Model A, B, B Super, etc.

I believe that the steel is soft. On one Model B that I no longer own, I fired but a couple of hundred warm but safe handloads that my BHP had digested by the thousands at that time. I noticed frame battering where the slide contacts the front of the frame and the ejector was slightly bent upwards.

Certainly this is not scientific nor definitive; just my thoughts.

I don't think that the old Star pistols should be used with +P ammo and certainly don't think one would stand up to 9x23mm rounds.

They're good ol' guns for shooting std. pressure rounds in my opinion.

Best.
 
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