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For around $250 Feg (Browning copy) or Star super B?
- Thread starter Viper99
- Start date
kilimanjaro
New member
The FEG is a better pistol, I think, but both are fine.
Don't pass up either one in nice condition for $250.
Don't pass up either one in nice condition for $250.
Before you buy the Star, take the right grip off and look for a hairline crack in the area of the mag release button. Stars have a penchant for cracking in that area. I bought one from J&G not too long ago, and, sure enough, when I took the right grip off, there was the crack. Since the gun was basically for fun only, I just stop drilled the crack.
Some early 1911s did the same thing.
Some early 1911s did the same thing.
My Pop might chime in on this.
He owns two FEGs. There are FEGs and then there are FEGs. Some are nearly exact copies of the Hi Power. Some are not. You should look into that.
He also used to own a Star and it was actually a fine firearm...when it worked. He had to buy parts from private sellers in Europe, and then I had to work with a small file to hand-fit the parts, so the pistol would work. What it lacked in durability it made up in accuracy though. But in my opinion if you buy a Star expect it to break, unfortunately.
I'd recommend one of the FEGs that is a very close copy of a BHP.
He owns two FEGs. There are FEGs and then there are FEGs. Some are nearly exact copies of the Hi Power. Some are not. You should look into that.
He also used to own a Star and it was actually a fine firearm...when it worked. He had to buy parts from private sellers in Europe, and then I had to work with a small file to hand-fit the parts, so the pistol would work. What it lacked in durability it made up in accuracy though. But in my opinion if you buy a Star expect it to break, unfortunately.
I'd recommend one of the FEGs that is a very close copy of a BHP.
candlejackstraw
New member
I own both. I would go with the FEG first. I took that to the range over the Star today.
Bill DeShivs
New member
I have been working on and using guns for over 40 years.
I have seldom needed any parts. Most guns don't break in normal use. If something breaks, it's usually a small part that is easily made by a competent gunsmith.
I have seldom needed any parts. Most guns don't break in normal use. If something breaks, it's usually a small part that is easily made by a competent gunsmith.
joe-lumber
New member
Star B
I purchased a Star B and it never worked properly. it was listed as a 9mm but the magazine might have been the problem. The mag didn't have the small built up part at the back to accommodate a shorter round rather than maybe a 9x18. Anyway I sent it back for a refund which I received. But it cost me $70 to send via UPS which I think ripped me off.
I purchased a Star B and it never worked properly. it was listed as a 9mm but the magazine might have been the problem. The mag didn't have the small built up part at the back to accommodate a shorter round rather than maybe a 9x18. Anyway I sent it back for a refund which I received. But it cost me $70 to send via UPS which I think ripped me off.
Bill DeShivs
New member
Star magazines in 9mm don't have that. The largo and parabellum magazines are the same, but the para has slightly shorter feed lips.
Get the Browning copy, and forget the Star.
Parts for the HP are out there, including magazines. Parts for any Star are...problematic.
back in the 80s (when they first came to the US) a friend had one of the FEG Hi Power clones. Decent gun, particularly for the money. He had one breakage after a year or so, the recoil spring guide. Replaced it with one for a HP (from Numrich), drop in fit, perfect function.
Get the Browning COPY. If its not, pass.
Parts for the HP are out there, including magazines. Parts for any Star are...problematic.
back in the 80s (when they first came to the US) a friend had one of the FEG Hi Power clones. Decent gun, particularly for the money. He had one breakage after a year or so, the recoil spring guide. Replaced it with one for a HP (from Numrich), drop in fit, perfect function.
Get the Browning COPY. If its not, pass.
a whole lot of years ago I had a FEG. It was one of my first forays into 9mm. IIRC it was the P9RK but don't make me swear its been probably 25 years. It was very close to the BHP except I believe it was DA/SA only.
I shot thousands of rounds through that gun over several years and the only part failure was a plunger in the safety that broke when the pistol and all accessories took a 70 MPH spill from a broken motorcycle saddlebag. a 20 minute, few dollar fix.
For an inexpensive 9mm it was reliable, accurate and a great intro to a caliber I wasn't sure I even wanted.
I shot thousands of rounds through that gun over several years and the only part failure was a plunger in the safety that broke when the pistol and all accessories took a 70 MPH spill from a broken motorcycle saddlebag. a 20 minute, few dollar fix.
For an inexpensive 9mm it was reliable, accurate and a great intro to a caliber I wasn't sure I even wanted.
I own them both.
The FEG I have had for over twenty years. I have had zero problems with it. The trigger and sights aren't great, but it is still a pretty good shooter.
I have had the Super B only a couple of weeks. It has been raining so much (Texas) that I haven't shot it yet. I will take it to the range this weekend or early next week. The trigger and sights seem a little better than the FEG. It looks like it was barely ever used, so I am not expecting mechanical problems.
They are both full-sized, steel-framed, single-action 9mm service pistols. They even use the same breech locking system. The FEG is maybe a tiny bit smaller/lighter, holds about 13 rounds (double-stack magazine), might fit most hands a bit better, but has slightly worse sights and trigger.
The Super B is maybe a tiny bit larger/heavier, holds about eight rounds (single-stack magazine), might not feel quite as good in most hands, but has slightly better sights and trigger.
They are both a good deal for $250, IMHO.
The FEG I have had for over twenty years. I have had zero problems with it. The trigger and sights aren't great, but it is still a pretty good shooter.
I have had the Super B only a couple of weeks. It has been raining so much (Texas) that I haven't shot it yet. I will take it to the range this weekend or early next week. The trigger and sights seem a little better than the FEG. It looks like it was barely ever used, so I am not expecting mechanical problems.
They are both full-sized, steel-framed, single-action 9mm service pistols. They even use the same breech locking system. The FEG is maybe a tiny bit smaller/lighter, holds about 13 rounds (double-stack magazine), might fit most hands a bit better, but has slightly worse sights and trigger.
The Super B is maybe a tiny bit larger/heavier, holds about eight rounds (single-stack magazine), might not feel quite as good in most hands, but has slightly better sights and trigger.
They are both a good deal for $250, IMHO.
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I have many Star pistols of all sizes and shoot the beans out of them, the B's are pickey about the magazines so don't use A mags or FTF can occurr. I have a couple of FEG pistols (in 380) and the finish work and functioning is just fine, they are no where near the quality of a HP but that is my prejudice. As far as parts breakage i must agree with Bill the incidence is rare on a quality firearm, i shoot more than the average person, both pistols and rifles (my AR's digest many hundreds of rounds each month) and only one AR firing pin failed in the past year or two.