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Star/Interarms 9mm pistol
- Thread starter 121689
- Start date
Stephen A. Camp
Staff In Memoriam
Hello. It would help to know which particular Star handgun you're interested in.
I'll only comment on the ones I own or have owned. First, I believe the Stars to be good pistols. The older, more traditional single-action autos were prone to firing pin breakage if dry fired due to the way the pin's secured, but they offered a very good safety sytem in that engaging it lifted the hammer from the sear such that even if the sear broke the hammer could not fall until the thumb safety was disengaged. Some of the older Model Bs, Modello Supers, Model A, etc had trouble with anything but ball. Having said that, I bought one of the last runs of the Model B in 9mm. The Gov't Model length pistol's proven very reliable with a variety of ammo. They are slimmer than our 1911 and make for a very graceful piece. I still own and shoot it after having had adjustable sights added. I owned a M43 Starfire in 9mm that was reliable and accurate, but hit low for me. Still the gun appeared quite tough and never gave any breakage problems in several thousand rounds. I have no experience with the polymer or high-cap versions of this gun. I own a couple of Star M28s that work fine and are reasonably accurate, but not to the degree of Browning's HP or the CZ-75. I don't know how Stars would hold up in a torture test of firing thousands upon thousands of rounds, but mine have been fired quite a lot with no trouble.
You may not know that with the demise of Interarms as well as business arrangements in Spain, Stars are not currently imported here and that could cause parts problems. You can still find spare magazines, new and used, but
they will dry up in time. Best.
I'll only comment on the ones I own or have owned. First, I believe the Stars to be good pistols. The older, more traditional single-action autos were prone to firing pin breakage if dry fired due to the way the pin's secured, but they offered a very good safety sytem in that engaging it lifted the hammer from the sear such that even if the sear broke the hammer could not fall until the thumb safety was disengaged. Some of the older Model Bs, Modello Supers, Model A, etc had trouble with anything but ball. Having said that, I bought one of the last runs of the Model B in 9mm. The Gov't Model length pistol's proven very reliable with a variety of ammo. They are slimmer than our 1911 and make for a very graceful piece. I still own and shoot it after having had adjustable sights added. I owned a M43 Starfire in 9mm that was reliable and accurate, but hit low for me. Still the gun appeared quite tough and never gave any breakage problems in several thousand rounds. I have no experience with the polymer or high-cap versions of this gun. I own a couple of Star M28s that work fine and are reasonably accurate, but not to the degree of Browning's HP or the CZ-75. I don't know how Stars would hold up in a torture test of firing thousands upon thousands of rounds, but mine have been fired quite a lot with no trouble.
You may not know that with the demise of Interarms as well as business arrangements in Spain, Stars are not currently imported here and that could cause parts problems. You can still find spare magazines, new and used, but
they will dry up in time. Best.
I have the Firestar Plus in 9mm. Alloy frame and 13 round magazine. Single action. Great gun. Never chocked on anything.
I have a second one NIB either for sale or as a parts gun in the event my first one poops out. I ordered an extra firing pin, extractor and springs from Interarms while they still had parts.
EAA Imported the Star line about 1 year after the Interarms contract ended.
Star and Astra have merged and in Europe the guns are now marketed under the name Astar.
------------------
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I have a second one NIB either for sale or as a parts gun in the event my first one poops out. I ordered an extra firing pin, extractor and springs from Interarms while they still had parts.
EAA Imported the Star line about 1 year after the Interarms contract ended.
Star and Astra have merged and in Europe the guns are now marketed under the name Astar.
------------------
www.customholsters.com
M/D ENTERPRISES Custom Concealment Holsters
Gunleather so nice it's almost a crime to conceal it
mde@customholsters.com
100% satisfaction or I buy it back!
"Holsters" the only real cure for mad cow disease
Kevin in IN
New member
I owned a Star Firestar a while back. It was a good gun. But it had two things (in my opinion) wrong with it. 1. It's too heavy for concealed carry. Although it's small in size at least for it's day. Now there's others smaller and lighter handguns with more rounds in the mag. Kahr, Kel-tec, and I'd even through the Glock 26 in there. 2. I was never confortable carrying cocked and locked, but that's something that's up to each individual. Now if your just going to shoot it and not carry it I'd say go for it. But that's why I got rid of mine. As far as accuracy, it was great. Single action pulls rule in this area. Fun shoot'n. Kevin
Lucky Devil
New member
I carry my M43 Firestar in a Thunderwear holster, strong side, under shorts and a tshirt every day. The weight is not really an issue for me anymore. Slim profile, single action and reliable. What more could I ask for? BTW, if anyone knows where I can purchase high(er) cap mags, I'd love to know...currently have 7+1.
LD
LD
Mark:
Do you have any more information on the new company "Astar"?
Do you guys think that there will be a new American importer any time soon? I think that with their low prices and surprisingly good quality, some of the Star and Astra pistols may sell well in the States these days precisely because many of them would not be adversely affected by the 10-round limit.
Skorzeny
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For to win one hundred victories in one hundred battles is not the acme of skill. To subdue the enemy without fighting is the supreme excellence. Sun Tzu
Do you have any more information on the new company "Astar"?
Do you guys think that there will be a new American importer any time soon? I think that with their low prices and surprisingly good quality, some of the Star and Astra pistols may sell well in the States these days precisely because many of them would not be adversely affected by the 10-round limit.
Skorzeny
------------------
For to win one hundred victories in one hundred battles is not the acme of skill. To subdue the enemy without fighting is the supreme excellence. Sun Tzu
Slightly off topic, I apologize.
I have an Astra A-70 9mm. The pistol is not accurate for me, but it is ergonomic, compact and stone reliable (good belly gun).
Several months ago I contacted Interarms, was told that they had sold their parts inventory, and then never got a response when I inquired of the purchaser (I can't recall the name of the vendor).
Anyone have a line on spare parts? I don't shoot it often, but I'm afraid I'll end up with a Spanish paperweight. Had one firing pin replaced (lost I believe in the manner Stephen described) and I expect the slide stop will go eventually.
SA Scott
I have an Astra A-70 9mm. The pistol is not accurate for me, but it is ergonomic, compact and stone reliable (good belly gun).
Several months ago I contacted Interarms, was told that they had sold their parts inventory, and then never got a response when I inquired of the purchaser (I can't recall the name of the vendor).
Anyone have a line on spare parts? I don't shoot it often, but I'm afraid I'll end up with a Spanish paperweight. Had one firing pin replaced (lost I believe in the manner Stephen described) and I expect the slide stop will go eventually.
SA Scott
Scott,
I purchased spare parts for my Astra's from EAA as they where the last major importer . They still have parts left for the gun.
Skorz,
No word at all on the new Astar line. There is a picture of the gun on the net but I don't have the URL handy. I'll try to look it up tonight and post.
There was another version of the M-43, The PLUS double stack version had an alloy frame. It was released to answer the complaints about the weight of the single stack gun.
Like I say, I have one NIB with a 13 round magazine that is available for sale.
The alloy frame versionisn't a whole lot different in size to a Glock 26. and it holds 3 rounds more in magazine 4 if you top off with one in the pipe.
------------------
www.customholsters.com
M/D ENTERPRISES Custom Concealment Holsters
Gunleather so nice it's almost a crime to conceal it
mde@customholsters.com
100% satisfaction or I buy it back!
"Holsters" the only real cure for mad cow disease
I purchased spare parts for my Astra's from EAA as they where the last major importer . They still have parts left for the gun.
Skorz,
No word at all on the new Astar line. There is a picture of the gun on the net but I don't have the URL handy. I'll try to look it up tonight and post.
There was another version of the M-43, The PLUS double stack version had an alloy frame. It was released to answer the complaints about the weight of the single stack gun.
Like I say, I have one NIB with a 13 round magazine that is available for sale.
The alloy frame versionisn't a whole lot different in size to a Glock 26. and it holds 3 rounds more in magazine 4 if you top off with one in the pipe.
------------------
www.customholsters.com
M/D ENTERPRISES Custom Concealment Holsters
Gunleather so nice it's almost a crime to conceal it
mde@customholsters.com
100% satisfaction or I buy it back!
"Holsters" the only real cure for mad cow disease
railroader
New member
Interarms sold their remaining star parts inventory to Sarco out of New Jersey about a year or so ago. I e-mailed them last week about the parts and I was told they haven't sorted them out and to get back with them in a couple of months.