Star M43 Firestar for my wife?

[Poodleshooter]

I've found a blued Firestar in 9mm for $250. It includes 3 magazines, the case and the manual. Grips are a little discolored, but the finish is pretty good. I had my wife try it out, and she says that she likes the feel, especially the weight, as she is sensitive to recoil. (She's a 5'8" farmgirl, so the all steel construction doesn't bother her much). She also appreciated the beavertail on the grip, and the ergonomics, other than the safety. She found that easy to release, but hard to engage. The thing is, she isn't a frequent shooter, is not much of a weapons enthusiast, but she has prodded me to help her select a carry weapon. She has her CC permit, and has shot a fair amount, but is not really weapons saavy. I've had her test several varieties of snubby revolvers, Glocks, various DA autos, but never a single action before. She says she would like to get it, but I'm still a little hesitant due to all the stuff I've read about broken firing pins....
What do you think?

 

[Shawn Dodson]

I have an M43 9mm Firestar. I like it a lot. Accurate. It used to be my primary CCW gun. I also carried it as an LEO when I worked in plain clothes. I retired it due to the demise of Star. I was worried about breaking it, and the lack of spare parts availability.

My only negative experience with it was a broken firing pin. Mine was an early model, which were recalled because of brittle firing pins. I didn't know of the recall. (Probably because I didn't fill out the warrantly registration card and send it in.) My firing pin broke. One phone call to Star got me a new firing pin -- no problem -- which was easy to replace.

 

[glockorama]

Be aware that Star no longer exists and you WILL NOT be able to find a replacement firing pin if it breaks. I know, I have searched the world over looking for spare parts for my m40. Nowhere. Great guns, but the absolute absence of spare parts is a BIG negative.

 

[railroader]

I have one in .45. It is very reliable and accurate. But as glockorama said parts cannot be had including grips. The only thing available are mags and recoil springs. If something breaks you will have to have a replacement made.

 

[dinosaur]

Has anyone tried Numrich Arms for parts?

CDNN bought all the mags and I believe they`re the ones that told me N.A. bought out all the other parts.

I have their .45 and like it. If your wife likes the gun, she`s more likely to shoot it.

 

[Hal]

I have one.(More accuratly, I used to have one since I gave it officially to my son as a brithday present)

Mine's like most everyone else's here. Retired.

My advice would be too keep looking. Without parts available it's risky at best.

 

[Walt Sherrill]

I have several STARs, and I'm concerned about parts availability.

I've been thinking about having a local gunsmith the ones in my guns as a model. (That makes a lot more sense than waiting until one breaks and then trying to fabricate it...)

Seems like any competent machinists should be able to handle the job -- and if you get several done at once, the cost per unit shouldn't be that bad. (I've fabricated firing pins that work for other guns using some relatively crude tools...)

With regard to the Stars for women: heavy guns help with recoil, but they ARE HEAVY!!! (My favorite is the Star Firestar Plus, which is a double-stack version of the 9mm, with an alloy frame. Really nice gun.)

 

[ZeusOne]

Mine is an M45 (.45 ACP) in Starvel finish. I bought it used for $260. It's been a good and reliable piece, and it's one of those guns that fits my hand just "so", and consequently I shoot it well. I like it, still use it, and if it breaks, I can say that I got my money out of it.

From a practical standpoint, if you can find another piece that feels just right to her, don't buy the Star. Get something that you can have repaired. BUT, if this is the gun that does it for her, buy it. The irrational fuzzies of gun selection can be an important factor in how well each of shoots a particular piece.

 

[glockorama]

CDNN only has mags for firestars, no parts