Star Model B Super Project Update

1

10CFR

New member
I am still playing around with the Star Model B Super 9x19. So far, I've had it to the gunsmith twice, once for function check, once to have a FAC ported barrel fitted to it (also throated and polished, ramp polished on the frame too). I added two new magazines from CDNN Investments, and installed a new recoil spring from Wolff springs. I'm still not getting complete reliability - I have the occasional failure to completely extract (?) The extractor looks o.k.

This has been a fun gun to shoot, and mine's almost up to defensive standards, but needs to be a little more reliable before I would place it in a defensive pistol role. It is 'combat accurate', but certainly isn't a target pistol. I think I've just about got it working right. It's been a 'project' for me, and in that context, I am enjoying it immensely.

My thanks to Glockorama and Stephen A. Camp for their advice and help on this gun.

The important thing to note about these guns is that there were different versions of the Model B Super. Parts won't necessarily interchange. I was having trouble getting a recoil spring to fit it. I found out that there are at least two different sizes of recoil springs in use for the Model B Super. The most common size of the recoil springs for these is an outside diameter of approximately .366". Mine has a recoil guide rod of approximately .316-.317" diameter and required a spring of larger outside diameter. I was assisted by a Mr. John Andrews of Wolff in making this determination. The Wolff stock number for the larger spring is #30425, and the smaller diameter spring is #24555. If you need a recoil spring for one of these, use a micrometer to measure your spring and guide rod and order accordingly. The spring I needed was originally labelled for the 9mm largo, but fits and functions in mine very well.

Here are some reference threads:

http://www.thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=68865&highlight=Star+model+b

http://www.thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=65975&highlight=Star+model+b

http://www.thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=9709&highlight=Star+model+b

http://www.thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=7330&highlight=Star+model+b

http://www.thefiringline.com/forums...id=37609&sortby=lastpost&sortorder=descending

Here is what the gun looks like with the FAC barrel and an Uncle Mike's slip-on grip (can't put one of those on your 1911:) ).

Thanks again to all who helped.

-10CFR
 

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Just a week ago I picke up a Star Model B 9MM (not the super B).
The gun had all matching numbers. It was made for the German police. Even the Holster had the guns serial number stamped on it. The outside and inside interanl finish was super. I went ahead and bought the gun because I had such good luck in the past with the more modern High capacity model 30 and also the very small starlight.

Sadly this new purchase turned out to be a disaster. The gun was orginially designed for the 9mm largo not the 9mm parabellum. The grips are quite large from front strap to back strap. The magazines were sadly not redesinged for the 9mm. This resuleted in a lot of nose down feeds and constant jamming. I searched around and found an original factory mag that had a steel spacer welded into the mag. I thought that I had found the cure for this beautiful pistol. Sadly this mag only worked a little better and I still got jams with even hard ball.

My warning is this. I do not think that this pistol is a wise buy in 9mm parabellum. Maybe the orignal 9mm largo pistols worked but this conversion speciman certainly did not. W.R.
 
Hello Mr. Camp. I bought a 17# Wilson CZ75 spring and it won't fit the model I have because it is of the smaller diameter. While that spring fits most Model B Supers, mine has the larger diameter spring and guide rod (also the plug at the end which engages the barrel bushing). Your advice was good, however, like me, you didn't know that there were different sized springs used in the Model B Super. These are strange old guns. Wolff springs said they have had some trouble fitting springs to them because of the different ones used in different models. You have to measure your spring to see which one you have. I thought mine was going to end up a paperweight until I got this straightened out.

If you can use that CZ spring, send me an email and I will send it to you for free.

Wild Romanian, I'm really sorry you're having such bad luck. Glockorama also had REALLY bad luck with his. I think a lot of people will be disappointed with these pistols if they buy them expecting to get a working reliable pistol right out of the box like the Firestar is. They have a lot of 'baggage' with them. I think they can be made reliable, and maybe one will get lucky, but generally, I think they make good tinker toys and 'projects' IMHO.

Here is what I would do to one if I wanted to take the cheapest route to getting a working pistol out of it.

1. Check it out for function and condition before buying. Ask to at least field strip it for an internal examination. During that inspection pay particular attention to the firing pin and extractor, making sure they are in near mint condition, because if they break, you'll have to get an expert machinist to make one for you. This won't be easy or cheap.

2. Once you've got it, take it out and field test it. You will probably find that the recoil spring is shot and needs replacing. You will probably find that the gun doesn't feed the first round if you load the mag with the full 8 rounds. NONE of my mags works with more than 7 in it. I just consider it a 7 rounder.

3. Figure on replacing the recoil spring and having the original barrel throated and ramp polished. Measure the outside diameter of your recoil spring and order the corresponding diameter from Wolff (regardless if it is the one labelled for 9mm Largo or 9mm/.38, get the one that FITS YOUR GUN).

A SAFETY note on replacing recoil springs. You sometimes need to replace the firing pin spring when replacing the recoil spring. If the firing pin spring is too weak in relation to the recoil spring, it can result in the firing pin slamming forward hard enough to fire the chambered round when the slide slams home.

4. CDNN Investments has NEW magazines for $14.99 each (it will run you $38 for a pair with shipping). They may feed better, but will still only accomodate 7 rounds. Get used to this. That's the way it is.

Disappointment results when expectations exceed results. Don't expect too much. Expect a good fun tinker toy and they may exceed your expectations. Once you get one feeding right and shooting to point of aim, these guns really are fun to shoot, and they are economical being 9x19.

Also, if you get one of those original models (not the super) with the original Nazi markings, don't alter it, because it is worth some money as a collector's item. W.R. it sounds like yours might be one of those - check it out.

Thanks again all.

-10CFR
 
Yep, My Model B was probably the worst gun experience I've had. Lot's o'money into it, very little out. Never did function right. And the breakages!!!Hoo boy. Always had great success with Firestars tho. Love my .40. I just pray the firing pin doesn't break. I guess it would make a nice paperweight then. :)
 
Hello, 10CFR! Thank you so much for the kind offer on the CZ spring. Actually, I have 12 new ones in my supply, so I'll respectfully pass. Thanks very much for the thought. I really appreciate that and learning of the two different size springs and guides in the Model B pistols.

I guess that I'm very lucky. Mine has a good trigger and it is very, very reliable with JHPs, even off a full magazine. It groups pretty well also.

Best and good luck.
 
Glockorama, that's me. Thank's again. That's a fine piece of machine work. I haven't needed it yet. I don't know if it would fit or not. It's there with the kit.

-10CFR
 
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