Star Super B, quick cheap path to 9x23mmWin

C

Clark

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AIM wants $239.95 +shipping + FFL right now.

A few twists of the wrist with a W drill will make a .3860" hole deep enough for an empty case.

Or a few twists with a 25/64ths drill =.3906", which is sloppier but still works.

Then with a dummy round with 158 gr bullet loaded at 1.29" [longest that will feed from the Star Super B magazine], some twists of the wrist with 23/64 drill will make a .3594" hole for throating.

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Yes, I have a 9x23mm reamer and lathes, but the above works better.
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I would be worried about the pressure of the 9x23. Will the Super B take the pressures? I have a Super in 9mm Largo and a Colt goverment in.38 super, I would love to get the triad and a 9x23.

David
 
I think 9mm Largo/Bergmann Bayard/Whatever Else It's Called, ran at about the same pressure as .38 ACP, or, about HALF the pressure of 9x23 WIN.
I'd stop at "sloppier but still works" and rethink.
 
That's insane!
The Star "B" is simply an "A" (9mm largo) with a parabellum barrel.
I'm one of the ones who will say the Star "A" is safe with .38 Super ammunition.
There are those that say I'm crazy. But 9 X 23 is patently unsafe in a Star.
 
I don't want it to sound like I'm belittling safety concerns. I'm not. But Clark's pretty good about doing his homework on such matters. Just don't go tossing caution to the wind. And do the load workup by the numbers.


I ALSO notice that A.I.M. didn't go out of their way to tell people the piece is chambered for 9mm Largo, not 9mm parabellum. Doesn't seem quite cricket to me.
 
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You could also simply trade the barrel for a largo barrel. Lots of Largo owners would rather shoot 9mm P.
Regardless- using factory 9 X 23 ammunition is very unsafe. Mild handloads are another thing, but why change the gun to 9 X 23 if you handload?
 
The SAAMI registered max pressure is 55kpsi.

I can't do the proof load for that 71.5 kpsi - 77 kpsi with the Starline 9mmSuperComp brass is not strong enough. But the Winchester brass does have a strong enough case head.

I have done this. The Super B weakness is the recoil springs. I have drilled out the cowling on slide. I have made a multiple recoil spring assembly from the Wolff gunsmith pak 14.
From my notes:
stock recoil spring is .039" wire 28 coils 5.125" extended, 1.092"
calculated compressed coil diameter = .418"
stock guide rod is 1.625" long, .315" OD, .230 ID

drilled Star recoil spring cowling on the slide from .431" to .4375"[7/16"]

replaced recoil spring with Wolff gunsmith pak #14 spring #10 .045" wire
24 coils 4.75" extended 1.08" calculated compressed coil diameter =.433"
could have replaced with Wolff gunsmith pak #14 spring .042" wire .391"
coil if guide rod OD was reduced to .304 minus clearance.

The stock sight notch is .223" above the base of its dovetail

replaced rear sight with brownell's 625-100-311 Mfr: PSI Compact,
Adjustable - Low Mount Rears MGS REAR SIGHTS - Extra low profile,
adjustable sight mounts down, out of the way and increases sight radius
for enhanced sight picture. Rectangular body, raised adjustment screws.
Requires no alteration to the slide, fits in the standard dovetail and
uses the existing front sight. SPECS: CNC machined steel, matte blued
finish. 625-100-311 3-Dot Rear, fits 1911 Auto .45 Govt $58.40 retail
$35.00 wholesale cost. package says "LPA made in Itally imported by
WWW.precisionsights.com" It adjusts from a notch level of .225" down to
.19" easily and further down twice as much. with a sight base of 6",
that should lower the POI 1.6" at 25', and 3.2" possible

opened magazine lips to allow cartridge rim release .13" sooner.
 
24 coils of .045" wire?
A 16# "1911" spring is, IIRC, 32 coils of .043", and a Commander spring is 24 coils of the same; what rating are you getting?
I don't think the recoil spring really contributes a lot to resisting unlocking or slowing the slide, so making a recoil spring change the primary component of the "conversion" doesn't sit well.
I'd want more slide weight, more spring and longer slide travel, and probably an upgrade to the mainspring.
Of course, a handloader can stop at whatever power level appears safe.
 
Another old experimenter, and former Star Super B owner, here. I have experimented with 9X23MM Winchester, but NOT in the Star. +1 to what Bill said.......

Btw, as RickB mentioned, I'd want more slide weight no matter the recoil spring weight, and I'd have to be more comfortable about Star's reported variation in metallurgy before trying factory ammo or equivalent reloads in the Star.......
 
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RickB,
I don't know what the force is.

I have characterized a hopped up Commander:
attachment.php


What I can do is pull both pistols from storage and pull back the slide on both and quickly get a subjective impression.

Ok,
 
My experiences with 10mm and .45 Super would make me want to increase the recoil and mainspring (especially the mainspring) ratings as much as is practical.
I bought a Springfield 9mm, with the intent of converting it to 9x23, and beyond rechambering or replacing the barrel, the plan was a 25# mainspring, 20# recoil spring (starting), and a small-radius firing pin stop.
Without the same selection of parts for the Star, you're limited to working with only the springs?
A compensated barrel would be nice.
 
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