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Anyone Carry A Star Firestar?

Ruger Fan

Regular Member
Joined
Jan 12, 2009
Messages
29
Location
Monroe, North Carolina, USA
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It's surprising to see all these favorable posts regarding the Firestar. Iused an M43 in 9mm some years back and it was a total pain. Main issue was jamming if anything other than the cleanest new ammo was used. Reloads? forget about it. Went so far as to send it back to the factory to be checked out but it didn't really help. Finally boxed it up and stashed it in the closet and stuck with my tried and true Ruger P89.
 

ghostrider

Regular Member
Joined
Jul 24, 2007
Messages
1,416
Location
Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA
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Ruger Fan wrote:
It's surprising to see all these favorable posts regarding the Firestar. Iused an M43 in 9mm some years back and it was a total pain. Main issue was jamming if anything other than the cleanest new ammo was used. Reloads? forget about it. Went so far as to send it back to the factory to be checked out but it didn't really help. Finally boxed it up and stashed it in the closet and stuck with my tried and true Ruger P89.
My local dealer tells me they used to sell them to LEO's years ago, and that they have a great reputation. Based on what I've heard about them, you either got a lemon, or just have a bad hold.

I normally shoot a G19, and had problems with mine untill I learned to hold it properly (took less than a box of rounds). Mine is very relieable, and shoots both FMJ, and the Winchester Ranger JHP's that I run in it. No problems.
 

Grapeshot

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May 21, 2006
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Ruger Fan wrote:
It's surprising to see all these favorable posts regarding the Firestar. Iused an M43 in 9mm some years back and it was a total pain. Main issue was jamming if anything other than the cleanest new ammo was used. Reloads? forget about it. Went so far as to send it back to the factory to be checked out but it didn't really help. Finally boxed it up and stashed it in the closet and stuck with my tried and true Ruger P89.
What kind of jambs were you getting? Failure to feed = magazine, ramp or wrist problem. Failure to extract = extractor. Failure to eject = extractor or wrist related. Timing, worn or weak springs contribute to jambs and there are of course other things but these are the most common.

If you sent it back to the factory that was a long time ago as on May 27, 1997 both Star and Astra closed their doors.

Did you buy it new and do you still have it?

Mine all devour anything.

Yata hey
 

Ruger Fan

Regular Member
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Jan 12, 2009
Messages
29
Location
Monroe, North Carolina, USA
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Still have it. Bought it new back in '92-93. It would fail to eject sometimes and sometimes the new round would get hung up after the previous case had been thrown out. Limp-wristing has never been a problem for me as I used the same hold for the Firestar as I do with my Rugers. I bought the gun mainly for my mother to use while Dad was out on the road during the week and thanks to the issues she was scared to use it.
 

Grapeshot

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Ruger Fan wrote:
Still have it. Bought it new back in '92-93. It would fail to eject sometimes and sometimes the new round would get hung up after the previous case had been thrown out. Limp-wristing has never been a problem for me as I used the same hold for the Firestar as I do with my Rugers. I bought the gun mainly for my mother to use while Dad was out on the road during the week and thanks to the issues she was scared to use it.
If you are interested in selling the gun, there may well be someone here who might choose to give it a good home.

If you so elect - Is it blue or Starvel, how many mags and accessories. A picture would speak a thousand words.

BTW - posting your location helps readers in responding to some posts and it benefits the mods in other ways.

Yata hey

Picture is not of my star - wish it were.
 

SteveInAshand

Regular Member
Joined
Jan 10, 2009
Messages
267
Location
Ass-land (Ashland) OR, , USA
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I Love my Fire Star 45 in Stavel.

I bought one new in 91 just like another person who posted here, that was when Guns & Ammo magazine named it hand gun of the year.

I kept that one till 2004 when I needed cash and then I got a 40cal Fire Star in 04 but it got stolen, so I went out and got another super clean Fire Sart 45 in starvel. for the usual $350 at a pawn shop .

This one I gave to my professional pistol to do a trigger job on it , buff the ramp, mod the mag release so the mags drop out smooth & effortless, I went to Sportsmans warehouse and bought a 10 dollar black rubber slip on over grip addition that is GREAT it added finger indents and a more positive grip purchase to now I dont feel a need to use my hard to find clip with the extended finger rest for CC. ( picture of slip on grip shown )

I am about to ad glue on glow in the dark night sites for 10 bucks if they work then fine if not I am going to tritium.

I had the little Star 380 a starvel copy of a 1911 and it was great too, it has finger groove grips and felt perfect in my hand.

I have popped a zillion rounds through all my Stars and will bet my life on them and so I only carry a Fire Star and an extra mag.

I dont mind the hefty weight, it keeps the short barrel from flipping up so much.

The only thing a Fire Star will not shoot is the lowest power SWC target ammo only because the slide will not activate enough in the 800fps ammo, but reload stuff in 1000fps or plusP+ semi wad cutter reloads love my Star and they feel like I am shooting a BB gun they have such little recoil.

I make sure I shoot factory Remington hardball thru it for a more realistic heavy recoil brighter flash practice session.

Fire Star uhmmm uhmm good ;)
 

Legba

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Mar 23, 2007
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, ,
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Grapeshot wrote:
Attention Star & Astra lovers!

Have found new site with loads of info, schematics, parts, holsters availability and model number translation + more. And it is current info as of 12/31/08 !

http://star-firearms.com/cgi-bin/gm1/index.shtml

Yata hey
Star T-shirts??? How cool is that? Takes me back. Thanks for the link.

Viva Bonifacio Echeverria!

-ljp
 

Grapeshot

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Tomahawk wrote:
Man, revival of this thread is making me want to take my Firestar back out of retirement and back to the range.
It would be good for you both. I mean how would you like to be locked up in a cold, dark place day in and day out. :D

Yata hey
 

johnny

New member
Joined
Feb 17, 2009
Messages
1
Location
PHOENIX, ,
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hay i had my star firestar 9 mm since it came out in the mid 90's and i love it and i will never sell it, it shoot very good, and i hope this help you





johnny
 

noslolo

New member
Joined
Feb 17, 2009
Messages
1
Location
, ,
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First post... I have had my Firestar M-40 since 1993 and it is still my CCW. I love to hear about it doing so well. It is very heavy, but that really helps out the kick. I know of a shop in northern VA that does work on them, but I am at forgeting the name at the moment. I know the gun smith worked with interarms (imported Firestars)for 12+ years....Doh it just came to me www.mmgunsmithing.comI have never used them but several people that I know have, and they have all stated that it was a great experience. I hope this helps everyone out.
 

GWbiker

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Joined
Mar 21, 2008
Messages
958
Location
USA
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I have a Star Firestar M-43. 9mm single stack 7+1, with four Firestar magazines, bought new in 1993. ($305+tax)

It goes to the shooting range every few weeks and inside an Uncle Mike Sidekick holster, #16 I believe, the M-43 goes on long motorcycle trips with me.

With CorBon ammo, it's a shooter and a keeper!!:celebrate
 

compmanio365

Regular Member
Joined
Apr 21, 2007
Messages
2,013
Location
Pierce County, Washington, USA
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Got the Firestar Plus for the wife, she loves it and wouldn't let me get rid of it if I wanted to. :p Great, accurate, fun, it's just a good all around gun. Put some night sight dots on it and that helps in low light; just give it a quick flash with a flashlight and it glows for a while. Easy as heck to take down and put back together, showed the wife how to do it and now she cleans her own gun. :D

If you find one for cheap, pick it up, cause they are good little guns to carry.
 

SteveInAshand

Regular Member
Joined
Jan 10, 2009
Messages
267
Location
Ass-land (Ashland) OR, , USA
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I just shot a Star PD in 45, my freind wanted me to evaluate it because he knows I am a star man.

I own and have owned the Firestar in 45 ( as pictured a few posts ago), and a Firestar 40, & a 380, but not the PD and I am very impressed with the PD 45 too the trigger is better than my re-worked Firestar M45 trigger

The PD is my next 45 purchase, its light and medium sized with decent ego's, heck with a couple mod's like cut down the hammer and radius it ofr easer thumb reach, ad night sights , smooth the mag release for a combat drop and Wa La instant "mans best friend".
 

jomax45

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Feb 20, 2009
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I have carried a Firestar M-45 for 10 years. It is very accurate. Never jams on me. It is one of the strongest actions i have ever used. I regularly use it to hunt jackrabbits ( a great way to build up shooting skills ). My only complant is i wish it had a grip safety like my 1911. Parts are fairly available on gunparts.com. Overall a great gun for carry. I only recently started to carry a Glock (new toy) but still use the Firestar alot.
 

Grapeshot

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jomax45 wrote:
I have carried a Firestar M-45 for 10 years. It is very accurate. Never jams on me. It is one of the strongest actions i have ever used. I regularly use it to hunt jackrabbits ( a great way to build up shooting skills ). My only complant is i wish it had a grip safety like my 1911. Parts are fairly available on gunparts.com. Overall a great gun for carry. I only recently started to carry a Glock (new toy) but still use the Firestar alot.
Welcome aboard jomax45

If you have followed this thread or read it in its entirety, you note that their are not a few of us enamored with Stars. As such we would be interested in any new source of parts as we have found that such are not available but from a few suppliers. The best being Ipar Guns in Spain - see my posting dated Oct 12th.

Any new specifics with direct links would be appreciated.

Yata hey
 

ballester

Regular Member
Joined
Sep 29, 2006
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127
Location
MILLERS CREEK N.C.
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i too like stars...i dont think the firestar series of pistols are all that good looking...however i never heard anything bad about them...i almost picked up a blued .45 firestar for $175..however it was the electric bill and water or a new gun in a caliber i had nothing for...and when you buy a new gun you have to get a new holster and new HP ammo and at least 100 rds of ball for practice or SHTF situations. also passed on a star BM 9mm for $150 only becasue of the safety was so loose and sloppy i wondered if it was a back ally worker in another life:lol:..i considered it for a range only or maybe as the new bathroom gun( yes people can break in while you catch up your reading or are showering believe it or not and i have a small .22 revolver jsut for that purpose) but alas again something came up and i had to pay a bill...such is life...however i will not pass up one again if the funds are there...preferbly in 9mm so all ammo and cleaning stuff will match..and i like 9mm darnit...:celebrate

IMHO
 

Grapeshot

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There are some nice looking Stars throughout this thread - take a look.

Also the spouse of a poster on this thread has a PD model that is sooo beautiful that I would almost hurt someone to get my hands on it. :D

Perhaps he/she will honor us with a photo - that person will know to what I make reference.

Yata hey
 

Legba

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I could bring my Spanish steel to the shop and get out the last one left in the case and get some pics for everyone, possibly...

-ljp
 
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