Star BM takedown

[Tom2]

Gentlemen,

Anyone out there can give me the quick procedure on field stripping the Star BM 9MM? Other than it looks Browningish, It does not appear obvious to me. GOt no instructions with this! Rather than pry, press, smack and twist on the poor thing, I figure I should forego post-gunshow cleanup till I can get it right! Thanks, Tom

 

[jacketch]

My instructions are in Spanish but it seems more than similar to my BrowningHP.

After removing the magazine and clearing the weapon, check the chamber.

If the pistol is empty, pull the slide back and lock it with the safety.
Twist the slide stop upward about 1/16" and slide it from the frame.
Release the safety and slide the frame forward and off the pistol.
The recoil spring/guiderod can then be removed by pressing it forward until it is freed from the barrel lug and then sliding it backward.
Twist the barrel bushing clockwise (from the front) until it comes free and slide the barrel out.

Reassembly in reverse order.

 

[Tom2]

Thanks, now to test it

I got bored looking at it Sunday, so I tried another approach. I guess I figured out what that other safety notch in the slide was for, duh! Was not sure, as I saw that other little knob thingee behind the slide release and it was just enough different from a 1911 to throw me off? Got it apart and cleaned out all the black crud from a lazy previous owner. Nice shiny bore.
This gun was reviewed in the past, like the late 80's, as a decent compact 9MM for the money. This one is broken in by the Spanish police, so maybe good reliability? Sure like that crisp trigger pull. If all guns were that good out of the box....Yes I have a snapcap in it. Heard BM firing pins can fracture if dry fired too much without one. And it is hard to replace. Thanks, Tom2

 

[jacketch]

Mine also has a smooth trigger. Natchez has firing pins and extractors for the BM.

 

[Tom2]

Thanks!

Maybe I better get those spare parts while I can. I cannot even find a history of the BM or much of anything about it online. Astra guns have alot more info available, that I can find. I read that Star and Astra had combined, and is now called Astar, this on an unofficial Star webpage!

 

[jacketch]

Is this the web site you found?

 

[jacketch]

This Gives date codes for Star manufacture.

 

[Tom2]

Thanks for info

Yes, I had been to the same unofficial Star page. Thanks about the Cruffler tip, I did not know he had the info. Mine is coded V 1 under the grip, for 1977, thought it might be older. Fired it with some plain ball ammo and some silvertips. Ball was 100%, Silvertips would sometimes dive the first round into the ramp and jam. But fed it all when firing. Groups were disappointing. Ball was all over the place. Silvertips were at least mostly in the black somewhere at 25 yards, holding low as it shot at least a foot high at that range. Was hoping for the smaller groups I saw listed in a review, since the gun is not worn much, in pretty nice shape. Think I will keep it as the resale at a show has to be next to nil right now!

 

[jacketch]

Sorry to hear about the poor accuracy out of your gun. I have been using WWB HP and FMJ or Federal HydraShok JHP and have had excellent accuracy with it. I noticed a few times that the slide didn't want to go into battery on the first round with the hollow points. Polishing the ramp helped this and I haven't had the problem (though I only shot 50 rounds since then.) I did adjust the rear sight as mine was hitting left. I also opened up the rear sight a bit to allow better aiming. So far I have been happy with mine.

 

[Dakotan]

My particular BM was a Spanish Police pistol that had been back to Star for refurbishment when the Police upgraded sidearms (wonder what they upgraded to ). I still have the original box, instruction manual, and cleaning rod. Southern Ohio Guns was selling them for $169 in 1989 or '90, so I picked up a couple for the shop I manged. And "refurbish" these guns they did! They both looked and felt like they had just had come out of the "Star Custom Shop" . PERFECT slide to frame fit, tight, unworn locking lugs, shoots exactly to POA for me, and is utterly reliable.
It continues to be the single most accurate compact pistol I've ever had the pleasure of firing; my now sold Glock 19 included!

Just The View From Here! - Dakotan