Star B questions

[Sirex]

I am thinking about maybe eventually getting a Star B in 9mm. I see 2 listed. A Star model B, and a Star model Super B. Is there a significance between the 2 and anythi g I should be warned about with these? Looking for something that doesn't require a HQL. Thanks.

 

[rifelman]

Super is a little fancier, easier to pull the barrel off with a built in take down lever, also has a loaded chamber indicator. Star B built a lot like a 1911 on the outside with the lever on the right. No grip safety on either. I have a strange addiction to them. Some info on the web here http://www.star-firearms.com/firearms/guns/b/

 

[rdc]

Pretty sure the Super B is not C&R. Too new.
The regular Star Bs are nice guns.

 

[rifelman]

Pretty sure the Super B is not C&R. Too new.
The regular Star Bs are nice guns.

Not a lot of them around, but the super started in 46 or 47 I think

 

[Sirex]

Crap, so the Supers may not be C&R? That sucks. I don't have, not plan to get a HQL. Any restrictions on ammo for these? I assume FMJ, and no +P ammo. Grain weight preference? Did these used to be 9x21 converted to 9x19? Thanks for all the info.

 

[somd_mustangs]

Many of the Super B's are C&R, check the date code on the left of frame, and/or check the serial number.
Some "straight" B's are not C&R.

Bottom line is checking the date and/or serial number.

 

[brownspotz]

I have just the plain star model b. Both are fte machines. Need new extractor springs etc. Pretty fun when they don't jam though. Don't know the difference between super vs plain.

 

[rdc]

I didn't t know that about Super Bs. I'm going to keep an eye out now.

 

[whistlersmother]

Read somewhere - here? - not to dry fire the star b. Get some snap caps.

 

[somd_mustangs]

Definitely don't dry fire an early Star (A,B, M1920 etc).
The firing pin will break.

 

[rifelman]

The A model was made for Spanish military in 9mm largo (9x23) it's hotter than 9x19 but not as hot as 38 Super. The B model was the same basic gun chambered in 9x19. The Germans bought a bunch of Bs in WWII. Supers often aren't marked as As or B, but the caliber will let you know. It's usually stamped in the hood of the barrel. Either 9mm largo or "P'08" or "F. Patr. 08" are just ways to denote 9 mm Parabellum

 

[madchestermonkey]

I have an early 70s star b, as long I keep to steel cased ammo no problems, it's not a fan of brass. They are neat guns, I wouldn't keep mine for home defense buts it's a good range toy

 

[Sirex]

The A model was made for Spanish military in 9mm largo (9x23) it's hotter than 9x19 but not as hot as 38 Super. The B model was the same basic gun chambered in 9x19. The Germans bought a bunch of Bs in WWII. Supers often aren't marked as As or B, but the caliber will let you know. It's usually stamped in the hood of the barrel. Either 9mm largo or "P'08" or "F. Patr. 08" are just ways to denote 9 mm Parabellum

Thank you

 

[2112rws]

I have a 1945 Star B. Shot it at Freestate range about two weeks ago. That was the first time I had fired it and it worked great for about 50 rounds until the pin that holds the extractor in place worked itself up and the extractor and spring disappeared some ware in the range. I couldn't find it and I asked them to be on the lookout for it but so far no luck. Any one know where to find a replacement extractor and spring that fits the Star 'B'? Right now it's just a very expensive paperweight.

 

[toolness1]

I have just the plain star model b. Both are fte machines. Need new extractor springs etc. Pretty fun when they don't jam though. Don't know the difference between super vs plain.

Have you tried steel cased ammo?

Mine chokes on anything brass, but runs perfect with Tula steel cased.

I have been meaning to try some reloads at max OAL.

Apparently one of the reasons they jam is the round moving forward in the magazine, which is made for the longer original cartridge.

 

[brownspotz]

I have a 1945 Star B. Shot it at Freestate range about two weeks ago. That was the first time I had fired it and it worked great for about 50 rounds until the pin that holds the extractor in place worked itself up and the extractor and spring disappeared some ware in the range. I couldn't find it and I asked them to be on the lookout for it but so far no luck. Any one know where to find a replacement extractor and spring that fits the Star 'B'? Right now it's just a very expensive paperweight.

https://www.gunpartscorp.com/Manufacturers/Star-33508/B-42119.htm?page=2

 

[Doctor_M]

My Star B eats up cheap steel cases like candy. It actually does much better with the cheap stuff than good brass. Wolf/Tula... it loves them.

 

[Machodoc]

This has been discussed elsewhere before, so I'll just summarize:

The original design of the Star A was 9x21mm, and the mags used subsequently for 9x19 (Edit: both the A and B) tend to have a bit of fore and aft "slop" in them. This is most noticeable with brass-cased ammo because the cases slide easily on top of each other and get out of column. The steel-cased ammo has a rougher surface and is less likely to slide around--allowing the ammo to stay stacked in column within the mag.

There have been articles written about modifying the "loose" mags with shims, etc., but just loading up cheap ammo usually is sufficient.

Also ...

There are some Star B guns that aren't old enough to be C&R (not many), and some Star B Supers that are old enough (but most are not). The biggest difference between the two is that the Star B Super is designed so that take-down to remover the slide and barrel (etc.) for cleaning is faster and easier than with the B or A design.

 

[somd_mustangs]

Minor correction: 9mm Largo is 9x23, Browning Long is 9x21

Many of the officially imported Model A's (and other Spanish guns in 9mm Largo) were modified to run .38ACP which is also 9x23 but with semi-rimmed case.

To add to the confusion, the Star A and B barrels are interchangeable (9mm Largo vs 9mm Parabellum) so it pays to carefully check the chamber. I have an older M1921 with a Star B 9mm P barrel and it works fine.

But I digress...

 

[Machodoc]

Minor correction: 9mm Largo is 9x23, Browning Long is 9x21

Argh ... that's what I get for trying to post without coffee. You're right, of course!