Star B questions

Melnic · Aug 25, 2015

There are 2 older star B threads here somewhere.
My dad and I got ours from Robertson Trading post via gunsamerica.
I spent as much as I could on a cleaner looking unit. My dad's safety needed some reworking and my barrel bushing blew out after about 300 rounds. I had mine welded and fixed by a fellow MDS member (I still owe you some 22LR!).
Both would have FTF or FTE issues with the stock mags but an after market mag ($40) fixed the issue. I think the lips or something on the mags are the issue and there are some articles on that. MANY people complain about FTE or FTF on the Star B. I just load up 5 rounds at the range at a time and don't have too many issues, even with the stock mag, its when I go 8 or 8+1 that the stock mag gives me issues.

If you want a 9mm C&R, 2 other choices are the Beretta 51 and the Walther P1.
Of the 3, the Beretta has the better trigger and a more consistant shooer, the Star B follows that and the Walther is a very close third. All are great shooters but my SOG Walther is solid performer and NEVER has been an issue. I have probably 600 rounds through the Walther, but only about 200 in the Beretta.

somd_mustangs · Aug 25, 2015

... just remember the Beretta 51 has a reputation for breaking the lock block, and there are NO replacements available anywhere ...

falconguy · Aug 25, 2015

Sirex said:
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.

The Super B isn't C&R. Both the Model and Super B are fun to shoot. Here's mine.

1944 Model B
1945 Model B
Super B

falconguy · Aug 25, 2015

somd_mustangs said:
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.

The date code for the Super B is under the left grip.

somd_mustangs · Aug 25, 2015

falconguy said:
The Super B isn't C&R.

is to, is to! :innocent0

First Super B production was in 1954.

falconguy said:
The date code for the Super B is under the left grip.

the Super B's before S/N 1,000,000 had the 3 proofs in the "standard" place on the left frame over the trigger (and presumably S/N on the butt).
After that the S/N moved to the right side frame and proofs went under the grip.

(source: Dr. Antaris book)

falconguy · Aug 26, 2015

somd_mustangs said:
is to, is to!

First Super B production was in 1954.

the Super B's before S/N 1,000,000 had the 3 proofs in the "standard" place on the left frame over the trigger (and presumably S/N on the butt).
After that the S/N moved to the right side frame and proofs went under the grip.

(source: Dr. Antaris book)

I stand corrected. My Super B from AIM Surplus wasn't C&R. I haven't bothered to check the date.

ea689c · Aug 27, 2015

So all Super Modelo A's (9x23 Largo) are C&R?

Machodoc · Aug 27, 2015

ea689c said:
So all Super Modelo A's (9x23 Largo) are C&R?

I'd have to check, but I'm pretty sure that's correct.

Jimbob2.0 · Nov 28, 2015

Had my B out this weekend, finally. Its a little rough but a blast to shoot. Would love to source another one that is C&R eligible.

somd_mustangs · Nov 28, 2015

ea689c said:
So all Super Modelo A's (9x23 Largo) are C&R?

Nope. They made them sporadically up thru the 1980's.
You have to check the date code (see previous posts).
Odds are good that if you run across one it will be C&R though.

Jimbob2.0 said:
Had my B out this weekend, finally. Its a little rough but a blast to shoot. Would love to source another one that is C&R eligible.

when they run right, they're a lot of fun.
"the right one" will pop up for you sooner or later.

Jimbob2.0 · Nov 28, 2015

somd_mustangs said:
Nope. They made them sporadically up thru the 1980's.
You have to check the date code (see previous posts).
Odds are good that if you run across one it will be C&R though.

when they run right, they're a lot of fun.
"the right one" will pop up for you sooner or later.

Ya I will stumble across another, you always get decent stuff when not in a hurry! For example, finally got my Jungle Carbine I have been wanting since 1995!

frogman68 · Nov 28, 2015

somd_mustangs said:
Nope. They made them sporadically up thru the 1980's.
You have to check the date code (see previous posts).
Odds are good that if you run across one it will be C&R though.

when they run right, they're a lot of fun.
"the right one" will pop up for you sooner or later.

Jimbob2.0 said:
Ya I will stumble across another, you always get decent stuff when not in a hurry! For example, finally got my Jungle Carbine I have been wanting since 1995!

Silly question , the P64 I just picked up is date code 1974 why was that C&R ? Would love to get a Star B

yellowsled · Nov 28, 2015

frogman68 said:
Silly question , the P64 I just picked up is date code 1974 why was that C&R ? Would love to get a Star B

The P64 is specifically listed on the C&R book that the atf puts out.

Melnic · Nov 28, 2015

yellowsled said:
The P64 is specifically listed on the C&R book that the atf puts out.

Curio can be put into the book as he says. All serial numbers are a curio.
https://www.atf.gov/file/84376/download

frogman68 · Nov 28, 2015

yellowsled said:
The P64 is specifically listed on the C&R book that the atf puts out.

Melnic said:
Curio can be put into the book as he says. All serial numbers are a curio.
https://www.atf.gov/file/84376/download

Thanks , the search continues

Retired Old Guy · Nov 28, 2015

So far, I have been able to get three of the Model B's in the house, past my wife.

After almost losing extractor pin on two of them, from them walking out of the hole during firing, I put a dab of blue thread lock on each of the pins.

Still easy to remove for maintenance, but they remain in place under use.

Mark75H · Nov 28, 2015

What is parts availabity of each model?

Melnic · Nov 28, 2015

Mark75H said:
What is parts availabity of each model?

Hit and miss
Look at gunparts.com

Many parts listed but may not be in stock

Retired Old Guy · Nov 28, 2015

Melnic said:
Hit and miss
Look at gunparts.com

Many parts listed but may not be in stock

Ordered three Extractors (Part #66) from them.
All were the wrong size, as the distance from the pin hole to the edge was too short.
Nothing could be done to fit them. Sent them photos of the original part along side the replacement for comparison. They refunded the purchase price with no problem.

Machodoc · Nov 28, 2015

Jimbob2.0 said:
Ya I will stumble across another, you always get decent stuff when not in a hurry! For example, finally got my Jungle Carbine I have been wanting since 1995!

Post photos of your jungle carbine and I'll post some of the one that I just got. It's definitely got that "been there and done that" look ... but it probably has.

As for the Star B issues with mags, that's a long and detailed story, but in most cases (pun intended) they work better with steel-cased ammo like TulAmmo. Brass-cased ammo doesn't work as well in most Star Bs. The short explanation is that brass cases are slippery against each other and move out of column easily in the Star B mags. The rougher steel-cased ammo tends to stay stacked in column better.

Yeah ... you'd think that the more expensive ammo would work better, but not in this case.

Star B questions

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