Firearms and ammunition

The Model 28 heralded an entirely new direction for Star. This was the beginning of an era of home-grown designs, rather than simple modifications to other platforms. Shortly, the Colt 1911 derived weapons upon which Star had built its business and reputation for over 50 years would be discontinued as well.

The unique features of the M28 were to be re-used in most subsequent designs. These are:

• Standard calibers — No longer would 9 mm Largo be the primary caliber of most Star pistols. 9 mm Parabellum and other world standard calibers were exclusively used from this point onward.
• Inverted slide rails — The slide is surrounded by the frame, instead of being perched on top and wrapped around small protrusions of the frame. The entire frame is engaged in slide/frame lockup, even the dustcover. This theoretically encourages accuracy and longevity from the longer engagement distance.
• Closed cam-path locking — Browning style locking is a short-recoil system, where the force of the gun firing pushes the barrel and slide back as a locked unit a short distance. They then unlock and the slide continues its recoil and loading cycle alone. The first version of this, and all non-super Stars used a swinging link. This separate piece of metal was replaced on most guns with a simple ramp. The M28 (and SIG P-210, and CZ-75, and others) use a cam path that entirely controls the action of the barrel, like a link, but with fewer moving parts. The bright green shape under the barrel in this animation highlights the cam path.
  
• Double-action lockwork — All previous Star pistols were single-action, requiring the pistol to be carried with the hammer back and safety engaged. Conventional double-action pistols can fire the first round with the hammer down, which is seen as safer.
• Trigger-pulling safety — Until the M31 and later guns, like the Megastar, modern Star pistols had a safety lever but no decocker. The hammer stayed cocked when on safe, which completely blocked the firing pin, but allowed the trigger to be pulled and to release the hammer. Even when decockers appeared, they were an optional position after this same safety position.
• No screws and few pins — The model 28 pistol can be disassebled almost entirely with only pieces attached to the weapon. The slide stop has a smaller diameter end piece that can be used to remove the hammer stop and remove the firing pin, and to depress the backstrap plunger, which releases the grip panels. All small pins (as for the extractor) are sized so the firing pin can be used as a punch (but, firing pins are fragile and critical to operation, do don’t do this!). Only a few screws are used, such as for adjustable sights and the magazine release. The advantage is of course that soldiers in the field can fix issues and clean weapons without bringing extra tools. Also, screws cannot come loose and be lost, putting a weapon out of service.
• Captured recoil spring — The recoil spring is retained by a bushing and pin, instead of being readily removable from the guide rod. This makes assembly and disassembly easier and there is less chance of loss of parts.

Ancestry of the M28

These features, taken as a whole, have led many observers to decide that Stars of this era are all derived from the CZ75. Though I have never been in contact with a Star weapons designer, I believe this to be untrue, and that the Star designs are derived from 1930 Swiss pistols instead. A number of subtle details of design suggest to me that the Star engineers were looking at SIGs. Of course, the most telling point is that the CZ-75 was first offered for sale in 1975, whereas Super style Stars with closed-cam unlocking were made from the late 1940s onward.

Though it would be nice to declare that Star simply invented the more interesting features, all of them see to be able to be traced to Charles Petter designs of the 1930s. His SACM pistol, adoped by the French in a unique and anemic cartridge as the Mle. 1935A, had many of the features found in later Star pistols, including the captured recoil spring and removable lockwork. On almost all other weapons, including the CZ-75, the lock pieces are individually retained in the frame and removal is a non-trivial procedure. On the SACM, SIG210 and modern Stars the hammer, sear, and so on can be easily removed from the frame as a single unit. The M28 (and most others that followed) have a removable backstrap, whereas the Swiss guns had the lockwork contained in a small housing inside the frame, but the principle is the same, and is not found otherwise.

The SIG 210 is a direct decendent of Petter’s SACM pistol, but subsequent SIGs mutated into a series of similar and rather conventional pistols.

Model 28

The Star model 28 was one of the first of what quickly came to be known as the “wondernines.” These were any double-column, high-capacity, double-action 9 mm Parabellum handguns. They were intended to trade total firepower (volume of fire) for caliber and to be easy for less-trained individuals to use.

The other pistol which can claim to be the first “wondernine” is the French MAB PA-15. This pistol was adopted for service in the early 1980s, and is just now being drawn down. The M28 was itself never adopted, but tried very hard to get there.

The Model 28 was developed more or less specifially to meet US requirements for a universal service pistol. It was one of the few entered into the first JSAAP contest, from which – eventually – the Beretta 92 was crowned the M9 service pistol. In this first trial, the M28 showed very, very poorly, stopping an average of every five rounds. Though this has been sometimes blamed on ammunition, one suspects that a military service pistol should be very tolerant of ammunition. Other weapons entered also did extremely poorly, especially US-made guns. The Smith & Wesson entry kept shedding its front sight, and a Ruger entry broke links, just for two examples.

Only relatively few of these were built and sold commercially, and they all seem to perform just fine. I have never heard of a complaint from an owner of an M28. Star did not enter the second round of JSAAP testing, partly because their redesigned gun had been accepted for Spanish service and they were busy enough filling those orders (see M30, below).

The model 28 is basically similar to any of the many double-column, double-action pistols on store shelves today. The most unusual features have been covered above. In addition, the extractor is unusual in being located at the 12 o’clock position, right on top of the slide. The large bar on the right side, is simply a loaded-chamber indicator. This whole arrangement seems to have caused issues, as it was completely changed in later designs.

Model 30

The Model 30 is really the heart of this series, and fixed all the issues and oddities of the M28. Though a few other detail changes also took place, the primary difference is in the extractor. Its now a normal, short bar at the right side of the gun. This extractor also serves as a loaded chamber indicator.

In its improved form, this pistol was adopted for service by a number of Spanish police organizations, and the Spanish armed forces. As I understand it, the police adopted the PK and the military the M versions. Here, PK means Police length (shorter) and alumium, where M means military or longer and steel-framed. I have heard that Spanish Air Force pilots also use PK versions, and some Guardia personell use the M also. The Guardia Civil is a paramilitary organization and is both police and military, so this is a frequent source of issued-weapon confusion. The M30 was also adopted in some numbers by Peruvian police and security forces.

In the interest of full disclosure, I have not heard of any Spanish military personell carrying a Star pistol in the past few years. All reports are with the Llama M82s instead. If anyone can confirm of current use of the M30, or any other Star weapon, tell me about it.

Clarification on Spanish Service weapons
In the United States, and several other countries, when a military weapon is adopted it is made standard and practically everyone who uses a weapon of that class will use the new issue weapon as soon as enough are purchased. In many other countries, this is not how it happens. Instead, a number of weapons may be classified as service-acceptable and contracts are given for smaller runs based on price, special needs at the time and so on. The Germans do this; any P-series pistol (P5, P7, P9) indicates that it is classified as an acceptable police weapon.

On the other hand, police forces in the US and some other countries are decentralized, and there is no such thing as a standard police pistol. The tens of thousands of individual agencies are free to choose their own weapons. Other countries either have a centralized police force, or have a centralized standards-setting body. In these places, such as Spain, adoption as a police pistol guarantees large sales.

Starfire and Model 30 MI
The Model 30 was sold, at least in the US under the “Starfire” brand name as well. This seems to have become a generic name for all M30 pistols for some time, and is frequently encountered in value books for example. However, most M30s are not stamped “Starfire” so use the value books carefully in this case.

I have encountered a very few model 30 MI variants. Almost all of these are also stamped “Starfire.” Though I am not aware of any differences between the basic model 30M and the the model 30MI, the one reader who is sure of his pistol’s provenance knows it came from Israel. Though Star did not generally give customer-specific suffixes (I for Israel), its a common in the defense industry, so may explain this variant.

Model 30M Target
This, like the several other Target variants seem to be quite rare. However, they command no particular premium on today’s market, so if you like one, just keep an eye out. I have never seen them officially cataloged, so am not sure what their official designation or entire feature set is, but they obviously have larger and more adjustable sights, and come with sight adjustment tools. Most Target models come with a target to prove that they can shoot well. I assume they have a better trigger, and like many european modifications to DA service pistols, it might only be single-action.

Model 31

The model 31 is an extensive, update to the model 30 series, and saw some commercial sales before the closure of the Star plant. I know of no military or police sales, but cannot rule them out either. It was made in the usual variants, both PK and M. Though it is theoretically possible for there to be an MK and a P, a letter from the factory at the time assured ne no such weapons were sold in either the 30 or 31 series. M31 pistols were also made in Starvel, or nickel-plated versions. I have only encountered these in steel-framed pistols.

The 31 varies from the 30 in a few details of design, including minor frame and slide contours, and the shape of the safety lever. Most parts continue to be interchangable with the models 30 and even 28. Note that on the parts list the first two values indicate the original series, and several parts still start with “28.” The main changes are to the barrel and safety lever operation, but a number of the internal pieces have changed, and the extractor was modified yet again. The extractor is a shorter piece, that rotates over a larger angle, and is very similar to that used on the Firestars. In fact, the extractor spring is the same as that used on the M43.

The barrel of the model 31 is “coned,” or wider at the front, with an expanded spherical bushing at the extreme muzzle end. Browning-lock pistols tilt the barrel when locking to battery. A tight and consistent lockup is critical to repeatable accuracy. Previous models used the usual method with as straight tube barrel and a bushing pressed into the slide which impinges on the barrel. Coned barrels essentially reverse this arrangement, and are supposedly more accurate, especially over time.

The safety lever operates as it has always done, by blocking the firing pin and allowing the trigger to be pulled and the hammer to fall. There is also an additional position, if the lever is pushed past safe. This decocks the weapon (dropping the hammer for you), and is a spring-loaded, temporary position. When the user releases the lever, it springs back to the safe position. If you release it very smartly, the lever will flip back all the way up to the fire position, which I find to be a feature, not a bug.

Model 31M .40 S&W Caliber
When the .40 S&W cartridge emerged in 1990, Star jumped on the bandwagon with numerous other companies and rapidly threw out a .40 version of an existing gun. The M31M in .40 does not seem to have been heavily produced. It is possible only a few hundred were made, in fact. They had significant reliability issues (as many of the early .40 modified pistols did by other makers). These were only available in steel versions, presumably to handle the recoil force, and about half are in Starvel.

From: http://star-firearms.com/firearms/guns/283031/index.shtml

The Firestar series is a group of small, compact pistols designed for concealed carry. These are interesting in several ways. First of all, in that there is a true series. Not one that emerged over time as variants were introducted, but a series conceived and sold all at the same time. This offered small, single-stack pistols in 9 mm Parabellum, .40 S&Wand .45 ACP, and a double-column — but otherwise identical — 9 mm as well.

Secondly, these are a mix of mechanical features. Though constructed firmly in the modern era, they are still single action. Slide rails are inverted, and the locking system is generally of the most modern styling, with coned barrels which did not otherwise emerge until the M31 and Megastar. The trigger system is, however, almost identical to that of the classic series, even forsaking the removable backstrap of the modern series pistols.

Other mechanical differences include the lack of a firing pin stop plate. To remove the firing pin, the rear sight must be removed (by hammering it off), and the drop safety pull out the top. The trigger is basically that of the 1911 clones like the B series, and retains the disappointing single side transfer bar.

Although I can only surmise the point of these guns was to capture the same concealed carry market the then-discontinued PD blazed, they never achieved the same following. Though reasonably popular sellers, by the time they emerged, there were a number of competitors, including a large selection of increasingly compact 1911s. They were also rather heavy by comparison, and the only alloy-framed pistol offered was the double-stack M234.

Model 43 & 40

The model 43 and 40 are mechanically identical, and in fact almost all parts are interchangable. The only difference is in caliber. The M43 is in 9 mm Parabellum/Luger and the M40 is in .40 S&W. It should be noted that, unlike the M31 in .40, and many other early .40 caliber pistols, the M40 is perfectly reliable.

Both of these pistols have steel frames, are equipped with magazine safeties and drop safeties. Ambidesterous safety levers block the engagement of the trigger, but not movement of the slide, so it can be very safetly loaded and unloaded.

The slide on both pistols was originally identical, with a sloped, trapezoidal shape. Very early into the production, M40 pistols began to appear with heavier and more slab-sided slides. This is presumably to address a reliability or battering issue with the increased recoil impulse of the .40 S&W cartridge. However, the two owners of trapezoidal-slide M40s I have conversed with have seen no reliability or maintenance issues.

Star never issued a kit gun, or a single frame with multiple top-ends to offer multiple-caliber capability. Although this has been accomplished by some of our readers, it is presumably therefore not suggested by Star.

Model 45

The M45 is the .45 caliber version of the Firestar series. It is similar in most respects to the M3 and M40 pistols, but is slightly larger in all dimensions to accomodate the larger cartridge. Few or no parts are interchangable between the two frame sizes.

The slide of the M45 has, as far as I can tell, always been of the slab-sided design, and is polished on the flats.

Model 243

The M243 is most commonly referred to as the “Firestar Plus.” This is essentially an M43 9 mm Firestar, with a largely different alloy frame containing a double-column, 13-shot magazine. Attempts are made to nullify much of the width with very thin stocks (so thin they are attached at the rear) though the grip is still very boxy. Some shooters also have trouble shooting in a “high grip” mode due to the width of the pistol around the safety levers.

M240?

Periodically, there are references to .40 and .45 caliber Firestar Plus pistols. I disregarded these for year as simply assuming the series of single stacks also resulted in a series of double-column pistols. Although I still doubt the existance of a .45 caliber Firestar Plus, I am now certain a .40 caliber pistol existed in some form at least.

I presume this pistol would be designated, at least internally, the M240. It is easy to assume such a weapon exists, as readers of this site have successfully fired M40 slide assemblies on top of M243 frames. Additionally, and most tellingly, I personally own a number of .40 caliber magazines for the Firestar Plus. These are made by MecGar, but they are clearly the OEM maker of other Firestar magazines, so presumably knew something. Incidentally, these are available relatively cheaply, and feed 9 mm perfectly well, if you are looking for M243 magazines.

From: http://star-firearms.com/firearms/guns/firestar/index.shtml

From: http://star-firearms.com/firearms/guns/megastar/index.shtml

The Megastar is a large, all-steel, selective double-action, double-column automatic pistol, designed specifically to accept both .45 ACP and 10 mm Norma Auto cartridges. The Megastar is also known as the Model 50, but it was sold almost entirely under the Megastar brand name throughtout the world. The slide is, in my experience, invariably marked “Megastar” plus the caliber in large letters on the right side.

Megastars are are perfect examples of the modern Star style, taking all design and style cues from the M28/31/31 series. They have inverted slide rails, closed-cam unlocking, a slide mounted safety, removable double-action lockwork and so on. See the 28, 30 and 31 page for notes on the evolution of these features, and more details. Like the Model 31, the safety lever also acts as a decocker when pressed down past safe. Releasing it will return the lever to safe; releasing it very smartly will return it to the fire position.

Both blue (actually black phosphate) and Starvel nickel plated versions were available, in both calibers. Magazines held 12 rounds of .45 and 14 of 10 mm. For no clear reason, most 10 mm magazines in the US have a strip of steel welded to the inside to limit their capacity to 12 rounds also. The .45 magazines will function correctly, however, and hold the full 14 rounds. Magazines are also available in either Starvel or black phosphate, though are relatively rare, and hence expensive.

There are no other variants. No compact, target, or upgraded versions of any sort that I am aware of. All came with the same nice but fixed sights. If you can handle the grip size, the weight makes it a very easy gun to shoot even with very powerful loads. Note that I have experienced severe leading with the .45 versions, so either clean carefully, or avoid solid lead bullets. The gun is built like a tank, so I did not have any severe failures, however.

Why a big 10 mm?

The Bren Ten pistol and the accompanying cartridge was introduced in 1983, as a collaboration between Dornaus & Dixon and Norma. The idea originated somewhat earlier, with Jeff Cooper postulating a .400 caliber cartridge with better than 9 mm terminal performance and better than .45 ballistic performance. The gun and cartridge languished as a niche, sort of automatic magnum for some years, till the FBI began using them for special purposes in the late 1980s.

An investigation of the 1983 Miami shootout (which killed two FBI agents and wounded five others) resulted in the bureau finally dropping the .38 Special revolver in favor of an automatic. The choice suprised everyone by being a 10 mm automatic (the S&W 1076).

At the time of its introduction in 1992, the Megastar was the only production pistol rated for a steady diet of full-power 10 mm ammunition. Colt Delta Elite 1911s and the Smith & Wesson 10xx pistols would shoot themselves apart under such stress. The FBI’s downloaded 10 became the .40 S&W, and smaller pistols again were all the rage. The 10 mm Norma Auto never caught on, and the FBI moved on to .40 caliber SIGs.

By the time the Megastar was in full production, it was almost too late. Star sorta missed the boat here. However, I have to wonder what they were thinking with this gun in general. If it was to be a defensive pistol, I would expect compact and alloy framed versions. Star certainly knew how to do this, and had achieved their best commercial success with small, light versions of their larger guns, and then the Firestar line. Additionally, why was there never a 10 mm Firestar? The lanyard loop is another thing that makes me wonder. Only duty pistols for certain police forces, and most armies really need a lanyard loop. By the 1990s it was simply never seen on a commercial market pistol. I wonder if there was not some specific contract that Star was pursuing with the Megastar, which they presumably didn’t get. Not wanting to waste the engineering dollars, the gun entered production as a commercial product. This is all speculation; I don’t have the answers, but the clues are tantalizing.

Stripping the Megastar

I have a manual for the Megastar, but it takes a long time to scan one and turn it into a PDF, so don’t hold your breath. I owned one also, so will simply tell you how to strip it. Feel free to email my questions if having trouble.

The stripping pin on the Megastar is similar to, but different from all other pistols I can think of. Its a separate piece, not part of the slide lock lever, and is removed left to right. Pull the slide back slightly while pushing the oval button on the frame, above the front of the trigger guard. When it pops out at little, pull it out the rest of the way. If its hard to remove, trry a non-marring punch, or use the included tool to hook around the notch on the now exposed face. When removed, the slide will come off the frame forward. Remove slide components as usual.

Once the slide is off, the trigger assembly can be removed. This does not need to happen every time, but you can if you need to seriously clean it. The grips are also held on by the backstrap. This is similar to the system used on the Models 28, 30 and 31, so look at that manual for general guidance and tips. The release button for the Megastar is on the inside of the magazine well, right near the bottom. Press the button to the rear of the gun.

From: http://star-firearms.com/firearms/guns/ultrastar/index.shtml

Model 205 Ultrastar 9 mm & .40 cal. Pistols

Also using the same operating method as the M31, but with an ejector port locking block, the Ultrastar pistols are smaller and lighter guns for carry and concealment. A single-column pistol in either 9 mm Parabellum or .40 S&W cal., their primary feature of interest is a polymer frame. This is constructed with steel inserts and a ribbed magazine well for extra stiffness and strength. Fitted with a straight barrel instead of a cone, the Ultrastars are lightweight and well-suited for their intended role, with even the safety lever designed fit flush when on ‘fire.’

Ultrastars are also single-column pistols, which is unusual for a newly-deisgned pistol these days, and helps make the gun slim and comfortable. They could have been designed even more slim, but instead there is significant thickness, with reinforcing webs, under each grip area. This gives the frame a very solid feel, something lacking in many other plastic framed pistols.

The Ultrastars firing pin/safety system is substantially that of the M28/30/31. The safety lever is arranged opposite that of other modern Star pistols (protruding to the rear of the axis) and is designed to fit flush when on fire, instead of sticking out like most others. The firing pin stop plate is set up as usual; depress the firing pin to slide the plate up and off. The drop safety will, of course, have to be depressed to allow enough travel in the firing pin.

The stripping pin is retained in the frame when pushed to the side to strip and is separate from the slide lock, as on the Megastar. The slide lock lever, magazine release and other features are reminiscent of the Megastar as well.

Note that there is a small stud protruding from the bottom of the butt. This looks like a lanyard loop they cut off instead of including. It makes me wonder if the pistol, in one form or another, was designed originally as a service weapon, though this is pure guesswork on my part.

Model 105 Star 9 mm & .40 cal. Pistols

The plastic framed M205 Ultrastar guns are based on a mid-1990s Model 105 with an aluminum frame and plastic grips. This alloy version apparently never reached serious production as I have never encountered nor heard of one available. It does not seem to be a prototype, as it was promoted in a limited way, appearing in firearms directories with company-distributed literature and photos. Janes’s Infantry Weapons did report is as being in production in 1996, however.

Stocks are of the same style as on the Megastar, and are apparently retained by pinning action of the removable backstrap/trigger module, as on the Megastar and 28/30/31 series. Weight was reported as 810 g, whith all other features and specifications (aside from the frame construction) being identical to the later Model 205.

The references I have which refer to the Model 105 pistol make no mention of it being available in .40 S&W caliber, as it was not in existance at the time. I have surmised a .40 version as there is no reason the alloy version could not be upgraded in the same way the later model 205 was.

Stripping the Ultrastar

I have no manual for the Ultrastar, but as it strips a little differently from others, I figured it was worth covering here anyway. Feel free to email my questions if you are having trouble, or of course to send me a scanned manual.

The stripping pin is similar to that of the Megastar, but different from all other pistols I can think of. Its a separate piece, not part of the slide lock lever. Not unlike the Beretta or Sig, but its still just a pin, not a lever. Its the larger diameter pin above the trigger pin. Look for the dimpled head on the right side of the frame, and press it in. You will probably need a tool to do this. Use a brass or plastic punch, an old ballpoint pen or something else which will not scratch the pin or the frame too badly.

The left side has a larger-diameter head, which can be pulled if need be, and otherwise prevents it from going out the right side. Legs of the trigger spring bear on notches in the stripping pin, so you may have to tap your punch to remove it; pressing may not be enough, at least the first time. I think this can be removed at any time, and then the slide simply pushed off the front of the gun (I cannot remember now). If you find that the slide needs to be pulled back slightly, please email me this information.

Once the slide is off, the trigger assembly can be removed. This does not need to happen every time, but you can if you need to seriously clean it. This is similar to the system used on the Models 28, 30 and 31, so look at that manual for general guidance and tips. The release button for the Ultrastar is (I think!) on the inside of the magazine well, right near the bottom. Press the button to the rear of the gun. Note that since its a polymer framed gun, this will only remove the trigger assembly and backstrap; the stocks are integral to the frame.

From: http://star-firearms.com/firearms/guns/316/index.shtml

The Star Model 316 was a development program at the end of the Star company history. The one production model 316 is in the Eibar firearms museum as the last Star of any sort ever made.

This program eventually became the ASTAR MAX 8800 pistol. I am aware of exactly one production-level pistol made under the ASTAR name. That pistol is pictured here.

The 316 is clearly a derivation of the Megastar, intended for concealed and defensive use. It is mechanically almost identical to the Megastar, sharing details of the barrel, lockup, trigger module, slide, extractor and magazine. Due to the smaller scale, a number of the features look more like they are directly derived from the M31; it is even possible the rear sights and safety level are actual M31 parts.

The rear sight is conventionally dovetailed in, and there is a firing pin stop plate, unlike on the Megastar slide. The stocks wrap around the rear, and comprise very thin panels on the side, similar to those on the Firestar Plus, although retention is via wedging of the backstrap, as on the M28/30/31 series. The frame is of alloy, resulting in a significant reduction in weight.

The separate stripping pin and slide lock of the Megastar have been replaced with a single, short lever and pin with integral detents. This part is also reminiscent of the Firestars.

Specifications

As this is a rare model, and no additional details are generally available thru other sources, I include here the complete specifications as I am aware of them:

• Caliber: 9 x 19 mm Parabellum
• Magazine capacity: 13 + 1 cartridges, double row magazine
• Dimensions: 175 x 125 x 32 mm (6.89 x 4.92 x 1.26″)
• Barrel Length: 88 mm (3.46″)
• Rifling: 6 grooves RH, 1:251 millimeters (9.88″)
• Sight radius: 136 mm (5.35″)
• Weight: 750 g (26.45 oz)
• Trigger system: Conventional double/single action with rounded hammer
• Trigger pull: 5 Kg (50N) double action, 2 Kg (20N) single action
• Trigger travel: 12.5 mm (0.49″) double action, 5.9 mm (0.23″) single action
• Locking: Browning-style short recoil, closed cam path, locked by rings in top of barrel
• Sights: Rear sight adjustable for windage, fixed front; three white dots
• Safety: Slide-mounted safety lever, with decocking and automatic return to safe; automatic firing pin drop safety
• Material and finish: Slide and barrel in steel, light alloy frame, electrolytic-nickel finish, textured polymer grips
• Special features: Reversible magazine release; modular, removable trigger assembly set; trigger overtravel stop; grips retained by backstrap, without screws