Sometimes you need the feel of Retro... Star PD

[m4brian]

Recently regot the Star PD virus. Started back in the 80s when I had a little money for a 1911, and passed up a NIB Star PD at an LGS. I've read some articles and posts over the years, and almost got one at a Pawn shop and another at a show. After a BUNCH of tacticool forays with CZ, SIG, etc., I decided to go retro and get the old PD. I saw a nice one on GB and snatched it up. This is NOT a 'good buy' type of gun. Mags are a bit OTT, parts are scarce, there are more than one nuance with the recoil system, and it turns out that mine will need a tweak to run Wilson Shok buffs (I cannot run the newer model). Also, the one I got is nice enough to buy another to actuall carry alot.

Then I decided to put some finish on the grips which were basically unfinished.



I haven't even shot it yet, but here is why I like it:

Its 1970s/80s cool
There is not useless grip safety
Its 25oz
The shinyness is just refreshing
The SA breaks like glass - no creep
Reset is shorter than a P99
It feels good
Its known for reliability with virtually all loads
Did I mention it is cool and has character?

[Sam]

That is a nice throw back. I had one in the late 80s. It served as a carry gun for awhile. But the gun would eject the empties straight back into my forehead, which was very distracting and annoying. I guess they invented that trick long before the glock. I let it go after a few years.

[The_War_Wagon]

That is a nice throw back. I had one in the late 80s. It served as a carry gun for awhile. But the gun would eject the empties straight back into my forehead, which was very distracting and annoying.

So THAT'S where Ruger got it from for their P89/P91 pistols, eh?

I LOVED the little Firestars. I have an ex-fiancee out there... somewhere... who still has my .40 Starvel-finished one.

I had 'em in 9mm & .45 too, but had gotten rid of all of 'em by the late '90's. Picked up this blued one in '07 - had it cerakoted last year.



It's burnt bronze, but looks awesome in the light!

[m4brian]

You're killing me - how is the trigger in the Firestar?

[yoni]

WOW FLASHBACK!

4 terrorist tried to hijack a bus, an ultraorthodox Jew that immigrated from the USA was standing in line to get on the bus when the terrorist pulled out AK's and pistols. American dude felt this was not an allowed activity and pulled out his Star PD, which he carried with only 6 rounds in the magazine because he hard heard you need to down load magazines. He racked the slide to chamber a round, since he was scared to death to carry a round in the barrel.

He shot 2 of the terrorist, killing them and the other 2 terrorist took off running. The terrorist tried to go to ground with no luck, too many people in the area, so much police and paramilitary police plus IDF off duty guys running into the area of the attack.

By luck, myself and an other member of the unit, were in a meeting that was 2 blocks from the incident. Our beepers went off, we jumped up and ran out with our Colt commandos.

We jumped into our car, while we tried to figure out where we should go. We both knew a back way out of the city that would in no time put them in an Arab village, so we headed there. While in route it came out over the radio they had murdered an Israeli woman and stole her car.

The route we picked had a 2 block entry off the main road, then it hooked to the left and 100 meters past the hook the road ended in a dirt trail, 500 meters down the trail was a good sized Arab town.

We drove to the end of the road and backed our unmarked car into a drive way.

We had a discretion of the car and terrorist.

Sure enough, they were on our street. I jumped in the drivers seat and at the last second pulled our car out blocking the war forward. As my partner opened fired from the drive way, I was out of the car and also opened fire. My buddy took the driver and I took the passenger, with the understanding once our target was dead, we would switch to the second target and pour even more fire at the last surviving terrorist.

Neither one of us had to switch targets, all rounds fired were head shots. I will admit a couple of his missed the terrorist head, while I had even more misses. Of course I blamed shooting through the slanted front window.

But nothing we could have done would have ease the pain for an Israeli family. Although I had the husband thanks me and the oldest son who was 10 at the time later looked me up to say thanks for killing the SOB that murdered my mom.

They also became life long friends with the Jew, with a big set of balls and a Star PD.

[556BlackRifle]

So THAT'S where Ruger got it from for their P89/P91 pistols, eh?

I LOVED the little Firestars. I have an ex-fiancee out there... somewhere... who still has my .40 Starvel-finished one.

I had 'em in 9mm & .45 too, but had gotten rid of all of 'em by the late '90's. Picked up this blued one in '07 - had it cerakoted last year.



It's burnt bronze, but looks awesome in the light!

I had a Firestar .40 but not that fancy. I loved that pistol but the extractor (which was made of brass) broke. I had it fixed by an Interarms armorer but eventually traded it away. 100% Regret.

[26 Inf]

Does anyone have a source for an ambi-safety? I'm unabashedly left-handed and really need one so I can occasionally carry this little guy:

Attachment 61367

It not the most accurate pistol I own, but it's good enough.

ETA: Don't know why the picture rotated - my FSSNOC sweatshirt was hanging by washer so I decided to give the group some exposure - if you have a thumper give them a look.

[halfmoonclip]

The Star had a pretty good rep, back in the day, as a small .45. They are out there now, from someplace. I've seen them at gunshows and in Shotgun News.
Moon

[Jonnyt16]

WOW FLASHBACK!

4 terrorist tried to hijack a bus, an ultraorthodox Jew that immigrated from the USA was standing in line to get on the bus when the terrorist pulled out AK's and pistols. American dude felt this was not an allowed activity and pulled out his Star PD, which he carried with only 6 rounds in the magazine because he hard heard you need to down load magazines. He racked the slide to chamber a round, since he was scared to death to carry a round in the barrel.

He shot 2 of the terrorist, killing them and the other 2 terrorist took off running. The terrorist tried to go to ground with no luck, too many people in the area, so much police and paramilitary police plus IDF off duty guys running into the area of the attack.

By luck, myself and an other member of the unit, were in a meeting that was 2 blocks from the incident. Our beepers went off, we jumped up and ran out with our Colt commandos.

We jumped into our car, while we tried to figure out where we should go. We both knew a back way out of the city that would in no time put them in an Arab village, so we headed there. While in route it came out over the radio they had murdered an Israeli woman and stole her car.

The route we picked had a 2 block entry off the main road, then it hooked to the left and 100 meters past the hook the road ended in a dirt trail, 500 meters down the trail was a good sized Arab town.

We drove to the end of the road and backed our unmarked car into a drive way.

We had a discretion of the car and terrorist.

Sure enough, they were on our street. I jumped in the drivers seat and at the last second pulled our car out blocking the war forward. As my partner opened fired from the drive way, I was out of the car and also opened fire. My buddy took the driver and I took the passenger, with the understanding once our target was dead, we would switch to the second target and pour even more fire at the last surviving terrorist.

Neither one of us had to switch targets, all rounds fired were head shots. I will admit a couple of his missed the terrorist head, while I had even more misses. Of course I blamed shooting through the slanted front window.

But nothing we could have done would have ease the pain for an Israeli family. Although I had the husband thanks me and the oldest son who was 10 at the time later looked me up to say thanks for killing the SOB that murdered my mom.

They also became life long friends with the Jew, with a big set of balls and a Star PD.

Damn. Good story!

[glocktogo]

So THAT'S where Ruger got it from for their P89/P91 pistols, eh?

I LOVED the little Firestars. I have an ex-fiancee out there... somewhere... who still has my .40 Starvel-finished one.

I had 'em in 9mm & .45 too, but had gotten rid of all of 'em by the late '90's. Picked up this blued one in '07 - had it cerakoted last year.



It's burnt bronze, but looks awesome in the light!

I had a Starvel .40 Firestar too. For it's incredibly compact size it was heavy as a boat anchor, but to this day one of the softest shooting .40's I've ever shot.