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**UPDATE..pics and range report**Anyone get one of the recent Star BM surplus guns?

This topic can be found at:
https://sigforum.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/430601935/m/6600081144

May 01, 2018, 02:11 AM
Dusty78
**UPDATE..pics and range report**Anyone get one of the recent Star BM surplus guns?
I just ordered a “very good” condition one for $225...should be here by the end of the week. I had a model B that I really liked and have heard nothing but good stuff about the BM. Anyone else get one of these from the recent century batch?

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Dusty78,


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Use thumb-size bullets to create fist-size holes.
May 01, 2018, 11:21 AM
Bigboreshooter
No.....but I'm tempted. I was looking at those last night on the AIM site. Please keep us posted when you get it and shoot it. Lots of pics please.



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May 01, 2018, 12:42 PM
pessimist
I ordered one last year. It was advertised as "very good" and I opted for "hand select". It had rust, pitting and damaged parts. I returned it. Hope your experience is better.
May 01, 2018, 02:32 PM
Dusty78
quote:
Originally posted by pessimist:
I ordered one last year. It was advertised as "very good" and I opted for "hand select". It had rust, pitting and damaged parts. I returned it. Hope your experience is better.


Well that stinks. I saw a few of the “good” ones at a gunshow a couple weeks back and they were in pretty good shape. These are marked poor, fair, good, very good, and excellent on the box by century Arms not the dealer selling them. Hopefully I get a decent one. For $200 I’m not too concerned?


_______________________________________________
Use thumb-size bullets to create fist-size holes.
May 02, 2018, 05:13 AM
sigarms229
Local gun shop had some they advertised as "good condition" so I stopped in to check them out.

They had a half dozen in the used pistol case and I would be hard pressed to call them "fair" much less good. All had rust and pitting.

I wish you luck but I wouldn't buy one without inspecting it first.



Sometimes, you gotta roll the hard six
May 02, 2018, 05:33 AM
DSgrouse
I have photos of my vg in a previous thread. Some pitting, over all not a bad pistol.
May 03, 2018, 04:32 PM
Dusty78
Well I picked up the gun. I would call it good condition. Definitely worth $200 in my opinion. No rust that I can see. I took it to the range and shot 150 rounds of the crappiest ammo I could find (the Remington steel case 115gr bulk pack) and it never missed a beat. The hammer did bite me a little bit but not too bad.






First mag at 10 yards unsupported



Took the target out to 20 yards unsupported and the groups opened up quite a bit but what do you expect from a gun with tiny Sights



So I’m thinking I might send this one to Mahovsky’s to get nickel plates and turned into a pimp gun. For $135 what the hell Smile


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Use thumb-size bullets to create fist-size holes.
May 03, 2018, 06:16 PM
sigarms229
Dusty,

That one looks much nicer than the "good" one's I mentioned earlier.

I think you did pretty good for $200.

Enjoy!!



Sometimes, you gotta roll the hard six
May 03, 2018, 08:22 PM
cjevans
Local GS has 10 of these for sale.

Well then, I best take a look and size one up.

Dusty, appears to be accurate, given the age and provenance.



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May 04, 2018, 04:22 AM
GeoJelly
Nice looking pistola for $200 - but it's odd that they lasered a separate and different serial number onto it... The old/five-digit serial looks fine.
May 04, 2018, 07:31 AM
Tailhook 84
I picked one up last year and my range report is here. I can't prove it, but I suspect the differences in the conditions of some of the pistols might be based on the vendors they were purchased from. For less than $300 (includes hand picked VG and extra mag) it might be my gateway to owning a true 1911 in 9mm.




"The Truth, when first uttered, is always considered heresy."
May 08, 2018, 03:22 PM
Ofc.JR
Congrats! The Star BM was and is an excellent pistol, save for 2 things. Both are easily addressed.
1. Star, during first run of the BM, put over length firing pins in the BM. Be aware of this problem if you like to carry a 1911 pattern pistol in condition 3(It is and it's not. There are some differences) . The pin can be dressed to the 1911 style shorter length(And should be!), or replaced w/ the later shorter style pin.
2. Sometimes, some BM's seem to break barrel links. Doesn't seem to happen all the time, but over the years, I have had to replace the link on a couple of BM's, so be aware. The link is available new thru Jack first Gun Parts(On the Web), as is newer firing pins.

Other then that, the BM is a really a solid little pistol. Original magazines are getting scarce, decent workable new magazines are available thru Triple K, and possibly Pro Mag.

One last warning. If you take the left side grip off, DO NOT PUSH THE THUMB SAFETY PAST THE STOP POINT OF THE GRIP!! The grip acts as a a limiter to the safety, and if you push past the grip limit, the spring loaded safety detent plunger WILL eject itself into places unknown. It rides on the back side of the safety and the safety holds it in place. Look at a schematic and you will see of which I speak.
Oh, and be easy w/ +P ammo, if you shoot the stuff. A good amount of +P ammo will cause problems over a short amount of time. The BM was never meant for +P.
Other then that, have fun, they are great pistols! Big Grin


"Cry Havoc and let slip..."
"Sic Semper Tyrannis!!"
May 08, 2018, 03:57 PM
Aquabird
I called or emailed(?) them about ordering one and picking it up. They said I could put it in a cart and then special instruction to pick up. They said I could pick from several when I got there or not take any if I did not like the quality.


Decided to buy a different gun altogether.


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Tri-State Gun collectors Life Member
May 14, 2018, 04:14 PM
sigarms229
Dusty after reading your report I ended up picking one up locally. Bought it from a member of another forum. $200 for a good condition one in the box with 3 mags! Transfer fee got me out the door for $231.80.

Here's the first mag out of it at 10 yards.



and here's the next two mags at 10 yards.


Very happy with this pistol!



Sometimes, you gotta roll the hard six
May 14, 2018, 08:01 PM
sigarms229
Just another update. Found out if you remove the magazine drop safety, the mags will drop free of the gun when you eject a magazine.

With the mag drop safety in the gun, the mags only pop out about a 1/2 inch.

There are videos on youtube on how to remove it. Took about 2 minutes and was super simple!



Sometimes, you gotta roll the hard six
May 14, 2018, 09:46 PM
gunguru123
Mine was good to go, in very good condition, internally at least.




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