Star Firearms : Information on Finding Spares and Accessories
 

Information — Parts, spares, technical details

Basically, this is all the stuff that doesn't fit in another section. Most of all, while the rest of the site is more of a reference work, this is about actually owning and using a Star firearm. Not entirely, but mostly. Because of this vague definition, expect things to move in and out of this section.

Dealers of Spares & Accessories for Star Pistols

Spares for old and out of production firearms are frequently very difficult to find. Especially with many Stars being less than totally popular in the US, this is a particular difficulty. Magazines are mostly very easy to find, just do a web search for your model name or number, browse a gun show or visit your local gun shop.

Gun Parts Corporation

The (Numrich) Gun Parts Corporation is almost always the best place to start for any gun parts. Calling is still a good idea, but they finally got a decent online catalog. Check it out at www.gunpartscorp.com.

SARCO

SARCO frequently advertises one part or another in their advertising or at www.sarcoinc.com/. They have cleaning rods, new Star Super barrels, magazines for the B-Super and other stuff.

However, they also apparently bought most or all of Interarms' stock when they dropped the Star line. The items are not inventoried, so are not listed, but like most of these parts suppliers, if you call and ask they will look for the item for you. This includes parts for the PD, BM, BKS, BKM, Models 30, 31, Firestar, Ultrastar and others. Sarco is a generally nice place, and everyone gets good service from them.

They even have a small number of brand new Star pistols for sale, such as nickel Firestar Pluses (Firestars Plus?) and M30P and M models. These can be seen here and by searching the site. I would also call if you are interested in other guns or need more details.

323 Union St.
Stirling, NJ 07980
1-908-647-3800 (8 am-4:15 pm EST)

IPAR Guns

Especially for our european readers, there is recent news of a place called IPAR Guns. They say they were founded in 1997, and are in Eibar. That, photos of machinery, their claimed expertise and the lines of parts they carry (Astra and Star, esp.) lead me to believe they might be not just filling a niche, but actually some spinoff of the bankruptcies and mergers. Total speculation on my part, but it sounds possible.

Regardless, they have a website, though its rather poorly coded, so is a little hard to use. Carries a stack of parts for the entire 28/30/31 series, as well as all the Firestars. They sell DEWATs of a lot of other models, and refer to other guns, so if you have a question about a part they do not list, I would call them up.

Calle Sostoa, 2-4
Aptdo. P.O. BOX. 527
20600 Eibar (Spain)
E-mail: iparguns@iparguns.com
Phone: +34 943 20 41 17
Fax : +34 943 12 09 06

Bob's Gun Parts

Bob's gun parts has a LOT of weird mags for Stars. They also bought a large selection of spares from Interarms once, so might even have your spares. Try him out. He carries an extensive selection of all sorts of small parts for many of the older Star pistols. A particular specialty is the S and a full selection of parts for all of the minor variants is usually in stock. Contact him at: 501-767-1970

Historical Parts

If you still cannot find parts for your older Star pistol, try sending some mail to this place: histpart@vvm.com. They mostly carry WWII German parts, but also have parts for most Spanish rifles and the Star model A pistols. Inventory changes frequently, so be sure to ask if they have the parts you are looking for.

Wolff Gun Springs

Everyone should replace any potentially bad springs with new springs from W.C. Wolff Company. They also have optional over or under factory power springs for some applications.

P.O. Box I
Newton Square, PA 19073-0458
Orders: 1-800-545-0077 (Mon-Fri 8:30-4:30 EST)
Information: 1-610-359-9496
I and many others I know have ordered from W.C. Wolff and received excellent service. They invariably have excellent products.

Joe Lowe Clips & Mags

Joe Lowe carries a wide selection of magazines, including a whole section for Star pistols. The day I put this up he had mags for the Firestar and Firestar Plus (13-round!), 45 Megastar, 9 Ultrstar and PD among others. Also interesting was a selection of the +1 mags for Firestars. I think they are all used, but in good shape.

JLoweClips@aol.com
972-986-8158

Others:

The following companies I have not dealt with firsthand. If anyone has had a good or bad experience, please tell me about it. Also, please tell me of any other suppliers of parts that may be helpful to others.

Marstar stocks a variety of parts for Models A, B, and P.

Orders: 1-888-744-0066
Information: 1-613-678-3173
Fax: 1-613-678-2359

Federal Arms Corporation of America stocks new walnut grips for the Star A, B, C, M, and Super and new stainless steel replacement barrels Star Super, and Star A in 9mm Largo and Parabellum.

7928 University Ave.
Fridley, Minnesota 55432
1-612-780-8780

John Colomb stocks parts for B-Supers

John Colomb
9803 Plum Ridge Drive
Houston, TX 77064
Phone: 713-937-7187
Email: colombjb@aol.com

Other Ways to Find Spare Parts

Try asking the local gunsmith. Don't know one? Ask a local gun shop, as they probably do. They are very resourceful, and either know all the tricks, or sometimes can just make you the part you need. If something critical cracks in half, don't loose it. The gunsmith might be able to weld it back together or make a new one based on looking at the broken part.

A number of gunsmiths buy the remainder of guns demilled by local police departments (I gather this is increasingly not allowed, however). I once got a complete M30M slide for $35 (I don't have it anymore, don't ask). They might not even know what they have, so if they have a pile of parts, drive on over and look at it.

And I want to reiterate again, the gun industry is really very friendly. Call up the local places. Call up the big parts suppliers. They have lots more than will ever be in any catalog, and if they don't have it they might just know who does if you talk to them long enough.

Custom Parts

One of our readers suggests Josef Dlask for those hard to find parts. He made a Firestar extractor just by looking at the slide. More than typical spares, but cheaper than a new gun so if that's your only option... Expect some turnaround time as well.

Dlask Arms Corp.
202B - 1546 Derwent Way
Delta, BC V3M6M4
Canada
Phone: 604-527-9942
Fax: 604-527-9982
Email: dlask@telus.net

They also have offices in the US and Europe, so this applies to more than just the Canadian readers.

Star Pistol Classifieds

Here you might find the part you want. I am gonna post up a few items other readers have and want to get rid of. Send all postings to me at deeb@donttouchme.com. Please make sure its a Star part. If not, I'll toss it.

  • I just acquired a complete slide & barrel assy marked: "BONIFIACIO ECHEVERRIA-ELIBAR (ESPANA) *STAR* CAL9M/M 38" with crowned P proof marks and number 84 3 stamped on the firing pin housing extrusion bottom. It is is fair condition, shows little use but age and appears in serviceable condition. It is an early MD Model with the fire control selector in the right side rear slide. It is lacking the tangent sight tension spring. I would like to try to find the missing parts to make it servicable, but might consider selling it if this is not possible.
    Contact: BernienBernie@iopener.net

Finding a Holster for Your Star Pistol

This is a brief list of friendly holster makers, most with websites. They all either have holsters for Star pistols in stock or will make custom holsters. Most who do not do custom work only make holsters for some more common models, such as the PD and Firestars. The more generic/cheap the holster or maker, the more likely an incorrect gun will fit. Firestars and most decent-sized B & P series Stars will fit in 1911 or High-Power holsters. And lots of places make very generic belt slides. If you really feel you are out of luck, email me and I'll see if I have any ideas.

The top quality custom places are well worth the money and the wait. If you do decide to get one, a note about the wait. Most of them are small shops, so please don't panic when they say they will ship in 12-14 weeks. That's just how it goes. Plan ahead.

  • Wilson Combat — Bill Wilson and his people make mostly custom guns, particularly the 1911, but also some accessories. They have some pretty nice holsters.
  • Milt Sparks — A good US leather holster maker. I have, and love, my Executive (EX-RSO, specifically) for the Firestar Plus. I would like to note that they didn't bat an eye at making me an M243 holster, which is a good thing.
  • Galco — Middle of the road, better than Uncle Mikes. Available at most decent gun shops as well, though probably not the model you want. Several generic models, such as the belt slides for 1911s and High Powers will work for Star A, B, P and Firestars. I would note that they are priced the same as top-quality holsters, so usually ordering from the custom places is better.
  • Andy Arratoonian - Horsheshoe Leather — Andy makes probably the best leather in the world. I finally saved up and got one, and must say its lives up to the reputation. Being custom, I'll bet he can make for almost any gun you care to ask about. Also a nice guy so drop him an email or call him up.
  • Kramer Leather — Generally considered sorta between Galco and the custom makers. Good, but not as much an heirloom item. I and some friends have several good holsters from here. They also do several star models, inlcuding the megastar. My huge, heavy Megastar was perfectly comfortable in an MSP.
  • Kydex is a slightly flexible thermally-molded plastic. Its sold in big sheets and then molded around either a blank or your gun in a big vacuum forming machine. Very long wearing stuff that you will probably have for the rest of your life. Some people object to them for various reasons, and if you have no experience, run some Google searches or ask around. Good Kydex is cheaper than most any other type of holster. Blade Tech and Mad Dog were the two big names when I got mine. Being a new industry, others are probably big now also. Presumably some of those are good, but I cannot suggest any. I have personally gotten a holster custom molded for my M31, and if you have a strange gun, this is probably the way to go. It is a perfect fit without spending hundreds of dollars trying to get custom leather.