NEW Toy...someone help me!!!

carguy · Post by **carguy** » March 4th, 2008, 2:23 pm

I understand that is the prefered method. I am unsure about the firing pin...whether it is inertial or not (and still get confused which one is good and which is bad even if I knew)...so I would not recommend carrying with the hammer down on a loaded chamber until you figure the firing pin question out on yours.

carguy · Post by **carguy** » March 4th, 2008, 6:11 pm

Finally got to the range today even if it was only for half an hour or so. I ran a box of 50 through my new Star BM and after last night playing, cleaning and de-burring blah, blah, blah...it functioned perfectly. Not a failure to feed or eject...nothing.

Unfortunately it shoots about 5 inches to the left... :'( After my smithing last night I'm not surprised. I did line up the sight markings perfectly but oh well. A little tap here a little tap there and it will be fine.

Since it shoots approx 5 inches to the left of the POA, I understand that I need to drift the rear sight to the right to adjust for the left POI...I think.

Any confirmation would be appreciated, I only want to this once.

I don't know what I expected but that little barrel seems to make the gun go bang alot louder than I anticipated...but I like it :-/

volfandan · Post by **volfandan** » March 4th, 2008, 10:40 pm

Sounds like you've got it figured out. I guess just be sure to use a brass punch???

carguy · Post by **carguy** » March 5th, 2008, 12:25 am

Brass punch...why does a brass punch not mar the finish??

I used an old hammer and a steel punch. Covered the slide and sight with quarter inch leather from an old belt and pounded the crap out of it. Crude but it worked! Tonight I got the leather strap out again and pounded a little more to "drift" the sight to the right a little so I can try some more at the range over the weekend and zero it in.

I am going to pick up a set of punches as I fell like I may do more of this stuff...not necessarily to the Star but it was actually fun...

Did I say that I really love this pistol?!?! :-/

Then what do I see in the SOG online catalog today??? Star BMs for $189... :'( My only savior is that they are not Mass compliant nor C&R, so I had to pay the premium for a Mass pistol and besides it is "Starvel" so that's worth an extra few bucks too. Now I'm trying to convincing myself... :'( But I do love this pistol...have I mentioned that yet...

volfandan · Post by **volfandan** » March 5th, 2008, 12:56 am

I really don't know what the deal with brass is....but when I went to check on a set of punches....a gunsmith recommended brass. I guess it would depend on how tight the sights are fit whether or not a punch (brass or other) would mar the finish.

I can guarantee that no matter how tight or loose something is on a gun......I can always find a way to mar the finish >:(

slackone · Post by **slackone** » March 6th, 2008, 9:20 pm

Your firing pin is *probably* intertial. The non-inertial pins were mostly on older guns.

Quick test: Lock your slide back. Press the back of the firing pin *flat* with the back of the side. If the FP protrudes through the breechface, it is non-inertial. If it is pretty much even or slightly retracted into the breechface, it is inertial.

The inertial is preferable. I *still* wouldn't carry hammer-down on a BM, but the inertial is safer. My Star's only downside is that the pin is not only non-inertial, it also has a somewhat wimpy spring...to the point that it leaves faint impressions on the primers of cases just from cycling the slide. I've found a guy in Spain that sells the inertial pins + springs, and will be replacing mine as soon as my tax refund sails.

Oh, and on brass punches...yeah, its partly not to mar the finish, as brass is relatively soft. Doesn't dent steel. It will also give and warp, so you don't end up peening things if you can't get, say, a pin tapped out. Conversely, when something is REALLY REALLY STUCK, a brass punch may not end up doing diddly squat to it. Using a leather pad with a steel punch isn't such a bad thing in that situation

carguy · Post by **carguy** » March 7th, 2008, 12:37 am

Thanks...I did figure out the inertial / non-inertial thing and actually already ordered an additional magazine, firing pin and spring set for my BM. Paid for it today, so from Spain I should see them both around...hmmmm, Thanksgiving... :'(

I figured with the issue already happening once and me already dremmeling the firing pin, I might as well have a spare hanging around, just in case. And I want a spare mag just for when I carry.

Finally I do not like to carry anything with a cartridge in the chamber and the hammer down unless it is a revolver...

...so I do not plan on doing that with the BM, even though I have an inertial pin.

beasleydano · Post by **beasleydano** » March 7th, 2008, 12:46 am

Coming from Spain? Sounds like you ordered from STAR on Gunboards. If so, you should receive within 2 weeks if he has the parts in stock.

barnett3006 · Post by **barnett3006** » March 7th, 2008, 12:52 am

Since it shoots approx 5 inches to the left of the POA, I understand that I need to drift the rear sight to the right to adjust for the left POI...I think.

Yup, move your rear sight in the same direction that you want your groups to move. Move the front sight in the OPPOSITE direction that you want your groups to move.

Good lookin gun, btw.

carguy · Post by **carguy** » March 7th, 2008, 12:41 pm

Thanks barnett for the confirmation and the compliment, I like it.

Beaselydano, yes it is Star and he said he does have the parts put aside for me already so I'm syre they will arrive promptly. I've heard nothing but great things about him.

garry · Post by **garry** » March 7th, 2008, 4:29 pm

Hey Carguy ! Nice One ! No that isn't the one i saw for my wife. It had a thumbrest grip and fancy checkering on the black plastic grips. "Fancy",as in, a banner with the name on it and checkering above and below. I am wondering if it is a .380 maybe? I have several Gun collecting books but none of them are EXACTLY like the one I looked at. The .380 is closest to it but again not close enough to say "Yeah, Thats Him Maaaan!". I will look for more pics of it. It looks like your new beauty but the grips are way different. It is small like the P-64 size.
anyways, That is too cool!!

Post by **papabear** » March 7th, 2008, 6:20 pm

Can the BM be carried cocked and locked like a 1911?

rmeron,

The Star BM is a SA only, just like the 1911 design, so yes, it can be carried in "Condition One" or cock and locked with one in the chamber, regardless if it has a inertial or non-inertial firing pin.

+1 with slackone on his description of the inertial and non inertial firing pin.

papabear

carguy · Post by **carguy** » March 8th, 2008, 2:01 am

Latest picture of my BM in it's "new to me" Ishi Red Storm Holster... :-/

It fits and feels GREAT!!

Thank you Papabear, I owe you one.

Russ

Post by **normsutton** » March 8th, 2008, 6:33 am

Russ

nice back ground , get those from Ted Kennedy did ya (LOL)

nice rig though

by the way has anyone heard from Ishi and his wife and know how their doing

NORM

Post by **papabear** » March 8th, 2008, 10:44 am

carguy,

Now I know why they call you a "corker".......... ;D. Great looking photo, thanks for sharing.

papabear

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