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.
Firearms are designed specifically to kill and injure. It is of the utmost importantance that you all be familiar with the basic rules of gun safety, and follow them:
Though all dangerous machinery should be maintained in good working order, the care and use of old guns requires special diligence. Remember that some of the weapons discussed here are 100 years old. Even a good condition, modern weapon of unknown history should be treated carefully at first. You never know what may have happened to it (or failed to happen) in its previous life. I have seen lots of these issues, and could give specific tips, but it would take a long time. Older guns really should always be checked by a compentent gunsmith before firing. I would, at the least, replace the springs. Wolff has many of them in stock already:
W.C. Wolff Company
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
Most importantly, use the correct ammunition. A number of these weapons can chamber and fire ammunition that they were not designed for. In some cases this can be extremely dangerous. In many cases, the original cartridge is no longer made, or no longer available in the original loading.
If you reload, keepin mind the age of your gun and don't exceed the original specifications. Remember the age of your firearm.
Older weapons should not be used with maximum loads. Additionally, some weapons will fit and fire cartridges that are expressly dangerous. One of the more common ones is the ".38" marked on the slides of guns usually before 1930 or so. The .38 on the slide refers to .38 ACP and not the more modern and common .38 Super. The Hornady manual says it better than I can: "The 38 ACP became obsolete in 1929 when Colt introduced the more powerful 38 Super Automatic, an improved version of the .38 ACP loaded to much higher pressures. The cartridges are identical in appearance, but the Super version is dangerous if fired in handguns designed for the original cartridge... Under no circumstances should 38 Super factory ammo or top equivalent reloads be fired in weapons chambered for the older 38 ACP."
Here is some more information on the 9 mm Largo cartridge from people who should know, 9mmLargo.com. I believe one of their pages is a recipe for a bore cleaner to remove corrosive primer residue. Remember that cleaning supplies from the US in WWII, and current soviet cleaning solvents deal with corrosive ammo easily. Several products are available for purchase in the US for cleaning corrosive primer residue, so there is no need to go to the extremes of boiling water down the bore.
Graf & Sons
is distributing brand new loaded ammunition from Hornady in 9 mm Steyr. This is said to be interchangable with original loads of the 9 mm Largo, so is a great choice for that old pistol you may have laying about. Even better Hornady is making these up from newly manufactured components. That means the cases are reloadable, and new unloaded cases will also be available. This is brand new and semi-obscure, so either bug your dealer or contact Graf directly.SARCO has, as well as model B Super pistols and many parts, 9 mm Largo ammunition. They are also nice enough to declare which is corrosive and which is not. Non-corrosive is $25/100, $170/1000 or $320/2000.
SARCO, Inc.
PO Box 98
323 Union Street
Stirling, NJ 07980
Voice 908-647-3800 / Domestic Fax 908-647-9413 / Int'l Fax 908-647-3846
info@sarcoinc.com
www.sarcoinc.com
Century International Arms has non-corrosive, but Berdan-primed 9 mm Largo ammunition for $4.50 per box. They do not list a bulk discount on their website, but I presume if you want a case they will cut a deal, so call. I also assume this is a limited offer, so if you try to buy some and they are out, email me to remove this listing.
Century Int'l Arms, Inc.
430 South Congress Ave.
Suite 1
Delray Beach, FL 33445
Voice 561-265-4530 / Fax 561-265-4520
www.centuryarms.com
If anyone sees any more information on ammo, special deals or anything else, email me, and I will be glad to post and remove items as they change.
Modern Star pistols are all very strong. The 9 mm Parabellum handguns are specifically designed to handle +P loadings. Most of these guns only shoot commom, modern ammunition. The warnings above regarding the power of 9 mm Largo do not apply, as B and Super B pistols can safely fire more powerful ammunition. However, there are still a few pitfalls. Make sure any used gun is in good condition still. The best is to have a gunsmith look it over as though its an old gun. You never know what may have happened to it before you got ahold of it. Also, lots of the B-series especially have been rechambered. Do not take the word of any markings on the slide of the pistol. The barrel may be chambered for a different cartridge, and this could cause dangerous issues. Also, be aware that much of the cheaper 9 mm Largo ammunition available is old surplus, so corrosive. Either do not shoot it, or you will have to carefully clean your barrel after each firing with a corrosive-residue remover; normal cleaning is not enough to protect your barrel.