There are a pair of STAR model A pistols in the classfieds real cheap, along with brass etc. Owner says he has used 9x23 brass as is to load 9mm Largo ammunition and has a bunch of that for sale as well. How does the 9mm Largo stack up with the other 9mm cartridges or 38 Super?

Star Model A super looks like a near clone of a 1911 but without a grip safety so possibly not safe to carry 'cocked and locked like we do with 1911's. What else is good or bad about the gun?

Found some stuff on the 'net. Looks like 9x23 brass is safe to use so long as not loaded to 9x23 Win or 38 Super pressures. Keep the loads to about 9mm Luger aka 9x19 speeds and you are good to go, or so it seems.

Just not worth the effort IMHO.

I think the 9x23 is a longer case.

The Largo is a 9x21. MIdway does sell Starline brass:

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/941117921/starline-reloading-brass-9x21mm

They are indeed interesting plinkers, especially if you can buy cheap, but I do not think they would be practical for serious use.

The Largo case is not 9x21, it is 23mm long. these guns will chamber Largo, 9 Steyr, 9x23win, and 38 Auto, 38super if the extractor will allow it, and it usually does. Keep the ammo/loads to the 38 Auto range and things will work nicely.

I found that the super brass will work in mine, but loading the mag improperly can cause nose down jams if the rim is not stacked correctly, that extra .010 lip on the rim can be testy. Just as easy to use the proper rim dia. My preferred brass is the super comp stuff loaded with a 9 luger size die if the chamber is tapered a bit and the std super die if its a bit straighter. the Super comp stuff gives a strength benefit and longer case life.

the power level of the Largo stuff wont run my steyr sub gun, but the factory Steyr stuff does fine, so much for the lower powered Steyr rumor.

SM,

there are some real mechanical differences between the Star design and the 1911s. There is no grip safety, as you know. The thumb safety actually cams the hammer out of contact with the sear, so carrying in condition one, if the gun is mechanically sound, is theoretically safer if the hammer is struck a direct blow.

There is no interchangeability of parts between 1911s and the Stars. My brother shot a Model B in 38 Super for many years. A very slim gun very suited for CCW and capable of handling 38 Super full-pressure loads.

Tend to agree with T Lee that parts availability, ammo, etc., probably makes the Model A an iffy proposition. If you really want a traditional (OM) Star in the 9mm range, I would hold out for a Model B in 38 Super. Just my $0.02.

I had an old Llama Especial in 9B-B for awhile, it was almost pure 1911, parts interchanged, magazines, etc. except the barrel and slide were 5.5 inches long, it was an interesting gun. I used Super brass and loads (after changing out the old springs) and it was a lot of fun. I didn't try to overdo things, just run it like a hot 9mm.

I never blew anything up, or damaged any cases or myself, so it worked out okay, but I sold it when a local gunshop sold off the last of the Series '70 Supers they had, for $399. I peddled the Llama quickly, and scarfed up a Colt.

i saw an add in shotgun news for sarco selling some of those star pistols chambered for the largo round today. Little over 200bucks and a little more if you want to C&R it. Keep in mind the destroyer carbine that was chambered for that.
I sure don't need another pistol, but they had a alloy frame version of the BM that kind of caught my eye.

Well, if I trade myself into one on a deal, I know now how much money NOT to give toward it. For around $200.00 though, it sounds like a lot of gun. Bang for the buck as it were. And with some AA#9, I am just SURE that I can get it to exceed 38 Super ballistics....



JUST KIDDING, RON! JUST KIDDING!

+1

I have a Star Super B [same thing as Super A, but in 9x19mm Luger].
I have reamed out the chamber to 9x23mm.
I have reamed out the slide to take a bigger recoil spring, from .431" to .4375".
Spring; Wolff gunsmith pak #14 spring #10 .045" wire 24 coils 4.75" extended
I put a new rear sight on it , Brownells 625-100-311.
I opened magazine lips to allow cartridge rim release .13" sooner.
Max Hodgdon published load for 357 mag is 8.3 gr LONGSHOT 158 gr 1.58" 42 kcup
I have been shooting my Star Super B with 10 gr LONGSHOT 158 gr 1.29"
The recoil is horrendous.
I have found Starline Super Comp brass to hold more powder but not hold as much pressure as Win 9x23 brass.

base: Largo .375", 38 super: .384", 9x23: .390"
case: Largo: .91", 38 Super: .9", 9x23mm: .9"
neck: Largo: .375", 38 Super: .384", 9x23mm: .380"
OAL: Largo: 1.32", 38 Super: 1.28", 9x23mm: 1.245"