The Spanish Wondernines
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 2 ต.ค. 2024
- The Star Model 28, 30, and 31 series pistols were some of the best, most modern guns to come out of the Spanish firearms industry before it imploded in the mid 90s. Certainly more unique and interesting than Astra's take on the wondernine, which was basically just a SIG 226 clone.
These guns were originally imported to the US by Interarms, and more recently by other companies as retired military or police surplus. They make for excellent collectibles, and good shooters if you can find one in working condition.
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I think we need a longer rant from Hop on the P226. I've heard a lot of praise for the type over the years. And though I'm a boring Glock carrier myself, I did grow up watching Agent Fox Mulder carry one in the X-Files.
Buy him several sig,make sure one is a third gen police turn in from like 3 years, one new, one lemon, one from a store, and 3 randoms. This is how opinions are formed and he’ll do it! Trust me, he wants too
I'm curious too. It's been a while since I've handled a P226, but I have two P220s, which are basically the same design. IMO it's one of the best all around DA/SA pistols because it has fewer quirks than most.
@@riflemanm16a2 in my mind, decocker models of the cz 75 are the most quirk free da/sa pistols. The beretta has a stupid decocker safety thats slide mounted and the p226 has the decocker in front of the slide release which is the opposite of every other pistol. hk and fn pistols have a frame mounted decocker/safety, but it's designed so that the user can carry cocked and locked, hammer down, or hammer down in addition to the manual safety. That's way better than a beretta in my opinion and the only people who have a problem with that are those who don't want a manual safety at all.
@@WutangPham My only problem with CZ is the midget slide. I’ve always slingshot slides, since I’ve found it to be much more reliable than using the release or lock. But the CZ just doesn’t have enough meat for my liking. The P09 does it pretty well though, minimalistic enough for a low bore axis, but still high enough for sling shotting. I just wish they could make a aluminum framed P-09. Already got a G19 so I just want something different.
I’ve never like the Sig P226 or P229 because the slide lock/slide release is in the wrong place. It’s too far back on the gun and I always induce malfunctions. I either lock the gun open at inappropriate times or the gun won’t shoot to slide lock. I do like Beretta G model DA/SA guns though. Those are nice. They’re just decocker only. The slide mounted safeties on Berettas are atrocious.
Nice review! Ex Spanish Security Service of the Royal Hose here: yes, there was a full size version of the 30m in a lighter alloy. Externally indistinguishable. Used the 30m extensively in my job and we trained quite a bit with it. Never seen it malfunction. We trusted it with our lives, literally, since there were two active terrorist groups around and we were standing in front of the most high value targets in the Kingdom. Regards.
I LOVE both the CETME and the Star model 30. I understand the Spanish Navy still issues them. I,am vert sad both Star and Astra are no longer in business.
you need some democracy to save you from the royal parasites
@@aslanbosnakoglu8240 yes because democracy never inspires terrorism…. I’m all for democracy but keep your opinions like this to yourself. Kudos on your service sir
@@aslanbosnakoglu8240 democracy and monarchy aren't mutually exclusive. Spain is bith. As are the UK and the low countries for example.
@@not-a-theist8251 so you vote for your kings?🤣. the english queen has the right to dissolve the parlament whenever she feels like it. 🤣🤣 stop slaughtering poor people in fake illegal wars of aggression if you are really free. you are all serfs living under all kinds of dogmas and you dont even know it.
I've owned 2 Stars over the years. Back in the 80's, I used to have a Star Model PD in .45 acp. That was a great gun. Wish I still had it. I currently have a Star FireStar M-40. Bought it back in 1994. Also, a good gun. It is a shame that Star is gone now. They really knew how to make a decent gun.
I am also saddened that the Spanish firearms producers are no more. Astra, Star and (commonly just referred to as) Llama all made some excellent guns over the years. Lots of history with these guns, and still undervalued IMO.
Tell us more about you disdain for the 226 Hop! The people want to know!
Hop, you were born too late! I was in my mid to late 20's in the age of the Wonder 9. It was Magnificent! So many different guns were coming out. Your comment about the 226, maybe it was obsolete when it came off the line, but those were the Cool Guy guns for years. You were not an "Operator" without one. I was more of an S&W fan and the third generation guns were great. One of my friends collects S&W autos and yes, the model nomenclature will make you insane and start calling to the Great Old One! Keep up the good work
Jack the Jarhead Yes. I saw more Smith Gen pistols than just about anything back then. Taurus PT92s and Beretta 92s were just about as common and my first 9mm pistol was a PT92 that was an excellent pistol. A few Ruger Ps and the occasional P226 and CZ75. Nobody wanted a Glock. Haha. There were more 1911s than you could shake a stick at and in fact my very first pistol was a 1911A1. One of my employers back then had a P226. I shot it and I can see why it was highly favored by lots of shooters. For an "obsolete" pistol lots of folks wanted one including some police departments that carried them. Not to mention Navy SEALs and special ops. We have to remember the P226 was the pistol that was the last one standing against the Beretta 92 at the US Army trials for the M9 pistol. Beretta lost but won the contract because it was cheaper. I wanted one but SIGs are more expensive so I got a Spanish Astra A-100 copy of the P226. It was a great pistol in its own right.
I read about every release in guns and ammo. As a kid, we would be amazed at the capacity increase. The shrinking of size to max capacity game is ongoing.
My dad collected revolvers.
I'd put money on my skill with those. Think of the kids that started violin at 3 years old... my folks split up after we graduated. My dad moved 3 blocks from a range.
We'd load .45s for the 1911 and my auto odesse began. I'd shot tons out of a ruger standard. And tons of .44 and .357 from double and single action revolvers.
It took about 2000 rounds over months for me to be able to adjust to the balance, and to get the muscle memory to reaquire the target for fast follow up shots. Which was not a thing I did single action precision revolver shooting. I turned 21. Dad gives me a ruger p series. Down sizing calibers was like taking the practice weights off a bat.
Hoppes, gun powder, smell like childhood. I had the best dad.
No joke, if Star made a Super B that took Hi-Power mags, that would have been the best handgun on the market until the mid 70s.
As someone who has mechanically restored a Israeli Gen 1 1971 S&W model 59, those failures to feed and failures to extract we’re hauntingly similar to my 59. Thankfully Smith & Wesson parts are actually still available, but I basically had to replace everything even the barrel. The extractor spring was from a Bic pen, I shit you not………. And it looks like it’s been through a rock tumblr, 30 years of holsterware i’m surprised there’s even finish left on it.
I've never had any failures with my Model 59. It eats everything. I'm not sure what year mine is or how many rounds went through it. I'm guessing less than 1000. I know I've put 200 through it and the finish is still pretty good. It's accurate with the adjustable sights. What do you recommend replacing or to look for on an old one? Thanks.
@@SailfishSoundSystem honestly you probably don't have to worry about anything if your gun is a US civilian or police market model. The re-imported Israeli police guns probably have tens of thousands of rounds on them and very poor overall maintenance. If you really want to replace something, you can always replace the main recoil spring, extractor spring, and magazine springs. Numrich gun parts has basically every internal component you can think of for the 59.
@@MaximusOverhead Thanks!
Hop is a man of taste
Very cool video! I have a starfire 30MI that my grandpa gave me when I had gone off to college. Still have it, but sadly some of the springs have broken. It’s a bit of a hassle to find spare parts unless I bought a whole new one to vulture.
Check out bob's gun shop
Got a Star 30 over a year ago. Good call they've gone from well under $400 to well over. The recoil spring was week on mine as well so I put an extra power Beretta 92 in mine and seems to work just fine.
Interesting video to start a fine ww3 Thursday with
Hop should have 1 million subscribers, him and Hickok45 are my favorite gun reviewers.
I have the BM30 and the Firestar in .45 (which was my dad's). Both guns are excellent and have never failed. I have a Llama Extra (1911 pattern with a longer barrel chambered in .38 super) which is my carry. Love those old Spanish guns.
The disassembly stuff is really cool
Interesting comment about brittle firing pins. Even for the more "modern" models. I found a Model BM. Fantastic shooter. Broke the pin while dryfiring. Then found out about the metallurgical problems. Got a newly manufactured pin from Jack First gun parts. I am hoping that the steel is better. Might be a good source for replacements or a spare to have around.
Many are metal injection molded. And this is the source of the weakness. Usually if you get an after market one you'll never have an issue.
Øøkyhyttthm
The barrel bands are good to have extras of. I got a couple for mine, made from 5160 steel. Which is what is used for big chopping blades like cleavers. Can't remember who makes them but quick searching and you'll find them, super adorable too!
STAR MEGASTAR
My Astra A100 is getting pretty worn out, but it’s been a lifelong friend.
"Statistically older than most of my viewers" Ouch! I was older than you when I bought the brand new to the market Firestar. Man I'm getting to be an old fart! LOL, sure doesn't seem that long ago...
Guns I never new existed and now I want. Thanks
So I love this video, because Wonder 9's have been a major object of research for me, from the 80's to the early 2000's. My novel takes place in a dystopian alternative past where the Soviet Union didn't fall and 9/11 didn't happen, so all of the characters tote and train with whatever was available in 2002. 2nd and 3rd Gen Smiths, Ruger P85's, Colt Deltas, Hi-Powers, etc. And now, it looks like some Star model 30PKs will find themselves in belts and jacket pockets.
Star Pistolas were gun show dealer favorites. I hope Hop features his Llama pistol collection in future episodes
That beat up finish on the 30 actually looks pretty damn cool.
I had two STAR Firestars in 9mm.
Sold them after acquiring a 2nd gen Glock 19. Should have kept them.
My dad has some star guns. They’re dope.
I've got a nasty Star Super in .380, I had a Star DK which was a single stack, locked breech, sub compact .380. I traded it to a "Guns" magazine fan for something or another, after an article about it was published. Geoff Who has been around awhile.
The Star DK with a US-made frame also appeared as the Colt Pony and later appeared from Iver Johnson.
Watch these go up in price
They already have used to be $350 like new condition.
@@Pyrosis22 I just came across these Star pistols, didn't know anything. Watched a real nice one sell for $300 on auction two weeks ago, now I'm kicking myself cause ones in worse shape are going for more.
My Megastar is one of my most favorite guns. Literally heavier than my Deagle
I searched so hard and finally found a Mega10 for 500 bucks, in Starvel!
@@theshocker4626 a unicorn
“So I tied an onion to my belt, as was the style at the time”
Interarm used to handle Walther too. I used to love Star's nickel finishes. They were pretty well built pistols. I remember they made a version in 45 acp. But I didn't see to many at the gun shops. The P.D. was one I wouldn't mind owning either.
I was wondering when you would return to reviewing obscure/budget pistols.
Forgotten Hoplos
im a little late to the game but i would like to say thank you for making this. good info and im happy to see the old girl running.
Man this is such a blast from the past. I used to shoot competition back in highschool and and a star was my first pistol I used for competition, honestly still my favorite shooting 9mm of all time. The only problem was that this was long after the company went under and finding spare mags and other parts was a pain in the butt. My dad sold it and got a gen 3 Glock 17 for me to use after that and I swear it only took a couple of matches before I was sick of the thing never could shoot as well with that as the old star.
"The P226, a gun that was obsolete as soon as it came off the assembly line" fucking YES. I get so much shit for saying this, its a breath of fresh air to hear someone else agree with it.
What’s obsolete about the P226? I can’t own any guns so I genuinely wouldn’t know what would make it undesirable
@@SomaticApparition It's not undesirable. Obsolete and undesirable are not the same thing, especially in the gun world. It was and still is a solid platform with amazing dependability but it used tech that was all out paced by almost every other major company at the time. Fans will say this is what makes it so dependable, the AK argument of simplicity. Realistically it just wasn't at all innovative and was filling an easily marketable spot on their roster with R&D almost all copy pasted and pieced together from a list of preexisting "wonder nines."
but csgo tho
@@nonprofitpsycho3122 that criticism seems accurate, but wouldn't it also apply to all the other DA wondernines of the 70's through the 90's? For example, the Beretta 92 is pretty much a double-stack Walther P-38 that breaks less.
@@SomaticApparition He's being sarcastic. The p226 is still one of the best pistols ever made. Top 10 anyway
The Starvel finish haha! Star was the first 9mm I purchased back in '98 with that weird dull gold Starvel finish. Should of kept it.
1:08 I appreciate the Simpsons reference.
I carried a Star PD in .45 ACP in South Africa for a while, ugly as sin but super reliable, never gave me any trouble...
An elegant weapon, for a more civilized age.
I feel singled out as I may be the only subscriber who was actually not only alive but old enough to remember when Star went out of business…
I remember, I almost bought a "clearance" megastar in 10 mm, but got a new gen 2 Glock 20 instead. I wish I would have had the money to buy both. I still have the 30 M I bought new when Interarms first started importing them. Was my first "wondernine" pistol.
Incredibly based take on the P226
Good information in this video, however, you did forget one important spec about these FIrestar pistols. The slide runs inside the frame, not outside like almost all other pistol on the market. The CZ 75s had this arrangement of the slide and the greatest and most accurate pistol of all times had this back in the 1950s/ The Swiss made P-49.
I was there when these first showed up on the radar. The M43 was a JOY for its brief, brilliant flame. The 30’s have a great slide appearance. Thanks for this review.
Good job missing the modular FCG and the grip retention method. Note: the 1911 is designed to be fully disassembled without tools using parts from the gun.
Dirty Dog... prices on these were rising enough as it was.
...patiently awaiting a vid on that S&W 6900...
In those days the we had to say dickety because the Germans stole our word for 20.
I had to laugh at your reference to the immediate obsolescence of the SIG P226. I love the gun, and will tell you what my FTO told me years ago: “Hit the gym, and pretty soon you won’t notice the weight.” That’s assuming you don’t like the weight of them, but considering the remarks you directed at the all steel model of Star pistol you were shooting, I believe that I am accurate. Love your videos, kid. Keep up the sarcasm!
Good video!
Thanks
Generally speaking, is Israel uses it. It’s a good gun.
They seem to use their guns as other tools, hammers, furniture sliders, baseballs in a baseball game, etc
Ian, Hop's coming for you mate.
I LOVE my Firestar, it's my primary carry. I wanted to collect more Star pistols but the prices have really gone up as people realized, late, that they are really good guns.
Buena pistola. Para toda la vida🇪🇦
I have a 30 m and I'll put it up against anything.
When your so early that this video doesn't even appear under Hop's channel's videos tab.
The bluing on that pistol at 3:55 is 🤌🏻🤌🏻
Out of curiosity, what makes the P226 obsolete?
@Jared H PLASTIC GUN LOLOLOLOL
@@IncredulousIndividual ah yes the industry standard used by law enforcement organizations, government agencies and militaries across the planet very funny
@Jared H funny, but what about the 226 specifically makes it uncompetitive? weight? capacity? other 80s 9mms like the M9 are similar in both specs. if we look at numbers alone, then the glocks win in both weight and capacity when compared to any metal-framed handgun from the same era. what I'm more interested in are other factors- was the 226 unpleasant to shoot? unergonomic, expensive, etc?
@@TastyNachoz Nobody said it couldn't compete or was unpleasant. It was just essentially a 10 year old design that came out at around the same time Glock shook things up.
you need to look at some astras. the a60, a75 and a100 pistols were good guns, too.
Hop!! I just found your channel!! I love your work on TFB TV and I am so glad you have your own channel. I love Spanish firearms, too. Actually, I love a lot of the same shit you do (one of my EDC pistols is a Radom P-64). I have a Star BM with wood grips (and no import mark) and am always looking for other good examples. This Model 30 kind of reminds me of a Sig P210 (another gun on my radar). Anywho, I subscribed and I love your work, man!
A good friend of mine gifted me a Starfire 30MI as my first handgun when I moved out on my own. The thing is built like a brick shithouse and it chews whatever dumpster fire ammo you throw at it.
I'll take a beat up p226 over any gun he's reviewing in this video any day of the week.
I had a 30PK in 90s South Africa, it was okay but I very quickly replaced it.
The weapons of choice of Pulp Fiction’s hitmen, Jules & Vincent…
I have an m43.its in pretty good shape shoots really well. Paid 400.00 for it.i thought was a little high at the time since owning the gun now 6 plus yrs it has not skipped a beat ever. And I've had more people an friend's want to buy it off me. Came really close to selling the thing but talked myself out of it and I'm glad I did. Thanks for the review.
My favorite lesbian Guntuber
Nice!! Been quite a while since we've got a video on star.
Is this the “OG Lesbian“ from TFBTV???
I just got a p229 with Romeo1... how are you gonna gut punch me like this. lol
I love my Star Firestar Plus 9mm …25 years old and still shoot are great as my Sig or my Beretta..
From the look of it, it reminds me very strongly of the CZ 75, particularly the extractor and slide lock/takedown pin, but the slide riding inside the frame is even more distinctive. Given the Israeli usage of 75 clones at the time, the police use of something cheaper but similar would make sense. I wonder how many of the CZ parts could swap or be adapted to fit.
I was thinking the same thing entirely. Especially the firing pin breakage as well.
BUL Storm are close too
I love Star pistols and I love Hop. What more could I ask than this for a video today? Great stuff.
Great content Hop👍 Have personally experienced all STAR pistols, back in the day before most of your viewers were born. I too enjoyed the quality & performance of the STAR pistol lineup throughout years past. Bitter sweet to see the demise of the Spanish firearms manufacturing empire. I have several STAR pistol tales & story's of lore but then I'm not a content provider on this platform. Excuse the long wind however am looking forward to you future content. Outstanding job & content Hop !
Every word you said here is on the money. No mention of the m45 tho :o
I really enjoy your show. I like the evolution of the semi-automatic pistol. Thank You brother for your efforts and content. Great job.
Ok Hop, you'll need to explain how the SIG P226 was "obsolete as soon as it came off the assembly line the first time." Not saying I disagree as I never liked the P226's high bore axis (I prefer my Beretta 92 and LOVE my CZ 75B Retro). I'd just like to hear your rationale.
yeah i dunno, seems like he's just trolling. other than the "muh bore axis tho". ALL modern pistols use their little spin the Sig's lugless locking system and extractor design. literally all of them, even the Muh Glock.
Model 28 is just Spanish CZ at home
How is hop simultaneously 13 and 30
Glad to see Hop putting out a video on the Star pistols! I remember him mentioning them in I think a TFB video and I commented about it, and he said he’d do a video on them.
Well it might have taken six months or so but he definitely delivered!
Damn these are some beautiful firearms
Didn’t Waynegrow carry one of these in the opening Armored Truck scene in HEAT?
Megastar
Thank you so much for making this video! I love shooting my Model 28!
A return to form
What spares do you need for your Star's?
I may be able to get factory new spares that are lying around at an agent I know of (outside U.S).
Surprised you didn't mention the mag disconnect that makes it absolutely brutal to remove a full or half full mag if it's not removed.
That Star M31P is beautiful!
Reminds me of the Star M43 Firestar. Personally prefer pistol safeties on the grip not the slide. . .
Bit harsh on the SIG 226 there. The Glock was weird and new then, and took a long time to convince people that it was the right way. The P226 was still a perfectly mainstream conventional choice in the mid 90's and a lot of people liked it for being decock-only.
Today, yes, with the benefit of hindsight we can see that Gaston was right but even ten years after it hit the market it was still only one of many options that a well-read shooter might consider.
The Sig benefitted from endless gunwriter whores gushing endlessly about how great anything Sig is.
Is this gun Jesus approved?
AWESOME!!! THE Spanish deococker 9ines are AWESOME pistols. One o me best pals has several model 30s. He has had them for YEARS. M30 is a awesome pistol.
Always AWESOME Hop!!! I meant 30M anyways me pal LOVES his steel Spanish 9s and has been carryin em for YEARS.
Thanks for the video Hop, these are so interesting. I have always been in love with the Ultrastar.... dunno why, it kinda looks ultracool :)
Still have an M-43 firestar I found at random. Unfortunately finding magazines was nigh on impossible and my mistake was I got 2 from somebody on ebay that looked like they had been other magazines shaped to fit by a belt sander. Ended up having to buy the fugly triple k mags. I hate the stupid Star shaped cutouts but they do fit, feed, and drop ( unlike the junkies I junked). The firestar is one heavy SOB but it works so I gave it a pass and I use it as a boat gun ( it’s tied to a long lanyard so it can be recovered if dropped) it’s starvel finish is beat up but it gets it done. I also have a star BM with issue holster that’s a good gun and based on serial number could have potentially been used in the coup attempt by members of the civil guard
I almost bought a couple of these over the last year. They look pretty cool, and almost all the reviews are really good.
Good stuff! I’m the proud owner of 2 Megastars (1x45acp & 1x10mm) that I purchased brand new in 2002. I’ve shit less then 50 rounds through the 10mm. Trying to keep to keep it pristine due to their value. Never had one issue with the 45acp which I’ve probably have put in excess of 3k rounds through.
talking mad about the p226, thems fighting words.
Just in time for WW3
With regard to spare parts, I've got a BS I got for almost nothing many moons ago. I found a guy on the fledgling interwebs that had bought all of Star's parts. All of them.
He had everything, so I bought the things that were most likely recommended to break or get lost, including a replacement firing pin, spring, extractor and spring, magazine, and one or two other things. Still have the stuff in case it's needed, but I don't shoot the pistol enough to probably break anything on it.
Nice 9mm though, same thing used in Private Ryan, Pulp Fiction and many other movies,
Interesting - the mod 30 takes down just like a Ruger P89.
My brother in law still carries an AMT Backup in .45ACP. Haha.
Need
I had a Star collection & my favorite was my M30. The only reason I sold it is because getting mags was very hard & spares were even harder. It's spiritual successor, for me, is the CZ75 but I still miss my Star M30. That was accurate, low recoil & never failed to cycle h fire.
30M
Triple k has mags and grips for the star pistols.
Very aesthetically pleasing