It's chonky, it's heavy, it's outdated, and it's fun - holsters located for the Star 30M! (Page 1 of 2)
Posted: 3/19/2026 3:00:49 AM EDT
[Last Edit: armoredman][Edited]
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And it really didn't cost much. I handled a Star Model 30M about 40 years ago, when they were everywhere, and really liked the feel of it. But, alas, I was broke, and would remain that way most of my adult life - poor life choices, or poor wife choice, whichever you want. I started getting those ads from J&G and a few others in the email, and I saw Star 30Ms were back on the menu, and not very expensive at all. But...I had moved on. Am collecting cowboy guns for my SASS journey, and that is NOT cheap, ($1100 for a used 1873 Winchester clone), parts are non-existent, magazines are expensive so, yeah, probably not going to get all nostalgic...right? All of a sudden I am hearing 80s action TV show theme songs playing. Uh oh. Ah, who am I kidding.  Shoots decent.  I am NOT a high speed/low drag pistolero, but this seems acceptable. The taped-over holes were the first ever rounds through it.  I ran about 75 rounds through it, (ran out of time), and it ate every weird load I had without issue. That frame is perfectly fat so to drop the mag all I go is hit it with my shooting middle finger around the front of the grip. The wear on it inside and out looks like something someone put a few hundred rounds through and then stashed away. Came with the box, really dated cleaning "kit", and extra magazine. Since I have been carrying a striker fired gun for the last 9 years, getting used to what Col. Cooper called the "crunchen tick" was fun, threw that DA first shot off to the right a little almost every time. Sure, it's old, its heavy, it has a smaller magazine than guns its size today, but it's fun. Heck, if I splurge wildly for a few more magazines, I might even carry it...IF I could find anyone who makes a good holster for one. Anyone else hear the Miami Vice theme song? |
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I love 80's and 90's action hero / bad guy guns.  Star had some interesting guns. This looks like a CZ-75 / S&W 59 love child. Best surplus gun of 2026? (so far) https://inside.safariland.com/blog/star-30m-the-best-surplus-gun-of-2026/ |
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Originally Posted By bullsi191145: A buddy of mine bought one. Got to shoot in a couple of weeks ago, and I am still trying to talk myself out of adding another surplus gun to my collection do it. they will only go UP in value. Buy from Centerfire Systems for lowest price |
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Originally Posted By dmk0210: I love 80's and 90's action hero / bad guy guns. Star had some interesting guns. This looks like a CZ-75 / S&W 59 love child. Best surplus gun of 2026? (so far) https://inside.safariland.com/blog/star-30m-the-best-surplus-gun-of-2026/ That is because the 30M actually IS a 75. The reference to Miami Vice is also 100% on point: the Bren-10 in 10mm is also a 75. 75s are the most produced handgun in the world. They are/ were made in at least a dozen countries. |
 Miami Vice Theme HD Yeah... |
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I like Spanish handguns, other than the newer Llamas. My first Star was a PD that I bought to replace my finicky Colt Combat Commander. My 10mm Star "Megastar" is a monster. I also have a Model B. Enjoy OP. |
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Originally Posted By Hacksaw25: Carried a Star BM for years, nice and flat. Still have it. I have a Star BM, nice shooting pistol. Part of that is because for it's size it's a hefty little pistol. I should have bought more magazines for it when I got it though, they were cheap at the time. |
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$259 shipped and no tax. Ok, you talked me into it. I know I had the Ultrastar in .40 S&W and maybe a Firestar back in the day, but it's been a while. All I've got now is a Model B from 1945. Attached File |
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Originally Posted By dump1567: $259 shipped and no tax. Ok, you talked me into it. I know I had the Ultrastar in .40 S&W and maybe a Firestar back in the day, but it's been a while. All I've got now is a Model B from 1945. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/19737/IMG_1868_jpg-3735004.JPG Nice Model B.  M45 Firestar in SS is on my list of past guns that I sold and regret also. The stupid shit we do in our youth. 
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Originally Posted By armoredman: Do it....doooo ittttt....DOOOO ITTTTT....{insert voodoo noises here} DOOO EEEEEETTTT NNNNNOOOOOWWWWW..... Originally Posted By armoredman: Originally Posted By TGWLDR: I'm still fighting the urge to order one of these to replace the one I sold about 30 years ago. Do it....doooo ittttt....DOOOO ITTTTT....{insert voodoo noises here} DOOO EEEEEETTTT NNNNNOOOOOWWWWW..... I'm on the fence. From what I've seen so far these are nice.( Spare mag availability and prices suck balls though. ) |
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Originally Posted By armoredman: And it really didn't cost much. I handled a Star Model 30M about 40 years ago, when they were everywhere, and really liked the feel of it. But, alas, I was broke, and would remain that way most of my adult life - poor life choices, or poor wife choice, whichever you want. I started getting those ads from J&G and a few others in the email, and I saw Star 30Ms were back on the menu, and not very expensive at all. But...I had moved on. Am collecting cowboy guns for my SASS journey, and that is NOT cheap, ($1100 for a used 1873 Winchester clone), parts are non-existent, magazines are expensive so, yeah, probably not going to get all nostalgic...right? All of a sudden I am hearing 80s action TV show theme songs playing. Uh oh. Ah, who am I kidding. https://i.imgur.com/fcnrqio.jpg Shoots decent. https://i.imgur.com/YUkeZEm.jpg I am NOT a high speed/low drag pistolero, but this seems acceptable. The taped-over holes were the first ever rounds through it. https://i.imgur.com/drRdASM.jpg I ran about 75 rounds through it, (ran out of time), and it ate every weird load I had without issue. That frame is perfectly fat so to drop the mag all I go is hit it with my shooting middle finger around the front of the grip. The wear on it inside and out looks like something someone put a few hundred rounds through and then stashed away. Came with the box, really dated cleaning "kit", and extra magazine. Since I have been carrying a striker fired gun for the last 9 years, getting used to what Col. Cooper called the "crunchen tick" was fun, threw that DA first shot off to the right a little almost every time. Sure, it's old, its heavy, it has a smaller magazine than guns its size today, but it's fun. Heck, if I splurge wildly for a few more magazines, I might even carry it...IF I could find anyone who makes a good holster for one. Anyone else hear the Miami Vice theme song? And J&G is LOCAL to us!!! 
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Picked up mine today. Had some rust that was easily removed. Cleaned it up and removed the mag disconnect. Will probably go shoot it next week. Attached File Attached File Attached File |
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Originally Posted By Dominion21: That is because the 30M actually IS a 75. Huh, never thought of it that way. I like, though rarely shoot, my 30M. I do wonder if Star could have figured out to make a 9mm grip larger and blockier Good guns, and do make a fantastic anchor for boats up to 36' |
| Interestingly enough, the grip is perfectly sized for me to use my middle finger of my shooting hand to drop the magazine. So, I can swap mags AND flip off my enemy at the same time. I didn't get a chance to try mine at longer range, will do that as soon as possible - I've heard they are great out to 25 yards then the accuracy falls off. Well, after 25 yards MY accuracy with a handgun falls off, too... |
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Originally Posted By Strela: I like Spanish handguns, other than the newer Llamas. * * * My 10mm Star "Megastar" is a monster. By reputation the Megastars were all-steel, double-stack beasts built from the ground up to handle the high-performance version of the 10mm cartridge. There was a .45 variant as well. The only downside I ever saw mentioned was finding extra magazines and spare parts. But yeah, let’s cue up a mid-‘80s Phil Collins tune. |
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The only downside I ever saw mentioned was finding extra magazines and spare parts. This seems to be the common theme across models. My local shop has a Star BM for $299 right now but it only comes with 1 mag. And just a quick search shows mags for these are still $50+. That and I'm a lefty. So, if I ever wanted to carry this, it wouldn't really work for me as an SA cocked & locked gun with its single sided safety. It's still a fairly nice clean example though. 
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Originally Posted By dump1567: This seems to be the common theme across models. My local shop has a Star BM for $299 right now but it only comes with 1 mag. And just a quick search shows mags for these are still $50+. That and I'm a lefty. So, if I ever wanted to carry this, it wouldn't really work for me as an SA cocked & locked gun with its single sided safety. It's still a fairly nice clean example though. https://cdn.filestackcontent.com/ITejJLJdRyK9gw3EKPUe Promag P6 P225 mags work well in these for under $19/ea |
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Not the best shooting I've done, but the gun worked fine. I'll shoot it again tomorrow to see if my Mec-Gar 5900 series mags work. Attached File 7 yards. Attached File |
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Both mags worked, but no slide lock on last round. I don't think the follower goes up high enough. These are the blued 15 rounders from Mec-Gar. And I removed my mag disconnect bar from the gun. Any variation to that set-up may or may not work. Mec-Gar Smith & Wesson Model 5900 Series Full Size 9mm 15-Round Magazine $20.99  How To Use S&W Magazines in your Star 30M: [Mag Disconnect Removal] |
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Just got one myself last week Attached File Attached File |
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Originally Posted By evnash: Just got one myself last week https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/222048/IMG_5370_jpeg-3743210.JPGhttps://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/222048/IMG_5371_jpeg-3743211.JPG IWB huh? Tad heavy for all day carry no? |
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Originally Posted By armoredman: And now I will have one coming in. Do you know how hard it is to find holsters for a gun that went out of print darn near 40 years ago? Galco ain't helpful here, buddy!   I usually go through the Holster boxes to find one that is "close enough". I don't recall if I found one for the M30, but I doubt it will ever end-up on my hip. |