Star si++update post 7++

[Pofoo]

I have 2 of these cool pistols in 380acp.
These were originally produced .32acp and .380. The Spanish Air Force traded in their 32's to Star, and in conjunction with InterArms, refurbished them, and converted them to 380. They then sold the old, refurbished ones, and new ones here in the '70's ??? They all looked new, and neither Star or InterArms told anyone that some were older, converted models.
1 of mine is the converted 32 and one is a newer commercial 380, per the marking under the grip panels.
So, the question is, can the old one be converted back to 32, EASILY, with just a barrel change? I have read that going from 32 to 380 required "minimal" parts.
I've read conflicting reports that the factory mags were generic to both calibers.

[morrcarr67]

I have 2 of these cool pistols in 380acp.
These were originally produced .32acp and .380. The Spanish Air Force traded in their 32's to Star, and in conjunction with InterArms, refurbished them, and converted them to 380. They then sold the old, refurbished ones, and new ones here in the '70's ??? They all looked new, and neither Star or InterArms told anyone that some were older, converted models.
1 of mine is the converted 32 and one is a newer commercial 380, per the marking under the grip panels.
So, the question is, can the old one be converted back to 32, EASILY, with just a barrel change? I have read that going from 32 to 380 required "minimal" parts.
I've read conflicting reports that the factory mags were generic to both calibers.

Throughout the series, both .32 ACP (7.65 mm) and .380 ACP (9 mm Browning Short or 9 mm Corto) versions have been made. In all cases, the base model is in .380, while an "I" suffix denotes a .32 caliber chambering. Most parts interchange between the two, but as the cases are different sizes, there is no way to simply switch out a few parts and change calibers. No other calibers, such as .22 LR, were made. The ultra-rare Super Target model (Super-SM) was not apparently made in .32

http://star-firearms.com/firearms/guns/s/index.shtml

[Calif Hunter]

I have two of the .380 Super SM Target models. They are nice shooters and work well for concealed carry as they are thin and flat. My son used one in AZ for that.

[Pofoo]

http://star-firearms.com/firearms/guns/s/index.shtml

Well, that seems pretty definitive.
I know some other guns will work with only a barrel change, but, something is evidently different in this case.
Thanks for the help.

Interesting fact.
A friend inadvertently loaded .32acp rounds in one of the .380acp pistols and told me that there was a problem with ejection and reloading. I thought he was probably limp wristing so I tried it also. After manually working the slide, it fired but did not cycle. Looking at the fired case, it was obvious that the 32 case was bulged quite a bit.
So, if I ever find a barrel, I think I'll try to get it to work, probably with a lighter recoil spring.
Looking back at the history, where some of the original 32's were converted to 380, I wonder what parts, other than the barrel, were actually changed?

[TRAP55]

Pofoo, if and when you figure it out, be sure to update this thread.
Before Aghauler escaped Calif, I bought his safe queen .32, NIB with all the paperwork from 1954. I would like to have one in .380 too. If it's just a barrel swap, that would be even better.

[Pofoo]

Pofoo, if and when you figure it out, be sure to update this thread.
Before Aghauler escaped Calif, I bought his safe queen .32, NIB with all the paperwork from 1954. I would like to have one in .380 too. If it's just a barrel swap, that would be even better.

I think that there is a good chance that it will work.
As I said above, a .32acp did feed from the .380acp mag, and did fire.
It did eject manually.
So far, I haven't been able to find a 32 barrel.
Since i have 2 380's in xlnt condition, I would be open to trade one with you.
Or, maybe just trade slides (since they are caliber marked) and barrels (no ffl needed?)?

[Pofoo]

++update++
Trapp55
I found a .32 factory barrel from Numrich's. It is in xlnt shape and fits right into my older/converted .380 pistol. These are hard to find as I've been looking for over a year.
The major difference I see, is that the original .32 barrels lock up on the ejection port, while the newer/converted .380 barrels have ribs that lock up into the underside of the slide, like a Colt 1911.
So, going .380 to .32 seems like it will work with just a barrel swap, but going .32 to .380 will require a barrel and slide. Both of these are easier to find.
Mags seem to work with both cartridges.
I don't know about the recoil spring.
I won't get to the range for a while to test this.

[aghauler]

Pofoo, if and when you figure it out, be sure to update this thread.
Before Aghauler escaped Calif, I bought his safe queen .32, NIB with all the paperwork from 1954. I would like to have one in .380 too. If it's just a barrel swap, that would be even better.

Who ya calling a Queen??

[TRAP55]

Who ya calling a Queen??

Well, I can't call ya Pimp, you sold me your Pimp gun!

[TRAP55]

++update++
Trapp55
I found a .32 factory barrel from Numrich's. It is in xlnt shape and fits right into my older/converted .380 pistol. These are hard to find as I've been looking for over a year.
The major difference I see, is that the original .32 barrels lock up on the ejection port, while the newer/converted .380 barrels have ribs that lock up into the underside of the slide, like a Colt 1911.
So, going .380 to .32 seems like it will work with just a barrel swap, but going .32 to .380 will require a barrel and slide. Both of these are easier to find.
Mags seem to work with both cartridges.
I don't know about the recoil spring.
I won't get to the range for a while to test this.

Thanks for the update! I'll be checking for the range report.

[aghauler]

Well, I can't call ya Pimp, you sold me your Pimp gun!

Had 2 of them, sold one then that one to you, which was the best one and you had to do a lot of leg work to get it from the FFL. Or am I thinking of another pistol? I never shot that pistol, I did shoot the other less desirable one though.

[TRAP55]

Nope, that's the one, with the CZ .32, and a double DROS on two guns! Last time I set foot in there too!

[aghauler]

Nope, that's the one, with the CZ .32, and a double DROS on two guns! Last time I set foot in there too!

I still feel bad about that BS

Oh well, you finally got it life goes on!

Picked up 2 M1 Carbines at least one is a CMP from Creedmore Cup Match.

[Pofoo]

Thanks for the update! I'll be checking for the range report.

I'm pretty happy.
The .32 barrel worked great.
2 of the 3 mags worked great. 1 mag needs a little tweaking as a round jumps up too easily and jams.

[AR22]

I am a big fan of the Spanish Pistols..Or the ones I own anyway..2 Llama mini 1911s in 22..Star Model F in 22, and a very fine 1974 Astra Constable in 22.They are sorta underrated gems in my opinion.. I think I am missing one in there somewhere though.