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Work order — Star Model BM

Taking the firearm apart for a job such as refinishing, and putting it back together to specification. Generated from the Pew-Takedown entry last updated 2026-10-29. Confidence: medium.

Shop difficulty: Tier 2 of 3

51 parts in a 1911-like but non-interchangeable design: removable bushing and link, captive recoil spring, slide-mounted firing pin retained by a vertical pin under the rear sight, pivoting trigger with a rail-mounted disconnector and a magazine safety. A gunsmith who knew both found it harder to detail strip than a 1911. 51 parts ('Piezas componentes de la pistola STAR modelo BM' (p. 3) keyed to the 'Vista explosiva' (p. 2), Guardia Civil manual; complete pistol incl. magazine and cleaning rod.). Pew-Takedown's rating, not the manufacturer's.

Bench time: strip ~30 min, rebuild ~45 min (estimate). Actual: strip ______ rebuild ______

Special tools:

• dovetail sight pusher (or brass drift and padded vise) — Removing and refitting dovetailed sights for coating

Watch for:

• An experienced 1911 user finds the BM harder to detail strip than a true 1911. (both; Hi-Powers and Handguns (Stephen A. Camp))
• The firing pin is retained by a vertical pin under the rear sight, so the sight has to be drifted to get the firing pin out. (both; Hi-Powers and Handguns (Stephen A. Camp))
• The captive recoil spring on its full-length guide is harder to service. (both; Hi-Powers and Handguns (Stephen A. Camp))
• 1911 parts do not fit; parts are no longer made. (reassembly; Hi-Powers and Handguns (Stephen A. Camp))

1. Clear and make safe

1. Point the muzzle in a safe direction and keep your finger off the trigger.
2. Press the magazine release and remove the magazine.
3. Retract the slide fully to eject any chambered round and lock it open.
4. Visually inspect the chamber and magazine well, then physically feel the chamber to confirm it is empty.
   Warning: Look and feel. Both, every time.
5. Remove all live ammunition from the work area.

2. Disassemble

Field Strip

1. Complete the Clear and Make Safe procedure and let the slide forward with the hammer cocked and the safety off.
2. Retract the slide until the takedown notch aligns with the slide stop lug.
3. Push the slide stop out from the right side of the frame and withdraw it from the left.
   Warning: Thumb pressure only. If it resists, the notch is not aligned.
4. Ease the slide forward and off the front of the frame.
5. Remove the recoil spring and guide from the slide.
   Warning: Under spring tension.
6. Move the barrel forward and lift it out of the slide.

3. Refinish

The components the procedures above separate. Coating, masking and cure are outside this database; follow your coating system's instructions. A part the manufacturer marks "factory fit" should not be swapped or reworked.

No manufacturer statement of materials or finish is recorded. Identify each part's material before choosing prep and cure.

The manufacturer's full parts list (51 parts) is on the reference page.

4. Reassemble

Reassembly

1. Fit the barrel into the slide and seat it in the locking recesses.
2. Install the recoil spring and guide.
3. Set the slide onto the frame rails and push it rearward until the takedown notch aligns.
4. Tip the barrel link forward and insert the slide stop from the left, pressing it fully home.
   Warning: Never force the slide stop. If it will not pass through, the link is not aligned.
5. Release the slide into battery and perform the function check.

5. Torque

No manufacturer torque values are recorded for this firearm.

Fit or check on rebuild

• Rear sight re-centred — The rear sight is moved to free the firing pin retaining pin, so it must go back on centre
• Function check: trigger reset, sear/striker engagement, safeties — Standard post-reassembly check on any pistol whose fire-control parts were removed; a mis-seated spring shows up here, not on the bench

6. Function check

• Verify the pistol is unloaded with no magazine inserted before each check.
• Cock the hammer, engage the thumb safety, and press the trigger. The hammer must not fall.
• Disengage the safety and press the trigger. The hammer should fall.
• Hold the trigger back, rack the slide, release slowly and confirm the reset.
• Confirm the slide locks open on an empty magazine.

If any check fails, the firearm is not safe to fire. Stop and see a licensed gunsmith.

Sources

1. Star Model BM Pistol Manual — Star Bonifacio Echeverria S.A. primary
2. Pistolas automáticas Star — Nuevo modelo de pistola "Star" BM, calibre 9 mm. Parabellum (Luger). Reglamentaria en el Cuerpo de la Guardia Civil — Star Bonifacio Echeverria, S.A. (Eibar) primary
   https://archive.org/download/gunmanual_Star_Bm_Manual/Star%20Bm%20Manual.pdf
3. A Critical Look at the Star Model BM — Hi-Powers and Handguns (Stephen A. Camp) secondary
   https://hipowersandhandguns.com/a-critical-look-at-the-star-model-bm/

Educational guide only. Some information comes from non-authoritative sources. Always consult your manufacturer's manual and a licensed gunsmith. Verify your firearm is unloaded before every procedure. Full disclaimer: https://github.com/Fundamental-build-LLC/Pew-Takedown

Legal notice: this material is third-party information compiled from sources of varying reliability and is provided for general informational and educational purposes only. It is not gunsmithing, technical, safety or legal advice, it is not verified or endorsed by any manufacturer, and it must not be taken as fact. Any work on a firearm beyond the routine field stripping described in its own owner's manual should be performed only by a licensed and insured gunsmith. You use this material entirely at your own risk. Fundamental Build LLC and the project's contributors make no warranty of any kind and accept no liability for death, injury, damage or loss arising from its use. Full terms: LEGAL.md.