Star Firestar, Problem Resloved

[Castaway]

Originally posted in May, 04.

Posted: Mon May 10, 2004 6:26 am    Post subject: Trigger Pblm, Star Firestar    
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Took my 40 S&W Star Fire star to the range yesterday. Fired about 8 rounds, then the trigger failed to drop the hammer. Thinking maybe the magazine safety was malfnctioning, I removed the right grip and confirmed the trigger transfer bar was sliding full length under the safety tab when the magazine was inserted. Removed the slide and inspected the cut-out for the disconnector to see if it was fouled and not letting the disconnector fully return when in battery, it was clean and there was positive spring pressure on the disconnector. Checked the innards around the sear, when the slide was removed, the transfer bar tripped the sear pusher whech in turn tripped the sear, allowing the hammer to fall. The sear spring is intact and seated and there was no binding. Reassembled, dry fired a couple of times and the hammer dropped, then the whole thing started agaiin. Any more suggestions before I do the disassembly thing

Castaway : Check the spring and ball bearing that put (downward) preasure on the trigger transfer bar from the trigger that is suppose to put up-ward preasure on the rear of the transfer bar to keep it engaged with the sear, you will have to remove the grip panels the mag. release which is a quarter turn screw on the right side remove trigger assm. being careful remove transfer bar from trigger smal pin dont lose you will see ball bearing and spring you may gave to replace the spring or have it done by a gunsmith. I had the same problem with a firestar in 45 acp all is good now.Posted: Mon May 10, 2004 6:26 am    Post subject: Trigger Pblm, Star Firestar    
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[Castaway]

Finally figured out the problem.  Took rear sight off, looked at passive firing pin safety and a chip had broken off.  Sometimes it was out of the way and the pistol functioned fine.  Most of the time it went under the firing pin block and wouldn't allow the trigger to travel enough to rip the sear.  Thanks to all who responded to the original post.

[Whelen Man]

I had a problem with a Firestar trigger failing to work.  I looked everything over and couldn't for the life of me figure out what was the problem.  I finally noticed a bit of case polishing media lodged inside the frame in the recess in front of the trigger preventing it from fully returning to battery.  What was happening was that with hollow point reloads some of the polishing media was lodging in the nose cavity of the hollow point and then dislodging when the pistol fired and cycled the round and dropped the media right into the little v shaped slot in front of the trigger.  I just checked all my rounds from then on to be sure that nothing was in the nose of the bullet and had no further problems.  This is really a design error and could result in a failure to fire when needed.  A little grit or dirt and the pistol doesn't fire.  Other than that, I love the Firestars and have had them in 9mm. and currently have a .45.

[gunnut69]

Whelan Man- from your post it sounds as if you polish your reloads after assembly.. That is not a good practice. The powder can be damaged by the vibration and it's granual size changed. This can alter burn rate and create a serious problem.. Polishing should be done before ammo is assembled.

[Whelen Man]

gunnut69, I don't load any pistol ammo anymore.  This was ammo bought from a reloading company that always set up at the local guns shows and still does.  They sell tons of ammo and I have no idea why there would be media in the noses of their loaded ammo.  They were there though and I learned to watch their ammo.  It was only with their shrinkwrapped ammo packages that I had the problem.  Matter of fact, I load for several rifle calibers and don't even have or use a case polisher.  I don't load that many rounds and I do them by hand with CLR and extra fine steel wool.  I agree with you and wouldn't want to tumble finished rounds.     I'm more into quality not quantity.   It takes time, but the end result is nice.