Star Firestar M-43 9mm Luger Compact SAO, 3.39 in Barrel, 7+1, Blued, Interarms Import, Fixed 3-Dot Sights
This Star Firestar M-43 is a compact, all-steel 9mm from Spain, imported by Interarms and recognized by Guns & Ammo as the 1991 Handgun of the Year. It pairs a 3.39-inch barrel and 7+1 capacity with single-action, locked-breech operation, conventional external slide rails, and fixed 3-dot sights. Markings include "STAR EIBAR SPAIN" and "INTERARMS ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA," with the chamber stamped "9mm x 19."
Condition
Overall Condition: Fair condition, showing extensive signs of prior use and handling.
Bore Overall Condition: Fair - Generally clean, some residue or smudges, slight corrosion.
Bore Rifling: Good Rifling - Intact, well-defined lands and grooves.
Specific Condition Notes: Rust is widespread across the exterior. The finish shows notable wear with scratches and blemishes.
What’s Included
- Star Firestar M-43 9mm Luger pistol
- 1x 7-round factory Star Firestar single-column steel magazine with STAR sunburst and "FIRESTAR" markings on the body (plain baseplate)
- Box
The Firestar M-43 is a compact, single-action-only, recoil-operated, locked-breech 9mm built on an all-steel frame. It uses conventional external slide rails and an external extractor, with a 3.39-inch barrel and a 7+1 capacity single-column magazine.
Sight configuration is a fixed 3-dot system: a ramped post front with a single white dot and a square-notch 2-dot rear that is dovetailed and secured with a windage set-screw. The slide carries rear cocking serrations and longitudinal anti-glare serrations along the top.
Controls and safety features include a frame-mounted manual safety, a firing-pin safety, a magazine disconnect, and a left-side button magazine release. The pistol uses a ring-type spur hammer and wears black checkered synthetic grips with Star medallions. Frontstrap and backstrap checkering with a beavertail tang aid purchase.
Import and chamber markings are present: "STAR EIBAR SPAIN," "INTERARMS ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA," and "9mm x 19" on the chamber. The included factory single-column magazine has witness holes and STAR sunburst and "FIRESTAR" markings on the body; the baseplate is plain.
The Firestar line achieved notable recognition when it was named Guns & Ammo's 1991 Handgun of the Year, reflecting the model's design and execution in a compact, steel-framed 9mm format.