The Spanish Wondernines

[@josem.amoedo8623]

Nice review! Ex Spanish Security Service of the Royal Hose here: yes, there was a full size version of the 30m in a lighter alloy. Externally indistinguishable. Used the 30m extensively in my job and we trained quite a bit with it. Never seen it malfunction. We trusted it with our lives, literally, since there were two active terrorist groups around and we were standing in front of the most high value targets in the Kingdom. Regards.

[@red9man2130]

I LOVE both the CETME and the Star model 30. I understand the Spanish Navy still issues them. I,am vert sad both Star and Astra are no longer in business.

[@aslanbosnakoglu8240]

you need some democracy to save you from the royal parasites

[@ImpossibleMusic69]

@@aslanbosnakoglu8240 yes because democracy never inspires terrorism…. I’m all for democracy but keep your opinions like this to yourself. Kudos on your service sir

[@not-a-theist8251]

@@aslanbosnakoglu8240 democracy and monarchy aren't mutually exclusive. Spain is bith. As are the UK and the low countries for example.

[@aslanbosnakoglu8240]

@@not-a-theist8251 so you vote for your kings?🤣. the english queen has the right to dissolve the parlament whenever she feels like it. 🤣🤣 stop slaughtering poor people in fake illegal wars of aggression if you are really free. you are all serfs living under all kinds of dogmas and you dont even know it.

[@southernmarksman]

I think we need a longer rant from Hop on the P226. I've heard a lot of praise for the type over the years. And though I'm a boring Glock carrier myself, I did grow up watching Agent Fox Mulder carry one in the X-Files.

[@djeske1ktwo5]

Buy him several sig,make sure one is a third gen police turn in from like 3 years, one new, one lemon, one from a store, and 3 randoms. This is how opinions are formed and he’ll do it! Trust me, he wants too

[@riflemanm16a2]

I'm curious too. It's been a while since I've handled a P226, but I have two P220s, which are basically the same design. IMO it's one of the best all around DA/SA pistols because it has fewer quirks than most.

[@WutangPham]

@@riflemanm16a2 in my mind, decocker models of the cz 75 are the most quirk free da/sa pistols. The beretta has a stupid decocker safety thats slide mounted and the p226 has the decocker in front of the slide release which is the opposite of every other pistol. hk and fn pistols have a frame mounted decocker/safety, but it's designed so that the user can carry cocked and locked, hammer down, or hammer down in addition to the manual safety. That's way better than a beretta in my opinion and the only people who have a problem with that are those who don't want a manual safety at all.

[@DocMitchell69]

@@WutangPham My only problem with CZ is the midget slide. I’ve always slingshot slides, since I’ve found it to be much more reliable than using the release or lock. But the CZ just doesn’t have enough meat for my liking. The P09 does it pretty well though, minimalistic enough for a low bore axis, but still high enough for sling shotting. I just wish they could make a aluminum framed P-09. Already got a G19 so I just want something different.

[@leroyjenkins4811]

I’ve never like the Sig P226 or P229 because the slide lock/slide release is in the wrong place. It’s too far back on the gun and I always induce malfunctions. I either lock the gun open at inappropriate times or the gun won’t shoot to slide lock. I do like Beretta G model DA/SA guns though. Those are nice. They’re just decocker only. The slide mounted safeties on Berettas are atrocious.

[@MaximusOverhead]

As someone who has mechanically restored a Israeli Gen 1 1971 S&W model 59, those failures to feed and failures to extract we’re hauntingly similar to my 59. Thankfully Smith & Wesson parts are actually still available, but I basically had to replace everything even the barrel. The extractor spring was from a Bic pen, I shit you not………. And it looks like it’s been through a rock tumblr, 30 years of holsterware i’m surprised there’s even finish left on it.

[@SailfishSoundSystem]

I've never had any failures with my Model 59. It eats everything. I'm not sure what year mine is or how many rounds went through it. I'm guessing less than 1000. I know I've put 200 through it and the finish is still pretty good. It's accurate with the adjustable sights. What do you recommend replacing or to look for on an old one? Thanks.

[@MaximusOverhead]

@@SailfishSoundSystem honestly you probably don't have to worry about anything if your gun is a US civilian or police market model. The re-imported Israeli police guns probably have tens of thousands of rounds on them and very poor overall maintenance. If you really want to replace something, you can always replace the main recoil spring, extractor spring, and magazine springs. Numrich gun parts has basically every internal component you can think of for the 59.

[@SailfishSoundSystem]

@@MaximusOverhead Thanks!

[@jackusmc2542]

Hop, you were born too late! I was in my mid to late 20's in the age of the Wonder 9. It was Magnificent! So many different guns were coming out. Your comment about the 226, maybe it was obsolete when it came off the line, but those were the Cool Guy guns for years. You were not an "Operator" without one. I was more of an S&W fan and the third generation guns were great. One of my friends collects S&W autos and yes, the model nomenclature will make you insane and start calling to the Great Old One! Keep up the good work

[@rbm6184]

Jack the Jarhead Yes. I saw more Smith Gen pistols than just about anything back then. Taurus PT92s and Beretta 92s were just about as common and my first 9mm pistol was a PT92 that was an excellent pistol. A few Ruger Ps and the occasional P226 and CZ75. Nobody wanted a Glock. Haha. There were more 1911s than you could shake a stick at and in fact my very first pistol was a 1911A1. One of my employers back then had a P226. I shot it and I can see why it was highly favored by lots of shooters. For an "obsolete" pistol lots of folks wanted one including some police departments that carried them. Not to mention Navy SEALs and special ops. We have to remember the P226 was the pistol that was the last one standing against the Beretta 92 at the US Army trials for the M9 pistol. Beretta lost but won the contract because it was cheaper. I wanted one but SIGs are more expensive so I got a Spanish Astra A-100 copy of the P226. It was a great pistol in its own right.

[@diegomontoya796]

I read about every release in guns and ammo. As a kid, we would be amazed at the capacity increase. The shrinking of size to max capacity game is ongoing. My dad collected revolvers. I'd put money on my skill with those. Think of the kids that started violin at 3 years old... my folks split up after we graduated. My dad moved 3 blocks from a range. We'd load .45s for the 1911 and my auto odesse began. I'd shot tons out of a ruger standard. And tons of .44 and .357 from double and single action revolvers. It took about 2000 rounds over months for me to be able to adjust to the balance, and to get the muscle memory to reaquire the target for fast follow up shots. Which was not a thing I did single action precision revolver shooting. I turned 21. Dad gives me a ruger p series. Down sizing calibers was like taking the practice weights off a bat. Hoppes, gun powder, smell like childhood. I had the best dad.

[@douglasmcneil8413]

I've owned 2 Stars over the years. Back in the 80's, I used to have a Star Model PD in .45 acp. That was a great gun. Wish I still had it. I currently have a Star FireStar M-40. Bought it back in 1994. Also, a good gun. It is a shame that Star is gone now. They really knew how to make a decent gun.

[@g54b95]

I am also saddened that the Spanish firearms producers are no more. Astra, Star and (commonly just referred to as) Llama all made some excellent guns over the years. Lots of history with these guns, and still undervalued IMO.

[@newpeupyoass]

No joke, if Star made a Super B that took Hi-Power mags, that would have been the best handgun on the market until the mid 70s.

[@mozzberg590]

Guns I never new existed and now I want. Thanks

[@franciswatson8793]

Man this is such a blast from the past. I used to shoot competition back in highschool and and a star was my first pistol I used for competition, honestly still my favorite shooting 9mm of all time. The only problem was that this was long after the company went under and finding spare mags and other parts was a pain in the butt. My dad sold it and got a gen 3 Glock 17 for me to use after that and I swear it only took a couple of matches before I was sick of the thing never could shoot as well with that as the old star.

[@bass779]

The disassembly stuff is really cool

[@soundslikesight7876]

Tell us more about you disdain for the 226 Hop! The people want to know!

[@Mrgunsngear]

Thanks

[@robotbuster1487]

Star Pistolas were gun show dealer favorites. I hope Hop features his Llama pistol collection in future episodes

[@squishyfaceguy]

My dad has some star guns. They’re dope.

[@alfonsorj70]

I love my Star Firestar Plus 9mm …25 years old and still shoot are great as my Sig or my Beretta..

[@Skaramine]

I was there when these first showed up on the radar. The M43 was a JOY for its brief, brilliant flame. The 30’s have a great slide appearance. Thanks for this review.

[@itsnodawayitustabe5654]

Hop is a man of taste

[@Verdha603]

Glad to see Hop putting out a video on the Star pistols! I remember him mentioning them in I think a TFB video and I commented about it, and he said he’d do a video on them. Well it might have taken six months or so but he definitely delivered!

[@ironked]

Interesting comment about brittle firing pins. Even for the more "modern" models. I found a Model BM. Fantastic shooter. Broke the pin while dryfiring. Then found out about the metallurgical problems. Got a newly manufactured pin from Jack First gun parts. I am hoping that the steel is better. Might be a good source for replacements or a spare to have around.

[@Danefrak]

Many are metal injection molded. And this is the source of the weakness. Usually if you get an after market one you'll never have an issue.

[@filthycasual9542]

Øøkyhyttthm

[@TingTingalingy]

The barrel bands are good to have extras of. I got a couple for mine, made from 5160 steel. Which is what is used for big chopping blades like cleavers. Can't remember who makes them but quick searching and you'll find them, super adorable too!

[@geofftimm2291]

I've got a nasty Star Super in .380, I had a Star DK which was a single stack, locked breech, sub compact .380. I traded it to a "Guns" magazine fan for something or another, after an article about it was published. Geoff Who has been around awhile.

[@Ni999]

The Star DK with a US-made frame also appeared as the Colt Pony and later appeared from Iver Johnson.

[@Pyrosis22]

Got a Star 30 over a year ago. Good call they've gone from well under $400 to well over. The recoil spring was week on mine as well so I put an extra power Beretta 92 in mine and seems to work just fine.

[@studinthemaking]

I have a Star compact. 9mm. That one very solid gun.

[@Stigstigster]

I love Star pistols and I love Hop. What more could I ask than this for a video today? Great stuff.

[@elhombreenmascaradothephan1288]

Buena pistola. Para toda la vida🇪🇦

[@jimsiress9687]

Great content Hop👍 Have personally experienced all STAR pistols, back in the day before most of your viewers were born. I too enjoyed the quality & performance of the STAR pistol lineup throughout years past. Bitter sweet to see the demise of the Spanish firearms manufacturing empire. I have several STAR pistol tales & story's of lore but then I'm not a content provider on this platform. Excuse the long wind however am looking forward to you future content. Outstanding job & content Hop !

[@321Chew]

So thankful to have my fathers 30M. I’ll never get rid of it

[@georgeveneziano2754]

I have an m43.its in pretty good shape shoots really well. Paid 400.00 for it.i thought was a little high at the time since owning the gun now 6 plus yrs it has not skipped a beat ever. And I've had more people an friend's want to buy it off me. Came really close to selling the thing but talked myself out of it and I'm glad I did. Thanks for the review.

[@alwaystinkering7710]

I LOVE my Firestar, it's my primary carry. I wanted to collect more Star pistols but the prices have really gone up as people realized, late, that they are really good guns.

[@Rattletrap-xs8il]

I have the BM30 and the Firestar in .45 (which was my dad's). Both guns are excellent and have never failed. I have a Llama Extra (1911 pattern with a longer barrel chambered in .38 super) which is my carry. Love those old Spanish guns.

[@stevemc6010]

Forgotten Hoplos

[@cruisemissile77]

Thank you so much for making this video! I love shooting my Model 28!

[@DMxMarine]

Very cool video! I have a starfire 30MI that my grandpa gave me when I had gone off to college. Still have it, but sadly some of the springs have broken. It’s a bit of a hassle to find spare parts unless I bought a whole new one to vulture.

[@Hidalguense]

Check out bob's gun shop

[@ronaldwhitman1377]

Star makes me reminiscent of a time I was born after. They're such beautiful guns

[@sammyg4806]

Hop should have 1 million subscribers, him and Hickok45 are my favorite gun reviewers.

[@allanbartlett4634]

Nice!! Been quite a while since we've got a video on star.

[@darrelldutsch]

I really enjoy your show. I like the evolution of the semi-automatic pistol. Thank You brother for your efforts and content. Great job.

[@Veritas419]

This kind of content is the reason I sub to this channel. 👍👍👍

[@Hoplopfheil]

Then I will make more.

[@bmf572]

Good stuff! I’m the proud owner of 2 Megastars (1x45acp & 1x10mm) that I purchased brand new in 2002. I’ve shit less then 50 rounds through the 10mm. Trying to keep to keep it pristine due to their value. Never had one issue with the 45acp which I’ve probably have put in excess of 3k rounds through.

[@azisandwich]

Interesting video to start a fine ww3 Thursday with

[@the1andonlySherlock]

"The P226, a gun that was obsolete as soon as it came off the assembly line" fucking YES. I get so much shit for saying this, its a breath of fresh air to hear someone else agree with it.

[@SomaticApparition]

What’s obsolete about the P226? I can’t own any guns so I genuinely wouldn’t know what would make it undesirable

[@nonprofitpsycho3122]

@@SomaticApparition It's not undesirable. Obsolete and undesirable are not the same thing, especially in the gun world. It was and still is a solid platform with amazing dependability but it used tech that was all out paced by almost every other major company at the time. Fans will say this is what makes it so dependable, the AK argument of simplicity. Realistically it just wasn't at all innovative and was filling an easily marketable spot on their roster with R&D almost all copy pasted and pieced together from a list of preexisting "wonder nines."

[@high6683]

but csgo tho

[@herknorth8691]

@@nonprofitpsycho3122 that criticism seems accurate, but wouldn't it also apply to all the other DA wondernines of the 70's through the 90's? For example, the Beretta 92 is pretty much a double-stack Walther P-38 that breaks less.

[@calholli]

@@SomaticApparition He's being sarcastic. The p226 is still one of the best pistols ever made. Top 10 anyway

[@thesuit4820]

Ian, Hop's coming for you mate.

[@brightforwar3831]

I have a model 30MI Starfire and it’s my favorite pistol out of everything that I have. It’s a tank, and it’s extremely accurate. Just a dream to shoot. I will never ever get rid of this pistol.

[@justin1563]

Very aesthetically pleasing

[@makninety5849]

thank you for making this video I LOVE star guns

[@jamesdc9595]

“So I tied an onion to my belt, as was the style at the time”

[@g54b95]

Hop!! I just found your channel!! I love your work on TFB TV and I am so glad you have your own channel. I love Spanish firearms, too. Actually, I love a lot of the same shit you do (one of my EDC pistols is a Radom P-64). I have a Star BM with wood grips (and no import mark) and am always looking for other good examples. This Model 30 kind of reminds me of a Sig P210 (another gun on my radar). Anywho, I subscribed and I love your work, man!

[@j.t.cooper2963]

I carried a Star Firestar M-40 for 20 years 1990-2010. Great little pocket pistol.

[@billanderson3192]

Good video!

[@tommynobaka]

Damn these are some beautiful firearms

[@robl884]

Anybody else feeling like Hop, James & Honest Outlaw are straight up revolutionizing GunTube?!

[@crankygunreviews]

I almost bought a couple of these over the last year. They look pretty cool, and almost all the reviews are really good.

[@CzechoslovakGunStories]

Thanks for the video Hop, these are so interesting. I have always been in love with the Ultrastar.... dunno why, it kinda looks ultracool :)

[@kevinwilson9589]

Really nice video, man. Have had a few Star pistols. Just something about a heavy, well built all steel pistol, with good lines that makes me happy.

[@PeepshowBaldwin]

So I love this video, because Wonder 9's have been a major object of research for me, from the 80's to the early 2000's. My novel takes place in a dystopian alternative past where the Soviet Union didn't fall and 9/11 didn't happen, so all of the characters tote and train with whatever was available in 2002. 2nd and 3rd Gen Smiths, Ruger P85's, Colt Deltas, Hi-Powers, etc. And now, it looks like some Star model 30PKs will find themselves in belts and jacket pockets.

[@ashton564]

Great Work Hop!

[@segundocano3055]

Tengo una STAR SUPER del 9 largo. Es mi joya y no la cambio por ningun arma moderna Fiable , segura, precisa y potente. Saludos desde España 🇪🇸 Buen video

[@ChrisB.C.]

I love these oldish guns like these. Interesting footnotes in firearms history. I just never seem to have the funds for them whenever I happen across one at a good deal.

[@SlavicCelery]

Love me some star pistols. Great video!

[@Timotheus-W]

i still have my firestar, it lives in one of my vehicles as a backup. its a good shooter, accurate and the weight helps keep the barrel down nicely. Unfortunately, I had sold my firestar plus years ago. (alloy frame and a double stack magazine) I wish I had kept that one, and I still keep my eyes open for one because that was even better than the firestar

[@bakedbeans7879]

That beat up finish on the 30 actually looks pretty damn cool.

[@valentinezehel54]

Yes HOP ! More Like This ! Thanks

[@UnderHisHand]

Lots of insight here. Thanks! I'm no longer a casual.

[@m2003h]

I love your take. The Starr 9 is a favorite of mine

[@ryanthomas2374]

Man the dissembly with its own parts is the most fucking awesome thing.

[@alanniederlitz8630]

AWESOME!!! THE Spanish deococker 9ines are AWESOME pistols. One o me best pals has several model 30s. He has had them for YEARS. M30 is a awesome pistol. Always AWESOME Hop!!! I meant 30M anyways me pal LOVES his steel Spanish 9s and has been carryin em for YEARS.

[@arrowhead5217]

A return to form

[@r.h.223]

thanks for this great review... looking forward to own a 30M very soon ...hasta la vista 👌👌

[@votekyle3000]

My Astra A100 is getting pretty worn out, but it’s been a lifelong friend.

[@mrshifter8220]

Dang, that model 31 nickle is nice......good video fellow Patriot!

[@manganvbg90]

Astar is a merger of star and astra, and mainly produce spareparts of old models. Worth a look!

[@ekim000]

That disassembly routine is very smart.

[@r33tUserError]

From the look of it, it reminds me very strongly of the CZ 75, particularly the extractor and slide lock/takedown pin, but the slide riding inside the frame is even more distinctive. Given the Israeli usage of 75 clones at the time, the police use of something cheaper but similar would make sense. I wonder how many of the CZ parts could swap or be adapted to fit.

[@timtimtimmay4654]

I was thinking the same thing entirely. Especially the firing pin breakage as well.

[@itsnodawayitustabe5654]

BUL Storm are close too

[@paulbalogh4582]

I adore my Star B’s. Nice review. If i already didn’t have so many pistols I’d buy another 2 Star B’s.

[@rogermac358]

"Statistically older than most of my viewers" Ouch! I was older than you when I bought the brand new to the market Firestar. Man I'm getting to be an old fart! LOL, sure doesn't seem that long ago...

[@dumptrump3788]

I had a Star collection & my favorite was my M30. The only reason I sold it is because getting mags was very hard & spares were even harder. It's spiritual successor, for me, is the CZ75 but I still miss my Star M30. That was accurate, low recoil & never failed to cycle h fire.

[@donsettie3799]

30M

[@Hidalguense]

Triple k has mags and grips for the star pistols.

[@FNGof2010]

When your so early that this video doesn't even appear under Hop's channel's videos tab.

[@fredboat]

Thanks Enjoyed the info and humor. . I got my first Star BM and a 30M in the 80s, Yea old fart, ,Big heavy pistol but a good shooter. As a lefty I look for ambi firearms. Back then they were few and far between.later from Texas.

[@aethertech]

*glancing at my CZ 75 SC Massada...with ejector problems, extractor problems, and sometimes feed problems.* "BUT ITS HISTORY!"

[@CeltKnight]

I remember the early Wondernine years. I was in my mid to late teens, easing toward a career in LE and reading voraciously everything I could on guns. Alas, if only we'd had KZbin back then .... um .... wait ... no ... probably a VERY good thing my generation didn't have social media and KZbin, LOL. Anyway, those Star pistols got great reviews in the gunrags of the time and I remember looking for them when I was shopping for my first serious pistol. They always seemed heavy but very solid and well-made.

[@Crangaso]

That Star M31P is beautiful! Reminds me of the Star M43 Firestar. Personally prefer pistol safeties on the grip not the slide. . .

[@silentstryker1590]

The Starvel finish haha! Star was the first 9mm I purchased back in '98 with that weird dull gold Starvel finish. Should of kept it.

[@paulpaulie]

Love the way the pk? Looks. The blued worn finish is shweet

[@ductileiron98]

Love my Star pistols. Star Firestar M43 nickel in 9mm is a great shooter for me.

[@zubdub2506]

I've got an old Star 30MI that I won at auction for about 150 a few years ago. It is easily the most gun I've ever gotten for my money.

[@MAWA2024]

Man I really enjoy your videos. Very interesting!

[@randyhavard6084]

I had a Spanish Llama 1911 and it was a great shooting handgun

[@mgreen7063]

With regard to spare parts, I've got a BS I got for almost nothing many moons ago. I found a guy on the fledgling interwebs that had bought all of Star's parts. All of them. He had everything, so I bought the things that were most likely recommended to break or get lost, including a replacement firing pin, spring, extractor and spring, magazine, and one or two other things. Still have the stuff in case it's needed, but I don't shoot the pistol enough to probably break anything on it. Nice 9mm though, same thing used in Private Ryan, Pulp Fiction and many other movies,

[@nickgomez6272]

carried a star firestar as my first handgun, from a pawn shop, thing was heavy as shit, but damn, that thing ran so well, it was nice and broken in.

[@Topher7527]

My first concealed carry gun was a Star, an M43. It was a heavy little thing but I never had an issue with it and it fit in an Alien Gear Sig holster.

[@josh656]

Definitely remember those from my formative Gen X years.

[@matthewcaughey8898]

Still have an M-43 firestar I found at random. Unfortunately finding magazines was nigh on impossible and my mistake was I got 2 from somebody on ebay that looked like they had been other magazines shaped to fit by a belt sander. Ended up having to buy the fugly triple k mags. I hate the stupid Star shaped cutouts but they do fit, feed, and drop ( unlike the junkies I junked). The firestar is one heavy SOB but it works so I gave it a pass and I use it as a boat gun ( it’s tied to a long lanyard so it can be recovered if dropped) it’s starvel finish is beat up but it gets it done. I also have a star BM with issue holster that’s a good gun and based on serial number could have potentially been used in the coup attempt by members of the civil guard

[@alphamale4497]

I just love old metal hammer guns way better than strikers today, just seems more bad ass.

[@donovanchau3483]

I found a Firestar recently for $300, I think it was an M40, but didn’t check if it was the double stack or single stack version. I am tempted to grab it, it’s just a nice classic looking gun and was the smallest 9mm option in the store besides a few of the compact Glocks. It’s too bad they’re out of business, I really liked the look of Star pistols.

[@sgtjarhead99]

I was never enamored with any of the Star wondernines when they came out. Way too many competing double stacked DA/SA guns to choose from during that time period. To say the market was flooded is an understatement. As a 1911 shooter, I really liked their Firestar compact 9mms though. Wish I picked up one of those when I had the chance.

[@lowtiertactical7701]

Interarm used to handle Walther too. I used to love Star's nickel finishes. They were pretty well built pistols. I remember they made a version in 45 acp. But I didn't see to many at the gun shops. The P.D. was one I wouldn't mind owning either.

[@hopewilliams6705]

Great video man I like these more obscure guns!

[@hoangducnguyenkhanh1]

That p226 statement. We need more of that

[@gtrfreak]

Your videos on Taurus and Star are supper cool geil!

[@herrcobblermachen]

Every word you said here is on the money. No mention of the m45 tho :o

[@Gougar]

Enjoy your pistol reviews a lot.

[@simon_969]

Always a good time when you have a well made metal frame semiauto to shoot