[redrover3569]

I recently picked up my Star 380 ss and put 100 rounds of FMJ through it with no problems.


The problen came when I got it home and took it down for cleaning. I ralized that one of the grip pannel screws is shorter than the other three. It is literally shorter, I compared them to make sure. All of the holes in the pannels aprear to be tapped to the same depth. This made putting the pannel back on difficult but I got it to work.

Is this normal on this gun or can I get a new set of screws from somewhere that are sure to be the right ones?

[hunter Joe]

It just might be that one of the screws may need to be shorter so the gun or the magazine functions properly. I've seen this before.

[redrover3569]

Thanks for the reply hunter_joe. This is one thing I did consider. However the length of the other three screws is right for the thickness of the frame and pannel so that they are flush on the inside of the mag well. The fourth screw only has about two threads exposed beyond the pannel to hold to the frame. The frame is all the same thickness so I can find no need for this. Plus this worries me that the pannel is not properly attached. It even seems that a prvious owner tried to super glue the pannel to the frame. This is what leads me to believe I need a new set of screws. I may replace the pannels at his point too. The question is where to find them.

[JonM]

dunno a thing about this source but it may be viable for ya:

Star Gun Repair Parts from Bob's Gun Shop

[Bigdog57]

Does one of the PANELS have a shallower or deeper hole than the others? It is odd - usually all grip screws are the same.

[redrover3569]

Originally Posted by Bigdog57

Does one of the PANELS have a shallower or deeper hole than the others? It is odd - usually all grip screws are the same.

No. All appear to be the same depth. They are messed up a little though.

[Krazeehorse]

My bet is the short one is a substitute and the original is under someone's refrigerator.

[redrover3569]

Originally Posted by Krazeehorse

My bet is the short one is a substitute and the original is under someone's refrigerator.

Probably had a couple of springs under there to keep it company.

I think I'll look around to see if I can pick up new panels and a set of screws.