Star Z-84

Star Bonifacio Echeverria · Submachine Gun · Discontinued · 1985

Also known as: Star Model Z84, Z-84

Overview

The Star Z-84 is a Spanish 9x19mm Parabellum submachine gun developed by Star Bonifacio Echeverria in the mid-1980s as a successor to the earlier Z-62 and Z-70B. It uses a simple blowback, open-bolt action with a telescoping bolt that wraps around the barrel, giving a compact overall length. Designed to be exceptionally rugged and sealed against the elements, it could be fired straight out of the water by combat swimmers without first draining the action or magazine, and fed from 25- or 30-round detachable box magazines through a magazine well integrated into the pistol grip.

Specifications

Weight (empty)3000 g (105.8 oz)
Weight (loaded)3600 g (127.0 oz)
Overall Length615 mm (24.21")
Folded Length410 mm (16.14")
Barrel Length215 mm (8.46")
Action TypeBlowback
Firing MechanismOpen Bolt
Magazine Capacity30 rounds
Magazine TypeDetachable Box
Muzzle Velocity400 m/s (1312 fps)
Effective Range200 m (219 yd)
Rate of Fire600 rpm
Barrel RiflingRight Hand
Number of Grooves6
Frame MaterialSteel
Barrel MaterialSteel
Stock MaterialSteel
FinishPhosphate

Calibers

Features

Variants

Service history

Operators

Conflicts

Production

Production years: 1985-1996

Limited production volume; Star ceased manufacturing after entering bankruptcy in the mid-1990s

Origin

Country of origin: Spain

Designer: Eduardo Iraegui

Discontinued: 1996

Notes

Produced in two barrel lengths: the standard Largo (270 mm barrel) and the shorter Corto (215 mm barrel). Despite favourable trials it saw limited adoption before Star entered financial difficulty and ceased production in 1996.

Background

The Z-84 was engineered for Spanish combat swimmers, sealed so thoroughly that it could be brought up out of the surf and fired immediately, making it one of the few submachine guns purpose-built to tolerate full saltwater immersion.