Star Firestar M43
Star Bonifacio Echeverria · Pistol · Discontinued · 1990
Also known as: Star M-43, Firestar 9mm
Overview
The Star Firestar M43 is a compact, single-action, recoil-operated 9x19mm pistol introduced by the Spanish maker Star Bonifacio Echeverria in the early 1990s. Built on an all-steel frame with a single-stack seven-round magazine and a frame-mounted ambidextrous safety, it used a Browning cam-locked breech and a distinctive cone-shaped barrel muzzle that improved lock-up and accuracy. It was popular on the civilian concealed-carry market as one of the original compact single-stack 9mm pistols.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 855 g (30.2 oz) |
| Overall Length | 165 mm (6.50") |
| Barrel Length | 86 mm (3.39") |
| Height | 117 mm (4.61") |
| Width | 28 mm (1.10") |
| Action Type | Short Recoil |
| Firing Mechanism | Single Action |
| Trigger Type | Single Action |
| Magazine Capacity | 7 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 340 m/s (1115 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 430 J (317 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 50 m (55 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Slide Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- 9x19mm Parabellum · primary · 9mm NATO — also known as 9mm Luger, 9mm NATO, 9x19mm
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic
- Feed systems: Detachable Box Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Ambidextrous Manual Safety, Firing Pin Safety, Magazine Disconnect
- Features: Frame Mounted Safety, Single Stack Magazine, Compact Carry, Cone Shaped Muzzle
Variants
- Star Firestar M40 (.40 S&W) — Caliber Variant
- Star Firestar M45 (.45 ACP) — Caliber Variant
- Star Firestar Plus — Double Stack High Capacity
Production
Production years: 1990-1997
Produced until Star Bonifacio Echeverria ceased operations in the late 1990s
Origin
Country of origin: Spain
Discontinued: 1997
Notes
Despite its small size the all-steel construction makes the Firestar relatively heavy for a compact pistol, which helps tame recoil. Sister models include the M40 in .40 S&W and M45 in .45 ACP.
Background
The Firestar's name and styling rode the early-1990s wave of compact single-stack 9mm carry pistols, but its all-steel build gave it the heft of a full-size gun in a pocketable package.