Star 30PK

Star Bonifacio Echeverria · Pistol · Discontinued · 1985

Also known as: Star Model 30PK, Star 30 PK

Overview

The Star 30PK is a compact, alloy-framed, double-action/single-action 9x19mm service pistol produced by the Spanish firm Star Bonifacio Echeverria. It is the lightweight counterpart to the steel-framed 30M, trading the full-size frame for an aluminium-alloy one and a shorter 98mm barrel to cut carry weight to roughly 850 grams. Like the rest of the Model 30 series it runs the slide inside the frame rails on a Browning-type locked-breech action, feeding from a 15-round double-stack magazine, and carries ambidextrous controls, a firing-pin safety, a loaded-chamber indicator and a magazine disconnect. It saw service with Spanish security forces, including the Air Force and National Police.

Specifications

Weight (empty)850 g (30.0 oz)
Overall Length193 mm (7.60")
Barrel Length98 mm (3.86")
Action TypeShort Recoil
Firing MechanismDouble Action Single Action
Trigger TypeDouble Action
Magazine Capacity15 rounds
Magazine TypeDetachable Box
Muzzle Velocity366 m/s (1201 fps)
Muzzle Energy499 J (368 ft·lbf)
Effective Range40 m (44 yd)
Barrel RiflingRight Hand
Frame MaterialAluminum Alloy
Slide MaterialSteel
Barrel MaterialSteel
FinishBlued

Calibers

Features

Base model

Star-30m

Service history

Operators

Production

Production years: 1985-1997

Produced until Star Bonifacio Echeverria ceased operations in 1997; many later sold as Spanish surplus

Origin

Country of origin: Spain

Discontinued: 1997

Notes

The 30PK is the alloy-framed, shorter-barrelled version of the steel 30M; the two share the distinctive slide-in-frame-rail layout. Some sources copy the 30M's steel-frame weight for the 30PK, but the alloy frame brings the empty weight down to roughly 30 oz (~850 g).

Background

The Star 30 series ran its slide inside the frame rather than over it, an inside-out layout borrowed in spirit from the CZ-75 that kept the action cleaner and the lock-up tighter than most contemporary service pistols. The 30PK shaved that design down to a lighter alloy frame for police and aircrew carry.