Star Model CO
Star Bonifacio Echeverria, S.A. · Pistol · Discontinued · 1929
Also known as: Star CO, Star Modelo CO
Overview
The Star Model CO is a Spanish .25 ACP straight-blowback vest-pocket pistol built by Star Bonifacio Echeverria from 1929 until 1956. Part of Star's C-series, it uses an all-steel frame with a fixed barrel and an open-top reciprocating slide, an exposed hammer, a single-action trigger, fixed sights and an 8-round detachable box magazine. Compact and easily concealed, it was a popular civilian pocket pistol and was also offered in an engraved COE variant. It was superseded in the late 1950s by the lightweight alloy-framed Model CU 'Starlet'.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 430 g (15.2 oz) |
| Overall Length | 120 mm (4.72") |
| Barrel Length | 57 mm (2.24") |
| Height | 90 mm (3.54") |
| Width | 23 mm (0.91") |
| Action Type | Blowback |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Action |
| Magazine Capacity | 8 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 232 m/s (761 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 87 J (64 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 25 m (27 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Slide Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Hard Rubber |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- .25 ACP · primary — also known as .25 Auto, 6.35mm Browning, 6.35x16mmSR
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic
- Feed systems: Detachable Box Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Safety
- Features: Fixed Sights, Fixed Barrel, Exposed Hammer, Open Top Slide, Serrated Slide
Production
Production years: 1929-1956
Civilian pocket pistol; no precise production figures published. Replaced by the Model CU Starlet.
Origin
Country of origin: Spain
Designer: Julian Echeverria
Discontinued: 1956
Notes
The engraved factory variant was sold as the Model COE, where 'E' denotes 'engraved'. Grips were typically black hard rubber with a Star diamond motif or smooth wood.
Background
A refined 6.35mm 'vest-pocket' Star of the 1930s-1950s, the steel-framed Model CO carried the classic exposed-barrel Star silhouette into its final decades before the alloy-framed Starlet took over.