Star Z-45
Star Bonifacio Echeverria SA · Submachine Gun · Out Of Production · 1944
Also known as: Z-45, Star Model Z-45, Star SI 35
Overview
The Star Z-45 is a Spanish blowback, open-bolt submachine gun chambered in 9×23mm Largo (with export versions in 9×19mm Parabellum, .38 Super and .45 ACP), produced by Star Bonifacio Echeverria from 1944 into the early 1960s. Visually and mechanically derived from the German MP 40, it improved on the original with a progressive two-stage trigger for selective fire, an automatic cocking-handle safety, a fluted chamber, perforated barrel jacket, and muzzle compensator. With an empty weight of ~3.87 kg, 840 mm extended (580 mm folded) length, 190 mm barrel, ~395 m/s muzzle velocity, and a controllable 450 rpm cyclic rate, it served as the Spanish armed forces' standard submachine gun for two decades and was widely exported.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 3870 g (136.5 oz) |
| Weight (loaded) | 4540 g (160.1 oz) |
| Overall Length | 840 mm (33.07") |
| Folded Length | 580 mm (22.83") |
| Barrel Length | 190 mm (7.48") |
| Action Type | Blowback |
| Firing Mechanism | Open Bolt |
| Trigger Type | Progressive Two Stage |
| Magazine Capacity | 30 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 395 m/s (1296 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 632 J (466 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 100 m (109 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 200 m (219 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 450 rpm |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Number of Grooves | 4 |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Wood |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- 9x23mm Largo · primary — also known as 9mm Bergmann-Bayard, 9mm Largo
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic, Full Automatic
- Feed systems: 10 Round Detachable Box, 30 Round Detachable Box
- Safety mechanisms: Automatic Cocking Handle Safety, Progressive Trigger
- Features: Perforated Barrel Jacket, Under Folding Metal Stock, Progressive Two Stage Trigger, Fluted Chamber, Muzzle Compensator, Removable Barrel Caliber Conversion, Telescoping Mainspring Guide
Variants
- Star Z-45 (base) — Production
- Star Z-62 — 1962 Successor
- Star Z-70/B — 1970s Modernized
Service history
Operators
- Spanish Army · adopted 1948 · as Z-45
- Spanish Guardia Civil · adopted 1945 · as Z-45
- Spanish Air Force · adopted 1947 · as Z-45
- Cuba (pre-Castro) · as Z-45
- Saudi Arabia · as Z-45
- Portuguese Army · as Z-45
- Chilean Army · as Z-45
Conflicts
- Ifni War (1957-1958)
- Spanish-Sahrawi conflict (1970s)
- Portuguese Colonial War (1961-1974)
- Angolan Civil War (1975-2002)
- Rhodesian Bush War (1964-1979)
Production
Production years: 1945-1960
Production figures not publicly documented. Replaced in Spanish service progressively by Z-62 (1962) and Z-70/B.
Origin
Country of origin: Spain
Discontinued: 1960
Notes
Source variance: weight 3500-3870 g; barrel 190-210 mm; folded length 580-610 mm; muzzle velocity 380-400 m/s. Originally developed 1942-1945 partly with Nazi Germany export market in mind before Allied victory closed that opportunity. Adopted progressively by Guardia Civil (1945), Police (1946), Air Force (1947), and Army (1948).
Background
Designed during WWII (1942-1945) as a Spanish license-derivative refinement of the German MP 38/40 - originally intended in part for export sale to Nazi Germany before the Allied victory closed that market. Star added a clever progressive two-stage trigger (conceptually similar to the Czech vz. 23) that allowed selecting semi or full-auto by depth of trigger pull alone, eliminating the need for a separate selector switch. The 9×23mm Largo cartridge was Spain's standard service pistol round from the early 1900s through the 1980s, making the Z-45 ammunition-compatible with the Astra 400/600 service pistols.