Star Z-63
Star Bonifacio Echeverria · Submachine Gun · Out Of Production · 1963
Also known as: Star Model Z-63, MP Star Z-63
Overview
The Star Z-63 is a Spanish submachine gun made by Star Bonifacio Echeverria as the commercial and export version of the Star Z-62, chambered for the 9x19mm Parabellum cartridge. It is a blowback, open-bolt weapon fed from a 30-round detachable box magazine and fitted with an underfolding steel stock. Like the Z-62 it uses a distinctive double-crescent selecting trigger for fire mode: pressing the upper notch fires single shots while the lower notch fires full-auto, dispensing with a separate selector lever. Internally it adds several safety refinements, including a spring-loaded firing pin that only protrudes when the bolt is fully closed and a bolt lock that prevents movement unless fired or manually cycled.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 2650 g (93.5 oz) |
| Overall Length | 700 mm (27.56") |
| Folded Length | 480 mm (18.90") |
| Barrel Length | 200 mm (7.87") |
| Action Type | Blowback |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Stage |
| Magazine Capacity | 30 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 370 m/s (1214 fps) |
| Effective Range | 100 m (109 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 200 m (219 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 550 rpm |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Number of Grooves | 6 |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Slide Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Steel |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- 9x19mm Parabellum · primary · 9mm NATO — also known as 9mm Luger, 9mm NATO, 9x19mm
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic, Full Automatic
- Feed systems: Detachable Box Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Grip Safety, Twin Trigger Fire Selection, Spring Loaded Firing Pin, Bolt Lock
- Features: Open Bolt, Underfolding Metal Stock, Double Crescent Trigger, Left Side Cocking Handle, Tubular Receiver, Flip Peep Rear Sight
Variants
- Star Z-70B - Improved
Service history
Operators
- Spanish Armed Forces
Production
Production years: 1963-1971
Produced as the commercial variant of the Z-62 until the Z-70 series superseded the line; total figures unknown.
Origin
Country of origin: Spain
Discontinued: 1971
Notes
Mechanically near-identical to the Z-62, the Z-63 was the commercial designation offered on the export market and was standardized on 9x19mm Parabellum, whereas Spanish military Z-62s were built primarily in 9x23mm Largo. The line evolved into the Z-70 and Z-70B, which changed only the trigger group, replacing the twin-crescent selecting trigger with a conventional trigger and a separate selector switch.
Background
The Z-63's unusual double-crescent trigger let the shooter select single or automatic fire purely by how far up or down the curved trigger blade he pressed, with no external selector lever, a clever control scheme carried over from the Z-62 and abandoned only when the Z-70B adopted a conventional trigger and switch.