Star Model Z-45 Explained

Z-45
Type:Submachine gun
Service:1945
Wars:Ifni War
Cuban Revolution
Portuguese Colonial War
Rhodesian Bush War
Angolan Civil War
Length:850mm stock extended/610mm stock folded
Action:Open bolt, Simple blowback operation
Origin:Spain
Is Ranged:yes
Used By:See Users
Design Date:1942–1945
Weight:3.52NaN2 unloaded[1] /4.542NaN2 loaded
Part Length:210mm
Cartridge:9×23mm Largo
9×19mm Parabellum
.38 Super
.45 ACP
Rate:450 rounds/min
Velocity:1250ft/s
Range:100–200 m
Feed:30-round detachable box magazine[2]

The Star Model Z-45 is a Spanish submachine gun manufactured by Star Bonifacio Echeverria, derived from the German MP 40.

Design

The internal mechanisms are similar to the MP 40. Unlike the German version, the Z-45 is a selective fire weapon (full-auto or single shot).[3] The gun was made in both folding stock and wood stock versions.[4] The Z-45 had a fluted chamber to ease extraction with the powerful 9×23mm Largo cartridge. Most Z-45s were issued with a 30-round box magazine, but a short 10-round magazine was available for law enforcement, or for prison forces guarding prisoners.[5]

Variants

Versions chambered in 9×19mm Parabellum, .38 Super and .45 ACP were also produced, since the barrel can be easily removed.

Service

It was designed between 1942 and 1945.[6] The Star Z-45 was adopted by the Guardia Civil in 1945, by the Spanish Police the next year, by the Air Force in 1947 and eventually by the Army in 1948.[7] It was used in combat during the Ifni War against the Moroccan Army of Liberation.[8]

Users

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Semiautomática y automática.. armia-eibar.eus. .
  2. Book: Wiener, Friedrich . The armies of the NATO nations: Organization, concept of war, weapons and equipment. Truppendienst Handbooks Volume 3. 1987. 433. Herold Publishers. Vienna.
  3. Book: de Quesada, Alejandro . MP 38 and MP 40 Submachine Guns . Osprey Publishing . 2014 . 978-1780963884 .
  4. Book: Smith, Joseph E.. Small Arms of the World. registration. 11. Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The Stackpole Company. 1969. 544–546. 978-0-8117-1566-9 .
  5. Hogg, Ian V. and Weeks, John, Military Small Arms of the 20th Century, 6th ed. DBI Books, Inc. (1991)
  6. Web site: Star Z-45 submachine-gun. iwm.org.uk. Imperial War Museum.
  7. The STAR Z-45 Submachine Gun. Jean. Huon. Small Arms Review. 11. 2. November 2007.
  8. Book: es. La Legion: 75 años de uniformes legionarios. 94. José María . Bueno Carrera. José Glez. . Bueno. 1994. Ramos Pérez . 9788460495529.
  9. Encyclopedia: Terry J.. Gander. National inventories, Angola. Jane's Infantry Weapons 2001-2002. 447. 2000.
  10. Encyclopedia: Terry J.. Gander. National inventories, Cuba. Jane's Infantry Weapons 2001-2002. 1508. 2000.
  11. Encyclopedia: Terry J.. Gander. National inventories, Egypt. Jane's Infantry Weapons 2001-2002. 1638. 2000.
  12. Encyclopedia: Terry J.. Gander. National inventories, Mauritania. Jane's Infantry Weapons 2001-2002. 3103. 2000.
  13. Encyclopedia: Terry J.. Gander. National inventories, Peru. Jane's Infantry Weapons 2001-2002. 3247. 2000.
  14. Encyclopedia: Terry J.. Gander. National inventories, Portugal. Jane's Infantry Weapons 2001-2002. 3371. 2000.
  15. Encyclopedia: Terry J.. Gander. National inventories, Spain. Jane's Infantry Weapons 2001-2002. 4250. 2000.