Brontekst bekijken van Star Model B

{{infobox weapon
| name               = Star Model B
| image              = File:Star_9_mm_(6825678592).jpg
| caption            = A second model Star Model B
| origin             = Spain
| type               = [[Semi-Automatic Pistol]]
<!-- Type selection -->| is_ranged          = yes
<!-- Service history -->| service            = 
| used_by            = See ''[[#Users|Users]]''
| wars               = {{plainlist|
*[[World War II]]
*[[Ifni War]]
*[[Rhodesian Bush War]]
*[[Western Sahara conflict]]
*[[South African Border War]]}}

<!-- Production history -->| designer           = 
| design_date        = 
| manufacturer       = [[Star Bonifacio Echeverria, S.A.]]
| unit_cost          = 
| production_date    = 1924–1983
| number             = 
| variants           = [[Star Model BM|BM]],B-Super, BK, BKS/Starlite, BG, BS, B First Model, Pistole Star Modell B (.08)
| spec_label         = 
| weight             = {{convert|1085|g|oz|abbr=off}}
| length             = {{convert|215|mm|in|abbr=on}}
| part_length        = {{convert|122|mm|in|abbr=on}}
<!-- Ranged weapon specifications -->| cartridge          = 
| cartridge_weight   = 
| caliber            = [[9mm Parabellum]]
| barrels            = 
| action             = 
| rate               = 
| velocity           = 
| range              = 
| max_range          = 
| feed               = 8-round box magazine
| sights             = Fixed sights
}}

The '''Star Model B''' is a [[single-action]] [[semi-automatic pistol]] that fires the [[9 mm Luger Parabellum|9 mm Parabellum]] pistol cartridge. It was produced by [[Star Bonifacio Echeverria, S.A.]] in Spain as a derivative of the [[Star Model A]] in [[9×23mm Largo|9x23mm Largo]]. It is visually similar to and inspired by the [[M1911]] series of pistols, however it is mechanically different in several ways. The Model B was chambered in [[9mm Luger]] and was intended for export outside of Spain, being produced for 52 years from 1931 to 1983 when replaced by the similar "Super" series.
<ref name="modernfirearmsstar9mm">
{{cite web |last=Popenker |first=Maxim |date= |title=Star A, B, B Super, P |url=https://modernfirearms.net/en/handguns/handguns-en/spain-semi-automatic-pistols/star-a-b-b-super-p-eng/ |access-date=22 January 2024 |website=modernfirearms.net |publisher= |quote=}}
</ref>
<ref name="starfirearms">
{{cite web |last=Hoober |first=Steven |date= |title=Star Firearms — B-series pistols |url=http://star-firearms.com/firearms/index.shtml |access-date=23 January 2024 |website=star-firearms.com |publisher= |quote=}}
</ref>

==History==
In 1920, Star produced their first locked breech design, the Model 1920 (heavily inspired by the 1911).<ref>{{Citation |title=Star Model 1920 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yg2KDVVQCTM |access-date=2024-02-28 |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Star Firearms: Find Your Weapon |url=http://star-firearms.com/firearms/index.shtml |access-date=2024-02-28 |website=star-firearms.com}}</ref> After three years of adjusting the design, they eventually produced the Model A in [[9mm Largo]]. While the Army eventually adopted the [[Astra 400|Astra Model 400]], the Guardia Civil would adopt the Model A instead. 

In 1922, Star began producing the first Model B, which was essentially a first Model A in 9mm Parabellum, with a similar layout and a distinct "T" shaped extractor. A relatively small number of these were produced, most of which were intended for export. In 1931, production shifted to the second model (shown above), which is much more similar in look to the 1911A1.

During WWII, both Nazi Germany and Bulgaria purchased large numbers of Model Bs for military use. Bulgarian purchased three lots of 5000 each between late 1943 and early1944-these do not have special markings, and thus are identified by their serial numbers (Bulgarian purchases fall within a set of specific serial ranges). German Stars were intended for rearline or police units are marked with their corresponding [[Waffenamt]] stamp. 

Beginning in the mid-1960s, many film armorers used Star Model Bs as stand-ins for proper M1911s, due to 9mm blanks being more reliable than .45 blanks early on. As blank ammo improved, original 1911s saw more use in film, but Stars can still be seen on screen. Notable examples of being [[Pulp Fiction]], [[District 9]], [[M*A*S*H (TV series)|M*A*S*H]], and the [[The A-Team|A-Team]] television show.
<ref>{{cite web |last=Foghorn |first=Foghorn |date=24 September 2012 |title=Gun Review Star Model B 9mm |url=https://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/gun-review-star-model-b/ |access-date=28 January 2024 |website=The Truth About Guns}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Star 1911 Series - Internet Movie Firearms Database - Guns in Movies, TV and Video Games |url=https://www.imfdb.org/wiki/Star_1911_Series#Star_Model_B |access-date=2024-02-28 |website=www.imfdb.org}}</ref>

==Design==
Like the M1911, the Model B is a short-recoil, single-action handgun. It utilizes the same pivoting link system-the barrel is locked via lugs meeting with cuts in the slide. When the weapon is discharged, the gases produced from the cartridge cause enough force for the link to cam the barrel down and push the slide back. The claw extractor pushes the empty casing into the fixed ejector, expelling it through the ejection port. When the slide has expended all its momentum, the spring forces the slide back forward, stripping a round from the magazine into the chamber. When fully in battery, the barrel cams upwards, locking the action. On the final round, the slide will lock back, signaling the need to reload. 

The Model B has several key differences in function: it lacks the grip-mounted safety present on the 1911, instead featuring a solid arched backstrap (which is non-removable and does not feature the mainspring housing like the Colt does). The Star also features a hinged trigger and an external extractor, as opposed to the Colt's straight trigger and internal extractor. There is also no slide stop plunger tube on the frame, which on the 1911 results in an opening hidden behind the grips.

Notably, the trigger group of the 1911 is more akin to the earlier [[Ruby pistol|Ruby pistols]] (of which Star was a manufacturer during WW1), and the safety works differently-the 1911 safety blocks the sear, while the Star safety instead impinges on the hammer, preventing it from falling and striking the firing pin. Many of these changes were due to simplification by Star for easier manufacture, and combined with the changes in dimension, this also means Star parts are generally not interchangeable with 1911 parts.

On Star 1911s that were refurbished by the Soviets postwar, the extractor usually has a deep reddish color due to the method of dip bluing used (the same type that results in the plum-colored finish found on refurbed Soviet or German weapons). Note that refurbished Model Bs may also be unable to properly engage the safety when the hammer is down, due to the hammers being switched around during refurbishment (Soviet refurbishment relied on the interchangeability of parts and resulted in stripped parts being switched, which causes issues due to Spanish weapons being more handfit).  

The Model BS is identical to the second Model B, with the sole exception of a magazine safety. The later Model B Super carries many of the same external features and dimensions, but utilizes different mechanical features, the biggest being a linkless camming barrel similar to the Browning Hi-Power. The Model B and Model B Super generally do not share interchangeable parts or magazines.

==Users==

*{{flag|Guatemala}} <ref name="SmallArmsToday88guatemala">{{cite book |last=Ezell |first=Edward |title=Small Arms Today |date=1985 |publisher=Stackpole Books |isbn=0811722805 |edition= |volume=2nd |pages=386 |language=English |jfm= |author-link=Edward C. Ezell}}</ref>
*{{flag|Israel}}: Used by police forces. <ref name="athlonoutdoors" />
*{{flag|Kingdom of Bulgaria|Third Bulgarian Tsardom}}: Purchases in three lots of 5000 throughout 1943 and 1944. Bulgarian examples fall within specific serial ranges:  <ref name="athlonoutdoors" /><ref>Цветков, Симеон Пистолетите "Зауер" модел "Н", "Валтер" П-38 и "Стар" модел "Б" на въоръжение в Българската армия. Поръчки и доставки. в: Известия на Регионален исторически музей - Велико Търново том. XXXI, 2016 стр. 217-218// Tsvetkov, Simeon SAUER H, WALTHER P38 and the Star model B Pistols in the Bulgarian Army. Orders and Supplies in: Proceedings of the Regional Museum of History Veliko Tarnovo vol. XXXI, 2016, pp. 217-218 https://www.academia.edu/31488855/Пистолетите_Зауер_модел_Н_Валтер_П-38_и_Стар_модел_Б_на_въоръжение_в_Българската_армия._Поръчки_и_доставки</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2007-08-02 |title=Bulgarian Contract Star B |url=https://www.lugerforums.com/threads/bulgarian-contract-star-b.232/ |access-date=2024-02-28 |website=Jan C. Still Lugerforums |language=en-US}}</ref>
**11/43: 225007-225775, 226101-230331
**12/43: 230332-230375, 231-235782
**3/44: 235901-240900
*{{flag|Nazi Germany}}: Adopted as the '''Pistole Star Modell B (.08)''' and used by police and rear echelon units. <ref name=":0" />
*{{flag|Peru}}: Used by the Peruvian Air Force. <ref name="SmallArmsToday88peru">{{cite book| last = Ezell| first = Edward| author-link = Edward C. Ezell| title = Small Arms Today| publisher = Stackpole Books| volume = 2nd| edition = | date = 1985
| pages = 303| language = English | isbn = 0811722805| jfm =}}</ref>
*{{flag|Rhodesia}} <ref>{{cite book|pages=22, 60–61|title=Rhodesian Light Infantryman: 1961-1980|author=Neil Grant|year=2015|publisher=Osprey Publishing|isbn=978-1472809629}}</ref>
*{{flag|South Africa}}: Both the Model B and Model B Super were used. Replaced by the [[Vektor Z88]] in 1989. <ref>{{cite web |url=https://cartridgecollector.net/south_african_refere/9mm-parabellum-south-africa/ |title=9MM PARABELLUM – SOUTH AFRICA   |website=Cartridge Collector |access-date=28 January 2024}}</ref>
**[[South African National Defence Force]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.army.mil.za/equipment/weaponsystems/infantry/9mm_STAR_Pistol.htm |title=Home |access-date=2009-10-29 |archive-date=2009-09-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090925111353/http://www.army.mil.za/equipment/weaponsystems/infantry/9mm_STAR_Pistol.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref> 
**[[South African Defence Force]]<ref name="SmallArmsToday88sa">{{cite book| last = Ezell| first = Edward| author-link = Edward C. Ezell| title = Small Arms Today| publisher = Stackpole Books| volume = 2nd| edition = | date = 1985
| pages = 327| language = English | isbn = 0811722805| jfm =}}</ref>
*{{flag|Soviet Union}}: Captured WWII firearms stockpiled. Many Model Bs were refinished for block service. <ref name=modernfirearmsstar9mm/><ref name="starfirearms" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Star Firearms : B-Series Pistols |url=http://www.star-firearms.com/firearms/guns/b/index.shtml |access-date=2024-02-28 |website=www.star-firearms.com}}</ref>
*{{flag|Spain|1946}}: Used the similar Star Model A in [[9×23mm Largo|9mm Largo]].  
**[[Guardia Civil]]<ref name=modernfirearmsstar9mm/>
**[[Superior Police Corps]]<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.redstarnation.co/products/star-bonifacio-echeverria-hg3764-g-787450444096-3017| title = StarStar Spanish "Good" Surplus: Model BM CSP (Secret Police, AKA; The Police Mafia) 3.77" 9mm w/ Mag (FREE SHIPPING)| website = Red Star Nation| access-date = 28 January 2024| quote = "This listing is for STAR BM's issued to the Superior Police Corps "Cuerpo Superior de Policia" (CSP) Known as "Secret Police." The CSP was responsible for criminal investigations and political control."}}</ref>
**[[Spanish Army]]<ref name=modernfirearmsstar9mm/>
*{{flag|West Germany}}: Leftover German stocks from WWII used by the [[Landespolizei]]. Replaced by the [[Walther P38#P1|Walther P1]] in 1963.<ref name=athlonoutdoors>{{cite web| url = https://www.athlonoutdoors.com/article/review-spain-star-modelo-b-pistol/?#ms16-star-lead| title = Gun Review: Spain’s Star Modelo B Pistols| last = Scarlata| first = Paul| website = athlonoutdoors.com| access-date = 23 January 2024}}</ref>

==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:Pistola-Star (1922) 9mm MusHistMili-Valencia 20191204 301dpi.jpg|Star Model 1922 in 9mm Largo
File:MODELE A SUPER.jpg|Star Model A "Super", the Model B Super looks very similar
</gallery>
==References==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Star semi-automatic pistols]]
[[Category:Semi-automatic pistols of Spain]]
[[Category:Weapons of Spain]]
[[Category:World War II infantry weapons of Germany]]