Star Bonifacio Echeverria - Submachine Guns

Submachine Guns

• Si35 models, RU35, and TN35 : These models used fixed wooden buttstock, and were chambered for the 9 mm x 23 mm (9mm Largo cartridge). They differed slightly in rate of fire and design. Used in the Spanish Civil War.
• Star Model Z-45 model : This 9 x 23 mm (9mm Largo) submachine gun used a 10 or 30-round magazine, was made in both fixed wood stock and folding stock versions, and was fitted with a muzzle brake/compensator very similar to that used on the M1921/28 Thompson submachine gun. The Z-45 had a fluted chamber to ease extraction with the powerful 9 mm Largo cartridge. Most Z-45s were issued with a 30-round box magazine, but a short 10-round magazine was available for police or for guarding prisoners. The folding stock was similar in design to that of the German MP40. The Star Z-45 saw service in Spain, Cuba, Chile, Portugal (no longer), Saudi Arabia and Angola. It was used for the first time in combat in Sidi Ifni.
• Star Model Z-62 and Z-63 : Entered service with the Spanish Army in 1963. The Z-62 uses the 9 x 23 mm Largo ammunition, while the Z-63 uses 9 x 19 Parabellum. The two models differ internally, but outside they are practically identical. All parts of the Z-62/Z-63 are constructed of metal.
• Star Model Z-70 and Z-70B : After the entrance of Spain into NATO, the Z-70 was issued from the outset in 9 x 19 mm Parabellum NATO caliber.
• Star Model Z-75 model : The Z-75 was a developmental model that introduced the use of plastic/composite materials in order to reduce weight. The Z-75's design was a radical change from earlier Star submachine guns, and resembles the Israeli UZI in appearance. The later Z-84 is nothing more than a revised version of the Z-75.
• Star Model Z-84 : In 1985, the Spanish Army introduced the revised Star Z-84 for service with some units in the Spanish Army. The new Z-84 was designed to operate reliably on semi-jacketed hollow-point or soft-point (expanding bullet) ammunition as well as military 9 mm NATO full-metal-jacket cartridges, and could be fitted with 25 or 30-round magazines. It was originally envisioned that the Z-84 would replace all submachine guns then in service, but a decrease in reliance on submachine guns as a primary small arm for the Spanish armed forces resulted in a decision to retain the Z-70 for substitute issue on an as-needed basis. The Z-84 itself was largely replaced by the Heckler & Koch MP5, but is still used by units of the Spanish Navy, Guardia, and Police units. In the Spanish armed forces, the Z-84 is colloquially known as "the Zeta".