Star Model Z-45

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

Z-45
Star Z-45
Type	Submachine gun
Place of origin	Spain
Service history
In service	1945
Used by	See Users
Wars	Ifni War Cuban Revolution Portuguese Colonial War Rhodesian Bush War Angolan Civil War
Production history
Designed	1942–1945
Manufacturer	Star Bonifacio Echeverria
Specifications
Mass	3.5 kg (7.72 lb) unloaded[1]/4.54 kg (10.01 lb) loaded[2]
Length	850 mm (33 in) stock extended/610 mm (24.0 in) stock folded[3]
Barrel length	210 mm (8.3 in)[1]
Cartridge	9×23mm Largo 9×19mm Parabellum .38 Super .45 ACP
Action	Open bolt, Simple blowback operation
Rate of fire	450 rounds/min[2]
Muzzle velocity	1,250 feet per second (380 m/s)[4]
Effective firing range	100–200 m[2]
Feed system	30-round detachable box magazine[2]

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).^[5] 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.^[6] 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.^[6]

Variants

Versions chambered in 9×19mm Parabellum, .38 Super and .45 ACP were also produced, since the barrel can be easily removed.^[7]

Service

It was designed between 1942 and 1945.^[3] 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

•  Angola^[9]
•  Chile^[7]
•  Cuba^[10]
•  Egypt^[11]
•  Mauritania^[12]
•  Peru^[13]
•  Portugal^[14]
•  Saudi Arabia^[7]
•  Spain^[15]
•  Uruguay^[7]
•  Zimbabwe^[7]

See also

• List of submachine guns
• Celmi Modelo 1946