Ruby
Notes: Actually
designed by the Basques, these people saw that the French and Spanish would need
a small automatic pistol for use in World War 1.
From 1915-1918, they produced some 700,000 Ruby Pistols.
The problem with the Ruby was not the pistol itself; the problem was that
many of the Ruby pistols were produced in some 39 cottage-industry shops, and
the parts of these Ruby pistols were in most cases not interchangeable.
The French need a lot of small arms fast, and therefore were in no
position to argue. These particular
versions of the Ruby also ranged in quality from top-notch to horrible.
However, most
Ruby pistols were in fact produced by the Spanish firm of Gabilondo in Eibar.
These were essentially mass-produced and did have interchangeable parts,
and functioned quite well (with the exception of their rather weak cartridge).
The Ruby is essentially a simplified form of the FN M-1903, in order to
cut costs and production time, but the simplifications did not appear to hurt
the performance of the Ruby.
The Ruby served
on until the 1930s; though some were passed on to the Foreign Legion, the Legion
appeared to prefer the Mle 1892 revolver as their sidearm.
It should be noted that “Ruby” was more a generic term for this pistol
than a specific name; they were in fact known by a variety of names, though they
were identical in construction.
Ammunition |
Weight |
Magazines |
Price |
|
Ruby |
.32 ACP |
1.33 kg |
7 |
$175 |
Weapon |
ROF |
Damage |
Pen |
Bulk |
SS |
Burst |
Range |
Ruby |
SA |
1 |
Nil |
1 |
2 |
Nil |
7 |
SPS DC Custom IPSC Open Class
Notes: SPS DC
Custom is a company that normally makes match pistols, and the DC IPSC Open
Class is no exception. It is a
“race gun,” designed for competitions where one is doing a lot of firing on the
move or from short halts. The DC
IPSC Open Class has a match barrel, long muzzle brake, and may be bought with a
rail for optics or with a C-More red dot sight.
Twilight 2000
Notes: This weapon does not exist.
Weapon |
Ammunition |
Weight |
Magazines |
Price |
IPSC Open Class |
9mm Parabellum |
1.3 kg |
21, 26 |
$450 |
IPSC Open Class |
9x21mm |
1.3 kg |
21, 26 |
$467 |
IPSC Open Class |
9mm Steyr |
1.3 kg |
21, 26 |
$484 |
Weapon |
ROF |
Damage |
Pen |
Bulk |
SS |
Burst |
Range |
IPSC Open Class (9mm Para) |
SA |
1 |
Nil |
2 |
1 |
Nil |
13 |
IPSC Open Class (9x21mm) |
SA |
2 |
Nil |
2 |
1 |
Nil |
15 |
IPSC Open Class (9mm Steyr) |
SA |
2 |
1-Nil |
2 |
1 |
Nil |
14 |
SPC DC Custom Standard Plus
Notes: This
basically a “normal” sort of pistol built to precision standards.
Its hallmark is the magazines; normal internal magazines are of course
available, but large-capacity extended magazines are also available for the
pistol. The Custom Standard Plus
normally is equipped with a Bo-Mar micrometer sight (a rail for optics is
optional). The grip plates are of a
composite material and available in a rainbow of colors.
The slide and frame is chromed, and has cocking grooves on the front and
rear of the slide. The trigger is
skeletonized and has an adjustable trigger stop.
The safety is ambidextrous and extended, and the grip safety is extended
into the beavertail.
Twilight 2000
Notes: This weapon does not exist.
Weapon |
Ammunition |
Weight |
Magazines |
Price |
Standard Plus |
9mm Parabellum |
1.14 kg |
12, 15, 17, 21, 26 |
$250 |
Standard Plus |
.38 Super |
1.14 kg |
12, 15, 17, 21, 26 |
$286 |
Standard Plus |
.40 Smith & Wesson |
1.14 kg |
12, 15, 17, 21, 26 |
$324 |
Standard Plus |
.45 ACP |
1.14 kg |
12, 15, 17, 21, 26 |
$410 |
Weapon |
ROF |
Damage |
Pen |
Bulk |
SS |
Burst |
Range |
Standard Plus (9mm) |
SA |
1 |
Nil |
1 |
2 |
Nil |
13 |
Standard Plus (.38) |
SA |
1 |
Nil |
1 |
2 |
Nil |
14 |
Standard Plus (.40) |
SA |
2 |
1-Nil |
1 |
2 |
Nil |
14 |
Standard Plus (.45) |
SA |
2 |
1-Nil |
1 |
3 |
Nil |
15 |
Star 1 (1919)
Notes: Also
named the Model 1919 after the year of introduction, this pistol is usually
called the Model 1 since it was the first weapon that Star produced.
The frame is similar to the M-1911, but the slide is more reminiscent of
the Beretta series of the time. The
safety mechanism is a bit complicated and can be difficult for armorers to work
with, but field stripping is not normally a problem.
The Militar version was designed for the Spanish Army (one of a plethora
of weapons they were using at the time), and is larger and chambered only for
9mm Largo. It was issued only to the military and Guardia Policia, and in the
Spanish Civil War, most were shot to junk. The Star 1 Militar was often called
simply the “Military Model.”
Weapon |
Ammunition |
Weight |
Magazines |
Price |
Star 1 |
.25 ACP |
0.68 kg |
8 |
$136 |
Star 1 |
.32 ACP |
0.8 kg |
8 |
$183 |
Star 1 |
.380 ACP |
0.89 kg |
8 |
$221 |
Star 1 Militar |
9mm
Largo |
1.1
kg |
8 |
$281 |
Weapon |
ROF |
Damage |
Pen |
Bulk |
SS |
Burst |
Range |
Star 1 (.25) |
SA |
-1 |
Nil |
1 |
3 |
Nil |
8 |
Star 1 (.32) |
SA |
1 |
Nil |
1 |
3 |
Nil |
9 |
Star 1 (.380) |
SA |
1 |
Nil |
1 |
3 |
Nil |
10 |
Star 1 Militar |
SA |
2 |
Nil |
1 |
3 |
Nil |
11 |
Star 28
Notes: The Star
Model 28 was the first of what Star called the Super 9 series – pistols of
modern design and high quality, manufactured using up-to-date methods and
materials and designed for military, police, and civilian use.
The Super 9 series, in fact, uses the CZ-75 design as a base (and by
extension, the HP-35 Hi-Power), though it does not externally resemble the CZ-75
very much. Most parts of the Super
9 series are interchangeable, though as one goes further down the design road,
this becomes less true.
The Model 28,
however, uses a mechanism very similar to that of the CZ-75, being a
double-action pistol with numerous safety features and modern controls.
The hammer mechanism and lockwork, however, is derived from the Tokarev
and the SiG P-210. The
slide-mounted manual safety not only retracts the firing pin too far for it to
strike any ammunition that may be in the chamber; the engaged safety also
physically blocks the hammer from making contact with the firing pin, even if
the hammer falls. Unfortunately,
this safety has to be pushed upwards to the fire position, and back down to
engage the safety; studies have shown that a human being naturally associates a
downwards position with firing – and therefore, the Star 28’s safety is
“backwards” from an ergonomic standpoint.
(To be fair, many pistols have this problem.)
The manual safety does not affect the ability of the slide to move, nor
does it prevent the trigger from being pulled not the hammer from falling.
This facilitates dry fire training, though Star subsequently discovered
that dry-firing a Model 28 bad for the mechanism, and Star officially
discouraged dry firing the Model 28.
The Star 28 also has a passive magazine safety, but even a shooter with a
minimum of skills can remove it; the Star 28 also has a slide lock.
During the testing by the Spanish Army, it was also discovered that the
Star 28 was very intolerant of low-quality ammunition – and this intolerance of
bad ammo would plague the Super 9 series later down the road.
The Star 28 was
originally designed in response to a Spanish Army requirement for a new service
pistol (the Model 28 submitted to Spanish military tests was slightly modified
and called the Model 28DA). It lost
this competition, but was then quickly placed on the civilian market, where it
also did not sell in large numbers.
The base Model 28 uses a 4.33-inch barrel and virtually all-steel construction,
except for a few things like the checkered plastic grip plates.
Despite the short production run (ending late in 1984), the Star 28 had
two variants – the Model 28P, with a 3.86-inch barrel, and the Model 28PK, which
used a light alloy frame, but had the same dimensions as the Model 28P.
The Model 30
improved upon the Model 38, and also fixed a number of problems and just plain
strange features of the Model 28.
The extractor was improved, becoming an external extractor seen as a short bar
on the right side of the frame below the ejection port.
The extractor also projects out from the frame when a round is in the
chamber, therefore serving as a chamber-loaded indicator.
The trigger pull became a bit lighter and smoother, the sights a bit
better (with the rear sight becoming adjustable), and the slide-mounted safety
became a bit easier to move. The
barrel of the Star 30 also grew to 4.69 inches. The front of the trigger guard
was reshaped to allow the use of a steadying finger from the nonfiring hand.
The Model 30
came in two versions. The Model
30M, designed for the Spanish Army and Air Force (adopted by the Spanish
military in 1989) and some Guardia Civil
units, is made almost entirely of steel; the Star 30M is no longer an issue
Spanish military weapon, but still sees some Spanish police use, is also still
used by Peruvian police, and is also a popular civilian pistol in some places.
The Model 30PK was designed primarily for use by Spanish police, but was
conversely also used by some Spanish military personnel.
The Model PK uses a light alloy frame and a shorter 4-inch barrel.
Both versions of the Model 30 were sold on the civilian market, and
usually called the Starfire when sold to civilians.
(Just to make this more confusing, Model 30s sold on the civilians may or
may not be marked with the name “Starfire” – and just to confuse things even
more, the Model 31 was also sold on the civilian market and called the
Starfire…)
The Model 31
constituted a major modification/improvement of the Model 30.
Mechanical differences include a change to an ambidextrous (though still
slide-mounted) safety lever which is also extended (though still “backwards” in
operation). The manual safety also
adds a third selector position, which decocks the pistol.
The extractor was once again modified; the Model 31’s extractor uses a
shorter external bar with a smaller amount of rotation; the extractor springs
are also beefed up (and are, in fact, the same springs as used on the Firestar).
Barrel length is reduced (making the Model 31 a mid-sized pistol), but
the barrel is heavy and of better-quality construction; it is also coned, which
simplifies locking. Trigger pull is
further lightened and smoothed, and the sights have also been further improved
over those on the Model 30. Other
changes include a change to stronger checkered polymer grip plates and a
generally more ergonomic and partially-dehorned exterior.
Though designed for Spanish military and police use, the Model 31 found
its greatest sales in the Americas as a civilian pistol called the Starfire (and
see the Model 30 entry above).
In general,
there are two variants of the Model 31: the standard-sized Model 31M (also
called the Model 31P) with a steel frame and 3.9-inch barrel, and the Model
31PK, which is essentially the same as the Model 31M, but with a light alloy
frame. In addition, the Model 31M
also comes in a version chambered for the .40 Smith & Wesson cartridge.
Introduced in 1990, the .40 Smith & Wesson chambering had the same
problem as many of the early pistol chambered for that cartridge – reliability –
as many early adopters of the .40 Smith & Wesson underestimated the chamber
pressures that the cartridge generated.
As a result, the Model 31M in that chambering did not enjoy a large
production run.
Weapon |
Ammunition |
Weight |
Magazines |
Price |
Star 28 |
9mm Parabellum |
1.08 kg |
10, 15 |
$241 |
Star 28P |
9mm Parabellum |
1.06 kg |
10, 15 |
$236 |
Star 28PK |
9mm Parabellum |
0.97 kg |
10, 15 |
$237 |
Star 30M |
9mm Parabellum |
1.14 kg |
10, 15 |
$245 |
Star 30PK |
9mm Parabellum |
0.86 kg |
10, 15 |
$239 |
Star 31M |
9mm Parabellum |
1.13 kg |
15 |
$237 |
Star 31M |
.40 Smith & Wesson |
1.22 kg |
11 |
$310 |
Star 31PK |
9mm Parabellum |
0.86 kg |
15 |
$238 |
Weapon |
ROF |
Damage |
Pen |
Bulk |
SS |
Burst |
Range |
Star 28 |
SA |
1 |
Nil |
1 |
2 |
Nil |
11 |
Star 28P |
SA |
1 |
Nil |
1 |
2 |
Nil |
9 |
Star 28PK |
SA |
1 |
Nil |
1 |
2 |
Nil |
9 |
Star 30M |
SA |
1 |
Nil |
1 |
2 |
Nil |
11 |
Star 30PK |
SA |
1 |
Nil |
1 |
3 |
Nil |
10 |
Star 31M (9mm) |
SA |
1 |
Nil |
1 |
2 |
Nil |
9 |
Star 31M (.40) |
SA |
2 |
1-Nil |
1 |
2 |
Nil |
12 |
Star 31PK (9mm) |
SA |
1 |
Nil |
1 |
3 |
Nil |
9 |
Star 1911
Notes: As might
be guessed by the name, this is Star’s version of the M-1911.
There are two versions, the full-sized PL and the compact PLC.
The pistols basically look like M-1911s, but have a flared grip to
provide a finger rest, and have polymer frames that house high-capacity
magazines. They have no grip
safety, but do have the large beavertail common to M-1911s, but do have the
other M-1911-type safeties. These
pistols were introduced in 1999.
Twilight 2000
Notes: These pistols do not exist.
Weapon |
Ammunition |
Weight |
Magazines |
Price |
Star 1911 PL |
.45 ACP |
1 kg |
14 |
$407 |
Star 1911 PLC |
.45 ACP |
0.8 kg |
10 |
$399 |
Weapon |
ROF |
Damage |
Pen |
Bulk |
SS |
Burst |
Range |
Star 1911 PL |
SA |
2 |
Nil |
1 |
3 |
Nil |
14 |
Star 1911 PLC |
SA |
2 |
Nil |
1 |
4 |
Nil |
11 |
Star A
Notes: Though
the Spanish Army officially adopted the Astra 400 in 1921 as its standard
service pistol (at that time), a lot of troops, especially officers and senior
NCOs as well as the Guardia Civil (Paramilitary Security Force) did not like the
Astra 400, feeling it was simply too big and complicated.
They preferred the Star Model A, which was essentially a Colt M-1911
rechambered for the 9mm Largo cartridge.
The Guardia Civil adopted the Model A in 1922 as its own service weapon,
and many senior military troops and police also used the Model A instead of the
Astra 400.
As with the
M-1911, the Model A uses a 5-inch barrel and has essentially the same shape and
natural pointing qualities of the M-1911.
(The designers did, in essence, start with an M-1911 and then put in
features and modifications to externally and, to a lesser extent, internally
differentiate it from the M-1911.) The Model A initially had no grip safety, but
one was added in 1924. The shape of
the hammer differs from that of the M-1911, being quite a bit smaller, and the
beavertail is also much smaller.
The Model A’s trigger mechanism is also somewhat different, and the Model A uses
an external extractor instead of an internal one.
Unfortunately, the Model A used rather tiny sights (as was common with
many Spanish pistols of that time period), making aiming problematic, and
acquiring a quick sight picture virtually impossible.
In 1946, several
other changes and features were introduced.
A chamber-loaded indicator was added, and a special disassembly catch was
also devised that made stripping and reassembly far easier than before (easier
than even the M-1911A1). This
version was called the Super A, and it remained in production until 1989 – but
still did not outlast the Model A in production: Model A production lasted into
the mid-1990s. The Super A is
identical to the Model A for game purposes.
Though almost
all Model A’s and Super A’s were chambered for 9mm Largo, a few other
chamberings were also produced.
These alternate chamberings are quite rare.
The Model B was
a slightly-later development of the Model A.
The Model B resembles the Model A (and still looks very much like an
M-1911). Differences between the Model B and A (and M-1911) include a larger
hammer spur (though several types of hammer styles may be encountered), a
somewhat larger beavertail (though still without a grip safety), and a slightly
humped backstrap. The barrel is
slightly shorter at 4.8 inches, but heavier steel and more solid construction
makes the Model B much heavier than its Model A counterparts.
As the Model B chambers 9mm Parabellum, the grip is noticeably slimmer
than that of the M-1911 (as is the Model A’s grip).
It has a longer grip tang than the Model A, and the backstrap is
checkered. Production of the basic Model B began somewhere from 1926 to 1933
(the exact date is in dispute by firearms experts), and lasted until 1984.
Large numbers were used on both sides during the Spanish Civil War, and
some 35,000 were also used by the Nazis during World War 2.
Due to their association/subjugation by the Nazis during World War 2, the
Model b was also used by Bulgaria, Croatia, and Hungary. An unusual user of the
Model B was the Royal Navy during World War 2, though where they got them is not
exactly clear. West German police used the Model B for some time after World War
2, hand-me-downs from the Nazis. An unknown number (several thousand at the
least) were also used by the British during World War 2 and slightly beyond.
The South Africans used the Model B as a substitute standard sidearm for
their police and military forces for several decades.
The Model B was, however, most popular on the civilian market of the US,
Central South America, and Africa.
The most common
Model B variant is the Super B.
Built from 1946-83, the Super B has several internal changes from the Model B,
the most important of which is the replacement of the swinging under-barrel link
the Model B uses for locking and unlocking the breech with a simpler fixed cam.
The Super B also adds a chamber-loaded indicator, and 3-dot-type sights
that are a little larger than that of the standard Model B (the Model B has the
same tiny sights of the Model A).
Stripping and reassembly have also been made easier.
Primary customers for the Super B were civilians.
The Super B is identical to the Model B for game purposes.
Though the Spanish Army did not take the Model B, they were quite
impressed with the Super B and adopted as a standard sidearm in 1947.
The Model BM a
compact version of the Model B, using a 4-inch barrel on a full-sized Model B
frame. The Model BKM is essentially
the same pistol as the BM, but with a lighter alloy frame.
The BS is a “Commander”-sized version with a 4.25-inch barrel, built
using lightweight steel; the BKS (also known as the Starlight) is the BS’s
alloy-frame counterpart. All four
of these were introduced around 1970, with production terminating in the early
1980s. The Model C, introduced in
1928, is a Model B chambered for the 9mm Browning Long cartridge.
None of these weapons pistols saw any official military use, but police
in Spain, Portugal, and South America used some of them, and they were popular
among civilians.
The Model D is
also based on the same 1911 design, but chambered for the .380 ACP cartridge
instead of .45 ACP. Unlike most of
these early Stars, the Star D was designed for use as a self-defense weapon – to
a certain extent police, but mostly for civilians.
The only police to use the Star D was the Spanish Guardia Civil, and
these primarily went to outlying areas.
Introduction was in 1920.
The Star D in effect used two manual safeties after 1928 – a manual safety at
the rear corner of the trigger guard, and a slide lock with unlocker.
Before then, the Star D relied on its manual safety, as it used blowback
single-action operation. There was
a short partnership with Colt in the US in the 1920s, in which Colt sold
imported Star Ds under the Colt name, but various pieces of firearms regulations
brought a quick end to the partnership.
The Star D is relatively small compared to the previous Stars, with a
barrel only 3.15 inches in length, and a length of 14.5 millimeters – barely
large enough to move it into a Bulk Rating of 1. It bucks like a bronco when
fired and uses what would be considered a slightly underpowered cartridge, but
offered more in a self-defense pistol than most of its contemporaries.
Weapon |
Ammunition |
Weight |
Magazines |
Price |
Star A |
9mm Largo |
0.62 kg |
8 |
$283 |
Star A |
.30 Mauser |
0.53 kg |
8 |
$204 |
Star A |
9mm Parabellum |
0.59 kg |
8 |
$248 |
Star A |
.45 ACP |
0.78 kg |
7 |
$407 |
Star B |
9mm Parabellum |
1.08 kg |
8 |
$246 |
Star BM |
9mm Parabellum |
0.97 kg |
8 |
$238 |
Star BKM |
9mm Parabellum |
0.73 kg |
8 |
$239 |
Star BS |
9mm Parabellum |
0.71 kg |
8 |
$240 |
Star BKS |
9mm Parabellum |
0.57 kg |
8 |
$241 |
Star C |
9mm Browning Long |
1.1 kg |
8 |
$256 |
Star D |
.380 ACP |
0.42 kg |
6 |
$214 |
Weapon |
ROF |
Damage |
Pen |
Bulk |
SS |
Burst |
Range |
Star A (9mm Largo) |
SA |
2 |
Nil |
1 |
4 |
Nil |
13 |
Star A (.30) |
SA |
1 |
Nil |
1 |
4 |
Nil |
11 |
Star A (9mm Parabellum) |
SA |
1 |
Nil |
1 |
4 |
Nil |
12 |
Star A (.45) |
SA |
2 |
Nil |
1 |
4 |
Nil |
14 |
Star B |
SA |
1 |
Nil |
1 |
3 |
Nil |
12 |
Star BM |
SA |
1 |
Nil |
1 |
3 |
Nil |
10 |
Star BKM |
SA |
1 |
Nil |
1 |
3 |
Nil |
10 |
Star BS |
SA |
1 |
Nil |
1 |
4 |
Nil |
10 |
Star BKS |
SA |
1 |
Nil |
1 |
4 |
Nil |
10 |
Star C |
SA |
1 |
Nil |
1 |
3 |
Nil |
14 |
Star D |
SA |
1 |
Nil |
1 |
5 |
Nil |
8 |
Star CO
Notes: This
self-defense gun was introduced in 1930 and continued production into the 1950s.
It is of typical design for the .25 pocket pistols of the period, and was
similar in size to the Browning Baby.
The barrel was a short 2.36 inches, making it very compact but not good
beyond a very short range – also typical for pocket pistols of the time.
It is, however, about twice the weight of its .25 contemporaries, which
reduces barrel climb and making it steadier for repeated shots.
It is known for being able to digest just about any .25 ACP ammunition
available, even modern cartridges and hotloads.
The CO has a vague resemblance to the Baby, though it looks even more
like a miniature 1911; the CO is not related to either of these guns.
In 1956, the CO
was replaced in production by the Model CU.
This is similar to the CO, but has a fixed barrel and the addition of a
thumb safety, as well as small changes to incorporate more modern operation and
construction. These changes include
enlargements of the controls, a longer grip, and plastic grips. The barrel is
lengthened to 2.5 inches (unfortunately, this has little effect in game terms).
It was available in a black or chromed slide, and with finishes for the frame
and slide of blue, green, gold (actually, just a gold-colored plating), and
natural metal. In 1973, the CU was complimented by the Model CK.
This is a version of the CU with an aluminum frame instead of steel.
Both were sold in the US for a short time under the name of Starlet.
Firearms regulations soon ended CU and CK importation, but the CK was in
production into the 1980s. The CK
could have red or black grip plates.
The Model COE is a CU with mother-of-pearl grip plates; for game
purposes, it is identical to the Model CU.
Weapon |
Ammunition |
Weight |
Magazines |
Price |
Star CO |
.25 ACP |
0.42 kg |
7 |
$81 |
Star CU |
.25 ACP |
0.43 kg |
7 |
$86 |
Star CK |
.25 ACP |
0.37 kg |
7 |
$86 |
Weapon |
ROF |
Damage |
Pen |
Bulk |
SS |
Burst |
Range |
Star CO |
SA |
-1 |
Nil |
0 |
4 |
Nil |
3 |
Star CU |
SA |
-1 |
Nil |
0 |
4 |
Nil |
4 |
Star CK |
SA |
-1 |
Nil |
0 |
4 |
Nil |
4 |
Star DKL
Notes: This
pocket pistol is based on a greatly scaled down M-1911A1 frame.
Internally, it uses a complicated action that is not normally used in a
light pistol of a small caliber; however, this makes it a robust weapon that is
not prone to jamming by dirt or mechanical failure.
Unfortunately, the small size and weight of the DKL lead to high muzzle
blast and recoil.
Weapon |
Ammunition |
Weight |
Magazines |
Price |
Star DKL |
.380 ACP |
0.42 kg |
6 |
$136 |
Weapon |
ROF |
Damage |
Pen |
Bulk |
SS |
Burst |
Range |
Star DKL |
SA |
1 |
Nil |
0 |
5 |
Nil |
8 |
Star F
Notes: This is a
rimfire plinking, recreational and self-defense pistol, originally introduced in
1932 as the Model FTB. The frame is
based on the Colt M-1911, and the controls are the same, though the Model F has
a bare barrel. The Model FTB was
not renamed to Model F until 1946; the barrel was also severely chopped at this
time. The Model F Target is the
same weapon with a longer barrel, while the Model F Sport has a shorter barrel
(but longer than that of the standard Model F).
These pistols were produced until 1972; however, Star updated the Model F
to the Second Series in 1942. The
Second Series moved the manual safety from behind the trigger to behind the
gripframe.
Weapon |
Ammunition |
Weight |
Magazines |
Price |
Star FTB |
.22 Long Rifle |
0.78 kg |
10 |
$155 |
Star F |
.22 Long Rifle |
0.69 kg |
10 |
$122 |
Star F Target |
.22 Long Rifle |
0.78 kg |
10 |
$151 |
Star F Sport |
.22 Long Rifle |
0.75 kg |
10 |
$139 |
Weapon |
ROF |
Damage |
Pen |
Bulk |
SS |
Burst |
Range |
Star FTB |
SA |
1 |
Nil |
1 |
3 |
Nil |
14 |
Star F |
SA |
-1 |
Nil |
1 |
3 |
Nil |
7 |
Star F Target |
SA |
1 |
Nil |
1 |
3 |
Nil |
13 |
Star F Sport |
SA |
-1 |
Nil |
1 |
2 |
Nil |
11 |
Star Firestar
Notes: These are
a Spanish line of small backup pistols.
They are among the smallest in their calibers.
They use a Colt-Browning action, and have ambidextrous safety catches and
a firing pin safety to prevent accidental discharges when dropped or bumped.
They can also be carried half-cocked to provide a measure of safety yet a
quick response if the trigger is pulled.
This weapon, like all Star pistols, was a common export, especially to
the US and South America.
Weapon |
Ammunition |
Weight |
Magazines |
Price |
Firestar M-40 |
.40 Smith & Wesson |
0.86 kg |
6 |
$183 |
Firestar M-43 |
9mm Parabellum |
0.86 kg |
7, 8 |
$146 |
Firestar M-45 |
.45 ACP |
1.03 kg |
6 |
$230 |
Weapon |
ROF |
Damage |
Pen |
Bulk |
SS |
Burst |
Range |
Firestar M-40 |
SA |
2 |
Nil |
1 |
3 |
Nil |
8 |
Firestar M-43 |
SA |
1 |
Nil |
1 |
3 |
Nil |
8 |
Firestar M-45 |
SA |
2 |
Nil |
1 |
3 |
Nil |
10 |
Star Firestar Plus M-243
Notes: This is a
compact version of the Firestar M-43 that incorporates a surprisingly large
magazine despite its small dimensions.
The frame is made from light alloy and the mechanism is the same as the
standard Firestar.
Weapon |
Ammunition |
Weight |
Magazines |
Price |
Firestar Plus |
9mm Parabellum |
0.7 kg |
13 |
$144 |
Weapon |
ROF |
Damage |
Pen |
Bulk |
SS |
Burst |
Range |
Firestar Plus |
SA |
1 |
Nil |
1 |
3 |
Nil |
7 |
Star Max 8800
Notes: This is a
compact double-action pistol introduced in 2000 for self-defense.
The frame is light alloy, the slide steel (usually in a stainless-steel
or chrome finish, but blued is also available), and the Max 8800 has an
ambidextrous safety/decocker, an automatic firing pin safety, and a half-cock
position for the hammer. The rear
sight is adjustable, but only laterally.
Weapon |
Ammunition |
Weight |
Magazines |
Price |
Max 8800 |
9mm Parabellum |
0.78 kg |
13 |
$234 |
Weapon |
ROF |
Damage |
Pen |
Bulk |
SS |
Burst |
Range |
Max 8800 |
SA |
1 |
Nil |
1 |
3 |
Nil |
8 |
Star MD
Notes:
This is basically a Model B that has been converted into a selective-fire
machine pistol. There are slots on
the rear of the butt for a stock, and extended magazines are available.
About 8000 were built in Spain and exported to Central and South America
in various calibers; Thailand also built them under license before World War 2.
Later, Star pistols similar to the Model B were also converted.
The automatic rate of fire, like most such weapons, is close to
uncontrollable.
Weapon |
Ammunition |
Weight |
Magazines |
Price |
Star MD |
9mm Parabellum |
0.7 kg |
8, 16, 25 |
$246 |
Star MD |
9mm Largo |
0.7 kg |
8, 16, 25 |
$281 |
Star MD |
.38 Super |
0.7 kg |
8, 16, 25 |
$282 |
Star MD |
.45 ACP |
0.7 kg |
8, 16, 25 |
$402 |
Shoulder Stock |
NA |
0.5 kg |
NA |
$25 |
Weapon |
ROF |
Damage |
Pen |
Bulk |
SS |
Burst |
Range |
MD (9mm Parabellum) |
10 |
1 |
Nil |
1 |
3 |
16 |
12 |
MD (9mm Parabellum, Stock) |
10 |
1 |
Nil |
3 |
2 |
19 |
16 |
MD (9mm Largo) |
10 |
2 |
Nil |
1 |
3 |
16 |
11 |
MD (9mm Largo, Stock) |
10 |
2 |
Nil |
3 |
2 |
10 |
15 |
MD (.38) |
10 |
2 |
1-Nil |
1 |
3 |
16 |
13 |
MD (.38, Stock) |
10 |
2 |
1-Nil |
3 |
2 |
10 |
18 |
MD (.45) |
10 |
2 |
Nil |
1 |
3 |
17 |
14 |
MD (.45, Stock) |
10 |
2 |
Nil |
3 |
2 |
11 |
17 |
Star Megastar
Notes:
Introduced in 1992, the Megastar follows the Model 30 series and the Firestar
series in that all three of them are progressively more-modified and improved
versions of the CZ-75. However,
these Star pistols have also increasingly diverged from their CZ-75 base –
virtually no Megastar parts will interchange with the CZ-75 or even the Model 30
and Firestar series. Despite the
initial popularity of the Megastar, sales fell off rapidly – many experts say
that the sheer weight of the Megastar killed it, despite its technical
excellence. Even more likely was
the world glut of various pistols; in 1997, this killed Star itself as an
independent manufacturer.
The Megastar is
not just large – it is described by some shooters as being huge for a
conventional pistol design, weighing in at nearly four pounds when loaded and
being nearly 8.5 inches long in total.
Construction is for the most of not just steel, but heavy, high-strength
steel, and the grip is large (too large for some shooters) in order for that
heavy, high strength steel frame to house large-capacity magazines holding
powerful ammunition. (These
magazines, by the way, are regarded as being some of the easiest of all pistol
magazines to load, yet function reliably even when left fully loaded and sitting
around for years.) The high weight
of the Megastar also makes firing these cartridges far more comfortable, serving
to hold down felt recoil and muzzle jump.
Operation of the
Megastar is by recoil, with a double-action trigger mechanism.
The slide lock also functions as a decocker, and is mounted on the left
side below the slide and above the trigger, easily accessible by the thumb of a
right-handed shooter; though it is a bit of an awkward move, this sliding switch
can also be operated by the trigger finger of a lefty.
The manual safety switch is slide-mounted and ambidextrous, though its
location towards the rear of the slide does not make it useful for one-handed
operation. The manual safety has
three positions: safe, in which the hammer locks if it is decocked and the
firing pin retracts so that it cannot reach any chambered ammunition, and is
locked in that retracted position; fully safe, in which the above actions occur,
plus the decocking mechanism is engaged and the hammer falls and locks; and the
fire position. (The hammer itself
is a grooved loop-type.) The
Megastar also has a passive inertial firing pin safety as well as a magazine
safety. The magazine release also
allows the magazine to fall free out of the grip – on many Star pistols, the
magazine release only pops the magazine out to allow the shooter to remove it
(and with some Star pistols, most notably the Firestar, the magazine pops out
only a fraction of an inch, making removal rather difficult and time-consuming).
Most of the
Megastar is dehorned, and balanced to make it comfortable to hold and fire
despite the weight of the Megastar.
The sights are low-profile combat sights similar to the popular Novak Lo-Mount
sights, and also use a 3-dot configuration with the dots being luminous.
The front sight is dovetailed, primarily to allow coarse windage
adjustments, and the rear sight uses a wide notch.
The sights therefore are sell-suited to rapid target acquisition both by
day and in low-light conditions.
The grip generally uses checkered plastic grip plates with a checkered backstrap
and frontstrap; stippled rubber grip plates are also available, along with a
wrap-around neoprene ergonomic grip.
The front of the trigger guard is squared and checkered for those who
like to use a finger of the nonfiring hand to help steady their grip when
shooting. Construction quality is
excellent. The trigger mechanism
does have a lot of slack (easily adjusted by a gunsmith), but pull weight is
surprisingly light in both double-action and the single-action follow-up shots.
Barrel length is 4.6 inches.
Finish in either case is covered by a touch, clear corrosion-resistant coating,
but can be matte blued, polished blue (both of which are actually variants of a
black phosphate finish), or in a type of finish called Starvel by Star (a
medium-matte brushed chrome).
Twilight 2000
Notes: The Megastar is a very rare weapon in the Twilight 2000 timeline.
Weapon |
Ammunition |
Weight |
Magazines |
Price |
Megastar |
10mm Colt |
1.35 kg |
14 |
$358 |
Megastar |
.45 ACP |
1.32 kg |
12 |
$403 |
Weapon |
ROF |
Damage |
Pen |
Bulk |
SS |
Burst |
Range |
Megastar (10mm) |
SA |
2 |
1-Nil |
1 |
2 |
Nil |
13 |
Megastar (.45) |
SA |
2 |
Nil |
1 |
2 |
Nil |
13 |
Star Super A/B/M/P
Notes: This was
the standard service pistol of the Spanish military during most of the 1980s,
but was replaced by the Star 30M starting in 1988.
The Super B’s were then handed off to lower-echelon and reserve forces as
well as the police. Externally, the
Super B resembles the M-1911A1, but internally, is more akin to the Browning
Hi-Power, and it has no grip safety.
The Super A, Super M, and Super P are similar, but fire 9mm Largo, .38
Super, and .45 ACP respectively.
The Model PD
Compact was designed to provide a high-powered weapon in a small package.
It appears to be a scaled-down M-1911A1, but has no grip safety.
The rear sight is fully adjustable.
The frame is of light alloy. Operation is similar to the M-1911A1, and
the PD looks somewhat similar to a small 1911. The light weight and short barrel
can make the PD difficult to fire, but it is not considered by most an
unpleasant experience. The PD is
used mostly by undercover police forces.
The Model PD was introduced in 1975 and remains in production.
Twilight 2000
Notes: Late in the Twilight War, they were pulled back from storage to arm new
recruits and civilian militia forces.
Weapon |
Ammunition |
Weight |
Magazines |
Price |
Star Super A |
9mm Largo |
1.07 kg |
8 |
$281 |
Star Super B |
9mm Parabellum |
1.07 kg |
8 |
$249 |
Star Super M |
.38 Super |
1.07 kg |
8 |
$282 |
Star Super P |
.45 ACP |
1.07 kg |
8 |
$402 |
Star PD Compact |
.45 ACP |
0.71 kg |
6 |
$231 |
Weapon |
ROF |
Damage |
Pen |
Bulk |
SS |
Burst |
Range |
Super A |
SA |
2 |
Nil |
1 |
3 |
Nil |
11 |
Super B |
SA |
1 |
Nil |
1 |
3 |
Nil |
12 |
Super M |
SA |
2 |
1-Nil |
1 |
3 |
Nil |
13 |
Super P |
SA |
2 |
Nil |
1 |
3 |
Nil |
14 |
PD Compact |
SA |
2 |
Nil |
1 |
4 |
Nil |
10 |
Star Ten
Notes: This
pistol was introduced in 1990, and is a double-action weapon designed for the
10mm Colt cartridge. It has a steel
frame and slide, with wooden or plastic grip plates.
The standard barrel is 4.5 inches, but this may be easily replaced (no
special skills) with a 5.5-inch barrel that is ported.
A muzzle brake may also be attached (again, with no special skills
required). Despite the large
magazine capacity, the grip is relatively small, due to extra thin grip plates.
The rear sight is a special combat sight that, while resembling the
Novak, is a Star design.
Weapon |
Ammunition |
Weight |
Magazines |
Price |
Star Ten (4.5” Barrel) |
10mm Colt |
1.23 kg |
14 |
$358 |
Star Ten (5.5” Barrel) |
10mm Colt |
1.25 kg |
14 |
$392 |
Star Ten (5.5” Barrel with Brake) |
10mm Colt |
1.39 kg |
14 |
$567 |
Weapon |
ROF |
Damage |
Pen |
Bulk |
SS |
Burst |
Range |
Star Ten (4.5”) |
SA |
2 |
1-Nil |
1 |
2 |
Nil |
11 |
Star Ten (5.5”) |
SA |
2 |
1-Nil |
1 |
2 |
Nil |
13 |
Star Ten (5.5” w/Brake) |
SA |
2 |
1-Nil |
2 |
1 |
Nil |
13 |
Star Ultrastar M-205
Notes: This is a
compact pistol that (for Star) makes the transition to a polymer-frame design
with steel guide rails molded in and steel reinforcement bars in strategic
places. The polymer frame also
permits an ergonomic design. It can
be fired in single or double action modes, but otherwise uses the basic
Browning-type operation common to most Star pistols.
The main control is mounted just below the slide; it functions as a
combination manual safety/decocker, and is ambidextrous.
The magazine release is not ambidextrous, but the side it is on can
easily be switched by the user.
There is no magazine safety, but a firing pin safety is used that prevents the
Ultrastar from being fired until positive pressure is applied to the trigger.
The conical muzzle formerly used by Star is gone, replaced by parts in
the locking areas which have very high tolerances.
Twilight 2000
Notes: This weapon does not exist in the Twilight 2000 timeline.
Weapon |
Ammunition |
Weight |
Magazines |
Price |
Ultrastar |
9mm Parabellum |
0.78 kg |
9 |
$248 |
Weapon |
ROF |
Damage |
Pen |
Bulk |
SS |
Burst |
Range |
Ultrastar |
SA |
1 |
Nil |
1 |
3 |
Nil |
12 |
Star 105 Compact
This is a
compact version of the Star 30M pistol listed above.
Unlike the Star 30M, the Star 105 is recoil operated, and the weapon is
10% likely to jam if the person firing it does not have the strength to control
the recoil of a single shot. This
weapon was designed and marketed to law enforcement agencies that needed a
concealable weapon.
Twilight 2000
Notes: This weapon does not exist.
Weapon |
Ammunition |
Weight |
Magazines |
Price |
Star 105 |
9mm Parabellum |
0.81 kg |
9 |
$147 |
Weapon |
ROF |
Damage |
Pen |
Bulk |
SS |
Burst |
Range |
Star 105 |
SA |
1 |
Nil |
1 |
3 |
Nil |
8 |