Star Model 28 – also written as Star M28 – is a 9×19mm

semi-automatic pistol A semi-automatic pistol is a type of repeating single- chamber handgun ( pistol) that automatically cycles its action to insert the subsequent cartridge into the chamber (self-loading), but requires manual actuation of the trigger to ac ...

produced by

Star Bonifacio Echeverria Star Bonifacio Echeverria, S.A. was a manufacturer of small arms (principally handguns and sub-machineguns) in the Basque region of Spain from about 1905 until 1997. Company history Bonifacio Echeverria and the ancestry of Star The Eibar regio ...

. The Star Model 30, Star Model 31 and their variants are considered part of the same design family as Star Model 28. Prior to Model 28, Star mostly focused on modifications of other platforms, namely of

Colt M1911 The M1911 (Colt 1911 or Colt Government) is a single-action, recoil-operated, semi-automatic pistol chambered for the .45 ACP cartridge. The pistol's formal U.S. military designation as of 1940 was ''Automatic Pistol, Caliber .45, M1911'' for the ...

. Star Model 28 marks the first original design from Star Firearms.

Design

Star Model 28 is one of the early double-column double action pistols and can be thus identified as a

wondernine Wonder Nine refers to any semi-automatic pistol that is chambered in 9×19mm Parabellum and has a staggered column magazine, as well as a double-action trigger for at least the first shot. The term was coined by firearms author Robert Shimek, ...

type of pistol Star 28/30/31 are all recoil operated, locked breech pistols, that use Browning-designed, linkless locking (like Browning Hi-Power), with two lugs on the barrel and a shaped cam under the chamber that interacts with slide stop axis inside the frame. Star Model 28 family design was inspired by the

CZ-75 The CZ 75 is a semi-automatic pistol made by Czech firearm manufacturer ČZUB. First introduced in 1975, it is one of the original " wonder nines" and features a staggered-column magazine, all-steel construction, and a hammer forged barrel. I ...

and

SIG P210 The SIG P210 (Swiss Army designation Pistole 49, the civilian model was known as SP47/8 prior to 1957) is a locked breech self loading, semi-automatic pistol designed and manufactured in Neuhausen am Rheinfall (Canton of Schaffhausen, Switzerla ...

. Like the aforementioned handgun designs, the slide runs within the frame, not on to as with conventional pistols such as M1911 or Beretta 92.

Variants

Following models belong in the Model 28, 30 & 31 family: * Model 28 – original design, produced from c.1970s to 1983. Star Model 28 was tested in the first trials of the

Joint Service Small Arms Program The Joint Service Small Arms Program, abbreviated JSSAP, was created to coordinate weapon standardization between the various United States armed service branches. First Project - XM9 Procurement In 1962, the Air Force adopted the Smith ...

in 1977. While it performed well in most aspects, it proved unable to handle low-powered pistol ammunition properly. Star M28 was edged out by the Beretta 92S-1/SB in the 1977 tests. * Model 28PK – more compact variant of Model 28. Was adopted by Spanish

National Police Corps The National Police Corps ( es, Cuerpo Nacional de Policía, link=no, CNP; ; also known simply as National Police, ) is the national civilian police force of Spain. The CNP is mainly responsible for policing urban areas, whilst rural policing ...

. * Model 28DA * "28/30" Hybrids – there exists pistols with Model 28PK's frame and Model 30PK's slide. It is speculated that they may have been a transitional piece between M28 and M30. * Model 30 – most prolific design of this pistol family. Produced from 1984 to 1994. It was an update of Model 28 and rectified significant design flaws of the original design. Main difference is the removal of the loaded-chamber indicator from the top of the slide and alterations to the configuration of the extractor. The new extractor design also serves as a loaded chamber indicator. * Model 30PK – compact design of Model 30. Was issued to

Spanish Police Spanish might refer to: * Items from or related to Spain: **Spaniards are a nation and ethnic group indigenous to Spain **Spanish language, spoken in Spain and many Latin American countries **Spanish cuisine Other places * Spanish, Ontario, Cana ...

and pilots of

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. * Model 30M – Model 30 for Military use, and comes with a longer slide to standard Model 30. * Model Starfire – Export version of Model 30 for United States market. * Model 30M Target – designed for European pistol competitions. Made from the steel-framed 30M. There exists no target versions of the Model 28 or 31. * Model 31 – final version and an extensive update of Model 30. Came with M and PK variants. * Model 31M .40 S&W Caliber – special variant that could fire the .40 S&W cartridge.

Users

: Adopted by various elements in Military and Law Enforcement :*

– Model 28PK. Has been supplanted by Heckler & Koch USP Compact. :*

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– Model 30PK : Star Model 30 was adopted by Peruvian Police.

References

* Chris McNab, ''Modern Small Arms – 300 of the World's Greatest Small Arms'' (2018), Amber Books Ltd, {{ISBN, 9781782742166
Star Firearms — Models 28, 30 & 31

Star Model 30M / 30PK Semi-Automatic Pistol
9mm Parabellum semi-automatic pistols