Star Model Z-45

• Name — Z-45 • Type — Submachine gun • Service — 1945 • Wars — Ifni War Cuban Revolution Portuguese Colonial War Rhodesian Bush War Angolan Civil War • Length — 850 mm stock extended/610 mm stock folded • Action — Open bolt, Simple blowback operation • Origin — Spain • Is Ranged — yes • Used By — See Users • Design Date — 1942–1945 • Manufacturer — * Star Bonifacio Echeverria • Weight — 3.5 kg unloaded /4.54 kg loaded • Part Length — 210 mm • Cartridge — 9×23mm Largo 9×19mm Parabellum.38 Super.45 ACP • Rate — 450 rounds/min • Velocity — 1250 ft/s • Range — 100–200 m • Feed — 10 or 30-round detachable box magazine

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). The gun was made in both folding stock and wood stock versions. The Z-45 had a fluted chamber to ease extraction with the powerful 9×23mm Largo cartridge. 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.

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

It was designed between 1942 and 1945. 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. It was used in combat during the Ifni War against the Moroccan Army of Liberation.

• Angola • Chile • Cuba • Egypt • Mauritania • Peru • Portugal • Saudi Arabia • Spain • Uruguay • Zimbabwe