Star Bonifacio Echeverria was founded in the Eibar region of Spain in 1905. During World War I, they produced clones of Mannlicher and Gabilondo pistols under contract. In the 1920s, they focused development on the Modelo A and B series.
The Modelo A was chambered in 9×23mm Largo (*) while the B model was chambered for the more common 9x19mm for export. While the Spanish military initially adopted the Largo loading, they would later switch to the B model, and the pistol would remain in service there until the 1990s.
The above was shot with the model BM, which is the compact version.
Externally, the pistol resembles a 1911 Commander with an arched mainspring housing, though the two differ internally. The Star, while single-action, lacks the grip safety of a 1911. It has the traditional linked barrel, but there is no barrel bushing, so disassembly is a bit different (I would say it’s a hair easier with the Star). The Star also has a magazine safety. However, unlike many guns, it doesn’t feel like it interferes with the trigger.
If you really want it out [insert ominous legal disclaimers], the safety is a strut on the right side of the frame that’s easily punched out. Simply pull the grips off, and it’s evident. Removing the safety does not interfere with function in any way.
The gun shoots very well. Muzzle flip is minimal, and recovery is quick, owing to additional heft of the steel frame. Ergonomics are similar to a 1911 with an arched mainspring housing.
I experienced one failure to chamber, and here I’ve got to be honest: I have no idea what kind of ammunition it was. I didn’t expect much out of the little gun, so I grabbed a handful of leftover ammo that was laying unsorted, and I loaded a random assortment into the magazines. The round that failed could’ve been milsurp just as easily as something decent.
So yes, those 8 shots above are all different kinds of ammo, and I still got a repsectable grouping out of the gun. Sights are the standard fixed type, but are acceptable for shooting at self-defense range.
It’s a good little gun, and there are tons laying around on the used market. You can find one in servicable condition for well under $200. Bear in mind, the company is no longer in business, but parts are obtainable through some channels (You can find the manual here [pdf]).
(*) Nominal modern ballistics for the 9×23 Largo are a 125gr bullet moving ~1100ft/s at ~35,000psi chamber pressure. The Bergmann-Bayard loading, with which the Largo is commonly confused, was rarely adopted outside of Denmark, but had similar ballistics. Note that the 9×23 Largo round is not the same as 9×23 Winchester, which will harm the gun and possibly the user if fired from a Star pistol. Factory-loaded Largo is rare but obtainable through surplus.