| Star Firestar M43 | |
|---|---|
| Type | Semi-automatic pistol |
| Place of origin | Spain |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | Star Bonifacio Echeverria, S.A. |
| Produced | 1994 |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 1.88 lbs (855 g) empty[1] |
| Length | 6.50 in (165 mm)[1] |
| Width | 1.10 in (28 mm) at grip[1] |
| Height | 4.61 in (117 mm)[1] |
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| Cartridge | 9x19mm Parabellum |
| Caliber | 9 mm |
| Action | single action semi-automatic[1] |
| Muzzle velocity | 1,115 ft/s (340 m/s)[1] |
| Effective range | 164 ft (50 m)[1] |
| Maximum range | n/a |
| Feed system | magazine |
| Sights | fixed |
The Star M-43 Firestar (also called the Star Firestar M-43) is a single-action semi-automatic pistol that fires the 9 mm Para pistol cartridge. It was produced by the now defunct Star Bonifacio Echeverria, S.A. in Eibar, Spain. The Firestar was imported into the United States by Interarms, Alexandria, Virginia.
Although its external appearance resembles a compact M1911, its design is different in several respects. For example, the Star does not have the 1911's grip safety. Variants chambered for .40 S&W and .45 ACP were also produced. The Firestar has operating procedures analogous to those of the Colt 1911: it's single action, and meant to be carried in Condition One (cocked and locked), with a cartridge in the chamber, cocked hammer and locked manual safety. The Firestar lacks both a grip safety and an automatic safety at the firing pin (many current 1911 models have both).
The Firestar was a very compact and light gun in its times, reliable and ideal for backup or concealed carry. Today more modern and effective guns exist for the same role, like the Glock subcompact models, that with analogous size and weight have superior magazine capacity with simpler operative procedures (no need to operate the manual safety).