Star Firearms — A-series pistols
The model A pistol is the 9 mm Largo variant of the A/B series of 1911-inspired pistols that led Star design for the next 60 years. The models A, B, P and M had roughly comparable upates over the years.
Manuals for Model A Pistols
The various types of Model A pistols, while still in the same family, have enough variation that three different stripping procedures are needed. Luckily, I now have all three to give in one format or another.
- For all non-Super model A pistols, use the Model A manual (5.2 mb PDF).
- For Model A-Super pistols, use the general Star Super disassembly instructions (124 kb PDF).
These pistols are designed to fire .38 ACP and 9 mm Largo ammunition, but not .38 Super. Read the relevant sections on this page for more information on this.
As a general rule, date coded guns (e.g. "Model 1940") are military issue and letter coded (e.g. "Model A") are commercial or export versions.
First Model A & Model 1922
Basic variant, with straight backstrap, introduced in 1922. Made in 7.63 mm Mauser for the export market, and 9 mm Largo for the Spanish market. The model 1922 was adopted in small numbers by the Guardia Civil. The commercial model A variants I have seen have a somewhat complex rear tangent sight. This is actually fairly clever, in comparison to the large tangent sights on some High Powers as it is sunk into and integrated with the top of the slide.
Second Model A
In 1924, minor changes were introduced without a model designation change. The previous variant was discontinued in favor of the second variant.
Third Model A & Model 1931
In 1931 a more serious round of changes took place, mostly notably with the reshaping of the backstrap to match the arched mainspring housing of the Colt 1911A1. There were also changes to the style of the thumb safety, and some small internal changes, mostly for manufacturing reasons. The second model A was discontinued in favor of this third model.
Some of these changes were to meet Spanish government requirements, and a model 1931 was produced in some quantity, mostly for Guardia, but also for other police and some military forces.
Model 1940
Further refinements and requirements led to the development of the model 1940 pistol, produced from 1940 onward. This was issued in quantity to various Spanish military forces. A Star pistol in 9 mm Largo is still seen in quantity in South Africa. Some may have been this variant.
Super A
From 1946 onward, Star produced a Super version of the model A pistol. Besides the improvements from the model 1940, this as usual consisted of a number of upgrades to the weapon. Mostly the swinging link was replaced with a Sig 210 (or modern Star) style closed cam path integral to the barrel. Related to this, a full-length guide rod with captive spring, and a quick takedown lever were added as well. All of these models have a magazine safety, but one different from the previous S variants, and the extractor is modified to double as a loaded-chamber indicator. Additionally, the sights are improved in shape to make them easier to see, and minor changes were made to the trigger system. These were also apparently exported for extensive foreign military use.
Most Super pistols, of all series, were not labeled with the overall series letter. This has caused no end of confusion, and a number of guns are now sold at surplus as the Modelo Super, or even as model Bs, that are actually model As. As there are aftermarket barrels available to allow firing of 9 mm Luger/Parabellum ammunition in Largo (model A) pistols, caliber is no longer a completely sure way to identify Super marked pistols. Use care when trying to ID these pistols.
Model AS
The final model A variant of which I am aware is the AS, produced from 1956 to the end of primary A/B series production in 1983. This seems to be a commercial version of the model 1940 pistol, including the swinging link, and with the addition of a magazine safety and loaded chamber indicator. It was sold on the commercial and export markets exclusively.