A couple of questions about the Spanish Star Z-62/63 submachine guns.

[KVLG]

First off, does anyone know if they have any relationship to the previous Star Z-45? Wikipedia says that they're basically heavily modified versions of it. Like do they have any similar or identical parts or aspects?

Also, did the Spanish security forces ever use the 9x19mm Parabellum verison, and if so which ones did? Army, Guardia Civil, Navy?

[Andy-M]

Also, did the Spanish security forces ever use the 9x19mm Parabellum verison, and if so which ones did? Army, Guardia Civil, Navy?

According to the Modern Firearms site Spain only used the 9mm Largo round, the 9mm Luger/Parabbelum was offered for export only.

http://world.guns.ru/smg/smg53-e.htm

[KVLG]

According to the Modern Firearms site Spain only used the 9mm Largo round, the 9mm Luger/Parabbelum was offered for export only.

http://world.guns.ru/smg/smg53-e.htm

Still, the Spanish eventually adopted the 9mm Parabellum as their standard pistol round when they joined NATO, so maybe at least some of the units still using Z-62 type subguns switched over.

[Ought Six]

KVLG:
"Still, the Spanish eventually adopted the 9mm Parabellum as their standard pistol round when they joined NATO, so maybe at least some of the units still using Z-62 type subguns switched over."Here is a further indication that could be true:
http://www.securityarms.com/20010315/galleryfiles/1900/1988.htm

Excerpt:
"Both {the Z-62 & Z-70B} were issued for Spanish Army service in 9 mm Largo but were available on the export market in 9 mm Parabellum."Apparently the 9x19mm version of the Z-62 was designated the Z-63. I do not know how difficult it would be to convert a Z-62 to 9x19mm NATO. If the Z-62 & Z-63 barrels are interchangable, and Star has Z-63 spare barrels available, the conversion could be quite easy.

[Roldwin]

KVLG:Here is a further indication that could be true:

Quote:
http://www.securityarms.com/20010315.../1900/1988.htm (http://www.securityarms.com/20010315/galleryfiles/1900/1988.htm)

Excerpt:
"Both {the Z-62 & Z-70B} were issued for Spanish Army service in 9 mm Largo but were available on the export market in 9 mm Parabellum."

Apparently the 9x19mm version of the Z-62 was designated the Z-63.

No, the 9x19 Parabellum was designated Z-62, and the 9x23 Largo (Bergmann) version was designated Z-63 (both models were called eventually Z-62)

The weapon model is called after the year it entered in service

Z-70 and Z-70B were issued in 9 mm Par. and was in use until 2004 in some MP companies (like the one I was serving some years ago)

This SMG was also issued to the Guardia Civil

Z-84 were issued in few number to the Spanish Army, but, it was largely ussed in the Navy, like the Unidad de Buceadores de la Armada. As a matter of fact, the bolt-back was designated in the right side of the weapon to prevent any accidentally caught while diving with the weapon crossed in the chest. It was also issued in 9 mm Par.

Feel free to ask any other question ;-)

[KVLG]

No, the 9x19 Parabellum was designated Z-62, and the 9x23 Largo (Bergmann) version was designated Z-63 (both models were called eventually Z-62)

The weapon model is called after the year it entered in service

Z-70 and Z-70B were issued in 9 mm Par. and was in use until 2004 in some MP companies (like the one I was serving some years ago)

This SMG was also issued to the Guardia Civil

Z-84 were issued in few number to the Spanish Army, but, it was largely ussed in the Navy, like the Unidad de Buceadores de la Armada. As a matter of fact, the bolt-back was designated in the right side of the weapon to prevent any accidentally caught while diving with the weapon crossed in the chest. It was also issued in 9 mm Par.

Feel free to ask any other question ;-)

Do you know if any of the Spanish military, paramilitary, or police forces ever used the Z-62?

[Roldwin]

Yes, Z-62 replaced the old Z-45, and was in service in the spanish army until the '70

[KVLG]

Yes, Z-62 replaced the old Z-45, and was in service in the spanish army until the '70

The 9x19mm Parabellum version?

[Roldwin]

Both calibers

[KVLG]

Both calibers

I knew that the 9mm Largo was in use by the Spanish security forces, but I wasn't sure about the Parabellum version. Did Spain use the Largo first and later switch to the Parabellum or did they use both calibres at the same time?

[Wamba]

I knew that the 9mm Largo was in use by the Spanish security forces, but I wasn't sure about the Parabellum version. Did Spain use the Largo first and later switch to the Parabellum or did they use both calibres at the same time?

OK, lets see. Till the late 60's early 70's most of the SMG and pistols in service in the Military and Guardia Civil were in 9mm Largo. Quiet a few other Police units were given 9mm Corto (380 ACP) side arms.

From the mid 70's the Military started to switch to 9 Parabellum, as always, the transition was slow. As far as early 80's were the Army had already adopted the Llama 82 pistol and the Z-70 SMG had more than 10 years in service (both in 9 Parabellum), you could still find units (and individuals) in the Army and GC that had Star A and Super A pistols and some Z-62 in 9 Largo still in use.

So yes, both calibers were used during the 70's and early 80's.