STAR PD: A lighter and smaller copy of Colt M1911A1 pistol

The STAR PD was manufactered as a smaller and lighter version of the legendary Colt M1911A1. The venerable U.S. Government Colt M1911A1 pistol is a splendid weapon for stopping malefactors, but it is rather bulky and heavy; as a result, there has long been a tendency to develop lighter and smaller pistols firing the .45 ACP cartridge.

Many have been short-lived hack-and-chop jobs done on the basic Colt, but some have been designed from the ground up, as it were, and have been considerably more successful.

Design

The STAR PD is one of the earliest of this group and probably the most long-lived. In order to bring the size down, there have been some changes from the basic Colt-Browning swinging link breech locking system; there is only one interlocking lug and notch holding slide and barrel together, and the recoil spring and guide rod are an assembled unit instead of separate components. The frame is of alloy, and there is no grip safety. The foresight is a blade and the rear sight a fully adjustable leaf with an open notch.

The STAR PD is much lighter than the Colt M1911A1 and, consequently, rather more difficult to control, though it is not uncomfortable to shoot. Due to the short barrel, the velocity and muzzle energy are less than in full-sized pistols but there is still ample stopping power, and the STAR PD is a sensible gun for those who need a potent but concealable pistol.

Star PD is a compact .45 with a 6 shot magazine, but with the possibility to stuff a standard 1911 mag, only that mag would stick out from the bottom. It is a very reliable and terrific pistol (though the plastic buffer needed replacement every 1,000 rounds).

Technical specifications