Wednesday, September 5, 2018

"Chinese Knockoffs" of Star Pistols

A reader sent me photos of this Star pistol the other day: 

What model is it? Well, look close at the slide. It's a Star. With valid looking marks. That "STAR" is in the right size and typeface for example. But, nothing about the gun itself it is right, and certainly not Star-like. 

It turns out, there is a budding market of clones and knockoffs being sold in various war-torn countries. Syria is a key market these days for things like this. For another example, this differently-awful totally-not-an-Astra A-80. 

The A-80 is the Sig-like one. So they aren't even trying to emulate real guns, unlike the 1930s era Chinese Broomhandle Mauser and Baby Browning clones. They are just... "generic guns" from somewhere. Even has plastic molding set up, I'll note. 

That Star is likewise just, something, roll stamped to persuade un-knowing buyers that it's made by a reputable maker. I presume they pick brands that are known to the market, and there are say a lot of old surplus Stars in Syria, with a decent enough reputation to try to steal from it. 

For more on the range of cloned guns, try this Glock on for size. This has been sourced, and is from Pakistan:

They have also seen Walther P99, CZ75, CZ97 and more. Not sure where all are from, if local, Pakistani, or indeed coming in from places with larger manufacturing bases like China. 

Read a bit more about the Glock: https://telegra.ph/Nelicenzionnye-kopii-pistoletov-Glock-v-Sirii-05-26

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