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  4. Pulp Fiction at 30: The Star Model B 9mm

One of the uncredited gun cameos that got the most screentime in writer-director Quentin Tarantino’s 1994 neo-noir classic is a humble M1911 look-alike 9mm pistol made by Star of Spain. 

"Pulp Fiction's" hitman-turned-newfound-Buddhist Jules Winnfield, portrayed by Samuel L. Jackson, begins the film in a classic black suit and ends it in a borrowed T-shirt and shorts, while holding on to his customized BMF wallet, Jheri curls, and nickel-plated 9mm Star Model B throughout the film. 

 

What is the Star Model B?

 

Star Bonifacio Echeverria was perhaps Spain's most go-to handgun maker during its nine-decade run from about 1905 until 1997. As chronicled by Steven Hoober's Star-Firearms site, the firm's unlicensed and unauthorized take on the M1911, introduced in 1922 with its Modelo A and presaged by the exploratory Model 1920/1921, was outwardly similar enough to be considered a clone by many but had a lot of notable differences. This included more European calibers (9x23mm Largo and .30 Mauser) than the American .45 ACP, the absence of a grip safety, an external extractor, a hinged trigger, and slightly different internals. 

It was soon followed by the Modelo B, which was offered in 9mm Luger and remained in production from 1924 through at least 1983. A popular, well-built, reliable, and inexpensive full-sized handgun, it served in both the Spanish military and police as well as with the German military during World War II – and, by extension, the Soviets in the Cold War, who captured them in large enough quantities to stockpile them for a rainy day. 

This example, which came through the Guns.com Vault a while back, is a Star Modelo B Super, with the "Super" denoting it as a later-generation gun that was introduced after 1946. These swapped the M1911-style swinging link on the barrel for a SIG P210-style cam machined into the bottom of the barrel. This allowed the Super series to have an easy takedown, which we'll cover in a second. 

 

Star Modelo B Super
Meet Mister 9mm... (All photos unless noted: Chris Eger/Guns.com)
Star Modelo B Super
Note the external extractor and somewhat downward-curving beavertail. These grip panels are aftermarket, with the original factory grips typically being plastic. 
 
Star Modelo B Super
Like the Model A, the Model B has no rear grip safety as a normal M1911 would. Whereas the Model A has a straight grip spine, the Model B mimics the M1911A1 by having a curved backstrap. Note that it is not removable and is integral to the frame. 
Star Modelo B Super
Retained from the M1911 is a simple hammer/slide block manual safety and a push-button mag release. Speaking of safeties, the B Super also has an internal magazine cut-off safety. 
Star Modelo B Super
Rather than push/pulling out the slide catch lever like on an M1911, the Star Model B Super has a takedown lever that allows easy disassembly. 
Star Modelo B Super
Once field-stripped, you notice a very Colt-ish look to it, including the barrel bushing, but quickly note the SIG-style cam path on the bottom of the barrel. Note the lack of a large recoil spring plug. 
Star Modelo B Super
The nine-shot magazine is distinctive and looks sort of like a Wilson Combat 1911 magazine, although it predated Mr. Wilson's products by a good bit. 
Star Modelo B Super
Note the rollmarks on the slide, with the "9m/m P" denoting it as a 9mm Para (9x19mm Luger). Stars in 9x23 Largo typically read "9m/m L" This is often confused. 
Star Modelo B Super
And B Super on the bottom of the butt. Note the beveled magwell. 
Star Modelo B Super
Rollmarks typically under the grip on the frame will give you information as to year of manufacture – with this example being a Q1, which points to it being a 1972 model. Also note the various proof marks.
Star Modelo B Super
The grip ends in a noticeable "toe" that gives the user a fuller grip but makes it harder to strip stuck magazines out of the  magwell. Due to the magazine disconnect safety, the mags do not fall free when ejected. 
Star Modelo B Super
Sights are fixed. 
Star Modelo B Super
Note the loaded chamber indicator at the barrel hood. The slide of the Star Model B is svelte at just 0.89 inches. 
Star Modelo B Super
The Star Model B has a very M1911 size to it, with a 4.8-inch barrel, 8.46-inch overall length, and 5-inch height. Weight is 34 ounces, unloaded. Of note, Vince Vega carried an Auto-Ordnance M1911 .45 ACP in "Pulp Fiction." 
Star Modelo B Super
Star marketed the Model B in a variety of smaller variants, including the BM (shown bottom), BKS, BKM, and Starlite. 

 

The Star Model B, besides being a steady import to the U.S. for decades – brought in by companies such as Garcia and Interarms in the 1970s and 80s, then switching to Century and others in more recent years – was a staple in Hollywood, appearing in over 60 films and TV shows. The reason is that the gun had classic M1911 looks but functioned with reliable 9mm blanks, and (this is just me here) its heft and easy recoil made for a flatter-shooting pistol on camera, while its short and light (6-pound) trigger is simple to use, even for actors. 

 

Col. Potter and Hawkeye debate whether it’s a Star Model B or a 1911. Guess who was right? (Photos: IMFDB)

 

"They Speak English In What?"

 

Just prior to the apartment scene with Brett, and his friends, Jules and Vince pause to load their guns at the car's trunk. It is there that, while opining that shotguns would have been a better fit for the job of getting Mr. Wallace's briefcase back, you catch a good glimpse of Jules' magazine – showing it to clearly be that of a Star. 

 

Pulp Fiction Star Modelo B Super
(Photo: IMFDB/Chris Eger)
Pulp Fiction Star Modelo B Super
Note the downward curving beavertail and external extractor. (Photo: IMFDB/Chris Eger)

 

Finally, the fact that Jules is carrying a Star makes a curious bit of dialog in the movie make sense. 

Fast forward to the end scene with Pumpkin and Honey Bunny/Yolanda in the diner, where we catch back up with the more casually clothed Vince and Jules post "The Bonnie Situation." There, Jules gets the drop on Pumpkin/Ringo and, in his transitional period between ending his time as a hitman and going to walk the earth, includes the line "And Mr. 9mm here..." in his epic closeout. 

Correctamundo!

Since you came this far...

 

 

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