Like the M1911, the Model B is a short-recoil operated, single-action only handgun. It utilizes the same pivoting link system-the barrel is locked via lugs meeting with cuts in the slide. When the weapon is discharged, the gases produced from the cartridge cause enough force for the link to cam the barrel down and push the slide back. The claw extractor pushes the empty casing into the fixed ejector, expelling it through the ejection port. When the slide has expended all its momentum, the spring forces the slide back forward, stripping a round from the magazine into the chamber. When fully in battery, the barrel cams upwards, locking the action. On the final round, a notch in the magazine floorplate will push the slide lock upwards, locking the slide back and signaling the need to reload. Aesthetically, the Model B is similar to the later 1911A1, thus sharing features like the trigger guard relief cuts, larger ejection port, and arched backstrap. Model Bs were sold with wooden grips until sometime postwar, after which many had plastic grips instead. Stars are also usually
blued; 1911s were originally blued until WWII, most military examples are
Parkerized instead. The Model B has several key functional differences: it lacks the grip-mounted safety present on the 1911, and the backstrap is non-removable and does not feature the mainspring housing like the Colt does. Stars also feature a hinged trigger and external extractor, as opposed to the Colt's straight trigger and internal extractor. There is no slide stop plunger tube on the frame, which on the Colt results in a small opening hidden behind the grips. Notably, the trigger group of the 1911 is more akin to the earlier
Ruby pistols (of which Star was a manufacturer during WW1), and the safety works differently-the 1911 safety blocks the sear, while the Star safety instead impinges on the hammer, preventing it from falling and striking the firing pin. Many of these changes were due to simplification by Star for easier manufacture, and combined with the changes in dimension, this also means Star parts are generally not interchangeable with 1911 parts. On Star 1911s that were refurbished by the Soviets after WWII, the extractor usually has a deep reddish color due to the method of dip bluing used-this phenomenon has been noted on many other German or Soviet weapons that were refurbished, usually appearing as a plum red or purple color. Soviet refurbishment relied on the interchangeability of parts rather than matching by serial number, however the handfit nature of Spanish firearms means refurbished Model Bs may be unable to properly engage the safety without first thumbing the hammer back. The later Model B Super carries many of the same external functions and dimensions, but utilizes different mechanical features, the biggest being a linkless camming barrel similar to the Browning Hi-Power. The Model B and Model B Super generally do not share interchangeable parts or magazines. ==Users==