I am thinking of buying one of the new manufacture sem-auto Stens. Not sure which model to get though, any real design benefits from one over another ??? this is just to fill the Childhood "Guns of Navarone" hole in the collection. Any input would be appreciated.
Sten Gun advice from those who know??
- Thread starter sparrow
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If you're making a 'wallhanger' then yes. If it's a fully functional gun, it's illegal to complete it without checking in with CFC/registering/etc.
Just because you can buy a parts kit and make a receiver tube from a template doesn't mean it's legal to finish it...
-M
Just because you can buy a parts kit and make a receiver tube from a template doesn't mean it's legal to finish it...
That's like saying just because you can buy a truck doesn't mean it's legal to drive it.
In any case the kits do not need a template, the majority of the work has been done.
I think we've had a miscommunication - buying a parts kit, and assembling it without registering it with the CFC, is illegal.
Much like buying a truck, and driving it without registering it with your provincial authorities, is also illegal.
If you buy it with a registered magwell (which is classed as the "firearm" for some reason) then you need a license. If you don't need a license to buy it, it hasn't been registered as a firearm and is illegal to complete without doing so.
I'm not saying I AGREE with how it is, but like it or not - that's the legal way it is at present.
-M
I get it now. It's only illegal if you do it illegally
I know it's not illegal to sell parts kits, they are often for sale in the EE.
This is correct - it's not illegal at all to buy a parts kit.
Assemble it, however, and it's LEGALLY got to go through the CFO/CFC.
-M
To answer your question, think of it like an AR15. They all may look different, some prettier than others, but as stated, they are ALL stens, with all the same action. Minor differences include the magwell (drum or stick), barrel lengths, and ejection port locations (top, side, etc).
Kindly excuse my total iggorance, gentlemen, but since when did Stens start using drum magazines?????
Every Sten I have ever seen, and this includes Mark I, Mark II, Mark IIS, Mark III, Mark IVa, Mark IVb and Mark V, have used exactly the same magazine, a straight double-column 32-rounder which changed to a single-column at its top, exactly like the MP-38 it was copied from. Of course, there is also the Lanchester magazine, but that was Navy issue only. It held 50 and would fit a Sten, but all Sten mags were the 32-round type and generally loaded with 30.
Have I missed something?
Every Sten I have ever seen, and this includes Mark I, Mark II, Mark IIS, Mark III, Mark IVa, Mark IVb and Mark V, have used exactly the same magazine, a straight double-column 32-rounder which changed to a single-column at its top, exactly like the MP-38 it was copied from. Of course, there is also the Lanchester magazine, but that was Navy issue only. It held 50 and would fit a Sten, but all Sten mags were the 32-round type and generally loaded with 30.
Have I missed something?
This is correct - it's not illegal at all to buy a parts kit.
Assemble it, however, and it's LEGALLY got to go through the CFO/CFC.
-M
Barrel or butt end first ?
That's not really a Sten any more.
Thought we were talking about Stens in Milsurp.
That's a Sten-based Custom Rifle.
Somebody even moved the ejection port and altered the bolt.
Might be closer to the truth to say it's an MP-3008/PPSh crossbreed.
Oh well, the Government classes things by what they think they might look like.... guess we can do the same.
Thought we were talking about Stens in Milsurp.
That's a Sten-based Custom Rifle.
Somebody even moved the ejection port and altered the bolt.
Might be closer to the truth to say it's an MP-3008/PPSh crossbreed.
Oh well, the Government classes things by what they think they might look like.... guess we can do the same.
Thanks dude, that's what I was looking for ...wasn't looking to wade into some of historical drama here.
Hey, what's with the attitude, DUDE?
I clicked onto this thread because some CLOWN asked for help with Stens from somebody who knows something about them.
FYI, I had my first Sten in 1965. I do know a little about the things.
Hope you don't behave like this to everyone you ask for help.
I clicked onto this thread because some CLOWN asked for help with Stens from somebody who knows something about them.
FYI, I had my first Sten in 1965. I do know a little about the things.
Hope you don't behave like this to everyone you ask for help.
NavyShooter
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Historically correct or not, there are many things to think about when buying a new firearm.
As an example, for those who own T-97's, they are facing the likelyhood of losing their guns over an arbitrary ruling by the RCMP.
As a co-incidence, there was a company out west has had some varied dealings with the RCMP in getting firearms approved and properly FRT'd....if the owner wants to provide more detail, I'm sure that someone here can fill us in in more detail.
I'm sure there's other things that might be of concern to potential buyer, but that's something to think about...on top of the "historical accuracy" issue.
NS
As an example, for those who own T-97's, they are facing the likelyhood of losing their guns over an arbitrary ruling by the RCMP.
As a co-incidence, there was a company out west has had some varied dealings with the RCMP in getting firearms approved and properly FRT'd....if the owner wants to provide more detail, I'm sure that someone here can fill us in in more detail.
I'm sure there's other things that might be of concern to potential buyer, but that's something to think about...on top of the "historical accuracy" issue.
NS
I think the difference here is trhat the T-97's received prohibited status when they were phisically inspected.
The ######## stens were eventually approved after being inspected twice.
I'm confused...
So there's a guy who is persona non grata on GunNutz, who has apparently managed to get an new manufacture open-bolt Sten gun approved? Is that correct?
Why can we not speak his name? What is the big secret? And why is the SMGInternationaldotnet website a labyrinth I can't navigate?
Why does the video of the RCMP test show fully-automatic fire with only a bolt change? It doesn't make any sense.
I am very confused.
So there's a guy who is persona non grata on GunNutz, who has apparently managed to get an new manufacture open-bolt Sten gun approved? Is that correct?
Why can we not speak his name? What is the big secret? And why is the SMGInternationaldotnet website a labyrinth I can't navigate?
Why does the video of the RCMP test show fully-automatic fire with only a bolt change? It doesn't make any sense.
I am very confused.
To quote the OP (if your reply is directed to him)
He specifically stated new stens, and the only ones out there aside from custom built ones seem to be spencer's. He simply wanted to know the difference between spencer's models. I admit he could have been more specific, even gone as far as to sending us a link. But i see no need to be upset with him.
smellie, I appreciate any technical advice you may have to offer mate. The Historical Drama is was referring to was that surrounding the you-build vs when to register vs full-auto stuff. I just assumed that since ######## is really the only game around we would discuss his design differences or their WW2 counterparts.
Fine, let's discuss.
He was at the Brandon show in December, brought a bunch of stuff. It was hard to get close to the table most of the time. From what I saw, at that time he was showing repros of WW2 Mark IIs and Mark IIIs but he also had one there that seemed to be about half-and-half.
As to semi-auto MGs, I was the guy who first got the legal approval to have the things, back in 1978, from the Attorney-General of Newfoundland and Labrador. The ruling was that if the conversion rendered a full-auto into a semi-auto, the firearm in question BECAME a semi-auto. I also detailed several ways this could be done, including the manufacture of a new bolt which did not have the clearance cut for the change switch. Put this bolt into a FA Sten (or other gun of similar, that is, open-bolt-firing, selective-fire with tripping lever type) and you have a strict semi-auto which will not fire full-auto.
As I said, this conversion was approved by the Attorney-general of a Canadian Province, in 1978. That is what started the whole CA thing, along with Trudeau and his lackeys banning the terrifying FA firearms (which have never been used in the commission of v a violent crime in Canada, at least since 1934).
Likely the RCMP were able to fire a SA Sten in FA condition by switching-in a Government bolt..... which HAS the cut to make it full-auto..... for the strict semi-auto bolt that was in it.
As built, the actual Sten design is inherently semi-automatic in operation: the simplest way to build one, using all the parts, is as a strict semi-auto. It THEN may be ALTERED to produce full-automatic fire. But leave it alone and you have a strict semi-auto.
It is exactly the same situation as a GEVARM, which was popular for conversion to FA when I was in school. Lotta rabbits ended their days in front of a .22 MG which had a cyclic of around 1500 rpm.
The quibbling begins when lawyer words are introduced. The police will prohibit something if they think it is "easily converted" to Prohib status..... but there is NO definition of what "easily" means. A friend once offered to convert the rear axle from my '54 Buick into a machine-gun' all he asked was 2 days, a lathe and a milling machine. For HIM, that was "easy"; for ME, it was incomprehensible that any person could be that talented. But he was serious.
Just be very, very careful... and be sure to have fun!
He was at the Brandon show in December, brought a bunch of stuff. It was hard to get close to the table most of the time. From what I saw, at that time he was showing repros of WW2 Mark IIs and Mark IIIs but he also had one there that seemed to be about half-and-half.
As to semi-auto MGs, I was the guy who first got the legal approval to have the things, back in 1978, from the Attorney-General of Newfoundland and Labrador. The ruling was that if the conversion rendered a full-auto into a semi-auto, the firearm in question BECAME a semi-auto. I also detailed several ways this could be done, including the manufacture of a new bolt which did not have the clearance cut for the change switch. Put this bolt into a FA Sten (or other gun of similar, that is, open-bolt-firing, selective-fire with tripping lever type) and you have a strict semi-auto which will not fire full-auto.
As I said, this conversion was approved by the Attorney-general of a Canadian Province, in 1978. That is what started the whole CA thing, along with Trudeau and his lackeys banning the terrifying FA firearms (which have never been used in the commission of v a violent crime in Canada, at least since 1934).
Likely the RCMP were able to fire a SA Sten in FA condition by switching-in a Government bolt..... which HAS the cut to make it full-auto..... for the strict semi-auto bolt that was in it.
As built, the actual Sten design is inherently semi-automatic in operation: the simplest way to build one, using all the parts, is as a strict semi-auto. It THEN may be ALTERED to produce full-automatic fire. But leave it alone and you have a strict semi-auto.
It is exactly the same situation as a GEVARM, which was popular for conversion to FA when I was in school. Lotta rabbits ended their days in front of a .22 MG which had a cyclic of around 1500 rpm.
The quibbling begins when lawyer words are introduced. The police will prohibit something if they think it is "easily converted" to Prohib status..... but there is NO definition of what "easily" means. A friend once offered to convert the rear axle from my '54 Buick into a machine-gun' all he asked was 2 days, a lathe and a milling machine. For HIM, that was "easy"; for ME, it was incomprehensible that any person could be that talented. But he was serious.
Just be very, very careful... and be sure to have fun!
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