Marstar/SSD BD-38 review (now with pics & VIDEO!)

Ah well. Not too worried about the flag ;)

As for the gun and cycling, I'm going to try 115gr Winchester White Box this weekend. Haven;t had it out yet, but this load works well in the rest of my 9mm's so hopefully it works in this one too :)
 
Eh... Mike, the whole point of these new replica guns is that they're restricted only. Anyone with the proper licence can get them. No 12.xx BS.

Eh - ya, I know. :confused: I'm just saying its a low blow to wannabe new 3rd Reich collectors that we can't buy a great deal of the small arms (esp pistols - Luger P08, Walther PP PPK) used in the conflict.

Of course, the flag looks that way from the back side, so its not like hanging a Canadian flag upsidedown which is generally considered pretty disrespectful. (listening US Marine Corps?)
 
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Wow, how did I miss this thread? What a nice-looking piece you have there. Do you have to shoot pretty stout 9mm loads with it to cycle the bolt or will it work well with light target ammo?

I find myself in the unfortunate position of having no 12(x) to collect much of any WWII German military arms that so interest me.

PS - your flag is upsidedown


Good point...try some 115 grainers...the gun might just do 'tricks' for you
 
Eh - ya, I know. :confused: I'm just saying its a low blow to wannabe new 3rd Reich collectors that we can't buy a great deal of the small arms (esp pistols - Luger P08, Walther PP PPK) used in the conflict.

8" Artillery and 6" Navy Luger's are available to you if you don't have 12(6).
 
cant EVER have m1a1 or 1928's semi auto only or not they are NAMED by OIC or any and all variants

Well, I doubt that because of the newly designed semi auto receiver, as in MG34, 1919, M2 50 Cal, BD44, BD38, BD3008, BD43/1, and soon to be FG42 and all the other great toys on Marstars list.
 
I haven;t checked recently, but I don't think the MG34, 1919, M2 50 Cal, BD44, BD38, BD3008, BD43/1, and FG42 are specifically named by order in council as prohibs.

The Thompson is.
 
BD44 does not equal MP44

BD38 does not equal MP38/40

Now if there was a BD/M1A1 that isn't a M1A1

Is it any different than a CZ858 and an AK? Make a few changes to make it work.
 
Actually, anyone with a drill press, some files and some patience can "convert" any of the BD guns, using only BD parts, to work like the real McCoy. This is true of ANY semi-aoto, but...

Anyhow, I am glad we can have them, but I think you miss my point.

The regulations and OIC's promulgated under the Firearms Act do NOT state"

for arguement's sake said:
Prohibited Weapons:
[...]
- MP38, MP40 and all variations thereof.
- Stg44 and all variations thereof
- FG42 and all variations thereof
[...]
etc.

As a result, the only thing making the originals prohib is that they are either full-auto or select fire. If the Wehrmacht had produced and issued semi-auto only stg44's, they those originals would not be prohib.

On the other hand,
"Thompson Machine gun and all variants thereof"
IS listed by name as a banned weapon - I can't see how SSD and Marstar can get around that, though I stand to be corrected.
 
ok, here is the full list of prohibs NAMED by order in council:

Firearms Prescribed as Prohibited

As with restricted firearms, a Criminal Code regulation listing all the firearms previously prohibited by Order in Council came into effect December 1, 1998. Those firearms are:

Former Prohibited Weapons Order No. 3

Any firearm capable of discharging a dart or other object carrying an electrical current or substance, including the firearm of the design commonly known as the Taser Public Defender and any variant or modified version of it.
Former Prohibited Weapons Order No. 8

The firearm known as the SSS-1 Stinger and any similar firearm designed or of a size to fit in the palm of the hand.
Former Prohibited Weapons Order No. 11

The firearm of the design commonly known as the Franchi SPAS-12 shotgun, and any variant or modified version of it, including the Franchi LAW 12 shotgun.
The firearm of the design commonly known as the Striker shotgun, and any variant or modified version of it, including the Striker 12 shotgun and the Streetsweeper shotgun.
The firearm of the design commonly known as the USAS-12 Auto Shotgun, and any variant or modified version of it.
The firearm of the design commonly known as the Franchi SPAS-15 shotgun, and any variant or modified version of it.
The firearms of the designs commonly known as the Benelli M1 Super 90 shotgun and the Benelli M3 Super 90 shotgun, and any variants or modified versions of them, with the exception of the:

M1 Super 90 Field;
M1 Super 90 Sporting Special;
Montefeltro Super 90;
Montefeltro Super 90 Standard Hunter;
Montefeltro Super 90 Left Hand;
Montefeltro Super 90 Turkey;
Montefeltro Super 90 Uplander;
Montefeltro Super 90 Slug;
Montefeltro Super 90 20 Gauge;
Black Eagle;
Black Eagle Limited Edition;
Black Eagle Competition;
Black Eagle Slug Gun;
Super Black Eagle; and
Super Black Eagle Custom Slug.

The firearms of the designs commonly known as the Bernardelli B4 shotgun and the Bernardelli B4/B shotgun, and any variants or modified versions of them.
The firearm of the design commonly known as the American 180 Auto Carbine, and any variant or modified version of it, including the AM-180 Auto Carbine and the Illinois Arms Company Model 180 Auto Carbine.
The firearms of the designs commonly known as the Barrett "Light Fifty" Model 82A1 rifle and the Barrett Model 90 rifle, and any variants or modified versions of them.
The firearm of the design commonly known as the Calico M-900 rifle, and any variant or modified version of it, including the M-951 carbine, M-100 carbine and M-105 carbine.
The firearm of the design commonly known as the Iver Johnson AMAC long-range rifle, and any variant or modified version of it.
The firearm of the design commonly known as the McMillan M87 rifle, and any variant or modified version of it, including the McMillan M87R rifle and the McMillan M88 carbine.
The firearms of the designs commonly known as the Pauza Specialties P50 rifle and P50 carbine, and any variants or modified versions of them.
The firearm of the design commonly known as the Encom MK-IV carbine, and any variant or modified version of it.
The firearms of the designs commonly known as the Encom MP-9 and MP-45 carbines, and any variants or modified versions of them.
The firearm of the design commonly known as the FAMAS rifle, and any variant or modified version of it, including the MAS 223, FAMAS Export, FAMAS Civil and Mitchell MAS/22.
The firearm of the design commonly known as the Feather AT-9 Semi-Auto Carbine, and any variant or modified version of it, including the Feather AT-22 Auto Carbine.
The firearm of the design commonly known as the Federal XC-450 Auto Rifle, and any variant or modified version of it, including the Federal XC-900 rifle and Federal XC-220 rifle.
The firearm of the design commonly known as the Gepard long-range sniper rifle, and any variant or modified version of it.
The firearm of the design commonly known as the Heckler and Koch (HK) Model G11 rifle, and any variant or modified version of it.
The firearm of the design commonly known as the Research Armament Industries (RAI) Model 500 rifle, and any variant or modified version of it.
The firearm of the design commonly known as the Spectre Auto Carbine, and any variant or modified version of it.
The firearm of the design commonly known as the US Arms PMAI "Assault" 22 rifle, and any variant or modified version of it.
The firearm of the design commonly known as the Weaver Arms Nighthawk Carbine, and any variant or modified version of it.
The firearm of the design commonly known as the A.A. Arms AR9 Semi-Automatic Rifle, and any variant or modified version of it.
The firearms of the designs commonly known as the Claridge HI-TEC C, LEC-9 and ZLEC-9 carbines, and any variants or modified versions of them.
The firearm of the design commonly known as the Kimel Industries AR-9 rifle or carbine, and any variant or modified version of it.
The firearm of the design commonly known as the Grendel R-31 Auto Carbine, and any variant or modified version of it.
The firearms of the designs commonly known as the Maadi Griffin Rifle and the Maadi Griffin Carbine, and any variants or modified versions of them.
The firearm of the design commonly known as the AA Arms Model AR-9 carbine, and any variant or modified version of it.
The firearm of the design commonly known as the Bushmaster Auto Pistol, and any variant or modified version of it.
The firearm of the design commonly known as the Calico M-950 Auto Pistol, and any variant or modified version of it, including the M-110 pistol.
The firearm of the design commonly known as the Encom MK-IV assault pistol, and any variant or modified version of it.
The firearms of the designs commonly known as the Encom MP-9 and MP-45 assault pistols, and any variants or modified versions of them, including the Encom MP-9 and MP-45 mini pistols.
The firearm of the design commonly known as the Federal XP-450 Auto Pistol, and any variant or modified version of it, including the XP-900 Auto Pistol.
The firearm of the design commonly known as the Heckler and Koch (HK) SP89 Auto Pistol, and any variant or modified version of it.
The firearm of the design commonly known as the Intratec Tec-9 Auto Pistol, and any variant or modified version of it, including the Tec-9S, Tec-9M, Tec-9MS, and any semi-automatic variants of them, including the Tec-DC9, Tec-DC9M, Tec-9A, Tec-Scorpion, Tec-22T and Tec-22TN.
The firearms of the designs commonly known as the Iver Johnson Enforcer Model 3000 Auto Pistol and the Iver Johnson Plainfield Super Enforcer Carbine, and any variants or modified versions of them.
The firearm of the design commonly known as the Skorpion Auto Pistol, and any variant or modified version of it.
The firearm of the design commonly known as the Spectre Auto Pistol, and any variant or modified version of it.
The firearm of the design commonly known as the Sterling Mk 7 pistol, and any variant or modified version of it, including the Sterling Mk 7 C4 and Sterling Mk 7 C8.
The firearm of the design commonly known as the Universal Enforcer Model 3000 Auto Carbine, and any variant or modified version of it, including the Universal Enforcer Model 3010N, Model 3015G, Model 3020TRB and Model 3025TCO Carbines.
The firearm of the design commonly known as the US Arms PMAIP "Assault" 22 pistol, and any variant or modified version of it.
The firearm of the design commonly known as the Goncz High-Tech Long Pistol, and any variant or modified version of it, including the Claridge Hi-Tec models S, L, T, ZL-9 and ZT-9 pistols.
The firearm of the design commonly known as the Leader Mark 5 Auto Pistol, and any variant or modified version of it.
The firearm of the design commonly known as the OA-93 assault pistol, and any variant or modified version of it.
The firearm of the design commonly known as the A.A. Arms AP9 Auto Pistol, and any variant or modified version of it.
The firearm of the design commonly known as the Patriot pistol, and any variant or modified version of it.
The firearm of the design commonly known as the XM 231S pistol, and any variant or modified version of it, including the A1, A2 and A3 Flattop pistols.
The firearm of the design commonly known as the AA Arms Model AP-9 pistol, and any variant or modified version of it, including the Target AP-9 and the Mini AP-9 pistols.
The firearm of the design commonly known as the Kimel Industries AP-9 pistol, and any variant or modified version of it.
The firearms of the designs commonly known as the Grendel P-30, P-30 M, P-30 L and P-31 pistols, and any variants or modified versions of them.
The firearms of the designs commonly known as the Claridge HI-TEC ZL-9, HI-TEC S, HI-TEC L, HI-TEC T, HI-TEC ZT-9 and HI-TEC ZL-9 pistols, and any variants or modified versions of them.
The firearm of the design commonly known as the Steyr SPP Assault Pistol, and any variant or modified version of it.
The firearm of the design commonly known as the Maadi Griffin Pistol, and any variant or modified version of it.
The firearm of the design commonly known as the Interdynamics KG-99 Assault Pistol, and any variant or modified version of it.
Former Prohibited Weapons Order No. 12 (in effect since October 1, 1992)

The firearm of the design commonly known as the Sterling Mk 6 Carbine, and any variant or modified version of it.
The firearm of the design commonly known as the Steyr AUG rifle, and any variant or modified version of it.
The firearm of the design commonly known as the UZI carbine, and any variant or modified version of it, including the UZI Model A carbine and the Mini-UZI carbine.
The firearms of the designs commonly known as the Ingram M10 and M11 pistols, and any variants or modified versions of them, including the Cobray M10 and M11 pistols, the RPB M10, M11, SM10 and SM11 pistols and the SWD M10, M11, SM10 and SM11 pistols.
The firearm of the design commonly known as the Partisan Avenger Auto Pistol, and any variant or modified version of it.
The firearm of the design commonly known as the UZI pistol, and any variant or modified version of it, including the Micro-UZI pistol.
Former Prohibited Weapons Order No. 13 (in effect since January 1, 1995)

The firearm of the design commonly known as the AK-47 rifle, and any variant or modified version of it except for the Valmet Hunter, the Valmet Hunter Auto and the Valmet M78 rifles, but including the:
(a) AK-74;
(b) AK Hunter;
(c) AKM;
(d) AKM-63;
(e) AKS-56S;
(f) AKS-56S-1;
(g) AKS-56S-2;
(h) AKS-74;
(i) AKS-84S-1;
(j) AMD-65;
(k) AR Model .223;
(l) Dragunov;
(m) Galil;
(n) KKMPi69;
(o) M60;
(p) M62;
(q) M70B1;
(r) M70AB2;
(s) M76;
(t) M77B1;
(u) M78;
(v) M80;
(w) M80A;
(x) MAK90;
(y) MPiK;
(z) MPiKM;
(z.1) MPiKMS-72;
(z.2) MPiKS;
(z.3) PKM;
(z.4) PKM-DGN-60;
(z.5) PMKM;
(z.6) RPK;
(z.7) RPK-74;
(z.8) RPK-87S;
(z.9) Type 56;
(z.10) Type 56-1;
(z.11) Type 56-2;
(z.12) Type 56-3;
(z.13) Type 56-4;
(z.14) Type 68;
(z.15) Type 79;
(z.16) American Arms AKY39;
(z.17) American Arms AKF39;
(z.18) American Arms AKC47;
(z.19) American Arms AKF47;
(z.20) MAM70WS762;
(z.21) MAM70FS762;
(z.22) Mitchell AK-22;
(z.23) Mitchell AK-47;
(z.24) Mitchell Heavy Barrel AK-47;
(z.25) Norinco 84S;
(z.26) Norinco 84S AK;
(z.27) Norinco 56;
(z.28) Norinco 56-1;
(z.29) Norinco 56-2;
(z.30) Norinco 56-3;
(z.31) Norinco 56-4;
(z.32) Poly Technologies Inc. AK-47/S;
(z.33) Poly Technologies Inc. AKS-47/S;
(z.34) Poly Technologies Inc. AKS-762;
(z.35) Valmet M76;
(z.36) Valmet M76 carbine;
(z.37) Valmet M78/A2;
(z.38) Valmet M78 (NATO) LMG;
(z.39) Valmet M82; and
(z.40) Valmet M82 Bullpup.

The firearm of the design commonly known as the Armalite AR-180 Sporter carbine, and any variant or modified version of it.
The firearm of the design commonly known as the Beretta AR70 assault rifle, and any variant or modified version of it.
The firearm of the design commonly known as the BM 59 rifle, and any variant or modified version of it, including:

the Beretta

BM 59,
BM 59R,
BM 59GL,
BM 59D,
BM 59 Mk E,
BM 59 Mk I,
BM 59 Mk Ital,
BM 59 Mk II,
BM 59 Mk III,
BM 59 Mk Ital TA,
BM 59 Mk Ital Para,
BM 59 Mk Ital TP, and
BM 60CB; and

the Springfield Armory

BM 59 Alpine,
BM 59 Alpine Paratrooper, and
BM 59 Nigerian Mk IV.
The firearm of the design commonly known as the Bushmaster Auto Rifle, and any variant or modified version of it.
The firearm of the design commonly known as the Cetme Sport Auto Rifle, and any variant or modified version of it.
The firearm of the design commonly known as the Daewoo K1 rifle, and any variant or modified version of it, including the Daewoo K1A1, K2, Max 1, Max 2, AR-100, AR 110C, MAXI-II and KC-20.
The firearm of the design commonly known as the Demro TAC-1M carbine, and any variant or modified version of it, including the Demro XF-7 Wasp Carbine.
The firearm of the design commonly known as the Eagle Apache Carbine, and any variant or modified version of it.
The firearm of the design commonly known as the FN-FNC rifle, and any variant or modified version of it, including the FNC Auto Rifle, FNC Auto Paratrooper, FNC-11, FNC-22 and FNC-33.
The firearm of the design commonly known as the FN-FAL (FN-LAR) rifle, and any variant or modified version of it, including the FN 308 Model 44, FN-FAL (FN-LAR) Competition Auto, FN-FAL (FN-LAR) Heavy Barrel 308 Match, FN-FAL (FN-LAR) Paratrooper 308 Match 50-64 and FN 308 Model 50-63.
The firearm of the design commonly known as the G3 rifle, and any variant or modified version of it, including the Heckler and Koch:

HK 91;
HK 91A2;
HK 91A3;
HK G3 A3;
HK G3 A3 ZF;
HK G3 A4;
HK G3 SG/1; and
HK PSG1.

The firearm of the design commonly known as the Galil assault rifle, and any variant or modified version of it, including the AP-84, Galil ARM, Galil AR, Galil SAR, Galil 332 and Mitchell Galil/22 Auto Rifle.
The firearm of the design commonly known as the Goncz High-Tech Carbine, and any variant or modified version of it.
The firearm of the design commonly known as the Heckler and Koch HK 33 rifle, and any variant or modified version of it, including the:

HK 33A2;
HK 33A3;
HK 33KA1;
HK 93;
HK 93A2; and
HK 93A3.

The firearm of the design commonly known as the J & R Eng M-68 carbine, and any variant or modified version of it, including the PJK M-68 and the Wilkinson Terry carbine.
The firearm of the design commonly known as the Leader Mark Series Auto Rifle, and any variant or modified version of it.
The firearms of the designs commonly known as the MP5 submachine gun and MP5 carbine, and any variants or modified versions of them, including the Heckler and Koch:

HK MP5;
HK MP5A2;
HK MP5A3;
HK MP5K;
HK MP5SD;
HK MP5SD1;
HK MP5SD2;
HK MP5SD3;
HK 94;
HK 94A2; and,
HK 94A3.

The firearm of the design commonly known as the PE57 rifle, and any variant or modified version of it.
The firearms of the designs commonly known as the SG-550 rifle and SG-551 carbine, and any variants or modified versions of them.
The firearm of the design commonly known as the SIG AMT rifle, and any variant or modified version of it.
The firearm of the design commonly known as the Springfield Armory SAR-48 rifle, and any variant or modified version of it, including the SAR-48 Bush, SAR-48 Heavy Barrel, SAR-48 Para and SAR-48 Model 22.
The firearm of the design commonly known as the Thompson submachine gun, and any variant or modified version of it, including the:

Thompson Model 1921;
Thompson Model 1927;
Thompson Model 1928;
Thompson Model M1;
Auto-Ordnance M27A-1;
Auto-Ordnance M27A-1 Deluxe;
Auto-Ordnance M1927A-3;
Auto-Ordnance M1927A-5;
Auto-Ordnance Thompson M1;
Commando Arms Mk I;
Commando Arms Mk II;
Commando Arms Mk III;
Commando Arms Mk 9; and,
Commando Arms Mk 45.
 
A semi version of the M3A1 has been made in the US. To make a really accurate reproduction, the original 2 piece clamshell receiver halves would need to be pressed out.
If you study Claven2's excellent photos of his BD38, you will notice that this is a firearm composed of machined components.
Reproducing a firearm fabricated from pressings requires rather expensive dies to be made. Machined parts are easier to make using modern CNC techniques. A PPSh or PPS uses large pressings. All very well if you have access to a large punch press, and have the dies. Making the dies for a limited run of specialty firearms just about guarantees high prices.
I personally am more interested in a BD3008 than the 38. A BD version of the Mk. II Sten would have some sales potential in this country; more than the 3008, I would think. This is one I could probably talk myself into buying.
I do think that a Sten (or 3008 reproduction, for that matter) should sell for less than $2400, though.
 
Reproducing a firearm fabricated from pressings requires rather expensive dies to be made. Machined parts are easier to make using modern CNC techniques. A PPSh or PPS uses large pressings. All very well if you have access to a large punch press, and have the dies. Making the dies for a limited run of specialty firearms just about guarantees high prices.
I personally am more interested in a BD3008 than the 38. A BD version of the Mk. II Sten would have some sales potential in this country; more than the 3008, I would think. This is one I could probably talk myself into buying.
I do think that a Sten (or 3008 reproduction, for that matter) should sell for less than $2400, though.

for what it's worth, the BD3008 is made partially out of stampings. the mag tube is made from a rolled stamping and is then seam welded in front of the ejection port. I think the mag well is also stamped and welded. This is no where near the complexity of stamping out an MP40, PPSh41 or M3A1.

That being said, SSD is supposdly a spinoff of a company known for its commercial stampings - so who knows?

As for the BD44 and BD38, it's true alot of the parts are machined - but interestingly enough, they are NOT totally machined from billet. All the parts originally forged and machined by the Germans, are also forged and machined on these copies - even the stacking rod on the BD44!

The photos are no longer on the site, but SSD used to have pictures of most of the machining process for crafting the BD44, including the raw forgings used. I suspect this attention to historical accuracy and detail accounts for much of the price.

Original MP38's, for example, had the lightening cuts in the receiver milled out by hand on a manual mill. As a result, on originals, the mills cuts do nto all end at the same point around the back of the receiver on some originals. this copy is actually better made in that regard than the originals were. The mill cuts are all PERFECT, likely because the mill being used was CNC controlled.

There is a US company making a (I think) scratch-built closed-bolt MP40 copy. Google Schoessler's Supply Room. I imagine the only roadblock to importing one would be RCMP approval, assuming it doesn't already exist. The gun is marketed as the SSR40. It costs $2400US, which after import fees & such, would likely be priced similarly to the machined BD38 we can get. I actually wish we could get these because the closed-bolt needed to get ATF approval would acctually make the gun much more accurate to shoot in semi-automatic. the open-bolt guns, while cool, are difficult in the extreme to shoot accurately with all the shifting weight associated with the bolt slamming closed just before every shot.
Here are a couple pics of the SSR40:
40buildkit07.JPG

ssr40.jpg


The same company also used to make and sell a PPSh41 clone, but I think it used parts kits as a basis, so they would probably not be allowed into Canada.
 
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My bad! I just found all the production photos for the STG44 on the German version of the SSD site. You be the judge if you think they have the know-how to stamp out things like a PPSh41 or an M3A1 (the desire to do so may be another matter though...)

gehaeuse_flach.jpg

gehaeuse.jpg

griffstueck.jpg

gasentnahme.jpg

gasentnahme_haenel.jpg

gasgestaenge.jpg

gasschraube.jpg

hahn.jpg

kornsockel.jpg

kornsockel_mit_schutz.jpg

kornschutz_komplett.jpg

kornsockel_haenel.jpg

verschluss.jpg

gasgestaenge_komplett_2.jpg

block.jpg

block_2.jpg

Now just imagine all the expense to make the forging dies, let alone the hours of effort that must have gone into programming the CNC machine operations for thes parts - amazing!
 
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