stencollector
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- shilo MB, the armpit of Canada
Sorry, no videos. I actually surprised myself that I even took photos. I have restored entire WW2 vehicles, and never had the time to take 1 photo.
Semi-Sten: CFC AND RCMP approved and Home at Last
- Thread starter stencollector
- Start date
stencollector
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- shilo MB, the armpit of Canada
So this morning I hand filed the front sight dovetail, and sandblasted and blued the receiver and magwell.
Because I moved the portion of the magwell back slightly, I had to modify the little plate for the barrel lock.
Gun is now assembled, and it cycles fine on WW2 origional dummy rounds. The true test will come on the range of course, but it certainly will fire one round at least.
On one of the US sights (1919A4.com) they were talking about the problems with the springs on these things collapsing from over compression. I'll likely use either a Bren or a 1919 spring to replace them if and when that happens. Todays commercial springs don't have the same quality as the mil-spec springs of days gone by.
These photos have been sent to the CFC tech. I'll let you guys know how it turns out. It's raining today here in Shilo, so the range test will have to wait for another day.
Because I moved the portion of the magwell back slightly, I had to modify the little plate for the barrel lock.
Gun is now assembled, and it cycles fine on WW2 origional dummy rounds. The true test will come on the range of course, but it certainly will fire one round at least.
On one of the US sights (1919A4.com) they were talking about the problems with the springs on these things collapsing from over compression. I'll likely use either a Bren or a 1919 spring to replace them if and when that happens. Todays commercial springs don't have the same quality as the mil-spec springs of days gone by.
These photos have been sent to the CFC tech. I'll let you guys know how it turns out. It's raining today here in Shilo, so the range test will have to wait for another day.
Last edited:
stencollector
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- shilo MB, the armpit of Canada
Well, I took it to the range today, and overall was happy. I brought a couple boxes of Winchester 115 grain PP 9mm luger ammo, along with a box of IVI (1965 dated) to try in it. The majority of my ammo is older IVI, which normally feeds either my Sterling or my Inglis Hi-power. Both those guns seem to prefer the higher power Cdn ammo. However, because of my concerns for the sub-standard springs in this gun, I decided to test fire it with the Winchester to start with.
The first 5 mags went through flawlessly, then I had my first failure to eject. I put that particular mag aside, and tried a magazine of IVI 9mm. Went good for part of the mag until I had a failure to fire...weak strike on the primer. I went back to the Winchester for a couple more mags, but the FTFs were getting real bad. I opened up the gun and sure enough, the spring which would push the hammer onto the firing pin had started to deform from overcompression. I stretched it back out, and managed to get a few more mags off before it got bad again. So with under 100 rounds downrange, I had to call it a day.
I expected this, so now I have a few jobs to do....try and make a little more room for this spring, and replace it with a more reliable spring.
Sighting was way off as well. I had to drift the front sight way off to the right as I was missing a 2' square target at just over 25 yards. I got it to where I could consistantly hit the huns head, but that was at the same time as I ended up calling it a day. I will cut off and reweld the rear sight to a position where it will allow me to recenter the front sight. I also have to shave a couple thou off the front of the magwell housing as it's a bit tight against the front sight, and interferes with the installation of the finger guard.
Dear Wendy Cukier: this target is not what you think it is....I believe it is a drawing of an electrical insulater with some wierd shadows on it. Or maybe it's Bin Laden with his beard cut-off....I can't be sure.
Now for anyone who is going to comment on my grouping (or lack of it), the sten was never a tack driver....it was meant for close quarter fighting. As long as you were hitting a man size target at around 50 yards, you were doing fine. I had started to rotate the barrel to different positions, which will correct some of the sighting in problems, but again, had to call it a day.
It is a comparable gun to my sterling. Little recoil, and that feeling of nostalgia when firing it. Considering I have less than $600 into it, I am not too disapointed.
I should hear back from the CFC this week about a final FRT determination. Even if it comes back as non-acceptable, at least I got to fire it once. Someone mentioned in the thread earlier that once I had my certificate, perhaps the best thing to do was not to ask any questions. My hope is that more of you can have the fun and satisfaction of firing a sten. They are truly a piece of Canadian history. Despite the goofy bolt system on this one, and the home made magwell, and the 5 round mag capacity, it is still a cool gun.
The first 5 mags went through flawlessly, then I had my first failure to eject. I put that particular mag aside, and tried a magazine of IVI 9mm. Went good for part of the mag until I had a failure to fire...weak strike on the primer. I went back to the Winchester for a couple more mags, but the FTFs were getting real bad. I opened up the gun and sure enough, the spring which would push the hammer onto the firing pin had started to deform from overcompression. I stretched it back out, and managed to get a few more mags off before it got bad again. So with under 100 rounds downrange, I had to call it a day.
I expected this, so now I have a few jobs to do....try and make a little more room for this spring, and replace it with a more reliable spring.
Sighting was way off as well. I had to drift the front sight way off to the right as I was missing a 2' square target at just over 25 yards. I got it to where I could consistantly hit the huns head, but that was at the same time as I ended up calling it a day. I will cut off and reweld the rear sight to a position where it will allow me to recenter the front sight. I also have to shave a couple thou off the front of the magwell housing as it's a bit tight against the front sight, and interferes with the installation of the finger guard.
Dear Wendy Cukier: this target is not what you think it is....I believe it is a drawing of an electrical insulater with some wierd shadows on it. Or maybe it's Bin Laden with his beard cut-off....I can't be sure.
Now for anyone who is going to comment on my grouping (or lack of it), the sten was never a tack driver....it was meant for close quarter fighting. As long as you were hitting a man size target at around 50 yards, you were doing fine. I had started to rotate the barrel to different positions, which will correct some of the sighting in problems, but again, had to call it a day.
It is a comparable gun to my sterling. Little recoil, and that feeling of nostalgia when firing it. Considering I have less than $600 into it, I am not too disapointed.
I should hear back from the CFC this week about a final FRT determination. Even if it comes back as non-acceptable, at least I got to fire it once. Someone mentioned in the thread earlier that once I had my certificate, perhaps the best thing to do was not to ask any questions. My hope is that more of you can have the fun and satisfaction of firing a sten. They are truly a piece of Canadian history. Despite the goofy bolt system on this one, and the home made magwell, and the 5 round mag capacity, it is still a cool gun.
Last edited:
Thanks Stencollector, you could have taken the safe way and just kept quiet but I think it is a really nice gesture and hopefully it will end in everyone being able to build one and not the government insisting you disassemble yours.
If you don't want another medal how about an honorary Sten Sticky?
If you don't want another medal how about an honorary Sten Sticky?
stencollector
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- shilo MB, the armpit of Canada
I have tried a couple different springs, and still don't have the results I would like. I cut up a old Bren recoil spring, and also an old M1919 spring, but now the challenge somes in trying to get the springs to work with both the lighter 115grain ammo, and the heavy IVI smg ammo. If I set the springs too heavy, and I fire the lighter ammo, the hammer doesn't catch on the sear and it results in a FTF. If the springs are too light, the heavy ammo smashes up the hammer spring, and it eventually ends up being a weak primer strike/FTF.
I am going to take a break on this project for a bit, and work something out later in the week. Seems to me there are other ways to work the springs.
Managed to use up another 170 rounds through her, so it was still a fun afternoon. I was shooting some little steel plates at 50 yards (plates were approx 6X10") and was knocking them over fairly consistantly.
The true success will be when I can fire a mag mixed with the Winchester 115 and the IVI hot stuff.
not sure what you are offering here...sounds kind of wierd. The real reward will be when there are more than one of these things showing up at the range. It will be interesting to see the different ways guys fix the problems.
I am going to take a break on this project for a bit, and work something out later in the week. Seems to me there are other ways to work the springs.
Managed to use up another 170 rounds through her, so it was still a fun afternoon. I was shooting some little steel plates at 50 yards (plates were approx 6X10") and was knocking them over fairly consistantly.
The true success will be when I can fire a mag mixed with the Winchester 115 and the IVI hot stuff.
Unsu
not sure what you are offering here...sounds kind of wierd. The real reward will be when there are more than one of these things showing up at the range. It will be interesting to see the different ways guys fix the problems.
Last edited:
NavyShooter
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- XMU Local .303
Damn....
Well done Stencollector.
NS
Well done Stencollector.
NS
stencollector
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- shilo MB, the armpit of Canada
Thanks NS. Loks like the designers of these guns have made up a kit to repair the crappy springs and the light hammer. They have replaced the hammer with a heavier semi circular one which does away with the light primer strikes. I have inquiries in about them now.
NavyShooter
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- XMU Local .303
Question....what did you use for the finish? How did you apply it? Do you have a dip-tank?
NS
NS
stencollector
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- shilo MB, the armpit of Canada
NavyShooter said:
I sandblasted it, and dunked it into a tank of Brownell's oxpho blue. The "tank" is really one of Brownell's tanks, made out of fiberglass using the same molds as window flowerboxes but omitting the drainholes.
After dunking for a couple seconds in the oxphoblue, I let it sit for a minute or so, dry it off, blow dry any liquid hiding in the crevices, and then dunk it in to a drain pan of WD-40.
While not as durable as a hot bluing or a parkerizing, this method is perfect for the workshop where you don't want to mess around with heating up chemicals.
I can't say enough good about the Brownells oxpho-blue. . It is hands down the best cold bluing I have ever used. It is forgiving, and leaves a nice, even finish. After pulling out my hair trying to get the Birchwood casey ultra blue to work better than a felt marker, it was nice to come accross a bluing that does what it is supposed to do.
For some of the small parts, I will heat them up and dunk them into some used motor oil. It hardens the outer surface, and leaves a durable black finish. This is also good for browning otherwise shiney things like cotterpins and the little internal tooth lockwashers.
When I get my bigger workshop finished this fall, I may try some of the hot bluing or parkerizing methods..
Last edited:
stencollector
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- shilo MB, the armpit of Canada
Well, heres an update for the guys who have been following this thread. I got my upgrade kit today, and got it installed in no time. Made a few other minor tweaks as well. Took it to the range, where I fired off 100 rounds. First 50 were hit or miss, but with a liberal oiling, and a bit of break in, the last 50 went as fast as I could load them (damn 5 round mags )
The upgrade comes standard on all the new SAS-3 kits. The biggest change is a full circle, much heavier hammer, which absorbs more of the energy. The springs are also a bit heavier, and a much tighter fit to the rods, so they can't overcompress.
With just a bit more tweaking, the gun gets to go for a trip to the big house. The RCMP labs have asked that it be submitted for testing, (shipping to them at my expense, return shipping (if it gets returned) at theirs.). So I will have my fingers crossed, and hopefully she comes home in a while.
The guy who owns the company that makes the SAS-3 was very helpful, and is not opposed to having his product sold in Canada. I told him to wait until mine is accepted as a non-prohib, and then let the importers/exporters do the work of bringing in the kits.
)The upgrade comes standard on all the new SAS-3 kits. The biggest change is a full circle, much heavier hammer, which absorbs more of the energy. The springs are also a bit heavier, and a much tighter fit to the rods, so they can't overcompress.
With just a bit more tweaking, the gun gets to go for a trip to the big house. The RCMP labs have asked that it be submitted for testing, (shipping to them at my expense, return shipping (if it gets returned) at theirs.). So I will have my fingers crossed, and hopefully she comes home in a while.
The guy who owns the company that makes the SAS-3 was very helpful, and is not opposed to having his product sold in Canada. I told him to wait until mine is accepted as a non-prohib, and then let the importers/exporters do the work of bringing in the kits.
b-wingpilot
CGN Regular
- Location
- Sherwood Park
I wish you the best stencollector, if this thing passes then it opens the door for those of us who have similar projects planned.
stencollector
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- shilo MB, the armpit of Canada
Just a quick update, and likely the last for a while. The SAS-3 is now in the hands of the RCMP lab, and a decision is estimated to be made in late July as to it's classification.
Before I sent it in, I did the last bit of tweaking, and the only real problems with it now is that it doesn't always eject fully, and the magwell is a bit tight. I will cut out and reweld the ejector when it gets back. As a test, I bypassed the trip lever, which on any open bolt sten would make it full auto. The gun merely jammed on each attempt, as the fresh round could not slide past the face of the bolt with the firing pin sticking out. I shot both the commercial and IVI mixed in the same mag, and the results weren't too bad, although I could see where a continuous supply of IVI could eventually damage the firing pin spring. I may have to build in some form of buffer into it yet.
Anyway, we'll see. Hopefully it is not the last time I have seen this gun.
Before I sent it in, I did the last bit of tweaking, and the only real problems with it now is that it doesn't always eject fully, and the magwell is a bit tight. I will cut out and reweld the ejector when it gets back. As a test, I bypassed the trip lever, which on any open bolt sten would make it full auto. The gun merely jammed on each attempt, as the fresh round could not slide past the face of the bolt with the firing pin sticking out. I shot both the commercial and IVI mixed in the same mag, and the results weren't too bad, although I could see where a continuous supply of IVI could eventually damage the firing pin spring. I may have to build in some form of buffer into it yet.
Anyway, we'll see. Hopefully it is not the last time I have seen this gun.
There have been a few developments with the bolts on the Stens group lately. Some might prove useful.
http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/STENS/
Anyway, if things go our way, I'll see to build a long barreled Mk3 with a fake silencer and go register it as unrestricted (rifle). It would be nice to take it to the range easily without troubles.
J. Savoie aka StemK-3_4me (Stens group)
http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/STENS/
Anyway, if things go our way, I'll see to build a long barreled Mk3 with a fake silencer and go register it as unrestricted (rifle). It would be nice to take it to the range easily without troubles.
J. Savoie aka StemK-3_4me (Stens group)
Last edited:
1 SAS3 internals 4 sale in the US
cmstigerscoach <cmstigerscoach@yahoo.com>
17 July 2007 13:29
STENS@yahoogroups.com <STENS@yahoogroups.com>
[STENS] Semi-auto small parts kit
Hey,
I just recently started my own semi-auto sten project. When I
started, I got a MkIII parts kit and a complete semi-auto parts kit. I
was unaware of the Stone Axe Engineering design at the time. I am
currently building mine using the Stone Axe Engineering design, which
means that I am going to have a leftover small-parts semi-auto kit
(basically, the semi-auto kit minus reciever tube). Is anyone
interested in purchasing it?
So, it seems to be the bolt, spring guides, springs, hammer, AR-15 trigger kit. Nothing that can't get through the customs legally BUT if price is over 100$ and I thing it WILL be, then you need to go through importation.
Just passing it on as I don't have money for that particular project today and it won't last long I guess.
J. Savoie aka StenMk3_4me
cmstigerscoach <cmstigerscoach@yahoo.com>
17 July 2007 13:29
STENS@yahoogroups.com <STENS@yahoogroups.com>
[STENS] Semi-auto small parts kit
Hey,
I just recently started my own semi-auto sten project. When I
started, I got a MkIII parts kit and a complete semi-auto parts kit. I
was unaware of the Stone Axe Engineering design at the time. I am
currently building mine using the Stone Axe Engineering design, which
means that I am going to have a leftover small-parts semi-auto kit
(basically, the semi-auto kit minus reciever tube). Is anyone
interested in purchasing it?
So, it seems to be the bolt, spring guides, springs, hammer, AR-15 trigger kit. Nothing that can't get through the customs legally BUT if price is over 100$ and I thing it WILL be, then you need to go through importation.
Just passing it on as I don't have money for that particular project today
and it won't last long I guess.J. Savoie aka StenMk3_4me
stencollector
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- shilo MB, the armpit of Canada
The bolt automatically requires an export cert from the US, regardless of the price.
Before anyone goes buying anything more towards this type project, they may want to wait and see what the claasification results are of mine. The classification of "restricted" will certainly help on the Canada customs side to make the sten parts not exclusively for a prohibited gun.
I did a quick search for this "Stone Axe Engineering design"....what does that entail?
Before anyone goes buying anything more towards this type project, they may want to wait and see what the claasification results are of mine. The classification of "restricted" will certainly help on the Canada customs side to make the sten parts not exclusively for a prohibited gun.
I did a quick search for this "Stone Axe Engineering design"....what does that entail?
