Would a domestically produced 5.56 StG-45 be possible?

CobraGT

CobraGT

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So given that EVERYone is jumping on the bandwagon of producing Canadian-made AR18-style rifles, simply because they meet the legal definition of a non-restricted rifle if they have sufficient barrel and overall length... is there any reason that Canadian manufacturers couldn't produce other types of rifles, perhaps something with a delayed-blowback, roller-locked operating mechanism, the same way domestically without jumping through a bunch of hoops?

I'm sure you're all familiar with the StG-44 rifles produced in Germany in late WW2, as there have been full-size reproductions both in full caliber and in .22lr available here on and off over the years.

How many of you, though, are familiar with the StG-45? I've long been fascinated with this rifle. It's not a direct descendent of the StG-44, even though it looks similar (the operating mechanism is COMPLETELY different and no parts beyond the magazine interchange), so whatever legal issues have affected the StG-44 full-bore guns over the years shouldn't affect it. It's also not a variant of anything prohibited... it preceded the prohibited HK91, so it can't be a variant, though it could be argued that it's an ancestor of the HK91 and related guns.

So Wolverine, BCL, Sterling, Crusader, (even - ugh - Lockhart) and all of you others who have been producing domestic rifles for us... how about it? If you could source the original drawings and specs, would an StG-45 in 5.56, using AR mags, be possible? With maybe a rail of some sort for optics?


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NrKhJC35QRA


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sl2aOhQus0o
 
doubtful given how hard they've tried to make a reliable 180 at a decent price and results have been "meh.".
 
The modern .223 semis sell so well because they're modern. They are compatible with a lot of common stuff that people already have a lot of, like AR mags/stocks/fire control groups/bolts/grips etc etc, and it's easy to mount optics and accessories to them. Something like this would appeal to a few, but not nearly enough to justify the cost and associated risk in developing one, I wouldn't think.

Probably get a lot of "huh, that's neat" and no sale.
 
Scotty454 said:
The modern .223 semis sell so well because they're modern. They are compatible with a lot of common stuff that people already have a lot of, like AR mags/stocks/fire control groups/bolts/grips etc etc, and it's easy to mount optics and accessories to them. Something like this would appeal to a few, but not nearly enough to justify the cost and associated risk in developing one, I wouldn't think.

Probably get a lot of "huh, that's neat" and no sale.
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Valid points, for sure. I'd definitely pay $2K+ for a reliable 5.56 version of this, but if I'm the only one, well...
 
CobraGT said:
Valid points, for sure. I'd definitely pay $2K+ for a reliable 5.56 version of this, but if I'm the only one, well...
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Yeah, but it’s not going to be 2k, it’s going to be 3k, 4K, maybe even 5k. Very few in Canada will pay for something that’s arguably inferior (no matter the quality) to much cheaper and more available firearms. Certainly not enough people to justify the design and manufacture of a handful of firearms.
 
From the manufacturing standpoint, tooling up to make one of these would not be much different than manufacturing a clone of the HK93. Similar degree of difficulty.
No US market - not importable. Elsewhere? Perhaps some sales. A lot? Unlikely.
The Canadian Market? A few thousand? And that is assuming that the piece would not be prohibited.

Can't see a manufacturer touching the project with a 3 meter pole.

The 180 clones have receivers that can be CNC machined, and many of the other parts are in production and available.
 
tiriaq said:
From the manufacturing standpoint, tooling up to make one of these would not be much different than manufacturing a clone of the HK93. Similar degree of difficulty.
No US market - not importable. Elsewhere? Perhaps some sales. A lot? Unlikely.
The Canadian Market? A few thousand? And that is assuming that the piece would not be prohibited.

Can't see a manufacturer touching the project with a 3 meter pole.

The 180 clones have receivers that can be CNC machined, and many of the other parts are in production and available.
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Clearly I have no experience in manufacturing! Worth a shot :)
 
Theres hope we will be able to get the PSA Battlefield ones at some point in the future. Assuming we don't have a rough couple of years.


AFAIK restricted Sport Systeme Dittrich clones can still be ordered in but cost an arm and a leg and are only in 8mm kurtz.
 
tiriaq said:
Didn't the SSD rifles have metallurgy problems?
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Yes, lots of problems with BD 44 bolts and bolt carriers breaking their ears off, also worn sears and related parts.
Their metal stampings are awesome, I would not be a bit surprised if they were made on original WWII dies, the internals OTH looked like they were all MIM parts.

On mine I replaced almost all internals with original WWII parts, sourced on GB and ebay. Fortunately they fit without any hand fitting.
Since then it works as intended.
 
M1-Garand said:
Yes, lots of problems with BD 44 bolts and bolt carriers breaking their ears off, also worn sears and related parts.
Their metal stampings are awesome, I would not be a bit surprised if they were made on original WWII dies, the internals OTH looked like they were all MIM parts.

On mine I replaced almost all internals with original WWII parts, sourced on GB and ebay. Fortunately they fit without any hand fitting.
Since then it works as intended.
Click to expand...

I can’t even imagine the cost associated with such a project. Very cool though.

Now, how about domestically built 5.56 T81…
 
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