Most (but not all) Stenlings I've seen have a wider cocking slot and IIRC, it is at a different angle to horizontal. On many of these tubes, the wider cocking slot does not hold the handle in so modifications are made to the handle and/or bolt. To some people this is not desirable and hence the guns trade at a lower price.
If anyone has a stenling or pics of the modifications to retain the cocking handle, it would be appreciated..
OK, here goes. The difference between the Stenling and the Sterling can be summed up in two points.
1) The Stenling has a wider cocking slot.
2) The Stenling's cocking handle and cocking handle block are modified by drilling a hole in each so the plunger protrudes through them to retain the cocking handle. The cocking handle itself has a little metal added to it so it fits properly in the wider slot and retains the bolt at the correct angle.
All parts other than the modified cocking handle and the cocking handle block are completely interchangeable between the Stenling and the Sterling. If done correctly, the Stenling operates flawlessly just like the Sterling.
Incidently, the Sterling in the photos is an actual factory Sterling MK6 that was modified to MK4 specifications. The Stenling in the photos was bulit by Don's Guns in Ft. Meyers, FL. More photos of the Stenling can be seen HERE in the NFA for sale forum (it has been sold and is awaiting transfer).
Thanks for the pics! This is great work and a wondeful job of explaining the differences. Would you mind if they became a permanent part of a Sterling library?
Thanks P7M13, I can see that you did a lot of work to enlighten us on stenling vs sterling differences and I want to thank you. please let me know if I can ever be of help in the Ft Lauderdale area Best Regards JB
Thanks for the pics! This is great work and a wondeful job of explaining the differences. Would you mind if they became a permanent part of a Sterling library?
Thanks for the pics! This is great work and a wondeful job of explaining the differences. Would you mind if they became a permanent part of a Sterling library?
Unfortunately my photography skills (or lack there of) are on par with my shooting skills - they have a long way to go. Be my guest and use the photos in any manner you see fit. If anyone needs further clarification or photos, let me know and I can take some more.
Here's one more detailing how the added (protruding) material in the cocking handle looks in the assembled weapon.
Originally posted by BMGDAVE WHAT ABOUT THE FLAT SPOT IN THE TUBE BETWEEN THE BAYONET LUG AND THE ENDCAP????????
The gun in the photo was made from a DLO Sten tube with a Sterling parts kit, the correct bayonet attachment points are there including the flat spot. You can see the flat spot in the additional photos I posted in the NFA for sale forum HERE.
If the conversion was made to faithfully to replicate a Sterling using Sterling parts kit, the only difference should be the wider cocking slot (and the modified handle/bolt) because ATF has ruled not to allow the narrowing of the slot.