Thinking about buying a Sten (can’t believe it)

[Sebastian]

I never really liked the Sten but recently shot one with an integral can I kinda bit my tongue because I’ve kinda always talked negative about them. This was the first time I shot one with an integral and ported can (I think it was at least).
I sold my MK-760 and was not planning on buying anything else but it seems like the market is soft and I might look for a cheaper Sten (might be hard to find but I’m not in a rush)

Does anyone make an integral (ported) can for this platform (he said that can is no longer being made)?

 

[slimshady]

I haven't seen any lately, but these guys have been known to make one for a customer. Of course you can always form one your own design.

Custom Suppressors

 

[atfsux]

A trick I used to use with my Sten was to epoxy a flat wire 18 lb. 1911 recoil spring inside the tail of the bolt. This acted both as a rear impact buffer and gave a faster rpm to the cycling. Prior to that, with the bolt always slamming to the rear, keeping sights on target were rather difficult and tended to dance in a figure 8 pattern. But with the added spring in the tail, rpm jumped by about 150 and maintaining sight picture was far easier.

 

[brenbuilds]

GSL technologies used to make custom order STEN and MK-760 integral suppressors. I would email them.

 

[edmoore]

I have a STEN Mk 2 (Erb Gun) among my collection and what is fun about the STEN is making it work and run reliably and accurately. I have a adjustable AR stock welded to a STEN back plate among the many stocks I use and a front grip repro for a Mk5 and I reconditioned all my magazines by disassembling, thoroughly cleaning and replacing the follower springs. Lots of part some surplus and some garage kit (like grips and stocks and what not) out there so have fun! All I need now is a red dot on the sucker..

 

[brenbuilds]

STEN's are typically reliable, their main shortfall is the magazine. There is not much to go wrong in a STEN assuming the ejector was welded properly and not canted. Replace the extractor and recoil spring with new production ones and make sure the extractor claw is not heavily rolled or peened. You can polish this part to high finish to make cleaning easier when using the firearm suppressed.

If you find the barrel nut loosening while firing, the teeth in either the barrel nut or retaining catch are worn. This is more likely to occur when using a Mk. V grip as your support hand can cause a bit of lateral torque. A small amount of blue Locktite can help with this too.

The machined sears are superior to the stamped ones in my experience, as they tend to provide a bit more engagement surface on the bolt.

Parts and magazines are cheap and abundant and 20 round magazines can readily be converted to 32 round magazines by twisting the bronze legs of the limiter rods and tapping them out. You will be left with four small holes in the magazine but it does not affect functionality and no further modifications to the magazine needs to be made.

As edmoore mentioned, you can find new magazines springs and swap parts as needed. If the feed lips are very worn and peened outward, just junk the magazine body as it's not worth the time to fix.

All in all they are fun, simple guns that allow you to tinker and experiment.

 

[Slowmo]

Shaw Arms makes a variety of integral cans, and I am fairly certain they have built an integral Sten in the past. I believe I saw it on their social media once. Shaw Arms bought Curtis Tactical, and I am fairly certain under the CT flag, Joe Jones built an integral Swedish K as well.

 

[ferndog1]

Some magazine info and tips

STEN MAGAZINES: A LOVE-HATE RELATIONSHIP - Small Arms Review

By Frank Iannamico

smallarmsreview.com

 

[atfsux]

Someone here was talking about 3D printing a prototype replacement magazine housing for STENs that would utilize Glock mags several months ago.

Did that ever get off the ground? If such a thing were ever produced (in steel), I'd be down for one or two.

 

[root]

Can't help with the can.
I do have the angles and such for re-aligning the feed lips and all the other measurments needed to correct bad mags.
You can buy the gauges for over 200 bux each if you can find a set that isn't junk and there are two or three gauges needed.
I use machinist tools, each one set to the proper angle or degree.
The brown and sharp gauges I bought were only like 75 bux.

If anyone wants the feed lip info to correct bad mags or to check they are in spec let me know and I'll post it up.

I bought a pallet, yes pallet, of those sten mags 5 years ago so fixing bad ones is worth it to me.

Hello my name is root and I'm a magaholic.
It's been 4 days since I bought mags.

 

[Hey]

All I need now is a red dot on the sucker..

This guy added a red dot to his. Sights portion starts at 3:39

 

[Slowmo]

This guy added a red dot to his. Sights portion starts at 3:39

Using the Sten sideways cracked me up

 

[SecondAmend]

Using the Sten sideways cracked me up

Reverse Gangsta ?

 

[strobro32]

I would love a Sten if it took Glock mags cause you know the Brits and a Marmeladinders like to get freaky.

 

[TommyT]

Hey i have 20 magazines and replaced the springs in every single one and i have like 6 of them with feeding issues do you have the tools for sale or can i fix without the tools

Can't help with the can.
I do have the angles and such for re-aligning the feed lips and all the other measurments needed to correct bad mags.
You can buy the gauges for over 200 bux each if you can find a set that isn't junk and there are two or three gauges needed.
I use machinist tools, each one set to the proper angle or degree.
The brown and sharp gauges I bought were only like 75 bux.

If anyone wants the feed lip info to correct bad mags or to check they are in spec let me know and I'll post it up.

I bought a pallet, yes pallet, of those sten mags 5 years ago so fixing bad ones is worth it to me.

Hello my name is root and I'm a magaholic.
It's been 4 days since I bought mags.

 

[Sebastian]

I’m still looking for a cheap Sten. I seen one of Sturm and I thought it might not sell but it sold in a day for more than I thought it would asking price.
Thanks for all the help feedback.

 

[Cairns Johns]

It's hard to believe STEN prices in today's market. I picked up a new one back in 1982 for $300. I doubt it had been fired. The breech face on the back of the bbl. was so rough a fmj 9mm round would never chamber. The round would jam the bolt open; would jackknife straight up and jam the action. After a through polishing on the breech face that removed the rough surfaces the STEN fed, functioned and fired very well. It still does.

 

[trilogymac]

If you are still looking for an integral Sten suppressor, Navgunner just started making them I believe.

 

[Slowmo]

Semi-on-topic, The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare has some fantastic suppressed Sten action. Fun movie