Finally, the weather and my brain are clear enough for the first test firing. Armed with the STEN (and firing pin), safety materials, cleaning rod to check the barrel, ammo, camera etc I took to the desert to check my efforts. The ammo was Winchester 9mm, 115 grain, fmj. I fired at a range of 15 meters.
1. Test fired one round from an original magazine. Feeding was uneventful. I held the weapon in such a manner as to prevent any rearward flying components from striking me. The weapon fired without a problem and the spent casing was ejected slightly forward of the 3 o'clock position and about 5 meters from the weapon.
2. I loaded 3 rounds into the magazine and fired each one slowly, again with no feeding problems.
3. Next I tried a 15 round magazine firing at an average rapidity. Again, no problems whatsoever.
4. I fired a series of 25 round magazines at differing rates of semi-auto firing, again with no issues.
5. The final test was with a 25 round magazine at rapid semi-auto firing. Flawless.
OBSERVATIONS:
a. I am extremely pleased that the weapon functioned without one fail or malfunction through 150 rounds of ammo.
b. I had adjusted and seasoned the two springs in accordance with the IO instructions. I did not have to make ANY adjustments.
c. I constructed and modified the selector switch iaw IO instructions so that it functions as a safety. In the A position, the trigger can be pulled, but the tripping lever does not release the block. In the R position, it fires in the semi-auto mode. This weapon will not fire in FA.
d. I would not use the A position as a safety. Placing the bolt handle in the upper slot leaves the block aft and breech open. That is the preferred method for me.
e. I am amazed that there is virtually no muzzle climb during rapid firing. The barrel can be held on target easily while firing from the hip. VERY controllable.
f. Virtually no recoil is felt owing to the nearly 10lbs weight of the weapon and magazine.
g. The casings seem to have a few more dings to the base than I am used to seeing. I've added an image for review.
h. The barrel seems to be well grooved as the spent round is nicely marked.
i. Post firing inspection of the gun revealed no damage or adverse wear.
j. Most of the spent casings were within a few inches of one another indicating a very constant ejection.
k. Final Observation. I used my video editing software to time the durations from the first round firing to the last. It took 4.009 seconds to discharge 25 rounds. That equates to a 366 rpm rate of fire in SA. Not bad.
Here's the video link:
Last edited by 17thairborne; 09-27-2014 at 02:34 PM.
Let us know if I got lucky sending the +.060 front sight blade. I only had my own Mk.5 to reference. When you target it it'll be interesting to see. Function looks great! Good job.
You bet Brian, when I get it refinished I will install the sight for accuracy and work on zeroing it at 25 meters. For now the blade is simply set within as a general aiming device. I did try a few shots at about 75 m and it was consistently to the left, (but not by much) as I had not pressed the blade all the way to the center. Will do that at the "range"
reprint of the 1944 Machine Carbine pamphlet which features the STEN and the Thompson
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