-
2 Attachment(s)
Result before and after
Before and after paint removal:
https://www.milsurps.com/attachment....1&d=1458042060
https://www.milsurps.com/attachment....1&d=1458042526
Now I only need to find the optional front grip to complete the Sten
All thanks for all your comments and suggestions!
-
-
Not quite. The upper part of the wooden front grip has a sort of caved shape. It is attached with a long bolt that screws into a ring which in turn slides over the barrel nut and is tightened in place. See the repro front grip in this post:
https://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=54570
-
It looks to me like the foresight block band has been knocked backwards. It should be almost level with the locating lugs. That front grip isn't remotely like the original Vince.
-
I am going to make do with anyway. It’s the closest thing I’ve been able to find. Maybe someday an original will surface. Until then, it’s what’s in the parts bin.
There’s a good picture of an original with the mounting hardware on page 79 of Peter’s Sten book.
-
All the photographs that I've seen of the battle of Arnhem which show MK5 Stens in use all seem to show them fitted with the front fore-grip. Was there a reason why they all seem to have been removed post war? Perhaps they tended to get damaged? I notice Indian made reproduction Sten fore-grips are for sale on Ebay; has any-one actually purchased one and are they any good? Thanks for any info.
-
As explained by Peter in his book, the grips had a tendency to unscrew the barrel nut.
-
My Mk5 Sten came with a reproduction forward vertical grip. It works fine. It just doesn’t look like the Real McCoy.
I am silencer spoiled now and mostly shoot with the suppressor. When I use the normal barrel I tighten the barrel nut with a strap wrench because I had a bad experience once. It hasn’t come loose yet.
I really don’t see much advantage shooting with the forward vertical grip. Where it does seem to be a big advantage is with the bayonet. It’s a much more natural position, like making two fists. You have better agility and much more force behind the weapon.
-
The fore-grip served no useful purpose, was weak, not easily maintained, would break the top edges when tightened, acted as a lever for the crunchies to unscrew the barrel nut so was rightly discontinued. But well liked by re-enactors and collectors. But the repros are dire!
