Printable View
So I have decided to build a sten mk 3. And I have narrowed the sites down to Apex or what a country. My only problem is that while what a country is cheaper I have never heard of them before and was hoping that someone could give me some advice of which i should go with like if apex has better quality kits or something like that.
What A Country and Armory Parts Exchange (APEX) are both reputable companies. I bought lots of parts kits from both over the years. Both have treated me well. There’s no difference in the quality of their kits. If one has a better price, then that’s the only difference.
The Mk3 is a pretty straightforward build. The only critical bit is getting the magazine housing welded on in the right position. You can do an “H” cut in the tube and bend the ears out or leave the original ears on the housing when you de-mill it.
I am happy with the Mk3. It fills a slot in my collection. But to be honest, I like the Mk2 a lot more. I like being able to change barrels and rotate the magazine housing for storage. It also takes down into a small package. And it’s the STEN that oozes nostalgia.
A Mk2 kit costs more. It’s also a much easier build. You don’t have the magazine housing alignment to deal with. You just plug weld the barrel bushing in.
If you’re dead set on a Mk3, there’s nothing wrong with it. I’d recommend you take a look at the Mk2 before you put your money down.
The info available on the internet about the history of the STEN only scratches the surface. If you’re interested in a detailed history, get a copy of The Sten Machine Carbine by Peter Laidler.
I found building guns to be a fun and satisfying hobby. There’s so much to learn and who doesn’t enjoy shooting a gun you built or fixed. Hope you enjoy whatever you decide to build.
i wish we could do that here
I agree, the Mk 2 is far easier and a better gun I think.Quote:
Originally Posted by Vincent
Both companies are very good.
APEX has a 3 pack....or recently did. Mk2, Mk3 and Mk5 parts kits. Mine is due to be delivered today. Hopefully they sent me a British Mk5 and not a Paki version.
Hm I will have to look at the mark 2s I will have to look into that.
So after some digging on the net I realized that without a sixteen inch barrel the sten no way about it is an SBR. So I then realized that a sten with that much extra barrel looks kinda stupid and then i had an idea to at least make it less stupid and i wanted to know if anyone had tried this before, using a fake suppressor to 'hide' the extra barrel?
Common way of disguising the long barrel.
Yes, and easy to do...Quote:
Originally Posted by lyon13
Why doesnt someone take a Mk3 kit and make a Mk1? Anyone with a lathe can make the extra bits in a few hours.
A more accurate reproduction of a Mk. I or I* carbine could be made using Mk. II parts.
A simulated Mk. IIS or Mk. VI can hide the long barrel required to avoid US SBR classification.
The BATFE wants fake suppressors to be solid (no airspace inside). They classify hollow ones as suppressors. So, even an aluminum one is going to be heavy.
You could make a longer barrel shroud that would cover more of the barrel. Stenparts has the nuts. Sten MK II barrel nut | StenParts.com
If you don’t want to SBR it, you could build it as a pistol. A repro pistol grip is going to be a lot less expensive than a 16” barrel and fake suppressor.
IMA has a PG https://www.ima-usa.com/collections/...r-and-commando
I think it has been done.Quote:
Originally Posted by Brit plumber
"BATFE wants fake suppressors to be solid " hmm I didn't know that.
So i have done some digging about the differences between the Mk2 and mk3 and all I can tell is that the mk3 is a cheaper and simplified version of the MK2. So can anyone help me out and help out and enlighten me as what the major differences are? I kbnow that the Mk2's magazine well can rotate for storage and that's about it.
The Mk. III is more of a simplified version of a Mk. I* - full length casing, fixed magazine housing.
Apart from the magazine housings, a Mk. III has a semi-permanently installed barrel, while the Mk. II has an easily removable one.
A major difference is in how the Mk. III trigger box and head collar are made. One piece formed metal pressing. Most Mk. II assemblies are fabricated using a machined head collar and a trigger box welded up using sideplates.
A Mk. II has sights that could be zeroed.
The bolt and trigger mechanisms are the same.
So i have gathered that the MK 2 is the better gun just because the mk3 has more cut corners, and the mk2 is the easier gun to build. I am going to start working on this build soon and will definitely try to keep this build thread up to date
That would be great! I lost most of my tools and stuff in Harvey and really miss working on guns. It would be nice to see a STEN build.Quote:
Originally Posted by lyon13
hopefully I can do a nice build.Quote:
Originally Posted by Vincent
If I was going to make one I’d use the Mk2 TMH and sell the rest. I’d then get a Mk3 for the barrel, bolt and mag housing. Weld the mag housing to a larger diameter pipe that’s tight over the receiver to make the ass’y and all that’s left to fabricate is the front and rear barrel bushings and front sight (which I have the dimensions of).Quote:
Originally Posted by tiriaq
Lyon, why don't you just do yourself a favour and invest in a little well produced booklet called The Sten Machine Carbine. It answers all of the questions that you have asked and plenty more too. Available from good gun book shops and Collector Grade in Canada
An excellent read or coffee browse...I have my copy close by here...Quote:
Originally Posted by Peter Laidler
I have been told about that book the only problem is that only place i can find it for less than 300 dollars. That is assuming that you are talking about your book. and I checked collector grade's website and the book was not listed.Quote:
Originally Posted by Peter Laidler
Just checked Collector Grade's website. The Sten Machine Carbine isn't listed.
Peter - is a 2nd edition a possibility?
$300 isn't bad compared to Peter's Lanchester, Patchett, Sterling book, The Guns Of Dagenham.
lyon13 - there is a long thread about making semi auto Stens in the Gunsmithing sub-forum.
last time I see Peter I asked him that, said it wouldnt be reprintedQuote:
Originally Posted by tiriaq
That make mine more valuable then...Quote:
Originally Posted by philb
And I have a copy of The Guns of Dagenham as well. Bought them as outstanding reference material - turns out they were an investment opportunity as well.
I'm going to have to read that after work.Quote:
Originally Posted by tiriaq