Owen Gun

[painter777]

We recently lost a fellow member from New Zealand, Mike O' Hanlon.

He wanted me to share his words and a picture he sent with the Sten guys.

"In the Australian War Museum I found what they call an "Owen Gun". This is a rare sub machine gun the Ozzies invented and built themselves to fight the Japs in the jungles of New Guinea. It's described as the Ozzie version of the Sten Gun."

Cheers. Mike

Trying to load the Damn picture !!

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[Gil Boyd]

Nice to see an Airborne Bike there too>

[browningautorifle]

I recall the last Owen dewat I was offered in this city back in the '70s was $400 then. Sten dewats were about $30. I simply couldn't afford it.

[painter777]

Jim,
I had never seen a OWENS before Mike sent me this email / pictures.
But I'd of give a years wages to have been there with him.

Charlie-P777

[Brit plumber]

I’ve always liked the Owen but never found one in the UK. The vertical mag is very Brenesque.

[CINDERS]

There is WWII online footage of the Owen being tested where they completely submerge the gun in a mud hole in the ground slosh it around then pull it out while it is still oozing copious quatities of mud and rip off a complete mag in full auto. I think Lysaght produced the Owen back then there is allot of contraversy about this weapon I have the book here somewhere on the Owen gun. My B/Inlaw was given one in VN but they then gave him an F-1 which rusted in 24 hours he hated it so swapped it out for a L2A1 and was much happier....

Here is the book from my shelves.

[Bruce_in_Oz]

The Owen may look a bit eccentric, but were wary ahead of the Sten and its bastard oz cousin, the Austen.

One of the biggest features was the magazine; not just because it was on top, but because it was double column, double feed. This made the mags easier to fill and reduced "stripping' fore during cycling.

The Austen was basically a Sten tarted up with MG-34 grip panels, an uncomfortable folding stock swiped from the MP-38 and a one-piece-cast mag housing. Marginally better than a Sten, but heavier.

The Owen is certainly more pleasant to shoot.

As for the later F-1; The best part of that was the Sterling-designed magazine.

[browningautorifle]

One of the biggest features was the magazine;

I've hand filled a Sten mag a few times in a pinch and it isn't pleasant. The Owen mag was miles ahead. The F1 mesmerized me when I saw them because I was the only troop that knew their history. I was glad I didn't have to use one though, I got the M60.

[Gil Boyd]

It made infinate sense didn't it, that a magazine feeding rounds into a chamber from above was always going to work well, however, the Sterling did the same job as long as you rested the springs in your mags once a week.
Best weapon for CQB in the world, loved it

[mrclark303]

I’ve always liked the Owen but never found one in the UK. The vertical mag is very Brenesque.

The only one I've ever seen and inspected is in Warminster... Despite its somewhat ungainly looks,surprisingly compact and pointable.