Sterling Mk4 L2A3

[peregrinvs]

It’s interesting to see how it was deactivated. Is the breech block welded to the barrel?

The part of the bolt that covers the ejection port has been cut away from the rest of the bolt and then welded back inside the receiver. Behind that sits the steel ring into which the cocking handle and return spring sit. Unfortunately this means the cocking handle sits about 1/2 inch too far back. I've seen other post-1995 Sterling deacts where the rear half of the bolt is still there rather than the ring on this one.

I assume the front shroud bolts have blobs of weld on them to stop them being unscrewed. I wonder if this means they're not physically locked?

[Brit plumber]

Yes the weld blobs are to stop Allen keys undoing them. The barrel is also pinned in place so I swopped the screws on mine. I've of the opinion that it makes no difference to the deactivation as not all of them have the screws welded. My pre 95 certainly didn't.

[tankhunter]

When fixing the front Barrel retaining screws on Deact Sterlings that I had cut.
I used to weld them on the threaded screw shanks inside the Reciever jacket. It was 'tricky' getting a welding rod through one of the cooling holes without touching the sides!
But, welding the threads from inside was much neater, & prevented them from being unscrewed.

[Vincent]

Welding the screws from the back sounds like a good idea. It keeps the original look and the alphabet boys can’t question it.


This is about how most of them look when we get them here.




We strip the usable parts from the torch cut body and make Mk6 copies with a new tube and semi-auto only parts. It would be almost the same amount of work to make a display. At one time display Mk4 Sterlings were selling for more than a functional Mk6 copy.

[mrclark303]

Blimey Vincent, torch cut in three places ... or blown up! Whats the deal with the the selective fire trigger mech, are these left untouched and reusable with a semi only mod applied ?

[mrclark303]

When fixing the front Barrel retaining screws on Deact Sterlings that I had cut.
I used to weld them on the threaded screw shanks inside the Reciever jacket. It was 'tricky' getting a welding rod through one of the cooling holes without touching the sides!
But, welding the threads from inside was much neater, & prevented them from being unscrewed.

Seen quite a few deactivated with the barrel allen screws welded Mike, usually the body drilled on the left to the allen screw channel then the screw mig welded in place and ground back and painted. Not as neat as your system Mike..

[Vincent]

Yes, the trigger mech gets modified. The sear is slimmed, a stainless steel pin is welded in to prevent the selector from going to automatic and section of the housing is cutaway. A steel pad is welded to body that blocks an unmodified trigger en bloc from going in.

[Peter Laidler]

I think that the reason for the screws being welded at the front, as well as any other extra fancy welding you might wish to add is to prevent the screws from being drilled right through from the muzzle end. Because when you drill into hex bolt heads, the drill always self-centres.

Not a thing of concern with the post 95 deacts where the bolt is welded in place I suspect as you can't just drill the screws and clonk the barrel out

[browningautorifle]

When they did them here they cut the breech block at an angle from the outside front to the rear towards the mag housing. Then it's welded in place. The barrel must be plugged with a hard rod, front cut to an angle to deter driving out. Weld in place and pin from the outside, weld over that. The front screws are filled with weld. The trigger mech is removed and welded solid, then ground flat. The lock screw is welded in. The butt will likely not move because the rear cap will also be welded in place. Decide which mag you want in place because it must be reduced to 5 rds or welded inoperative, welded in place...

Pretty grim, then someone wants big money. The old cock and clicks were looking good...

[mrclark303]

That's a very comprehensive chop job Jim, a really solid wall hanger!

The old spec (pre October 1995) Sterlings here in the UK could be done in a variety of ways, some much nicer than others.

Some would have a huge section of bolt front removed, while others would only remove a small area of bolt to remove cartridge support.

I have seen Sterlings with barrels slotted and rods welded full length, to overbored and left clear with only a slotted chamber. All had the barrels welded home though (front, rear or both). Charnwood Ordinance deactivated examples are among the best I have seen.

With the exception of welded on barrels, the bodies are more often than not left alone, occasionally they are slotted by the trigger mechanism, trigger mechs are generally left alone.