sten gun

[Peter Laidler]

Thanks Vince but I can't actually decipher whatrand how that system works. Can anyone else?

Interesting to see the standardised trigger mech cover with dimples and holes. Made to fit whatever trigger mech you have. The stripping screw threads were always a bit of a problem on the early Mk2 guns so a drawing was produced so you could drill out holes to match the dimple type cover. The trouble was that there were sooooo many slight variations that the drawings/modification just fell into disrepute and everyone reverted to the well used but not officially recognised method of repair. Drill out the threads to o/d and put a nut and bolt through!

[bigduke6]

Why don't we keep these things, I really wish I kept a nice example of a Mk3 for my own collection

John, its because we sell them to buy other things.........

[Vincent]

It’s the same concept as the safety on some of the Gnome et Rhône R5 Stens. A piece of steel wraps around the body to block the cocking slot.



Gnome et Rhône R5

[Sentryduty]

Drill out the threads to o/d and put a nut and bolt through!

While it technically works, you have no idea how much this technique frustrates me when you discover it's been done while trying to separate a transmission from an engine still installed in the vehicle. Usually some hamfisted moron has cross threaded the engine block while trying to use the transmission bolts to draw in the input shaft, after ruining the block they drill out the thread and run a backing nut on, typically just under an exhaust manifold or some other wrench labyrinth.

Peter, my blood pressure is suddenly up for some reason...

[Peter Laidler]

Ah, yes Sentry duty, but in the case of the Sten, the 1.5" or so long 2BA bolt just goes in through the TMH cover, through the TMH side plate, through the mechanism, out through the other side side plate and cover. Put a shakeproof washer on, the the nut and the job's done! Doesn't interfere with the trigger mech nor any hidden nasties for later!

[Sentryduty]

Doesn't interfere with the trigger mech nor any hidden nasties for later!

I do appreciate the effectiveness on a Sten, no arguments there, and it makes perfect sense, It's better than drilling out and having some pop-rivets rammed in there.

With the eye for limiting snagging protrusions (on a service firearm) I would select a Chicago screw, and a dab of thread locking compound, it would have the same effect and be a slick repair.



Of course now we are venturing into the theoretical of how to make substandard repair less bad, on a gun that is no longer in production, well, thinking exercises are never a bad thing.

[mrclark303]

How true Geoff, I suppose once I figured out a direction of travel regarding my collection (all things L1A1) I stated selling other pieces off, I would love to have a really good Sten reference collection again though, I've got the mk2, but would love a replacement LB example and a good Mk3, now an early fully stripperble Mk5 would be the icing on the cake, oh well...

Have you had your L42 out again since its inaugural shoot mate?

---------- Post added at 04:54 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:47 PM ----------

It’s the same concept as the safety on some of the Gnome et Rhône R5 Stens. A piece of steel wraps around the body to block the cocking slot.

I had to do a quick Google for that maker Vince, very interesting, I wonder if its possible that these Stens saw French post war service and had a similar (but slightly Heath Robinson ) retrofit in their service ?

Thought it was a little Foreign Minded...

[Flying10uk]

I've started a new thread with a generous quantity of pictures of my MK3 STEN which doesn't seem to have any sort of locking forward provision for the bolt such as a hole in the receiver.

Seeing the the previous posts mention drilling the trigger housing/cover for attaching with screws etc reminds me of an incident some years ago which seems funny now but not at the time. I'd decided that I needed/required a top quality custom touring bicycle which I commissioned a cycle shop to organise and put together for me, as you do. I'd just handed over a truly ridiculous amount of money to the shop when they decided that the bike wasn't quite legal for use in the U.K.- it didn't have a reflector attached to the rear mudguard. Imagine my horror when the bike "mechanic" produced the most enormous, largest hand held electric drill that I've ever seen in my life, just to drill a 4mm hole through a bit of plastic. I asked him if he didn't have a hand powered hand drill, he said no, then insisted that he get on with the job of making my new bike "legal".

[Vincent]

I had to do a quick Google for that maker Vince, very interesting, I wonder if its possible that these Stens saw French post war service and had a similar (but slightly Heath Robinson ) retrofit in their service ?
Thought it was a little Foreign Minded...

Yes, it’s most likely a foreign modification. My guess is it was done before the gun was modified with that Mk5 Safety Cocking Handle. The return spring is only collared at one end, so that might help date the modification.

[bigduke6]

How true Geoff, I suppose once I figured out a direction of travel regarding my collection (all things L1A1) I stated selling other pieces off, I would love to have a really good Sten reference collection again though, I've got the mk2, but would love a replacement LB example and a good Mk3, now an early fully stripperble Mk5 would be the icing on the cake, oh well...

Have you had your L42 out again since its inaugural shoot mate?

Not yet, still needs work but will be on the range I guess in September........

Direction of travel....... well I,ve gone full circle while also going off in tangents regarding collecting, but the L42 was the icing on the cake...... As for Sten's well they have certainly tested me in the last few weeks, Although I had offered to help out a forum member or two with the pistol grips they had purchased, never thought it would give such a run around, all will be revealed in due course.....