Owen Gun

[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.