Starting a STEN Mk V SBR in the US

[17thairborne]

Two great ideas. More research for oz!

[17thairborne]

Just to make sure I am compliant with 922r, i am going to ensure I have no more than 10 components from the list that ATF considers components of the firearm that have been imported and are considered 'non-sporting":

To be in compliance I will only use the trigger housing, trunion and stock from the original kit. I will assume under worse case scenario that the magazine housing (not in the list below) and the rear head casing (also not in the list) would be counted as separate parts. All of the guts (bolt, springs, operating rods, firing pin, firing pin spring) are US made, so no problem there. The receiver tube is from IO, so that helps as is the barrel. I just purchased some aftermarket parts for the trigger, semi-sear and tripping lever that will reduce the overall number of original parts to less than 10. I cannot come up with more than 9 parts from the original kit that I will use for the final assembly, so i will be compliant with 922r.

From the ATF site:



For your information, per provisions of the Gun Control Act (GCA) of 1968, 18 U.S.C. Chapter 44, an unlicensed individual may make a “firearm” as defined in the GCA for his own personal use, but not for sale or distribution.

The GCA, 18 U.S.C. § 921(a)(3), defines the term “firearm” to include the following:

… (A) any weapon (including a starter gun) which will or is designed to or may be readily converted to expel a projectile by the action of an explosive: (B) the frame or receiver of any such weapon; (C) any firearm muffler or silencer; or (D) any destructive device. Such term does not include an antique firearm.

In addition, the National Firearms Act (NFA), 26 U.S.C. § 5845(b), defines the term “machinegun” as:

… any weapon which shoots, is designed to shoot, or can be readily restored to shoot, automatically more than one shot, without manual reloading, by a single function of the trigger. This term shall also include the frame or receiver of any such weapon, any part designed and intended solely and exclusively, or combination of parts designed and intended, for use in converting a weapon into a machinegun, and any combination of parts from which a machinegun can be assembled if such parts are in the possession or under the control of a person.

Finally, the GCA, 18 U.S.C. § 922(r), specifically states the following:

It shall be unlawful for any person to assemble from imported parts any semiautomatic rifle or any shotgun which is identical to any rifle or shotgun prohibited from importation under the…[GCA]…Section 925(d)(3).as not being particularly suitable for or readily adaptable to sporting purposes ….

Also, 27 C.F.R. § 478.39 states:

(a) No person shall assemble a semiautomatic rifle or any shotgun using more than 10 of the imported parts listed in paragraph (c) of this section if the assembled firearm is prohibited from importation under section 925(d)(3) as not being particularly suitable for or readily adaptable to sporting purposes ….
(b) The provisions of this section shall not apply to:
(1) The assembly of such rifle or shotgun for sale or distribution by a licensed manufacturer to the United States or any department or agency thereof or to any State or any department, agency, or political subdivision thereof; or (2) The assembly of such rifle or shotgun for the purposes of testing or experimentation authorized by the Director under the provisions of [§478.151(formerly 178.151)]; or (3) The repair of any rifle or shotgun which had been imported into or assembled in the United States prior to November 30, 1990, or the replacement of any part of such firearm.
(c) For purposes of this section, the term imported parts [tabulated below] are:
(1) Frames, receivers, receiver castings, forgings, or castings.
(2) Barrels.
(3) Barrel extensions.
(4) Mounting blocks (trunnions).
(5) Muzzle attachments.
(6) Bolts.
(7) Bolt carriers.
(8) Operating rods.
(9) Gas pistons.
(10) Trigger housings.
(11) Triggers.
(12) Hammers.
(13) Sears.
(14) Disconnectors.
(15) Buttstocks.
(16) Pistol grips.
(17) Forearms, handguards.
(18) Magazine bodies.
(19) Followers.
(20) Floor plates.

…

As a result of a 1989 study by the U.S. Treasury Department regarding the importability of certain firearms, an import ban was placed on military-style firearms. This ban included not only military-type firearms, but also extended to firearms with certain features that were considered to be “nonsporting.”

Among such nonsporting features were the ability to accept a detachable magazine; folding/telescoping stocks; separate pistol grips; and the ability to accept a bayonet, flash suppressors, bipods, grenade launchers, and night sights.

Please note that the foreign parts kits that are sold through commercial means are usually cut up machineguns, such as Russian AK-47 types, British Sten types, etc. Generally, an acceptable semiautomatic copy of a machinegun is one that has been significantly redesigned. The receiver must be incapable of accepting the original fire-control components that are designed to permit full automatic fire. The method of operation should employ a closed-bolt firing design that incorporates an inertia-type firing pin within the bolt assembly.

Further, an acceptably redesigned semiautomatic copy of nonsporting firearm must be limited to using less than 10 of the imported parts listed in 27 CFR § 478.39(c). Otherwise, it is considered to be assembled into a nonsporting configuration per the provisions of 18 U.S.C. 925(d)(3) and is thus a violation of § 922(r).

Individuals manufacturing sporting-type firearms for their own use need not hold Federal Firearms Licenses (FFLs). However, we suggest that the manufacturer at least identify the firearm with a serial number as a safeguard in the event that the firearm is lost or stolen. Also, the firearm should be identified as required in 27 CFR 478.92 if it is sold or otherwise lawfully transferred in the future.

[Peter Laidler]

Phew...................

[17thairborne]

I know! its the price of flexing our "rights" which already have been guaranteed in the Constitution. Every decade or so the ring around those who legally and ethically exercise these rights becomes tighter. Rather than punishing the few who act in an insane manner, our nation seeks to tighten the laws and not allow law abiding and commonsensical folk to engage in the legal aspects of gun ownership, even if it is with automatic weapons.

As a fighter pilot we watched spineless commanders enact new decrees when something went amiss. Rather than taking the stiff path of punishing the one, they made new regulations for everyone feeling righteous in the exercise of their authority and "compassionate" in their "care for their charges". We used to say, "One a$$-h*!e s#!ts his pants and we all have to wear diapers (nappies).

[Brit plumber]

We used to say, "One a$$-h*!e s#!ts his pants and we all have to wear diapers (nappies).

I like that saying so I'm going to use it at work. I know there will be plenty of opportunities.

[Peter Laidler]

That's a great phrase BP. I remember after there'd been an accident with the little miniflare things. Really due to a turkey keeping one screwed into to the 'pen' in his pouch. Silly boy put a magazine into his pouch that tripped the firing mech................. Anyway, he escaped, as did the rest of the blokes but the Bedford caught fire and was burned out! Result..... To handle and fire one in the future you had to go on a 4 hour course!

A classic case of.......... well, you get my drift.........

[17thairborne]

I'm at a hold on the project for now. I have a little more finishing to do on the charging handle slot. I spoke with my welder friend about the welding, so i have that lined out. I have to order the guts ($285 from IO) after which I can position the ejector piece in the tube. I'll post an update when I get my breech block and springs in.

[Brit plumber]

When it comes to the welding, the photos I have of the original production line show all the components jigged together and a large steel bar inside the body (Turned to fit inside) which I reckon is to try and dissipate some of the heat generated and to stop the welds burning through the tube. Obviously they were welding the sides to the head and the head and sides to the tube so it made sense to jig it and maybe help dissipate the heat from all those consecutive welds. Just a possible idea for your welder.

[Peter Laidler]

I seem to recall that when they were brazing the Sterling SMG tubes they encountered .013" or distortion, 'bananaring' the tube slightly. But later pushed up a water circulating filled copper cylinder that absorbed the excess heat. Another alternative was to stress into the tube a .013 distortion that would contract back to straight! On the other hand, Fazakerley just bent the tubes regardless and asked Sterling to straighten them!!!!! But mig or tig is the way to go, where the heat is both instantaneous and localised. And it's cooling immediately the tig is off.

[17thairborne]

If I understand both PL and BP correctly, if I use TIG/MIG, I should not be so concerned about heat warp-age on the tube? I like the idea of a concentric tube inside with flowing water to dissipate the heat if needed.