Any tips on removing old paint from a blued Sten MK V barrel?

[Freeland]

Before and after paint removal:








Now I only need to find the optional front grip to complete the Sten


All thanks for all your comments and suggestions!

[Vincent]

Is this the one you’re looking for?

Northridge International Inc. / STEN SMG WOOD HANDLE.

[Freeland]

Not quite. The upper part of the wooden front grip has a sort of caved shape. It is attached with a long bolt that screws into a ring which in turn slides over the barrel nut and is tightened in place. See the repro front grip in this post:

https://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=54570

[Peter Laidler]

It looks to me like the foresight block band has been knocked backwards. It should be almost level with the locating lugs. That front grip isn't remotely like the original Vince.

[Vincent]

I am going to make do with anyway. It’s the closest thing I’ve been able to find. Maybe someday an original will surface. Until then, it’s what’s in the parts bin.

There’s a good picture of an original with the mounting hardware on page 79 of Peter’s Sten book.

[Flying10uk]

All the photographs that I've seen of the battle of Arnhem which show MK5 Stens in use all seem to show them fitted with the front fore-grip. Was there a reason why they all seem to have been removed post war? Perhaps they tended to get damaged? I notice Indian made reproduction Sten fore-grips are for sale on Ebay; has any-one actually purchased one and are they any good? Thanks for any info.

[gsimmons]

As explained by Peter in his book, the grips had a tendency to unscrew the barrel nut.

[Vincent]

My Mk5 Sten came with a reproduction forward vertical grip. It works fine. It just doesn’t look like the Real McCoy.

I am silencer spoiled now and mostly shoot with the suppressor. When I use the normal barrel I tighten the barrel nut with a strap wrench because I had a bad experience once. It hasn’t come loose yet.

I really don’t see much advantage shooting with the forward vertical grip. Where it does seem to be a big advantage is with the bayonet. It’s a much more natural position, like making two fists. You have better agility and much more force behind the weapon.

[Peter Laidler]

The fore-grip served no useful purpose, was weak, not easily maintained, would break the top edges when tightened, acted as a lever for the crunchies to unscrew the barrel nut so was rightly discontinued. But well liked by re-enactors and collectors. But the repros are dire!