Does anyone make accurate reproduction MkV Sten foregrips?

[peregrinvs]

I'd ideally like to return my recently purchased MkV Sten to it's more-or-less 1944 appearance. This being the case I've purchased one of those commonly seen repro foregrips, but discovered when it arrived that the internal diameter of the ring is 41mm. i.e. it is completely useless as it has no grip on the 38mm wide barrel nut and the wood isn't reamed out so that tightening the screw does anything.

I've a nagging suspicion they're all like that. (Maybe the factory in India concerned can't get hold of 38mm internal diameter tube?) Any other ideas?

Cheers,
Mark

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[Peter Laidler]

And they look totally useless don't they? I'd suggest that you simply make one. Machine another piece of tube to suit and you're home and dry.

[Vincent]

Does anyone make accurate reproduction MkV Sten foregrips?

The short answer is, “No.”

[peregrinvs]

Looks like I'll have to mod one of the dodgy repros then. It's doable if I can swap the ring for a correctly sized one and slightly ream out the top of the wooden grip.

[Vincent]

Is this what you have?



The ring is made from 1-5/8” tube that has a 1.509” inside diameter - 38.329mm. It just fits over 1.5” tube. I use the same tubing to make new end cap locking rings for Sterlings.

[peregrinvs]

Is this what you have?

http://i548.photobucket.com/albums/i...ten%20grip.jpg

The ring is made from 1-5/8” tube that has a 1.509” inside diameter - 38.329mm. It just fits over 1.5” tube. I use the same tubing to make new end cap locking rings for Sterlings.

That metalwork on that one actually looks better made than mine. As mentioned, the ring is about 41mm inside which means it has no grip whatsoever.

---------- Post added at 09:30 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:24 AM ----------

I guess that you could cut through the tube near the base with a hacksaw and cut out a small piece of the tube then pull the ends together and weld. It all depends on how good you are at welding on how successful this would be. Once the weld has been dressed and the grip fitted to the gun the weld wouldn't be seen because it would be hidden by the grip and the barrel nut.

I've never welded anything in my life I'm afraid and have no kit to do it. (I think I once brazed something in Craft Design Technology classes as school 30 years ago...) I was thinking of cutting the existing ring off the base, making a new one from 1.5" exhaust pipe coupler tube and then joining them together with metal epoxy. As mentioned, the join will be concealed when assembled.

[Vincent]

That metalwork on that one actually looks better made than mine. As mentioned, the ring is about 41mm inside which means it has no grip whatsoever.

How about making a sleeve to go inside your ring? 1.5” PVC Pipe has a 38mm inside diameter.

[peregrinvs]

How about making a sleeve to go inside your ring? 1.5” PVC Pipe has a 38mm inside diameter.

Hmmm... good idea. Not visually ideal, but it has definite labour saving possibilities. A local DIY supplier does 40mm black PVC pipe which presumably would have 2mm-ish walls. Might have to buy their shortest length and do some experimenting.

[bigduke6]

Was the original band like the repro one where (obvious it was a better fit) the bolt went straight through and titghtened against the bare nut ?

Hmmm... good idea. Not visually ideal, but it has definite labour saving possibilities. A local DIY supplier does 40mm black PVC pipe which presumably would have 2mm-ish walls. Might have to buy their shortest length and do some experimenting.

Mark,when you send up your bits send the repro grip also and I'll resize the band to suit or make a new one.

On a personal note I think they look much better without the forward grip, would be similar having a Rolls Royce with a Halfords roof rack on......... just my opinion.

[Flying10uk]

I guess that you could cut through the tube near the base with a hacksaw and cut out a small piece of the tube then pull the ends together and weld. It all depends on how good you are at welding on how successful this would be. Once the weld has been dressed and the grip fitted to the gun the weld wouldn't be seen because it would be hidden by the grip and the barrel nut.