Repro Sten's, Opinions?

[tankhunter]

OK, There IS a CORRECT way to fit a sling to a Sten with a 'T' stock. It is surprisingly to Me Personally, little known!

Right, You go to the BOTTOM of the sling with the OVAL metal loop. You Turn / work this Loop a QUARTER turn. So the OVAL loop is 'Pointing' ALONG the length of the sling.

Pass the OVAL through the Bottom hole in the 'T' stock. (It will be tight in SOME cases. But it WILL go through. A light tap with a Hammer, of preferably a rubber / nylon Mallet is better)
I Think the holes in the base plate of the stock are 1" diameter. Pull the sling through approx. 6" & then Rotate the Loop BACK a quarter turn. To it's ORIGINAL Position.
Pass the Hook Looped end THROUGH the loop & feed the rest of the sling through as well.
Right up till the webbing is tight, & can no longer move.
Attach the curly 'Hooked' end through one of the cooling holes in the barrel nut. (The bit your left hand would hold) where it is comfortable for you to hold the weapon.

Then, using a pair of pliers with a patch of soft cloth in their jaws. (So you dont mark the finish of the hook) Squeeze together the curly 'Hook'. So it cannot jump out of the hole during use! And there you have it!..

The Hole in the Triangular 'Web' finger hold on the spine of the 'T' stock. Is merely there as a lightening measure.

Yes, you may well see troops in wartime photo's with the sling fitted in this 'Web'. But that is because they had not been shown the CORRECT way to fit a sling!......

I will add, if you fit a sling through the hole of this 'Web'. In most positions, it is actually quite uncomfortable to hold!

Also seen it looped around the length of the spine of 'T' stocks. ALSO incorrect, & a pain in the proverbial! it WILL slide up the spine when you put the gun sling over your shoulder!

The way I have described above is the CORRECT & MOST comfortable method to use!

Gentlemen, Here endeth the Lesson......

[mrclark303]

Mike, great to see you back dispensing the wisdom of the ancients mate

[82Trooper]

What's the point of gaining new knowledge if you don't put it to use....

Well worn (looking) Denix with a supposedly original sling.....did I get it right?
Curiously, NONE of the internet pix I could find showed this layout.

[tankhunter]

82 Trooper, Your fitting is correct. You may well have other picture from WWII with the sling fitted differently.
But that does NOT mean they were fitted CORRECTLY.....

Re-Read my post as to why other methods, although enacted. Were NOT correct.

After all, I am only a Humble Armourer with a 'Few' years experience behind Me. Manufacturing, Inspecting & repairing, R&D work, Test Firing. Firearm related 'Incidents' Investigation. Museum & Film Advisory work. Historical researcher for Private Purposes Etc,Etc.

When it comes to fitting a Mere sling & giving Honest & 'best Advice'. What on Earth would I know about the subject?.......

Gentlemen, I Thank You! I sincerely hope my little scrawl on the sling. is of some small assistance?

---------- Post added at 02:13 AM ---------- Previous post was at 02:11 AM ----------

Mike, great to see you back dispensing the wisdom of the ancients mate

Cheers Johnny! I have been 'Orf' the Forum for a while. Twin family Bereavements. & other 'Stuff' has precluded Me from
Contributing of late.

[82Trooper]

[QUOTE=tankhunter;426967]82 Trooper, Your fitting is correct. You may well have other picture from WWII with the sling fitted differently.
But that does NOT mean they were fitted CORRECTLY.....

Re-Read my post as to why other methods, although enacted. Were NOT correct.

After all, I am only a Humble Armourer with a 'Few' years experience behind Me. Manufacturing, Inspecting & repairing, R&D work, Test Firing. Firearm related 'Incidents' Investigation. Museum & Film Advisory work. Historical researcher for Private Purposes Etc,Etc.

When it comes to fitting a Mere sling & giving Honest & 'best Advice'. What on Earth would I know about the subject?.......

Gentlemen, I Thank You! I sincerely hope my little scrawl on the sling. is of some small assistance?[COLOR="black"]

**********Please don't misinterpret my statement about not finding any matching pix on the internet as questioning the accuracy of your information. Just the opposit...I was hoping to point out (and clearly not doing that well!) was that so often I (we?) look for reference on the internet, find one or two sources that match, and accept it as gospel. And clearly that is not the case.
I must remember to dig deeper, such as here, to get to the actual truth. I appreciate your taking the time to respond and educate me.

[mrclark303]

82 Trooper, Your fitting is correct. You may well have other picture from WWII with the sling fitted differently.
But that does NOT mean they were fitted CORRECTLY.....

Re-Read my post as to why other methods, although enacted. Were NOT correct.

After all, I am only a Humble Armourer with a 'Few' years experience behind Me. Manufacturing, Inspecting & repairing, R&D work, Test Firing. Firearm related 'Incidents' Investigation. Museum & Film Advisory work. Historical researcher for Private Purposes Etc,Etc.

When it comes to fitting a Mere sling & giving Honest & 'best Advice'. What on Earth would I know about the subject?.......

Gentlemen, I Thank You! I sincerely hope my little scrawl on the sling. is of some small assistance?

---------- Post added at 02:13 AM ---------- Previous post was at 02:11 AM ----------



Cheers Johnny! I have been 'Orf' the Forum for a while. Twin family Bereavements. & other 'Stuff' has precluded Me from
Contributing of late.

So sorry to hear that mate , but its great to have you back among our ranks.

[Vincent]

The historical “correct” way to attach a STEN sling is interesting.

Today the “Correct” way to attach slings can vary depending on the mission. An example would be the way a sling is attached for a march, compared to how it’s attached for CQB.

At some point during the troubles the RGJ’s started attaching their SLR slings for what we call CQB today. Shortened and only attached at the butt, loop around the right arm. Physically impossible to be shot with your own rifle in a scuffle.

[tankhunter]

Yes indeed, In Todays Armed conflicts. There is much latitude within the ranks on 'Personalisation' of clothing & Equipment.

I agree, dependant on the Mission requirements. & known difficulties on a particular sojourn in the Field. What works BEST & importantly is SAFE. Is tolerated However, in the Sue it culture We endure these Days. If it goes Toes up?.........If procedure & Regs haven't been followed. YOU are Liable! Never mind the fact that you have volunteered to put your life on the line. When you sign on!

82 Trooper. Dont worry about it Buddy. I can come across as a bit sarcastic at times. It's just Me! I TRY to educate / help anyone I am able. The knowledge acquired by us all on here.
SHOULD be used for the benefit of ALL of us on here! 'Arte et Marte'

[Aragorn243]

Sling attachment corrected, thank you.

Now what is the proper way to carry it. If upside down the magazine swings way wide and would be banging into everything. If muzzle up, seems to fit snugly with the magazine comfortably across the back and the rifle doesn't seem to move or swing around at all.

[tankhunter]

Sling attachment corrected, thank you.

Now what is the proper way to carry it. If upside down the magazine swings way wide and would be banging into everything. If muzzle up, seems to fit snugly with the magazine comfortably across the back and the rifle doesn't seem to move or swing around at all.

Hmm, Even that can bring it's own problems!...Muzzle up is I believe shown in user handbooks, particularly Post war version.

However.....(Isn't there always a 'However'?) When riding a Motorcycle, THAT brought it's own problems!
The MK.III sten in particular, had a documented MOD done to it for this purpose.

The Top Rib that runs along the entire upper surface of a MK.III. Had two holes drilled in it. These were made slightly Oval. THIS was enacted to allow the 'Curly Hook' to pass through. & support the front of the Weapon, The SMG was carried like this with no magazine inserted.
The entire ensemble was hung from the sling around the neck.

Even though this MOD was introduced. I have still handled many Sten's Post War. That had NOT had this MOD done!

There were also canvas action covers manufactured. That covered the action of Stens. But allowed the Stock & muzzle to protrude, enabling the weapon to still be carried. By The Sling.