Is it legal to re-activate a cut STEN?

[The Grand Inquisitor]

At a gun show on sunday a friend and I were looking at a table of a rather odd looking chap that had some haphazard stuff and I noticed an old Sten - he hopped up, picked up the "rifle" (small, flimsy, thngs, aren't they?) and told us that all we had to do was buy the rifle piece for $100, and an uncut reciever tube (which was just a cheap, white piece of metal piece with rough schematics of where to cut) for $100 and slip the tube in and the rifle (or is it a sub machine gun...whatever...) would be good to go.

Besides the fact that I would have butchered the uncut tube and the original Sten peice was as roughed up as a Kings Cross whore I was under the impression that once a rifle was cut to ATF specs, you could never re-work the rifle to fire legally - otherwise everyone would be running home from the junk yards with Suomi's and Mg42's between their legs.

Also - everyone might also like to know that this was the same sleezy fellow that cornered my mate and I and try to sell us a switch blade about a year ago at the same show.

Giving gun shows their good name.

 

[Coltdriver]

It is illegal to put a Sten "back" together. In fact, having a pipe that could be used as a receiver along with the parts in the same house is illegal.

 

[HankB]

It's a shame we have to worry about these things in a "free" country, but every time I see one of these folks I think "BATman Sting" and keep my distance.

 

[boofus]

You can use a cut up parts kit to build a Sten SMG. But you better make sure that receiver tube comes with ATF papers, or you might win a free taxpayer funded vacation for up to 10 years.

 

[Bartholomew Roberts]

Actually I knew an FFL/Class II SOT who would buy those kits and "manufacture" the receivers in his living room with a drill press. He would offer them to local LE as post-86 samples in return for their transferable weapons. I don't believe he had much success with the plot though.

 

[Dionysusigma]

Is there any way to make a legal, semi-auto 16" Sten? Metal tubing is cheap, the old parts kits are cheap, and magazines abound like oversexed bunnies. It'd be a fun project...

The only place I can think of that offers a new Sten is Valkyrie Arms ( http://www.valkyriearms.com/sten.htm )--and I don't know if they're even still in business since the site looks the exact same as it did two years ago.

 

[Harry Tuttle]

Catco had a semi auto sten kit

Ode to a Sten Gun
By Gunner. S.N. Teed

You wicked piece of vicious tin!
Call you a gun? Don't make me grin.
You're just a bloated piece of pipe.
You couldn't hit a hunk of tripe.
But when you're with me in the night,
I'll tell you pal, you're just alright!

Each day I wipe you free of dirt.
Your dratted corners tear my shirt.
I cuss at you and call you names,
You're much more trouble than my dames.
But boy, do I love to hear you yammer
When you 're spitting lead in a business manner.

You conceited pile of salvage junk.
I think this prowess talk is bunk.
Yet if I want a wall of lead
Thrown at some Jerry's head
It is to you I raise my hat;
You're a damn good pal...
You silly gat!

 

[jefnvk]

Link, Harry? that would be a fu project.

Actually, searching for the Catco thing, I found this: http://stenguns.tripod.com/id13.html. Looks interesting

 

[ACP230]

Licensed manufacturers can do it.
But the guns are "Post Samples" and can only be sold/transfered to police and government agencies.
Other MG dealers can inventory them for sale to the two entities mentioned above.

A place to find out about the legalities is the ATF website. I don't recall the address. Small Arms Review publishes columns and articles on FA subjects. So does Shotgun News.

It ain't worth stepping across the line so it's a good idea to know where it is, eh?

 

[The Grand Inquisitor]

The Sten's don't seem like especially expensive weapons to make, so why don't we see more of them? Are they just another victim of the ATF's "once a MG always a MG" policy"?

I'd like to get one, but there is no chance I'd pay $600 for one.

 

[boofus]

The original Stens were open bolt guns. ATF has deemed all open bolt guns to be MGs, with existing guns at the time grandfathered. Is it even possible to design a closed bolt Sten? Doesn't look like much room in that tube for a hammer or striker.

 

[PMDW]

Is it even possible to design a closed bolt Sten? Doesn't look like much room in that tube for a hammer or striker.

As was said earlier, catco came out with a semi auto Sten a few years back.