Sterling

[Eutycus]

Around 35-40 years ago I sold a neat little Stainless Steel autoloader. It was a Sterling .380, I think. I don't recall the model number. I think I traded it for a S&W, I'm not really sure. Anyway do they still make the Sterling? I think it came in a 22 as well. i wish I'd kept it.

 

[Starter52]

Sterling made two versions of their .380 IIRC. I've heard the second type was an OK gun.
Sterling has been out of business for decades.

 

[Steve762us]

I got one on of the .22 models (302?) back around 81. Traded it for a Saiga 12.

 

[Eutycus]

It wasn't exactly what you'd call "quality" but at least it was steel and not zinc. Nice size too, if I recall.

 

[Jim Watson]

The Sterling was a pretty close copy of the Italian Galesi. Both long gone. You can do better now.

 

[Starter52]

The smaller Sterling pistols were Galesi copies.
The .380 model was more like a PPK/s in size and function.

 

[bc1023]

Pretty much garbage

 

[unclenunzie]

When I was a new pistol person back in NJ, I remember seeing one (Sterling in 22) in my local gun shop (since closed up, Meltzer's in Garfield). I remember money was not the issue, but using up a NJ pistol permit was. It didn't look like quality to me so I passed on it, preferring to use one of my permits on something else. I don't know anything about other models like 380 but the 22 looked like one of those toy guns made with two sides rivetted together.

 

[trackskippy]

Not all Sterlings are bad. Some are actually pretty sweet!

 

[Jim Watson]

The .380 model was more like a PPK/s in size and function.

I recall that one now. Kind of a PP mashed into a 1911ish mold.

 

[COZ_]

Bought the .22 in the late 70's. If you don't use CCI Mini Mags it fails to load the next round.

 

[Eutycus]

I still wouldn't mind having one of each, the 380 and the 22.

 

[Reinz]

I had always felt that the Sterling was in the same category as Raven, Lorcin, and Bryco. Maaaybe a hair better, but still junk to me.

 

[DT Guy]

When I was growing up, a sporting goods store we often went to sold just a few guns; there was a small glass case with Sterling pistols in it, and the 400 seemed positively beautiful to my little kid eyes. I still flirt with getting one just to scratch that decades old itch, but then read about them again and decide it would just be a disappointment.

Larry

 

[bc1023]

I had always felt that the Sterling was in the same category as Raven, Lorcin, and Bryco. Maaaybe a hair better, but still junk to me.

Definitely better than those others, but that’s not saying much

 

[Eutycus]

Never heard of a Bryco, that was just a Jennings with a different name wasn't it?

 

[Eutycus]

That picture in post # 14 is bringing back memories.

 

[Average Joe]

I had a Sterling back in the day, it was a .22 jam-o-matic.... I got rid of it soon after.

 

[pharmer]

I owned a SS Model 400 back in the 20th century. Big and heavy as a 9mm but in .380. It worked pretty well but the weak link was that one piece "ejector/hold open" piece powered by a tiny flat spring. I was an 01FFL at the time so lots of "interesting" guns went through my hands. That one was a definite "through." Joe

 

[pharmer]

When I was a new pistol person back in NJ, I remember seeing one (Sterling in 22) in my local gun shop (since closed up, Meltzer's in Garfield).....

"2, 4, 6, 10; Meltzer takes your money again!" The old man was a hoot. Lit him up in 1977 when I paid $193 for a SW Model 19. Glad I left NJ almost 45 years ago. Joe

 

[Eutycus]

I owned a SS Model 400 back in the 20th century. Big and heavy as a 9mm but in .380. It worked pretty well but the weak link was that one piece "ejector/hold open" piece powered by a tiny flat spring. I was an 01FFL at the time so lots of "interesting" guns went through my hands. That one was a definite "through." Joe

I do recall it was alot of gun for a 380. But I didn't think it was that heavy or big. But I was in my 30s so heavy didn't bother me much back then either.

 

[bannockburn]

I had a Model 302 .22LR that I tried to get running properly but it never did run right. Eventually I gave up on it and sent it on it's way. Kind of a shame too because it was pretty well made.

 

[Eutycus]

Back then I was younger and didn't really have anthing to compare my Sterling to. But I thought it was "pretty good".Plus .380 ammo was cheap.

 

[JN01]

I had a stainless .25 ACP version, worked OK at first but started to malfunction. The trigger bar would not release the firing pin unless you pressed in on one of the grips.

They had the quality control that many modern gun companies aspire to.

 

[Eutycus]

I can't tell of that last line is sarcasm or you really mean it.