Converting a Sten to semi automatic

faust13

I'm looking to buy a Sten Mk III kit. I would like to build the kit into nice little historical carbine. How do I convert it to be semi automatic? Are there any other rules/laws that I should be aware of before taking on this project?

Thanks!

rufe-snow

As far as the Feds are concerned, if it was originally manufactured as a selective fire or fully automatic firearm, THAT'S IT. There is no such thing, as far as their concerned as converting to semi-automatic and it being legal.

As another poster noted, their have been a number of replicas on the market over the years. These resemble, cosmetically fully automatic firearms, "BUT" they are built from the ground up as semi-automatic only, with the BATF's prior approval.

p3skyking

I believe some are being made. I've seen the M3 and PPsh semi's. As far as building one yourself, the original open bolt/sear arangement would not do. Too easy to make full auto, so you would have to use a closed bolt with a disconnector set up.

Another drawback is the 16 inch barrel requirement. You could proably build a NON-FIRING replica pretty easy. Sorry to pee on your parade.

competentone

http://www.floridaammotraders.com/stock.html
http://www.semiautosten.com/
http://www.valkyriearms.com/Valkyrie-Brochure.pdf

vicg1

FYI: The Valkyrie Arms model they displayed at Knob Creek last year was actually a kit from www.semiautosten.com, FWIW.

faust13

I'm really interested in making the Sten usable for re-enactment. Is there some way I could build it as per BATF laws, but still have it fire blanks? I've heard of filling the barrel with cement, will this work? Any suggestions are welcome.

Thanks!

p3skyking

As far as I know, blank firing weapons are not federally regulated.
Build away! No projectile must leave the barrel. Use a 9mm chamber with a rod welded in the barrel and the barrel welded to the receiver.

Check with you local ATF to see what their take on the law is, but you should be okay.

What men call a hero...is merely a man who is seen doing what a brave man does as a matter of course.
A man who is in love with learning is a man who is never without a bride, for there is always more. L'Amour

vicg1

DON'T FOLLOW THIS ADVICE! (except for the part about researching the topic with ATF)

You can not build a functioning firearm if it is readily convertible to automatic fire. You build any Sten using an original design receiver and bolt and you have a machinegun on your hands in the eyes of ATF, even if the barrel is a solid steel rod and could never fire a projectile. This is the reason many blank fire guns actually fire a cartridge that is either perpindicular to the bore line or is backwards...

It's actually easier for you to build a legal semi auto, register it as a short barreled rifle (if allowed in your state) then temporarily plug the barrel when firing blanks.

nmyers

Vic makes a lot of sense.

Other than the businessmen trying to sell these worthless kits, I don't see anyone stepping forward to say, "I made one." And, I don't see anyone claiming to have a BATFE letter saying that he has a version that was ruled legal to own.

Look at the reward vs risk: A fun toy vs. 5 years at Allenwood Correctional Facility. Hardly seems worthwhile, does it? Even if they do have tennis & volleyball, it's still a federal prison.

Some things are just not worth doing; this is one of them.

Neal

"Arrest now, litigate later." --- BATFE unofficial motto

boeboe

The semi-auto Stens made from parts sets are perfectly legal as long as they are made according to the prescribed instructions. They use a reduced diameter receiver tube and bolt to prevent conversion to full auto.

The receiver of any full auto parts set would have to be destroyed via torch cuts or similar dismemberment to be legal. The receiver is what is considered the firearm. If the receiver has been de-milled according to BATF specs, you can use the rest of the parts in the set. Many, many semi-auto rifles are made fromn such sets, including semi-auto AK47 style rifles. If it were illegal to take a parts kit with a demilled receiver and build a complete gun out of it using the parts, there would be no Cetmes, FALs, or H&K 91 clones out there.

On the semi-auto Sten, the receivers have a reduced inside diameter so the full auto bolt will not fit. They take a special, small diameter bolt. There are uncut receiver tubes available for both full and semi-auto Stens. You need to make sure you get the receiver tube specifically for the semi-auto version, do not buy the full auto receiver tube, as having the full auto tube with the set would be illegal. As long as it's the right tube for a semi-auto build (with the reduced insode diameter) there is nothing to worry about, as long as it's legal to build one in your area.

To err is human, to moo is bovine.

p3skyking

Vic doesn't make a lot of sense. How can something not designed to launch a projectile be considered a firearm? Here's a hint, it's not.

Welded barrel to welded frame is not readily convertible to a machine gun.

Since the receiver was never a machine gun to start with, it isn't one now.

If blank firing pistols are not federally regulated, why would blank firing machineguns be regulated?

Go to the ATF website and read the rules. I would still call the local boys and check with them as they will be the ones called when the cops hear the blanks.

What men call a hero...is merely a man who is seen doing what a brave man does as a matter of course.
A man who is in love with learning is a man who is never without a bride, for there is always more. L'Amour