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Sterling Arms Mark II Stainless 380

TheRoadDogTheRoadDog Member Posts: 4 ✭✭
edited January 2014 in Ask the Experts
I am new to the forum. So forgive me if this question has been asked many times before

I have read the basic history of this gun, but I rarely see them for sale. So I'm wondering if they are scarce online what's the reason, and is there any market for them? Perhaps some people collect them? I bought a new stainless steel model back in the late 80's and it has been in the box most of that time. It has maybe one clip through it. I think it is very nice looking gun and this one I have is pristine. I'm wondering what the general opinion is on this little 380 and how many have them, do you like them? I think I may have to buy some 380 rounds and put a few boxes through this one.

Thanks for the discussion / info.

TheRoadDog
www.MyTwoWheelTouring.com
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Comments

  • charliemeyer007charliemeyer007 Member Posts: 6,572 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Here is one to watch. http://www.GunBroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=387631010

    Always a good idea to become familiar with your firearm. Autoloader can be finicky about ammo. Some require a good brake in to become reliable. I would be using Rig Stainless+ grease.
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  • ZinderblocZinderbloc Member Posts: 925 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I once lived a few miles from the Sterling plant in upstate New York. I never owned a Sterling .380 but they were common enough in the gun shops in the area.

    Back in the day Sterling made two models of the .380 pistol. The earlier one was unreliable and not well liked. The MK II was better made and was considered a decent gun, but it was hurt by the reputation of its earlier cousin.

    Sterling has been out of business for years.
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  • rufe-snowrufe-snow Member Posts: 18,650 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Sterling was only in business for a short time, circa 1970's. There products had a rear spotty reputation. I had one of the early model .380's, that Zinderbloc mentioned. It was called the PPL Model. Bought it new, but it was a total POS. Never ever was able to fire a complete magazine, without jamming.

    They had such a bad rep for their mediocre guns. They went belly up in the early 80's. Given that was 30+ years ago. Sterlings aren't commonly found, in the used marketplace anymore. You might check the on-line gun auctions, to see if any sold recently.
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  • MIKE WISKEYMIKE WISKEY Member Posts: 10,046 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I had a mk11 some years ago, worked well but 'inexpensively' made. Kind of a poor mans ppk.
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  • TheRoadDogTheRoadDog Member Posts: 4 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Charlie above found one on this forum for $425. Would that be the approx. value of these guns today? I know the stainless ones are probably worth more than the blued ones.

    I'm just curious. It LOOKS like a great little 380, but I guess I'll hold my opinion until I feed it several hundred rounds.

    I know I can't find extra magazines... Maybe I'll sell her and find something else! [:)]
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  • TxsTxs Member Posts: 17,809 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I don't know much about this particular model, but I'd be careful with any pistol produced by Sterling.

    Back in the 80's an old friend of mine was a firearms examiner at a large forensics lab. He showed me a Sterling .22lr from an accidental shooting incident which would fire if upward pressure was placed on the rear of the slide. It's owner had dropped the pistol and it landed just the wrong way, resulting in a fatal wound.
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  • mark christianmark christian Member Posts: 24,443 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by TheRoadDog
    Charlie above found one on this forum for $425. Would that be the approx. value of these guns today? I know the stainless ones are probably worth more than the blued ones.

    I'm just curious. It LOOKS like a great little 380, but I guess I'll hold my opinion until I feed it several hundred rounds.

    I know I can't find extra magazines... Maybe I'll sell her and find something else! [:)]


    If you notice that $425 price is the opener on a reserve auction which as yet has no bidders. There is a reason there are no bidders...$425 is not realistic so the seller is fishing rather than selling. What you are looking for a auctions which closed with sales prices. Back in the day the SS Sterling was $85 while blue was $70 and nickel $75. Don't plan on retiring after making your sale [;)]
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  • rufe-snowrufe-snow Member Posts: 18,650 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by TheRoadDog
    Charlie above found one on this forum for $425. Would that be the approx. value of these guns today? I know the stainless ones are probably worth more than the blued ones.

    I'm just curious. It LOOKS like a great little 380, but I guess I'll hold my opinion until I feed it several hundred rounds.

    I know I can't find extra magazines... Maybe I'll sell her and find something else! [:)]




    Never say never. Anything is possible, on the auctions. You just might luck out, and find some guy who landed on his head, When he tumbled off a turnip wagon.

    I wouldn't put a lot of credence on the starting prices, on some folks auctions. The actual selling prices, reflect the fair market values a lot more accurately. To get them you have to sign up to be a member. So you can actually see the selling prices, on the completed auctions.
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  • TheRoadDogTheRoadDog Member Posts: 4 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Thanks everyone. I'm certainly not interested in selling or "making money", I was just curious as they see so hard to find online and thought maybe people were collecting them or something.

    Too bad the company did not survive. I had heard there was an unfortunate incident with an accidental death (kid shot friend believing the mag out meant no round in chamber) and the company did not survive the legal aftermath.

    it is a nice looking gun and I'll bet someone out there likes them or collects them. Interesting story.....
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