Back in November, my wife and I saw the movie "Allied".  She saw all the allied sub-machine guns in it and asked me what gun it was.  I told her it was a STEN Mk. II and that I could build one for under $500.  She said "I like it.  Build one."

So the journey began December 5th with the arrival of the parts kit from Apex Gun Parts.  Since the firearm is historic, I purchased "The Sten Machine Carbine" by Peter Laidler.  This book has the most complete information available for the STEN sub-machine gun family.  The parts in my kit were produced prior to April of 1942 in southern England and assembled into a complete firearm by the Royal Small Arms Factory in Enfield.

Parts List:

STEN MK2 SMG Parts Set w/skeleton stock from Apex Gun Parts - $174.95
Semi-auto receiver tube from Indianapolis Ordnance - $75.00
Semi-auto "Build kit" from Indianapolis Ordnance - $285.00
8" STEN Mk II SMG barrel from Indianapolis Ordnance - $95.00
Miscellaneous 922r Compliance Parts - $160.00

Grand Total:$789.95 (Oops, a little over $500)

Other "extra" items not included in the price are a dummy barrel, pistol grip, reproduction RAF paratrooper leg bag, 4 magazines, a mag loader, and a sling.

All "machining" of my semi-auto receiver tube was done with hand tools.  Hand tools include Dremel tool, cutting wheels, cordless drill, various hand files, a hammer, punch set, O-clamps, and a piece of angle iron.

The parts kit


Cleaned up the trigger housing by removing all traces of the original receiver


The assembled trigger housing


The assembled trigger housing.  Note the screws holding the dust cover in place - they indicate that the original parts were manufactured prior to April, 1942


Trunion, ejector, and front site removed from original SMG receiver scrap


The semi-auto receiver tube from Indianapolis Ordnance


Finished cocking handle channel in the semi-auto receiver tube


The start of the sear pocket and disconnector slot in the semi-auto receiver tube


The completed sear pocket and disconnector slot in the semi-auto receiver tube


Finished recoil spring retainer slot


Initial test fit of the receiver tube


Magazine well, front site dove-tail, and ejection port now completed.  Semi-auto receiver reassembled to check fit


Close-up of the front site dove-tail


Test fit of the surplus magazine and semi-auto bolt carrier assembly


Another close-up of the front site dove-tail


The reproduction, period-correct RAF paratrooper leg bag for the STEN SMG


Final assembly with TIG welding


The complete semi-auto STEN Mk. II with dummy barrel from Desert Fox Sales.




Test-fired it today.  Out of 25 rounds, only one failed to feed from the magazine, otherwise it worked flawlessly.  I guessed on the spring lengths for both the striker and recoil springs based on how it felt when you cocked it.  Guess I got it right!


Form 1 submitted.  Now the 8 month wait begins...

Tag for later reading
Looks super cool

That's a good women.
Skills you got'em

Excellent post! Thanks!

Nice work. Amazing how simple the gun is.

I've wanted to do this, or just buy one, for a while but no skill at welding myself and the Valk doesn't fill me with confidence for it's price...

Mostly due to Return to Castle Wolfenstein from years ago, if it can stop nazi zombies it deserve a chance!

I like the period correct Hello Kitty ammo boxes

Looks great! I am envious of your skills.

Nice build OP.  When Connecticut accidentally legalized STENs, I cut down some mags down to 10 rounds & mailed the remains to someone working on one.

Indy Ord makes some good stuff.

I've built a MKII, MKIII, FBP, and Swedish K with their semi parts, and I'm just getting ready to park and finish a MKV rifle.

noticed in you last pic you are "cocked and locked". Be careful with that. That semi-auto setup is nowhere near drop-safe.

Sweet.

That's really impressive work. And it goes to show the simplicity and forgiving nature of the Sten that you can pull that off with basic tools. A Sten SMG is only 8x the price you know.

awesome, thats quite impressive!

You, sir are my hero and inspiration. I just today got my stamp for my MkIII SBR build. Waited 200 days for it. Now, you've got me pumped!
What parts did you have to get besides the IO closed bolt kit and tube for 922r compliance?

I'm also curious how you spent $160 on 922r parts? You dont really need any.

The Sten has 12 parts that apply to 922r, and with only a USA receiver and barrel, you have already met the requirements for 922r. Add in the bolt and a USA made trunnion, and you have more than enough.

Basically it's hard to build the gun without meeting it.

Did it for good measure.