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...

This is pretty awesome. Thank you for sharing.

Nice craftsmanship!

Much want!!!

wow, great build and thread. 

Congrats!

How accurate is it at 50 yards?

Just curious, the ones we had in Iraq were horrible (damn near shot out barrels).

Thanks
V
OUT

I'll let you know when I can fire it from the shoulder with the stock installed.

Very cool.
Thanks for sharing.

Well done, more importantly, does the wife like it?