I know its not directly related to an AR, but the kit uses and AR firing pin... I want to build a sten using the Indianapolis Ordnance Mk 2 kit. Has anyone built one of these, and if so any tips? How hard was it, does it shoot reliably? I live in Cali so I want to use the Canadian wire stock, would that count as a thumb hole stock?
Semi Auto Conversion Kit:
http://www.indianapolisordnance.com/sten_mk2.html

Probably get a lot more info at weaponeer.com.  Those guys build a lot more stuff than ARs and AKs.

Nah go to www.weaponsguild.com

OK, tried to register on weaponsguild- what is their three word motto?

  I tried Builders help Builders and Band of Brothers and it won't accept either.

OK- Builders helping Builders.

I"ve built several. I use a mill to do the receiver but i suppose a dremel would work. A welder is a must and the knowledge to know how to run it. The Indy kits make it pretty straightforward. Make sure to cut the guide rods on the kit short, otherwise the brass will hit them and jamb it up. Took me awhile to figure out that one.

One of the Weapons Guild Sten threads is from a California builder.  He did very nice work, including addition of wooden or Plexiglas inserts to avoid the evil thumbhole stock.  You will recognize his thread from the stock inserts in the photos.

first off which sten mk2 mk3 mk5? they are all build a bit differently. I did a mk3 recently. not bad at all. kind of funky in some respects in how you need to weld the tube to the lower, which means painting the two seperately, welding them together, then painting again. burn through is very easy with thin tubes so it might be a bitch if you arent a good welder.

Other then that its a very easy build.

Umm...what? What didn't you just paint the whole stripped gun after welding?


I've built two Indy Ord Stens, and the FBP which is very sten-like.

My build threads are stickied in Weaponsguild.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YM1bYqYrkXY

If you are handy with a dremel (or mill) and mig welder, you will do just fine.

because the underside of the tube would not be painted. you weld the tube to the lower, how do you expect to paint those parts in contact with the lower after welding?

Still not sure what you are getting at. Below is a picture of a stripped MKIII receiver (upper+lower) from google.

There isnt an area you cant paint that needs to be painted with the two welded together.  

Yes there will be raw unpainted metal under the rear ring area the rear sight is attached to, and under the "tabs" of the trigger group, but the Brits didnt paint those either. They just slathered on the generic black paint when the gun was in the above state.
Painting the inside of the trigger housing while attached to the tube is tight, but defiantly possible.

No parts kits I've removed scrap from had paint on the receiver tube under those areas, or any rust issues, so if it worked on a gun made in the 40's and survived stored for years, should be good for the average shooter.

well i still prefer to do it the way I do and get full coverage.