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sten parts kits?

cpileri
I dont own a buzzgun (darn) but have a question you may be able to answer:

What's the difference between Sten Mark II and III?

reason I ask: I see parts kits all over the place for both. The Mark III's are like 30 bucks, the II's are around 150 !
Why the big difference in price?
Is it just collectability? rarity? some improvement in design? I dunno???

Also, why do all the ads say "all NFA rules apply" if they are sliced up and non-functional when assembled?

And, finally: which parts are they missing? (i.e. which parts would I need a dummy for to make it look good enough to display?)

thanks 1,000,000
C-

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Edited by - captkirk3@earthlink.net on 06/16/2002 11:16:27
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Comments

12 comments

Date Votes
  • cpermd
    All you need is the receiver tube.
    The statement about NFA laws is to protect the seller in case you make a MG.
    Stens are not my bag and I don't know the differences.
    cpermd
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  • skipjackone
    Check out yrkbodyarmor.com/sten.htm There are major differences between the barrel of a MK-I and the MK-II making the MK-II more collectable and desirable. I believe that MK-II's were only issued to officers and NCO's. The MK-II's can be made semi-auto only by a class II mfg. I have seen the advertisement in Shotgun News within the last year of a company that will install a semi-auto only receiver for ~ $250. So for about $500 you can have a vintage MK-II that is legal. I strongly suggest this route because 'Men in Black' frown on homemade MG's.
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  • cpileri
    Well, that is a good idea for an authentic and LEGAL sten, but i wasn't in the mind for a shooter- just a replica. I was thinking about using a wooden dowel or a cardboard tube (like from a roll of christmas paper or something) and painting/cutting it to shape.
    Just a wall hanger.
    I did see a company that sells UNFINISHED receiver tubes. I may buy one to have a template to follow, bu i will still be useing wood/cardboard on the actual thing to avoid the MIB!

    Does anyone suppose that "those who protect us from ourselves" will visit if I buy both a parts kit and an unfinished receiver tube together? (i.e are "they" watching?)

    Do you suppose they'll care if they see the unassembled tube laying around unfinished in my workroom- completely separate from the rest of the sten?

    Carl

    ___________________________
    God, Guts, and Guns: keeping America Strong for 200 years.
    (sig about Clinton's talk show changed, though I thought it was pretty creative without overt vulgarity)
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  • Mobuck
    I think the main difference between the II and III is the attachment of the barrel . One is tack welded and the other is screwed on.

    Mobuck
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  • 101AIRBORNE
    cp,
    The posession of a parts kit w/ even a blank tube is a felony.
    Do not wish to visit you in the gray bar hotel.
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  • competentone
    Carl,

    My understanding is the ATF has made statements to the effect that they "could, might, would consider" (or something like that) that the possession of both an uncut "blank" "Sten" receiver tube and the possession of a parts kit, to be the possession of an "illegal machinegun".

    But to my knowledge nobody has been prosecuted for it--they could probably try to get you on some type of "intent" to manufacture an illegal machinegun if you possessed both.

    (Sort of like catching you with plasma cutting torches, the floorplans to your local bank, alarm system manuals, scanners, black clothing, etc., etc. You could be arrested for attempted bank robbery, even if all the "gear" was just at your home.)

    I've seen "fake ATF approved" Stens advertised before; your idea with cardboard sounds workable, but buying someone's "pre-made fake" might be easier.

    Can't help you on the original question about the differences.

    Joe
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  • 11echo
    Ahhh... just a question. WHY would you want a STEN?? They are an example of how to make the CHEAPEST weapon possible! ...ie NO collectivity other than historical. If you want a M.G. kit look at a MP-38/40, a M1928, a Beretta M38, a B.A.R., or something along those lines? I'm not trying to rain on your parade, but there a TON better collector weapons out there! My 2 cents. ...Mark

    "FEAR the Goverment, that fears your ARMS"
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  • cpileri
    Ok.
    First off: Man, i am getting reeally angry about this!
    Let's see: the parts kits are for sale- legal no problem.
    the blank receiver tubes/plans are available (and intended for making dummy tubes)- legal no problem.
    In order for a guy to make a wall hanger, he needs both (or at least the plans for the tube). Sure, agreed.
    But, possession of both (even dissassembled into pieces all over theplace) is felony?
    Because you MIGHT make an illegal subgun? You can now be prosecuted for something you MIGHT do?

    Ok, so here's the legal question; and I need a definitive answer (and reference if possible): Is possession of both a smg parts kit and an unfinished receiver tube at the same time a crime?

    If it is true, forget it. I'm ditching this project. I'll just grease up the parts kit (no sense in returning it for 25 bucks) and throw it in my junk box. How, ffff....friggin frustrating?

    ___________________________
    God, Guts, and Guns: keeping America Strong for 200 years.
    (sig about Clinton's talk show changed, though I thought it was pretty creative without overt vulgarity)
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  • nmyers
    You're really going to have to read Federal Firearms Regulations Reference Guide, and all it's fine print, to be sure that what you have in mind will be legal. Not all of the advice you got above is accurate.

    There is nothing illegal about the kits, or dummy tubes, or plans for dummy tubes. However, you can't keep the parts aligned (especially with the spring pressure) with a cardboard tube. And, since the Sten receiver is just a stamped steel tube, there won't be much difference between a metal "dummy" tube and a functional tube. Anything that would really work for a display gun would be close enough to a real gun to possibly get you into trouble. The fellows with the bulges in the cheap suits don't have to "prove" anything in order to arrest you.

    Some projects are not worth the trouble that they could cause, and this sounds like one of them.

    Neal
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  • Emmett Dunham
    The reason for the difference in price between the MKII and the MK III is that the MK II is really easy to build a working gun out of. The major difference between the MKII and MKIII machanical is that the III has two trunions that spread the support for the barrel out. The II has one trunion holding the barrel giving it much less support. The bolt is the same, the return spring system is the same and the trigger housing. As for people who tell you not to build, listen, then find out the real rules for converting to rifle to make it legal and build one.

    The sten is a cheap pieace of crap that works real well, I like to take a real nice piece like the HK Marksman out to the range and make it work. If god put all of us here to do the same things, what a pile of crap the world would be.
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  • boeboe
    quote:Originally posted by competentone
    Carl,

    My understanding is the ATF has made statements to the effect that they "could, might, would consider" (or something like that) that the possession of both an uncut "blank" "Sten" receiver tube and the possession of a parts kit, to be the possession of an "illegal machinegun".

    But to my knowledge nobody has been prosecuted for it--they could probably try to get you on some type of "intent" to manufacture an illegal machinegun if you possessed both.

    (Sort of like catching you with plasma cutting torches, the floorplans to your local bank, alarm system manuals, scanners, black clothing, etc., etc. You could be arrested for attempted bank robbery, even if all the "gear" was just at your home.)

    I've seen "fake ATF approved" Stens advertised before; your idea with cardboard sounds workable, but buying someone's "pre-made fake" might be easier.

    Can't help you on the original question about the differences.

    Joe






    The alphabet boys busted a guy at a gunshow who was selling Sten parts kits. His crime was pointing out another table a couple of rows over, where the buyer could buy an 80% receiver tubes. They nailed him for "conspiricy to built an NFA weapon". Even if you only have the parts kits for sale, if you happen to mention where someone has the tubes, it's a felony.

    This, to a large point, has rolled over to non-NFA weapons. Most people will not sell a parts kit and the 80% receiver to go with it. A few still do, but...

    GBLogo-170x60.gif


    MEMBER SINCE 10/24/1999.

    To err is human, to moo is bovine.
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  • Emmett Dunham
    There are many, many kit rifles that are sold that are automatic, rebuilt to semi automatic using part other than the origial manufactured for that type weapon. These rifles can become great shooters and legal if you can find the info that will meet the State and Federal requirements.



    Emmett
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