L2A3 SMG / Sterling Mk.4: Mechanics And Basic Potted History

Mike takes a look at the mechanics of an L2A3 SMG / Sterling Mark 4, and gives a potted history of the 9mm submachine gun which replaced the STEN machine carbine in British service and served for around 40 years.
Link to Sterling commercial manual: drive.google.com/file/d/1A0Mh1m9GJ_ouC3HmIURcSwI6pEvfVami/view?usp=sharing
And yes, this was indeed the basis of the Star Wars E11 blaster.
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[@stuarthutnick4089]

We used to call those 10 round mags "Special Events" magazines as they were always issued when we had a parade or public show on. Fun fact they really balanced the weapon well and when paired with the bayonet which was issued in similar circumstances made the weapon diabolically accurate in single shot mode out to about 50 meters. Which is why we never gave them back after parades;)

[@jean-lucbigras2519]

and for inside vehicle ready to use . I wast in Canadian army in 1980

[@chrisgriffith9252]

Accurate stormtroopers? Next you will say han solo didn't make the Kessel run in less than 12 parsecs

[@toxico1152]

Dang a whole 50 meters huh?

[@grahamthebaronhesketh.]

@@toxico1152 I only fired them at 25 yds.

[@richardelliott9511]

Thanks Mike for showing us the ins and outs of a gun that most of us will never get to see let alone handle for our selves.

[@OspreyKnight]

I own a semi automatic sterling carbine. Bastardized into a closed bolt system due to US laws and with an extended barrel. Thing is a blast to shoot.... when it does.

[@schrodingersgat4344]

@@OspreyKnight Did you get the WISE Light Arms? I wanted the 7.62X25mm ,model.

[@timothyripley4175]

Build one, a little research some basic tools and parts kit. Obviously gotta get the semi auto build kit but it's cheaper than buying a full auto

[@stephenpotts832]

I went with my son to Las Vegas where we booked with a shooting range that had a lot of historic weapons. We got to shoot British and German weapons from WW1 and WW2 along with some modern weapons for comparison. It wasn’t cheap, over $1,000 each spent in the shooting range but what a great experience and probably the only place you can get a feel for what our recent ancestors used in anger. Best day of the holiday.

[@timjames6190]

This was my weapon when I was in the British army in the 1980’s as a combat medical technician to protect the patients in our care , I loved it. When they phased it out for the SA80 the end of era had come .

[@RABIDJOCK]

Yep was trained on this as a medic 1981. 205 RAMC (T/A).. Seems like a lifetime ago 😆

[@sydive130]

Me too as an RAMC CMT from 1984, took it to the gulf in 1991 then got the rifle 5.56mm when I was posted to the Royal Irish Depot in 1993. As my as I loved the simple esc’s of the SMG, ease of cleaning ect, I will never forget the pain of slipping off the frozen roof of a 432 in Hohne with the SMG slung over my back and the cocking handle smacking into my spine! To add insult to injury, every medic in 1 Armd Fd Amb thought it was hilarious!🤬🤬🤬

[@mollyfilms]

I was in 219 Wessex RAMC (res) back in the early 80s and I loved this weapon. So easy to use and no real recoil to worry about. Miss those days.

[@letshaveago2201]

Ditto we use to say your better off throwing the rounds at the enemy after 50 mtrs. It was fun on the range and a joy compared to the SLR but anyone in a thick vest with a wet coat over 100 mtrs was safe lmao.

[@Pabz2030]

Keogh Baracks, 1985. Loved the Sterling.

[@dsar9489]

3:18 Ah, the Blastech Industries E-11. Made by Blastech with licenced copies being made by Sorosuub and Merr-Sonn due to the demands of the Empire. Thankfully for the Rebel Alliance most stormtroopers were so poorly trained that they often didn’t deploy the stock, leading to the myth that the rifle was inaccurate. It was a significant improvement upon the DC-15 of the Republic Clone Army, however due to the slow moving development in small arms blaster doctrine the under equiped Rebels were able to hold their own against troops wielding the E-11.

[@LegoBob4123]

Used by both the British and the Galactic empires

[@Chlorate299]

I was looking for this comment.

[@davewilliams6172]

Not quite sure why Britain was associated with the Evil Galactic Empire....oh wait hang on...

[@aaronorr5586]

Remember Luke complained he could barely see anything through the helmet view. I believe that poor visibility for every wearer contributed significantly to the generic stormtroopers accuracy.

[@mnguy98]

@@aaronorr5586 He was also a little short for a stormtrooper, so maybe the helmet just didn't fit him very well

[@justanothercaptain6566]

When I joined my Regiment in 1986, six months later I got placed in my Sqn, and turned my FNC1 in for a Sterlin SMG. It was an awesome piece of kit! The open bolt system never failed me. The only stoppage I ever got was an empty mag! In Canadian Forces, our SMGs used the same bayonet as the FN C1, and we only got issued the 10 round mags for a parade. Our mags were 30 round Mags, and we got issued 8 of them when in the field. 6 mags in our webbing pouches (3 mags per pouch) and we loaded one mag, and taped the other for a quick change. Great piece of kit and I would take an SMG over my C8A2 any day. Thanks for the video. Nice walk down memory lane!

[@skylongskylong1982]

When I was in the R AUX A F, as a joke we used to secretly strip a new guys sterling SMG, and then put the cocking handle the wrong way round. If you got caught you had to see the WO man, which was far from a happy experience!

[@arkadeepkundu4729]

We still have thousands of these lying in police warehouses in India, especially with the rural police departments & railway station guards who never get any budget to upgrade anything. Along with thousands of Ishapore Lee Enfields in 7.62 & even a few old ones in .303.

[@thatsnodildo1974]

I would gladly pay money for them

[@bobbysantore7839]

I have an Ishapore, lots of fun to shoot

[@davescustomairsoftltd7142]

If it aint broke :-)

[@tamlandipper29]

I guess it all depends on what you are shooting. Has the mark one human changed since the 1950s?

[@Vulkanprimarch]

I wonder if you can de-activate them and sell them as collector pieces. Because I know a lot of star wars costumers that wouldn't mind getting an original sterling. (context star wars stormtrooper weapons are converted sterlings)

[@zeltus]

As a schoolboy in Germany in the 70's, I was part of a school day-out at Sennelager ranges, firing all sorts of interesting weapons, riding in small armoured cars and playing with PE. Great fun. Firing the Sterling was my favourite, as it was Dad's designated firearm. One of the best days of my life.

[@lynndavid6040]

Thank you so much for the memories. I was in the British army, on the Tanks, (QOH) and the sterling was my personal weapon. Unlike some folks in HMF I got to fire loads and loads. An enormously enjoyable weapon if somewhat limited in range. (I know, it was a close combat weapon) I remember a firing instructor telling us that wearing a greatcoat on a foggy day would stop a bullet at 75 meters. Needless to say I didn't put it to the test. I remember we used to tape two Mags together and clear 64 rounds in a very short time. I was sad to hand it in and swop it for the 9mm Browning.

[@wilsoncalhoun]

17:23 Dude, you haven't lost anything or shot anyone, nothing's on fire, and nobody's pregnant who biologically shouldn't be pregnant. You're having a good day.

[@snerper]

Great vid, it took me straight back to my light infantry days, I'm no longer a light infantry soldier, but more of a heavyweight granddad now, but, thanks for the memories of those days, way back in the 1970's!

[@RCD566]

As a Crewman in the Canadian Forces, the Canadian version (Submachine gun - 9mm C1), was my personal weapon for years. Some differences in the design but basically the same and lots of fun on the range. We were issued 1 of the 10rd mags as part of our EIS for the weapon and it was used during parades but was designated for use in vehicles when a 30rd mag was a bit awkward. We only had the one recoil spring, no diagonal groves on the bolt and had a parkerized finish.

[@rumblin_cynth_rampo374]

This was my personal weapon a few times while serving in the British Army (RSigs). It was a fun thing to shoot. But never once were we allowed to go full auto on it. Why? Not a clue. Also we never filled mag to 34 capacity but 30 again not a clue why. In NI (1975-1979) when we did patrols we only got 20 rounds. 10 round mags were also issued in NI if you were moving about in unmarked cars we did this a lot moving crypto equipment, patch settings and one time cards One of the craziest thing I remember was one of the immediate actions (IA), which in weapons training lessons went something like this; Weapon firing. weapon firing all right. Weapon has weak report and working parts forward. The action was to remove the mag, cock weapon and apply safety. The insert right thumb in the the ejection port with thumb nail facing the breech rotate weapon and look down barrel if you can see your thumb nail mag on and carry on firing. If you couldnt see your thumb nail put weapon to side and let an armourer attend to weapon. This was in a peace time situation. In combat situation the instruction was if you couldnt see your thumb, put the mag back on, get into cover put the SMG out side cover aim in the direction of the enemy and fire another round in the hope that it clears the problem. That particular little maneuver was something nobody wanted to try. All this palaver was due to a duff batch of 9mm which was issued this resulted in occasional squib round which lodged the projectile in the barrel. Rumour command had it was either an under charge problem, or a bunch of ammo that was bought from India that had the wrong powder loaded. This IA was dropped around 1980 - 82

[@freedomfirst5420]

That would be a very scary situation!😟

[@stephensmith4480]

The reason you never filled the mag to full cap, was the mag springs were a bit full on and exerted too much pressure with a full mag, so you left a couple of rounds out, that would cure the problem.

[@dogsnads5634]

Story I heard was it was some Pakistani 9mm that was garbage. Bought as s cost saving measure by some genius at MoD.

[@stephensmith4480]

Hi. The reason they never filled the mags to full capacity was that they tended to have a stoppage in the first couple of rounds because of the tension exerted by the mag springs. I don`t know about now, but my mate who served in the royal engineers told me that they were never trained with the SA80 in full auto either. I was involved in covert coms in the 80`s using AF loops, di-plexers, tri-plexers, rebroadcasters and the likes.

[@stephensmith4480]

@@dogsnads5634 I wonder if it was manufactured at the Inshapore armoury in India. They made a lot of the .303 Lee Enfield and L1A1 SLR Rifles.

[@Ratkill]

Nice! Im doing a run of 3d printed "E11 Blaster" type Star Wars cosplay props, and I've never seen anyone with an actually functional stock. This clears things up nicely thank you.

[@robclitheroe4551]

Excellent video. I was issued with an L2A3 quite a few times between '69-'75 but I've learned more today about this utterly brilliant firearm than I did during my service years. This, and the other magnificent battlefield weapon - the L1A1 SLR, are part of my life and why I'm still doddering around today.

[@tomthompson7400]

yep , same generation ,, slr was a mighty tool.

[@colinp2238]

I'm pleased that you explained about the crackle paint because I never saw one with that finish just the Japanaed type that was smooth. Of course, in the Army you weren't told all the details about manufacture. And this (more) old than bold guy was not commenting but did have an ironic grin on his face. It was a real blast from the past and I have a wonderful anecdote but not really good for public consumption as it wasn't so in line with range safety but that's squaddies for you and as we were Heavy Artillery these things were like pea shooters to us.

[@Derecq]

I got to shoot a civilian one pre the UK s/a ban, owned by one of my gun club members. Also the T/A mortar section based next to my Air Training Squadron had Sterling and one evening our ATC cadets had a session learning how to strap and reassemble the Sterling. Thank you for the video.

[@chrishewitt4220]

Carried one as a signaller in my TA Infantry company. Loved it. Also, used it live in a CQB range and was surprisingly chuffed when I got the highest score! The only time I fired it full automatic too...

[@SafetyProMalta]

Mint example. I loved it because you could dump it in your bergen. The blanks were lethal! Mine was non-crinkly.

[@wyverncoch4430]

Had mine folded and bunggied to my bum roll, always had our webbing with us on exercise, so couldn't forget it :) A bit of black nasty over the muzzle and mag housing and just a quick wipe over and oil at end ex. As Elmsy says, No BFA, just shout bang at a stand too. Hated having to carry it on a sling though. There was always something sticking in your back :( Also non-crinckly.

[@wyverncoch4430]

@Elmsy Also loved my SLR ... so glad we're not discussing the sa80 especially the A1 version

[@woody787]

Which was fine till you get home and empty your bergan. Nothing further was said as they hadnt noticed it was missing .

[@gregtheredneck1715]

Yes the Stormtrooper blaster, nice.

[@Echo_Reyes]

The E11 blaster

[@izziewolf2834]

Ah...I remember this weapon well. Me and my fellow Stormtroopers used them on Jakku.

[@RoscoesRiffs]

I saw some of these onOctober 26th or 27th, 1983, when a very sharp squad of young Jamaican soldiers arrived at Point Salinas Airport, Jamaica's contribution to the invasion of Grenada. As were the soldiers, their Sterlings were in perfect condition. Their squad leader knew his business, and I was proud to welcome them to the operation.

[@cheechwizard7564]

Very informative video. I carried the .45 M3, but I wish we had Sterlings. I did a TDY to the UK in '84 and had the opportunity train with it with the RAF. It's a simple, robust and reliable weapon and is *_incredibly_* soft shooting and controllable, I fell in love with it immediately. You could go prone, use the sling and get some wicked accurate bursts with it. Awesome for a tube. Thank you going into such detail on it.

[@royalirishranger1931]

I used this weapon on a number of operation ,it never let me down and even fired it at Bisley. A great wee tool, you had to be careful with the handling. But thats another story.

[@Getpojke]

Excellent video Sir thank you. For such an iconic weapon it tends to get overlooked by many. Whenever you saw one of those toted by a chap in a properly worn beret; usually with a fetching moustache, you knew the big boys were in town to handle things.

[@theoldhobbit3640]

Oh my, now this brings back some memories........ I served 78 - 87 and had plenty of fun with this little gem. Most of the time we used our trusty SLR, but on occasion, when driving, carrying the carlyG or playing signals, we would be given the SMG. It was reliable, fairly accurate and much easier to carry around than other options. Never had a failure and only ever fired it on auto once.......

[@seanlukew7499]

Wonder why we don't see more roller type magazine followers? Maybe it just an added expense for minimal benefits. Still a very cool feature.

[@nialltomy15]

Ian McCollum on a forgotten weapons q&a addressed this. Basically exactly what you said.

[@seanlukew7499]

@@nialltomy15 now that you say that I vaguely remember that. I usually don't pay as close attention to the q&a videos on the Forgotten Weapons Chanel as compared with the regular content.

[@zoiders]

HK use rollers in MP5 mags. Yes. They just stole the idea from Sterling.

[@andysavill8580]

Because George Patchetts roller-follower is still protected by a worldwide patent!!

[@spraynpray]

@@zoiders HK does not use rollers in MP5 mags. MP5 mag followers are stamped steel. I don't know what weapon you're thinking of, but it isn't the MP5 or HK94 nor any variants of them.

[@evanlinn5869]

Excellent video! We are very fortunate to have preserved a number of these for future generations, including an original Sterling MK-III, the MK-IV, MK-V, and a couple that were converted to closed-bolt semi-auto only (not a good idea). Gotta love all of these great open-bolt firing SMGs where every shot is essentially a slam-fire, like the Sterlings, the MAC-10, and the Thompson. They annihilate the primer, daring the round not to fire! And the Sterling magazines with the double rollers are probably the best magazines ever produced.

[@kevinsargeant7809]

I fired one in the Canadian Land Reserve in the early 90s. Obviously those were the last days for them. They were taken away in 92 and replaced with C7s of all things. Thanks for the video.

[@RainDog42000]

I do not known English. It is shown so well that everything is clear. Thanks a lot!

[@lefunnyN1]

i love the fact that the designers finally decided to move the fire control forward, thus reducing over all length compared to sten, mp40 or pps

[@davecutting8316]

Hi Mike. Thanks for this video,Brought back memories of the mid seventies. I was in the Army Air Corps, we were issued with the smg as our personal weapon. Great gun to fire, minimal recoil and very accurate at 50 mtrs +. Not allowed on auto, only single shot. My theory is that ,as MOD only allowed us to shoot 30 rounds a year as practice. They didn,t want to spend the extra money to teach us to handle it on fully auto. Occasionally the safety did slip onto A. Lovely

[@nigelroche7888]

Yes fun that I had that Auto problem to, must have been an inherant fault. got a bayful look from the range supervising SNCO but being one myself was the get out clause.

[@rogertulk8607]

I qualified on the Sterling in 1967, with 43 of 45 rounds in the figure target. Nice little gun. The 10 round clip was known as a driver's clip, as it could be fired by a seated driver without the magazine getting in the way.

[@minuteman4199]

That's the gun I was armed with as an armoured corps trooper in the Canadian army before we got the M16 family of weapons. It's a great piece of kit. I would happily go to war with one. Light, handy, easy to use, reliable, easily hit targets in excess of 100 meters. What more could one ask for in an SMG? Edit, I used the Canadian version. It was slightly different. There was only one spring and it was attached to the bolt, and there was no spring loaded plunger on the cocking handle.

[@dphitch]

Minute Man did the Canadian version allow the use of browning hi-power mags? I was in the naval reserves back in the 80's and we shot these a few times and I seem to remember we could use our pistol magazines interchangeably with the standard magazines but I might be wrong, its been a long time. They may have just been short 10 round magazines.

[@minuteman4199]

No, the mags weren't interchangeable. We had ten Rd mags for some reason, we never used them.

[@abchaplin]

We did use the 10-round magazine, though usually in AFVs and CPs. When I was on parade with the LdSH in 1979, most of the rank and file carried the SMG with the 10-round magazine. Presenting arms with the SMG looked silly. Numbers 1 and drivers of field artillery gun detachments carried the SMG also. The Equipment Issue Scale was, as I recall, two 30-round curved magazines and one 10-round magazine per gun. The Canadian Arsenals SMG C1 had a different nose cap that took the regular FN C1 bayonet. Its end cap was stamped and welded, and was nothing like the nuisance that Bloke's is. Mind you, I have not handled an SMG since 1988 or so.

[@dphitch]

@@abchaplin Cool, I was a reservist back then for a couple years, we did some qualifying one summer with L1A1 and got to shoot the sterling and the Hi-power and the next year we got the C7's during that transitional period. I left a year later for the states and joined the Marine Corps.

[@ianwchisholm]

@@abchaplin As a Cdn tanker in Germany our EIS was 3 x 30 rd mags, 1 x 10 rd mag, bayonet and sling

[@moddeydhoo4094]

Good explainer of this weapon. I was a radio operator in the RN back in 89's and trained for, and carried, one as part of the ships boarding party (along with a portable radio). RN issue weapons had the smooth black finish to them. Thanks.

[@aebirkbeck2693]

During my basic training on the Sterling during re-assembly and feeling a bit gallus (yes it is a Scottish word meaning bold, cheeky, or flashy.) I misaligned the smaller spring and the cocking handle and successfully launched the spring assembly across the hut. Where you mentioned your not paid and you do not have a sergeant standing behind you, in my case it was a corporal and the first I knew was a size ten boot arrived on my backside followed by being given 20 press ups then sent scurrying on my knees across the hut floor to retrieve the assembly and carrying on the correct assembly of the gun. My fond memories of the Sterling.

[@ogstopper]

That was ace, thank you! I was in the ACF in the late 60s and had the pleasure of shooting the Sterling (as well as other other weapons) at Plasterdown Camp in Devon. They were very happy days!!

[@marcs4563]

First full auto weapon I fired as a young army cadet in the mid 80s thanks for bringing back great memories

[@abstractacus1598]

Me too!

[@alanyaesu2189]

i had one of these as my personal weapon when i was a chieftain tank gunner back in 1972 great little bit of kit !

[@seanastman5513]

Loved the thing , it was my personal weapon when I served in the 80's , zeroing it properly ,when given the chance, showed it to be surprisingly accurate !

[@herknorth8691]

I must be growing up: I saw that video clip of the old-school machine shop (starting at 21:57) and inwardly scolded the people in the vid for not wearing safety glasses.

[@charlieyerrell9146]

It is still a good weapon especially for close quarter fighting. We were issued them in our tank regiment in lybya in the sixties.I carried one with a full magazine when escorting the regimental payroll.

[@ianwchisholm]

I carried the Canadian version, the SMG C1 when I was a tanker. I was surprised by the differences. The Can version had a one piece recoil spring. Our bolts were more like the STEN bolt. No grooves cut. Because of the one piece spring, the retracting pin in the cocking handle hole didn't exist. Our magazines did not have the double roller followers. Bent mag lips were a constant problem. Having said that, I loved the weapon. I really did NOT want to give it up when the Can Army replaced it with the C8 carbine.

[@andysavill8580]

The Canadians liked the Sterling but wanted to manufacture their own using cheaper production methods like steel-stamping, the changes weren't just cost-saving measures - they were to avoid having to pay royalties to Sterling for the patented design features ie, roller-followers, helial-ribbed bolt, trigger-mech. The licensing agreement between Sterling and Canadian Arsenals was called the Pennywise Agreement.

[@babel232]

When I was a Platoon Signaller in 2Cdo I hated the damn thing would rather have carried a rifle myself.

[@LittleWhiteHead1]

I regularly travel past the spot which used to be the location of the Fazackerley Small Arms Factory, today it is a housing estate. It still has an enormous earthwork that shields it from the people passing by, topped by a massive hedge. This place was known to be something special and very secretive, so it was obviously surrounded by rumours. The factory was barely 1 mi from Kirkby Industrial Estate which was set up in 1938 as the top secret shadow factory for the Royal Ordinance and eventually made a vast amount of bombs and shells for the war effort. The scale of what was done here would take your breath away, the other end of Knowsley had Huyton POW camp which was the location for a massive camp that was used to contain those POW's headed for Canada via Liverpool, or the Isle of Man if less of a problem. Kirkby was amazingly rural back then, Liverpool people used to come here for camping holidays in the 20's and 30's. When the RO set up they brought in thousands of people via tram and train from the heart of Liverpool, and all within less than 20 minutes. And all of this was Top Secret at the time.

[@Jigaboo123456]

Good post, Bloke on the Range, takes me back 50+years. After a few attempts, you almost hit on the quick way ( it can be done in a couple of seconds to get that pesky cocking handle into the breech block--well done for a non-instructed first attempt! All you do is BEFORE putting the breech block in the gun, assemble the plunger and spring, then, using the cupped palm of your RIGHT hand to hold them. compress them by pressing with your LEFT hand, until you can grip the breech block with the finger tips of you RIGHT hand and you see the hole lining up with the hole in the receiver, Hold it in that position with your right hand( it's quite easy), pick up the cocking handle with your now-free left hand, put the block and spring into the receiver,and continue to hold in place with your right, and insert the cocking handle --easy! insert secondary spring and replace end cap, job done. Easier to do than to explain in words!

[@DirkGently1972]

Very interesting (as always) and a beautiful yet simple firearm

[@joe125ful]

Sten is better:)

[@johnokelly8166]

@@joe125ful Talking total crap, you cannot possibly know or understand both weapons!!

[@joe125ful]

@@johnokelly8166 Both open bolt SMGs but different design and both have few parts but Sten looks better then StarWars sterling Blaster to me.

[@johnokelly8166]

@@joe125ful The STEN was a very cheap SMG designed with four main purposes in mind. To be cheaply and quickly made. Reasonably easy to use by Partisan & Resistance forces in Europe. Simple to maintain and operate. Robust & and could be Air/Parachute dropped all over Europe. It was not a refined SMG, it was not meant to be. It has no bearing on the much later Sterling SMG other than that it is another design. There were a number of SMG styles and developments after the STEN. The British Sterling SMG including the Canadian and Australian version were a far more refined SMG. Even the Patchett SMG was far superior than the STEN. I am unsure if you have ever used the old STEN or the Sterling SMG or it's variant's!

[@joe125ful]

@@johnokelly8166 Well no but i like more simply Sten ofcourse its not best SMG ever.

[@luisnunes2010]

Loved the trick with the rollers!

[@blulagoon21]

This was my personal arm as a tank gunner in the 70s and was very accurate if held firmly when firing.

[@CliSwe]

It was a lovely little weapon. I first fired it, aged 13, under my father's instruction at the Europa Point Rifle Range in Gibraltar. Accuracy was never a major attribute of SMGs, but a genuine attempt was made to train soldiers to at least aim and fire it for maximum effect. And it was ergonomically comfortable, with a COG around the mag housing. I remember it fondly.

[@lancestancliffe4885]

Used one of these in the late 80s. Stripped and rebuild it blindfolded many times. We used to go on the CQBR ranges fantastic tool on the ranges. We had a HQ company attached to our infantry company and was mainly our female counterparts and medics that had the SMG. Great video and brought memory’s back so well done. ;-)

[@tonyb4259]

Like other commentators I too was trained on the "SMG" as a field ambulance medic in1980. This was our personal protection weapon and we were instructed never to put the weapon on "A" as this was the setting to clear a room and the only "room" we would ever be in was a dressing station / operating theatre. We did weapons training in Aldershot. On live ammo. range day we had a scouse lad, Charlie, in our group. He was a total braindeader. When he was called up to shoot, the rest of us scattered and hid out of his line of sight, giggling. True to expectations he blasted off in full automatic mode. He spun around in panic and everybody else dropped to the ground. Luckily no-one was hurt and we never saw Charlie again. ps - anybody remember CSM Higham (aka Banana Boots) drill instructor?

[@keith6234]

During Desert Shield at we had a British Officer waiting in our tent to board our C-21 Learjets for a flight. He left the tent and forgot his Sterling on the table. I ran out and handed it to him and said "Here you might need this" He replied " I don't know what for they wont give me any ammo for it anyway . " If I could have gotten it home I would have kept it but I knew better.

[@briangreen6602]

I did a work experience placement as a 15 year old at Hyde Park Barracks at around 1989 . Their armory at the time was stuffed full of rows of these. While everyone had a skivvy job placement in an office, I was being taught how to strip and assemble these.

[@mysterymete]

Your left arm is healing very well. Thoughts and prayers.

[@tonygriffiths2485]

I left in 1972, personal side for tankies. The crinkle paint is new, and am surprised at the bolt mech, don't remember that either. Was very familiar with the SMG, fired it many times. I used the 200 rear aperture, because I found it more accurate. Horrible things to carry without a pack to tie it too. Got bits that stick into you all over when marching, or covering ground for long distances on foot. Only ever allowed to fire on Auto once, this was straight after Sennalager duty at the end ! Loved it to bits.

[@BlokeontheRange]

The majority of the Army-owned ones were made by Faz and so didn't have crinkle paint.

[@stevelangton4696]

Remember the soldiers on the army camp I went on for two weeks when I was in army cadets in 1992 had the sterling smgs. Great memories thanks.

[@Xerxes1688]

Another reason why in the manual they insist on being very gently when manually dropping the bolt is because the Sterling is blowback-operated WITH advanced primer ignition, meaning that the bolt strikes the primer before fully chambering the round. Ergo, the round goes off before going fully into battery. It may sound very unsafe at first, but on normal firing conditions it actually improves accuracy and controllability. Even if the cartridge detonates before being fully chambered, it still has to overcome the inertia of the bolt that's still slamming forward and the spring pressure. One endemic quirk on open bolt guns is that the first shot (or every shot when firing in semi automatic mode) always suffers a bit of because the mass of the bot going forward shifts the sight picture, and even affects the barrel harmonics to some extent, maybe unless you have the strength of a male silverback gorilla. With API blowback it solves that, at least partially. It decreases the mass needed for the bolt in order to be safe and to stay on the same rate of fire. The Sterling was arguably one the nicest shooting 9mm SMGs from the Cold War era, until the germans came with the HK MP5, arguably the first viable and reliable closed-bolt SMG. The H&R Reising was a nice shooting closed-bolt SMG, but it was a bit delicate.

[@BlokeontheRange]

Yeah, API in a subgun. Not entirely certain that it actually happens. We'll work out how to measure it one of these days :) And this has nothing to do with dropping the bolt carefully, cos you're only doing this when it's empty.

[@c5back9]

An interesting dive into a piece we rarely see on this side of the Atlantic. Thank you!

[@RodgerBirddog]

Seems almost brand new. Glad you did not hold it by the magazine.

[@johnfisk811]

Taught that it was always to be used with the stock in place. Other than in vehicles. It lets you aim the thing properly. That is why the gave you sights. Used one once with a red dot SinglePoint sight on an "Advance to Contact' field range. Point and squirt 5 rounds. Every target went down and I am a rubbish shot. Never failed me (bar the cheap Indian ammunition MoD bought). People were still peddling the WW2 Sten 'don't fill the magazine completely' tale but the L2A3 'Gat ' with peacetime spring metal and the double feed rollers is reliable full. If not take the magazine to the armourer and exchange it for a new one. I wouldn't feel underarmed in a war with one. The only thing to go wrong is the ammunition. The term 'Machine Carbine' is a good description of the weapon.

[@Papermaker882]

I would love to learn more about your experiences using a Singlepoint on one of these. Can I ask you a few questions? [e-mail]

[@alastairmcmurray4873]

My great uncle was a lorry driver for the British army in 1945 and he recounted a story to me back in the 90s of a infantryman riding in the back dropping his Sten and shooting a hole through his canvas hood which he had to explain when back at base!

[@tomparatube6506]

Other than the clunky stock, Sterling is a great gun. Excellent videography and best video on Sterling disassembly. Thx!

[@DrFod]

RAF armourer once told me he had never seen or heard of a stoppage with these that wasn't down to bad ammo.

[@bepolite6961]

My personal weapon for four years working on a Security Sqn in RAF Germany, back up was the 9mm Browning and support weapon the beautiful LMG. The only time It ever had any problems was during the Falklands War. Our Ammo was withdrawn for use if needed down South and replaced with, wait for it, ammo manufactured in Pakistan. First time I have ever seen a round jam in the barrel of an SMG, bloody awful stuff it was, even the Brownings had stoppages and I never ever saw that before, ever. SMG. Lovely! simple weapon, strip, clean reassemble in minutes. Only criticism, the range was to short for what our role after decades of use by us, it was replaced and the SLR became our personal weapon.

[@geodes4762]

Recall first seeing these back in 1975 while on an exercise on the Salisbury Plain. The survey officer for 23rd Light Battery was armed with one. When I first saw it, I mistook it for a Sten as that was all I had ever seen in WWII movies!

[@chriswerb7482]

This is a kind of open letter to you and the Chap. You must be aware of the immense success Ian had with his book Chassepot to FAMAS. I really think there's a similar audience out there for a book on Swiss rifles over a similar time period, from the Milbank Amsler's onward. I can't think of anyone in the English speaking world better qualified to put one together than you two and I'm sure Ian would be delighted to assist. Again, as you are probably aware, Ian's first effort is the second highest funded kickstarter of all time raising over $800k - the new British Bullpups book has already exceeded it's $25K target by a mere $554k. As well as taking the channel to a whole new level (you're be able to buy tanks, howitzers and AA guns to try out :) ), it will also leave a great legacy for generations of shooters and firearms historians that follow you. I'm sure you'll agree this needs to happen - I just need to convince CapnBall to write one on Austria-Hungary next :)

[@BlokeontheRange]

We'd love to put one together, but the issue is that we both have full-time day jobs and families with school-age children.

[@TheWirksworthGunroom]

@@BlokeontheRange $550k could lhelp with that! :)

[@johnnydiamondsmusic1673]

I did a CQB range in Cyprus doing a course of fire with pop up targets. Fired a mag off on full auto into the sea which was fun. Great little weapon.

[@stevestruthers6180]

I once served in a Canadian Army reserve unit that was designated as an armoured reconnaissance regiment. The Canadian version of the L2A3 SMG was our primary issue weapon, although we also had an inventory of FN FAL rifles (designated FN C1A1 in Canadian service). I suspect the FN's were retained in the event the regiment ever needed to do any infantry-type taskings or aid-to-the-civil-power callouts in an emergency. The Canadian version had a simple Parkerized/blued finish and the bayonet lug system was different to the L2A3. It also came with a standard 30-round magazine and so far as I know, a 10-round magazine was never used or issued. One of the great ironies of my two-year stint in the army reserve was that I never got the chance to fire the SMG with live ammo on the range, but had attended range meets with the FN C1 several times.

[@stevailo]

It’s just a small detail, but the follower being made of two rollers is such a neat and effective little feature. It fascinates me and I wonder if anybody else ever did something like this

[@scousemouse69]

Really enjoyed watching this 👍

[@JohnR1298]

I carried one of those in the Royal Yeomanry between 1985-1989 and there was no sign of it being replaced anytime soon! It was very loose with none of the roughening paint, smooth as a baby's bum it was ☺

[@TommyTucker0]

I had a MK8 back before we all lost our guns here in UK it was the closed bolt version, what a beautiful gun it was

[@smudgepost]

@4:54 I love this crackle glaze finish.. common on old instrument panels too.

[@Treblaine]

I've read in a few places (mostly in extracts of books I don't have full access to) that the Sterling SMG has "advanced primer ignition" either intentionally of accidentally. By that I mean the bolt never impacts the barrel, the bolt still has its forward velocity when the round fires and the case begins pushing back on the bolt which has a few effects: - the forward inertia of the bolt is not near-instantly transferred to the rest of the gun when it collides with the breech face - the force exerted by the case on the bolt must first overcome the forward momentum of the bolt then accelerate the bolt backwards, this results in a lower overall bolt velocity for a given bolt weight. You can see the first half in slow motion video of the Sterling, there isn't the characteristic "forward jolt" the moment the bolt closes. IDK how this is done but the extract I read mentioned how you get a different bolt velocity if you fully insert a round into the chamber then fire the weapon compared to feeding a round from the magazine.

[@BlokeontheRange]

Until I've set up an experiment to test this for myself, or see someone's test which is satisfying, I shall remain skeptical yet open minded as to whether API happens in open bolt fixed firing pin subguns. You can have the bolt not impact the back of the receiver without API simply by having a slightly short chamber (which is definitely the case in the STEN and I presume also the Sterling, so it's the case that takes the bolt impact. The question is then whether the bolt is still moving forwards when the case starts to move backwards or not. If yes, then we have API as commonly understood. If the bolt hits the case fully and bounces (or less likely stops), then we don't. I just need to access a decent high-speed camera for a day and I can test this with a mixture of live rounds, dummies made from the same ammo as the live rounds, and live rounds shortened such that the bolt definitely will hit the stop :)

[@Treblaine]

​@@BlokeontheRange That would be an amazing project. Someone has already done a little bit of slow-mo footage of the Sterling: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qn7VgX6hr86jZpY The exact frame it goes from 37 sec to 38 sec on that video (you can pause and use the comma and full-stop keys to go frame by frame) you can see a puff of muzzle flash appear when the bolt still moves forward from one frame to the next. Contrast with the bolt closing on and empty chamber at 1:25 +4 frames how the receiver jerks forward. I don't know exactly how to interpret what the video shows but I think there's something special going on. Though the proof in the pudding is in the eating, does it have particularly beneficial recoil? If there is an API effect, does it really make a difference? I'd be interested in whether the benefit of an API effect may mainly be in reducing wear and tear on the firearm. That bolt is like a hammer, if you're repeatedly hitting the inside with a hammer it's going to wear things out.

[@BlokeontheRange]

Unfortunately nowhere near fast enough to see what's going on, and we need some datum points too. Plus, either way the forward recoil of the bolt hitting the case / barrel face will be immediately counteracted by the recoil caused by the proj, so you won't likely see any difference. The trick is probably to measure bolt velocity with both normal and shortened cartridges: if API is a thing, then this will be measurably slower with normal carts than with shortened ones.

[@lagancider6153]

I joined the Royal Ulster Constabulary in 1986, we were using Stirlings and M1 Carbines as our "long arms" The Sterling was a great weapon, remarkably accurate for an open bolt system, and the side-mounted mag. meant it was easily carried on your lap in a vehicle. Replaced by the MP5 about 1990. MP5 was quantum leap forward, but i's still be happy enough to use a Sterling, bottom line is it delivers the same punch...

[@davejackson2190]

Back in the pre Hungerford days I owned an original L2A3. It had been converted to semi auto only, but still on an open bolt. It was fine with standard factory 9mm including RG 2Z. It had a tendency to go full auto if you put low load home loads through it!

[@darrenbrashaw8409]

That takes me back, in the early 70s my Dad had one as his PPW under the weapons out program as he was an NCO, thankfuly he never had to use it (almost once) I remember him showing me how it worked then telling me NEVER to touch it lol.

[@johnplaid648]

I have the American Gunsmithing Institute Technical Manual & Armorer's Course on DVD for the Sterling. They don't sell these anymore. The SMG are on the market for $25K. Double stack, double feed. I want one. Beautiful weapon.

[@gumpyoldbugger6944]

I used the Stering SMG, aka Smig while with the CF back in the late 70's early 80's as my personal weapon, and loved it....but as I recall, the bolt and return spring were one whole unit.

[@BlokeontheRange]

The Canadian ones are different ;)

[@gumpyoldbugger6944]

@@BlokeontheRange Guess so, one of the features the Canadian models had was the arctic trigger, basically we could remove the trigger guard to allow us to fire it with out having to remover our heavy arctic mitts. Those things were like miniature ice hockey goalie gloves.

[@grahamthompson4718]

The biggest problem we used to have with this in the 80's when I did my time was that we never got given any 9mm blanks. So we had this lump of metal in the APCs and armoured cars and never used them. However we always had copious quantities of German beer (cold War exercises with NATO) It was discovered that the Sterling magazines made excellent bottle openers. Thing is, after 30 odd years of using the magazines for this, the feeding guides were buggered. I think we sold most of them to the Yanks in the end..........

[@chrishewitt4220]

Yep, I think I only ever saw one mag in 6 years of blank and that was on a single weekend. And I never got a chance to even use them! At endex, I was like screw it... full mag dump!

[@HarryFlashmanVC]

I read an American gun magazine article where the magazine design was criticised as being 'prone to feeding issues, especially UK surplus stock'! ... 😂

[@BrasherFox]

The SMG was my personal weapon as Tank crew 60-70 era, never got to fire them much, fired the L1A1 SLR more when training for NI.

[@Twirlyhead]

I have a Firth Staybrite fork stamped "ROF Fazakerley" - probably liberated from the staff canteen at some point.

[@willwallacetree]

Patchett has gone up in my estimation, he seems to be mounted on a very lovely piece of Czechnology in that TT racing photo.

[@illmnts]

He worked for JAWA briefly designing motorcycles

[@mikebeddingfield2144]

I got a chance to play with one once and boy did I enjoy that.

[@danielnewton7357]

I remember the guards on the Barack gates where I lived as a kid used to carry this SMG along with SLR.

[@garychynne1377]

i was in the infantry in the 60's and this is a great gun. fun to shoot. nice little peep sight. accurate. it never jammed. light compared to a fn. i was a platoon signaler so because i carried the radio i got the smg. full auto knocks them down. i never shot anyone i'm happy to say but did lots of range work with pop up targets. real fun and it was just a point and shoot gun. murderously effective to 50 yd. have fun

[@wmsollenberger8706]

Got to fire one, my absolute favorite, I've wanted a Sterling for years to go with my L9A1! Of course, here in the States one needs to buy a tax stamp to own an NFA weapon. That's only 200 USD. The big problem is the actual cost, one must choose between a Sterling L2A3 or a 3-bedroom home with brick BBQ, swimming pool and tennis court. Tough Decision... lol

[@billmasen3923]

Had em in the Reg RCT and in the TA RMP as well, I was quite a decent shot with the L2A3

[@RandomJunk99]

The chap in the Pathe video is a mate from schools grandad!

[@garyallsopp6369]

Fire one of these at RAF Wildenrath while in the ATC in the 80s - 10 rounds, single action, prone, with the stock extended @ 25 yards, 300mm (ish) target; didn't hit the paper once! Awesome!

[@richarevans]

A brilliantly simple, cheap and effective design. I'd love to won one

[@johnx9318]

That took me back! (RN mid 70's) Thanks.

[@wallbars8684]

Thanks for the interesting insight in to the trusty SMG or not so trusty in my experience having been familiar with them during my British army service in the 1980's. SLR was the preference when lining up at the armoury to draw weapons however on occasions - usually when driving a vehicle on exercise - SMG's were issued. My oppo had a close call with one during our deployment in the Gulf - grabbed the weapon from the passenger seat after climbing out and somehow the cocking mechanism plus safety catch got caught on the side of the seat frame firing a round off in to his arm. We heard a bang and some moaning to then find him slumped on the ground on the other side of the vehicle. Luckily 'just' a single shot to the forearm but could have been a very different outcome. Can't see how he would have had a round in the chamber at the time so can only assume the weapon got cocked accidentally and with protruding safety catch managed to loose off a round. Was always wary of them after this!

[@anthonymauger9388]

Loved it ,fold the stock in ,great for close combat

[@Darthdoodoo]

Its amazing how these rough ass things actually work. Youd think a pipe a spring and a bolt wouldn't be so reliable

[@pdxyyz]

Obviously a newer version than what I was issued in the Canadian Forces. Single spring on that one. Hated carrying it with 30 rd magazine. Much happier with having to carry a 9mm Browning when I commissioned.

[@georginadove2775]

I use to have one of these in the 60s and 70s and as far as know they were made in Dagenham at Sterling small arms.I come from east London and could here them testing them.I was in 3RGJ.

[@mothmagic1]

Such a simple weapon but so much fun to shoot. I carried one for more years than I care to remember

[@dio3693]

People hate on the Line-X finish but I actually think it looks cool.

[@CzechoslovakGunStories]

I love the finish on those... :) so cool :) nice video btw.

[@garethoneill5676]

We had these in the Royal Navy circa early 90's. We loathed the SA80 because it was too powerful: the bullets would go straight through people and pass through bulkheads if they were used by boarding parties. These weapons were wonderfully simplistic and reliable.