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Hi,
I'm contemplating building a Semi-Auto STEN carbine. I've read the threads on here, on weaponeer.net, on gunco.net, and on the two Yahoo groups.
Some of my questions are STEN build specific and some are more CA issues; I'd appreciate any feedback you guys can give me...
What I need to purchase?
* Parts Kit: already ordered a MKIII kit for ~$100. I hope it actually arrives.
* Semi-Auto-Sten: Conversion kit for ~$279+$15.50 = $294.50
The site claims it has everything I need to build a closed bolt semi-auto STEN.
Q: From what I've read, Semi-auto-sten was purchased by a new guy who improved the springs and hammer. Since the majority of the issues I've read about dealt with the springs binding up, does this NEW KIT fix the problem? Can I make one shoot 10rds reliably?
General Question: Has anyone made a Semi Auto Sten shoot reliably?
I've seen that according to the ATF letters, there are two approaches to this build. One, as outlined in shotgun news, is to build it using an AR-15 trigger pack and modifies the factory bolt. The other, as proposed by SemiAutoStens.com, uses a new bolt and a smaller receiver tube.
For a person of my somewhat limited skill set, the second method seems the more appropriate route to take UNLESS there's no chance in hell it will ever shoot more than a round or two without jamming. That I would like to hear about.
NFA Issue The original barrel is too short.
As I understand it, there are three ways to solve this problem.
A) Build it as a pistol
- This requires that rear of the gun be modified so that the original stock cannot be attached.
- I want a carbine so this option is not interesting to me.
B) Build it as a carbine w/ a new 16.5" barrel
- This would cost me another $100 (not preferred) plus additional machine work (really don't want to do more than necessary).
C) PREFERRED ROUTE: Build it as a carbine w/ a permanently attached (silver solder or equivalent) tube that extends the original barrel to 16.5".
- This would be similar to how the 12.5" AR barrels are extended by permanently attaching a birdcage muzzle brake.
- This would be the cheapest and preferred option since I would not have to buy a new barrel ($100 - doable but I'd rather not unless I'm forced to) and machine it (more work, not as interested).
- PROBLEM: If it's a tube that slips over the front of the barrel, it would qualify as a "flash hider, right?"
CALIFORNIA SPECIFIC: How do I avoid the issue of SB23?
- I expect I will need to put a washer/scrap metal so that the hoop in the back does not qualify as a pistol grip, right?
- If I go the route of extending the barrel, I expect I will have created a "flash hider".
Q: If so I will need a bullet button or AK magazine button shroud equivalent, right?
Q: Would a bullet button from an AR work or will I need to fab my own? I don't have the parts kit yet to verify.
Q: If I go with the long barrel, I should be OK with not having a bullet button device b/c of there are no other evil features right?
NFA Issue: Constructive Possession of an automatic:
Once I have the parts kit, do I need to ditch the original bolt before taking delivery of the parts kit?
Q: The ID of the receiver blank in the parts kit will prevent the original bolt from fitting so I will NOT have a problem with constructive possession, right?
Q: Is this an issue if I have the receiver blank or when I've completed making all the cuts on the receiver?
Constructive Possession of an SBR:
- Just to be safe, I should not have possession of both the new receiver and the shortened barrel at the same time, right?
Q: This means that I should extend the original barrel BEFORE taking delivery of the parts kit, right?
CA: 10 Round magazine limit
I need to have a standard STEN magazine plugged and riveted to only accept 10 rds before its shipped into this state, right?
- Would I be OK with having someone ship me the STEN magazine as a magazine rebuild kit?
-------
I've spent a little time thinking about this build project. Please let me know what I've missed. I'll probably ask this question on the STEN build forums for the remaining issues once I get my CA specific questions answered through.
BTW: I know at this point, a Hipoint carbine would be cheaper but where's the fun in that?
Thanks in advance.
-g
I'm contemplating building a Semi-Auto STEN carbine. I've read the threads on here, on weaponeer.net, on gunco.net, and on the two Yahoo groups.
Some of my questions are STEN build specific and some are more CA issues; I'd appreciate any feedback you guys can give me...
What I need to purchase?
* Parts Kit: already ordered a MKIII kit for ~$100. I hope it actually arrives.
* Semi-Auto-Sten: Conversion kit for ~$279+$15.50 = $294.50
The site claims it has everything I need to build a closed bolt semi-auto STEN.
Q: From what I've read, Semi-auto-sten was purchased by a new guy who improved the springs and hammer. Since the majority of the issues I've read about dealt with the springs binding up, does this NEW KIT fix the problem? Can I make one shoot 10rds reliably?
General Question: Has anyone made a Semi Auto Sten shoot reliably?
I've seen that according to the ATF letters, there are two approaches to this build. One, as outlined in shotgun news, is to build it using an AR-15 trigger pack and modifies the factory bolt. The other, as proposed by SemiAutoStens.com, uses a new bolt and a smaller receiver tube.
For a person of my somewhat limited skill set, the second method seems the more appropriate route to take UNLESS there's no chance in hell it will ever shoot more than a round or two without jamming. That I would like to hear about.
NFA Issue The original barrel is too short.
As I understand it, there are three ways to solve this problem.
A) Build it as a pistol
- This requires that rear of the gun be modified so that the original stock cannot be attached.
- I want a carbine so this option is not interesting to me.
B) Build it as a carbine w/ a new 16.5" barrel
- This would cost me another $100 (not preferred) plus additional machine work (really don't want to do more than necessary).
C) PREFERRED ROUTE: Build it as a carbine w/ a permanently attached (silver solder or equivalent) tube that extends the original barrel to 16.5".
- This would be similar to how the 12.5" AR barrels are extended by permanently attaching a birdcage muzzle brake.
- This would be the cheapest and preferred option since I would not have to buy a new barrel ($100 - doable but I'd rather not unless I'm forced to) and machine it (more work, not as interested).
- PROBLEM: If it's a tube that slips over the front of the barrel, it would qualify as a "flash hider, right?"
CALIFORNIA SPECIFIC: How do I avoid the issue of SB23?
- I expect I will need to put a washer/scrap metal so that the hoop in the back does not qualify as a pistol grip, right?
- If I go the route of extending the barrel, I expect I will have created a "flash hider".
Q: If so I will need a bullet button or AK magazine button shroud equivalent, right?
Q: Would a bullet button from an AR work or will I need to fab my own? I don't have the parts kit yet to verify.
Q: If I go with the long barrel, I should be OK with not having a bullet button device b/c of there are no other evil features right?
NFA Issue: Constructive Possession of an automatic:
Once I have the parts kit, do I need to ditch the original bolt before taking delivery of the parts kit?
Q: The ID of the receiver blank in the parts kit will prevent the original bolt from fitting so I will NOT have a problem with constructive possession, right?
Q: Is this an issue if I have the receiver blank or when I've completed making all the cuts on the receiver?
Constructive Possession of an SBR:
- Just to be safe, I should not have possession of both the new receiver and the shortened barrel at the same time, right?
Q: This means that I should extend the original barrel BEFORE taking delivery of the parts kit, right?
CA: 10 Round magazine limit
I need to have a standard STEN magazine plugged and riveted to only accept 10 rds before its shipped into this state, right?
- Would I be OK with having someone ship me the STEN magazine as a magazine rebuild kit?
-------
I've spent a little time thinking about this build project. Please let me know what I've missed. I'll probably ask this question on the STEN build forums for the remaining issues once I get my CA specific questions answered through.
BTW: I know at this point, a Hipoint carbine would be cheaper but where's the fun in that?
Thanks in advance.
-g
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