Anybody know who made the British Sterling in semi auto?
- Thread starter Miller
- Start date
Jim, Thanks for responding to a new guy. I have located one at a dealer in NY, but it is $$$$pricey. I had hoped to stay around the $1,000 area, but this ones closer to $2grand. Having only found the one(it does have the 16"barrel), Im not sure if that is what they go for these days. The search continues! I talked to the folks at Valkyrie Arms (the guys who are selling the S/A M3A1) to see if they had plans to do the Sterling in S/A. They said that it had already been done....oh well.
I believe that Cassi, Inc, out of Colorado was an importer of the Mk6 (semi-auto carbine) and Mk7 (semi-auto pistol). I'll have to check on mine to be sure though. However, if I recall correctly the sterling was one of the firearms banned for import in 1989, so what's in the country is it for now. As I recall, there weren't a huge number of them brought in prior to the ban, so finding one these days can be a bit of a pain.
Oh, as another tidbit of information: if you want a fairly thorough piece of literature on the Sterling line, try Collector Grade Publications' 'Guns of Dagenham'. Not as good as having one in your possession perhaps, but a decent read none the less.
And as 4V50 Gary pointed out, and I should have mentioned, Sterling was the manufacturer, while Cassi was the main importer as I recall. Some came in under another import stamp I think, but both of mine are the Cassi stamp.
Hope this helps.
And as 4V50 Gary pointed out, and I should have mentioned, Sterling was the manufacturer, while Cassi was the main importer as I recall. Some came in under another import stamp I think, but both of mine are the Cassi stamp.
Hope this helps.
Daniel Watters
New member
There is a nice writeup in the latest Small Arms Review about the Sterling clones made by Police Automatic Weapons Services (PAWS) in Oregon. Semi-auto versions are reportedly still being made.
Thanks for the book recommendation. Thats one I dont have. I always thought some class 2 here in the States made and sold them in semi auto at one time. Thanks for clearing that up. Do you have any idea of what a fair price is these days? ....other than "how much ya got" 
What are your 2 like? 16 inch barrels? Do they retain the folding stock? How are they as shooters?
Happy Shooting
What are your 2 like? 16 inch barrels? Do they retain the folding stock? How are they as shooters?
Happy Shooting
Destructo6
New member
As Dan W. said, an American version was made at PAWS and plans are in the process to offer them again. Here is the contact information from the SAR article:
Miller;
I have both a Mk6 Carbine (16 inch barrel, folding stock, etc) and a Mk7 (4 inch barrel handgun version).
I honestly don't fire the Mk7 much, as it's rather unwieldy, but I couldn't pass it up when one came available some time back. Accuracy wasn't bad, but it's not exactly the handiest thing in the world.
The Mk6 is a pleasure to shoot. Accuracy is solid, and while I haven't fired for pure accuracy at 100 meters, it will easily do a soda can repeatedly at that range. I've also not had any reliability issues with any of the ammo types I've tossed through her.
34 round Sterling mags run about $40-50 in the places I've seen them. You can also use Sten and Lanchester mags, but the Sterlings are well worth it in terms of reliability and ease of loading.
I haven't handled any of the conversions, though I'll have to look that article up. If they're the same folks who were doing the conversions from Stens a few years ago I seem to recall that they got rave reviews. It would be quite nice to be able to get another couple
Prices for original Sterling-made Mk6's normally seem to run right around 1000+ from what I've seen. For what it's worth, I know the American Rifleman did a review of them back in 1988 or thereabouts when they sold for about $650 new IIRC.
If it's the side magazine thing which interests you, you might also take a look at Catco's SA2 sten carbine, if they still have any. They're roughly on par with what you'd expect from a Sten, but they're a fair sight cheaper than the average Sterling. DMAX Carbines, which are in 45 ACP, can also be found from time to time. Most of those I've seen run about 500-750 or so asking price.
Hope any of this rambling helps.
I have both a Mk6 Carbine (16 inch barrel, folding stock, etc) and a Mk7 (4 inch barrel handgun version).
I honestly don't fire the Mk7 much, as it's rather unwieldy, but I couldn't pass it up when one came available some time back. Accuracy wasn't bad, but it's not exactly the handiest thing in the world.
The Mk6 is a pleasure to shoot. Accuracy is solid, and while I haven't fired for pure accuracy at 100 meters, it will easily do a soda can repeatedly at that range. I've also not had any reliability issues with any of the ammo types I've tossed through her.
34 round Sterling mags run about $40-50 in the places I've seen them. You can also use Sten and Lanchester mags, but the Sterlings are well worth it in terms of reliability and ease of loading.
I haven't handled any of the conversions, though I'll have to look that article up. If they're the same folks who were doing the conversions from Stens a few years ago I seem to recall that they got rave reviews. It would be quite nice to be able to get another couple
Prices for original Sterling-made Mk6's normally seem to run right around 1000+ from what I've seen. For what it's worth, I know the American Rifleman did a review of them back in 1988 or thereabouts when they sold for about $650 new IIRC.
If it's the side magazine thing which interests you, you might also take a look at Catco's SA2 sten carbine, if they still have any. They're roughly on par with what you'd expect from a Sten, but they're a fair sight cheaper than the average Sterling. DMAX Carbines, which are in 45 ACP, can also be found from time to time. Most of those I've seen run about 500-750 or so asking price.
Hope any of this rambling helps.
Yes Serval, your rambling was helpful. I think I had heard of Catco's S/A Sten, but Im really hoping to find a Sterling (or a close copy). I do like the side mag thing, and the folding stock thing, and the roller follower thing, and the ventilated barrel shroud thing....... and 9mm Wolf ammo is so inexpensive. Looks like the one I have located for $1800 might be a little overpriced. So Ill keep looking.
I live about 40 miles out of New Orleans and braved the rabid Mardi Gras crowds today to get a copy of Small Arms Review(thanks for the lead Daniel)..and yep you guessed it ...sold out! Im sure I can order one from the publisher though. But Destructo6 came through with the contact info for PAWS..Thanks! Ill give them a call Monday. Im anxious to see how much thier carbine resembles the Sterling.
I live about 40 miles out of New Orleans and braved the rabid Mardi Gras crowds today to get a copy of Small Arms Review(thanks for the lead Daniel)..and yep you guessed it ...sold out! Im sure I can order one from the publisher though. But Destructo6 came through with the contact info for PAWS..Thanks! Ill give them a call Monday. Im anxious to see how much thier carbine resembles the Sterling.
Charmedlyfe
Moderator
Except for the barrel length, you won't be able to tell the difference. The PAWS are excellent.