9 replies to this topic

[Norm]

I saw this on gunbroker.com.

http://www.gunbroker...p?Item=18597125

Has anyone ever seen a semi-auto OPEN BOLT sten?

It says that the bolt was altered to prevent full auto fire.

Is it legit? It would have to have been made before 1981 if it is?

I would like to own it, but not if it's illegal.

I am not making acusations, I just need info.

Any input would help.

Norm

[JimFromFL]

You may want to post on Subguns as I am sure you will find more than a few Sten folks there.

[mp40]

NO it isn't legal, the ATF in 1982 determined that the open-bolt firearms where the tools of evil and promptly stated that no more open bolt firearms could be manufactured as they are too easy to convert....

[Norm]

Could it have been made (and put on the books) before the '82 cutoff?

Note the long barrel.

[REISINGSTAR]

I feel this item would not be atf approved based on at least two issues:
1.as per MP-40,open bolt designs are forbidden.
2.it could be "readily converted" to full-auto by replacement of a standard FA BOLT.

I just assembled an ATF approved semi-auto sten kit from SEMIAUTOSTEN.COM. The ATF letter with the kit stated it required the following modifications from the original FA design:
1.closed bolt design
2.tube receiver to be smaller than original to prevent replacement by full-auto bolt.
3.steel rod welded adjacent to chamber that would prevent placement of full-auto bolt.
4. modification of location of bolt handle slot in receiver tube so that full-auto bolt could not be placed in receiver.
5.16" barrel or barrel extension permanently affixed.

Hard to tell from the pictures,but might be worth asking the seller if this weapon meets these criteria.IMHO PROBABLY SHOULD AVOID,BUT WORTH FINDING OUT MORE INFO.

REISINGSTAR

[mp40]

No, I don't believe that might be the case here (at least I never noticed open bolt semi-stens back in 82') it's too bad that there where no open bolt semi Thompsons made in the 80's...It could possibly be someones interpretation of the laws...legal? nope...Remember that a person can build firearms for their own personal use as long as they follow federal laws in the firearms construction. But, they cannot sell the completed firearm to anyone (I believe) so that leaves me to believe that this sten is either a homemade example or an obscure manufacturers pre 82 sten not good....

[Norm]

I'm thinking it's a gun to avoid.

I looked on the internet and found a Catco semi-auto. It has a smaller tube and does not have the "hook notch" safety like a full autosten does.

http://www.davesguns...tcoSten1-01.jpg

T-Man, maybe you can shed some light on this "iffy" gun.

Norm

[mp40]

Norm,That's interesting that you found the daves guns link...He's in my neck of the woods, infact, I was over there last week..And I looked at this sten too...

[Norm]

Another tale-tell sign that it is bad news is the fact that it has no bids.

Ironicly, in looking for info on this gun; I have found 3 NFA registered stens for about $3,000.

Thanks for the info guys.

Norm

[Norm]

I got a reply from the seller on that open bolt sten. Here is the reply:

Michael

The gun is on consignment. The owner bought it at a gun show years ago.
70s-80s? As far as I can tell it is a British or Canadian military gun
converted to shoot semi auto only. It does fire from the open bolt. The
bolt is different from the original but looks like it was an original that
has been extensively altered. As far as age, the ser# is 32534 and was
manufactured by "E&Co" the Brits/Canadians/Australians made approx 2 million of the from 1942-1944.

Rob

This gun may have been legaly manufactured under see ruling 85-3 at this website:

http://www.atf.gov/p...pub/rulings.pdf

Unfortunantly, the ruling does not indicate that any of the open-bolt semi-auto stens were "grandfathered."