Just got my first Sten and I have some questions (ammo, suppressors)

[glennp]

Gents,

I recently escaped a life time in New Jersey and to celebrate I've bought myself a transferable Sten gun. I picked up a chinese marked Long Branch kit built on a DLO tube. From my research, I would think this gun was built by DLO themselves and was not a DLO tube built elsewhere. I believe this because the trigger housing is marked DLO, but please let me know if your opinion differs. I bought the gun on gunbroker via Midwest Tactical and I think I did alright for myself. I was drawn to the long branch heritage as my wife is Canadian. https://www.gunbroker.com/item/892299036

 

Anyways, my big question revolves around reloading for the Sten & suppressing it. I am an experienced reloader and have a Dillon 650 which allows me to produce 9mm at a very reasonable pace. My current 9mm load is a 147 grain FMJ over 3.2 grains of Bullseye which gets me around 870 FPS from a ~4.5" barrel. I suspect this load is too light but if necessary I'd like to just up the powder charge and keep the same projectile. My understanding is that the Sten is pretty much indifferent as far as bullet weights goes, as long as there is enough energy. Is that true?

Taking my load strategy into consideration, I'm always going to be subsonic even without a integral suppressor and ported barrel. Because of this, I think going with an integral suppressor is just going to be added cost and reduced flexibility for not a whole lot of gain. Do you think that by using 147 grain projectiles Ill get similar results with a big, regular 9mm thread-on can? Being able to use one can for multiple 9mm platforms is very attractive to me. I was looking at the Bowers Vers 9 in particular.

Thank you for your thoughts!

Edited March 1, 2021 by glennp

[heavy artillery]

I haven't had any issues with different RN/FMJ bullet weights in my Stens. As you pointed out, you need to have sufficient energy to drive the recoil cycle. I've mostly used 115s and 147s. I've threaded barrels for the Mk II and MK V. The suppressed Stens sounded better than I expected for an open bolt configuration.

 

You usually get more volume with an integral but I think your suppression level will be reasonably equivalent (different models can vary in tone). In your case, you aren't getting the primary benefit of having porting with a MK IIs (although it is a nice looking Sten variant). I generally don't recommend shooting subsonic ammo through a ported barrel (you risk bleeding off too much gas/velocity leading to potential bullet stability issues).

Edited March 1, 2021 by heavy artillery

[Waffen Und Bier]

Congratulations on your escape. Hopefully to a red state you will help keep red. My STEn prefers 124 over 115 (but I don't think it matters if the shooter isn't holding onto the magazine). I haven't tried 147 yet, but as mine doesn't have a can, I won't be using 147 in it....innit? Edited March 1, 2021 by Waffen Und Bier

[huggytree]

I know whos sten that was. Congrats. Its a very nice example. Maybe the nicest one Ive seen

[Grasshopper]

Hi Glennp,

 

Oh. Legal disclaimer: This is what I do. I can't recommend it. Always consult proper reloading authorities to verify the safety of your reloading technique. With that said:

 

As with any new open bolt SMG, start with only a few rounds in the magazine as light loads will cause a runaway. Might as well only loose a few round rather than letting 32 go down range in 1 pull of the trigger. Depending on the recoil spring, the 3.2gr Bullseye with a 147 RN set to 1.15 OAL may be a bit light. I like to load for my Sten such that the bolt does not hit the back of the receiver but always catches the sear to stop when I let off the trigger. If you have some run-on after you let off the trigger, up the load by .1 to .2 grain.

 

With a newer, strong spring I'd go 3.6 grains of Bullseye with the 147. I do have one Sten that runs just fine on 3.0 grains of Bullseye under a 147 RN lead. For my cast bullets I run Lee tumble lube over whatever crayon wax the commercial casters use for bullet lube and size to .358. I've found many WWII barrels that are way over what folks might think of as "9mm". (BTW, the SAAMI spec for the groove diameter is .355-.359 IIRC).

 

Congrats on the new subgun. One of my favorites for the joy of shooting.

 

Enjoy,

 

Grasshopper

 

ps. Your thoughts of the origin of your gun are likely correct. DLO did mark his early guns as yours.

Edited March 3, 2021 by Grasshopper

[Frank Iannamico]

On the subject of suppressors... I like the Bowers VERS9S because of its "old school" look.

In the attached article is a picture of my Sten with the Bowers can on it. It is attached via a 3-lug adapter which is covered by a replica canvas sleeve. This gives it an "original" suppressed Sten look. The repro sleeve came from International Military Antiques, but I don't think they still sell them.

 

https://www.smallarmsreview.com/display.article.cfm?idarticles=4046

 

 

Link to IMA website Sten silencer sleeve... says Sold Out

 

https://www.ima-usa.com/products/british-sten-gun-smg-canvas-silencer-cover?variant=26169617797

[maxfaxdude]

Gents,

 

I recently escaped a life time in New Jersey and to celebrate I've bought myself a transferable Sten gun. I picked up a chinese marked Long Branch kit built on a DLO tube. From my research, I would think this gun was built by DLO themselves and was not a DLO tube built elsewhere. I believe this because the trigger housing is marked DLO, but please let me know if your opinion differs. I bought the gun on gunbroker via Midwest Tactical and I think I did alright for myself. I was drawn to the long branch heritage as my wife is Canadian. https://www.gunbroker.com/item/892299036

 

Anyways, my big question revolves around reloading for the Sten & suppressing it. I am an experienced reloader and have a Dillon 650 which allows me to produce 9mm at a very reasonable pace. My current 9mm load is a 147 grain FMJ over 3.2 grains of Bullseye which gets me around 870 FPS from a ~4.5" barrel. I suspect this load is too light but if necessary I'd like to just up the powder charge and keep the same projectile. My understanding is that the Sten is pretty much indifferent as far as bullet weights goes, as long as there is enough energy. Is that true?

 

Taking my load strategy into consideration, I'm always going to be subsonic even without a integral suppressor and ported barrel. Because of this, I think going with an integral suppressor is just going to be added cost and reduced flexibility for not a whole lot of gain. Do you think that by using 147 grain projectiles Ill get similar results with a big, regular 9mm thread-on can? Being able to use one can for multiple 9mm platforms is very attractive to me. I was looking at the Bowers Vers 9 in particular.

 

Thank you for your thoughts!

 

 

 

 

I don't know which thing to congratulate you more on: getting a really nice Sten or getting the HE double L out of New Jersey!

[b_san]

2 options for suppressing the Sten, both pics below. 1st is a Pike Arms threaded barrel with a 3 lug adapter and a Ti-Rant 9, 2nd is a SCRC MK25 integral suppressor. There are currently 2 companies making similar integral barrel suppressors, GSL and Curtis Tactical. Additional note, I just fire 124gr through mine suppressed, it goes clack clack clack, not much difference between that and sub-sonic rounds I've tried IMO.

 

 

Edited March 3, 2021 by b_san

[huggytree]

Curtis tactical made 2 integrated cans for me. Strongly recommend them. Good price and his product is perfection