Sten MKII return spring and housing

[Waldo]

I have a Sten MKII. My nephew bought it back from Korea about 1954. He registered it during the 1968 amnesty. He sold it to me about 1984. I have put thousands of rounds thru it with no problems. A few years ago, I bought a parts kit. I shot the gun yesterday and I noticed my recoil spring had gotten compressed, so I decided to put in a new recoil spring. The old spring seems to be fastened into the housing. It looks like there are some tabs in the housing holding it in. There is nothing visible from the out side of the housing. I fooled around with it, but was unable to get the spring out. I have an extra housing out of the parts kit that has no sign of this. So I put it and the new spring in the gun. But I would like to get the old spring out, if possible. If any one has any knowledge of this and how to get the spring out, I would be very grateful.

[Frank I.]

The springs aren't attached to anything inside the receiver tube it should pull right out. 

 

[skoda]

Some of the spring cups had alignment tabs in them but they shouldn't be holding the spring very tight. Your spring is probably just a little tight on them or the cup inner surface (undersized or over sized) or some light surface rust is 'welding' the two parts together. Try twisting the spring in one direction and then pulling it out and if that doesn't work try twisting in the other direction and pulling out. If it still doesn't work ignore me because I clearly don't understand your situation. A photo or two would help us understand what is going on.

Does the spring have a little sheet metal wrapping on the back end? 

Pretty cool that you have a vet bring back and you know the vet personally. Try to get the history documented as best as possible (bring back papers and original 1968 registration) plus a little written and signed story of how he got his hands on it.

Edited December 25, 2025 by skoda