Sterling 9mm sporter
 

Hey guys............I'm thinking of getting one of these ! :wink:


NEW STERLING SMG SPORTER RIFLE
http://www.classicarms.us/images/sterling.jpg
NEW STERLING SMG 9MM SEMI-AUTO RIFLE. BASED ON ONE OF THE MOST FAMOUS MILITARY DESIGNS IN THE WORLD. THESE ARE NICE. UNDERFOLD STOCK, VENTILATED BBL SHROUD, 34 ROUND MAG FEEDS FROM THE SIDE.... THESE WILL BE HOT...... COMES COMPLETE WITH 2 MAGS
STERLING-SR..........$479.95

http://www.classicarms.us/

Re: Sterling 9mm sporter
 

I owned an original Sterling (Class III) years ago, and I never could get use to the side mounted mag...was constantly catching it on barricades and such, same for the Sten I had. Mine worked flawlessly but that dumb mag...nearly had it jerked out of my hands by a vine during a Jungle Lane run one year. I would make sure mags are available and invest in 10 more besides the 2 that come with it.

Re: Sterling 9mm sporter
 

Like the last poster said, that magazine will get in the way. And why not get a semi-auto that shoots rifle ammo rather than pistol ammo?

7.62 x 39 vs. 9mm is a no brainer if we're talking about semi-auto rifles.

Re: Sterling 9mm sporter
 

I will only have one thing to disagree with A on this one. 20 or MORE mags is minimum. If it were Class III, then triple or quad even that amount.

A, you old devil you. Class III weapons eh? Gotta put a smile on your face EVERY TIME you ran a mag through it, yes? Beside, the POME'S do everything sideways anyway. Still an nice weapon. Especially in FA.

Re: Sterling 9mm sporter
 

I can't agree with complaints about the side mounted magazine. The Sten was the original design. The Sterling is the "product improved" Sten. It would have been simple to use the standard Sten style mag well on the bottom. But the side mounted design was seen as having advantages. The biggest one is that you can fire it prone and stay low to the ground.

The Sterling is an excellent design and the new builds are getting great reviews considering the price. I may buy one myself. If I do, the urge to file paperwork with ATF and make it a SBR will be hard to resist!

Gregg

Re: Sterling 9mm sporter
 

Never said it wasn't an excellent weapon...I just never cared for the mag position. After the Sterling I went with an Uzi which I liked quite well but ended up using a registered sear H&K 94 for a number of years, even won back to back Jungle Lane competitions with it.

As for sub-caliber versus rifle caliber...each has it's place. Without getting into the LEO advantages to the much lower muzzle flash of the subs it has civilian advantages too such as less flash and penetration for home defense, smaller and lighter weight firearms, often cheaper ammo, quieter, easy to maneuver with. I am a firm believer in the right tool for the right job which is why I own a variety of long guns in various calibers. There are times when my FN/FAL is simply too big, so I can rely on my sub caliber rifles, other times I want 500 yards and quiet...thus a suppressed Ruger M77 in 308. Different jobs, different tools...

If you like the Sterling by all means get one...I was simply pointing out something that to me was a drawback of the design. I loved the way mine shot, never had a problem with functioning...just the tactical movement hangups.

Prone was mentioned...this is the reason I tend to buy 20 (or 15...smaller and shorter) round mags instead of 30s for my guns. I don't even own any 30 rounders for my ARs...lol. I do have some 30 round sticks for my sub guns but prefer the drums as they are more compact.

Re: Sterling 9mm sporter
 

In the civilian world, it probably isn't that big of a deal. But the British had a lot of fighting experience with the Sten. I see three basic advantages although one of them isn't position dependent.

Getting low to the ground is much easier. Crawling along while still firing is likely much more effective and the user can stay closer to cover.

The second advantage assumed a right handed user. (A lefty seems like they would have real issues with this weapon!) Think of the way you see wartime dynamic entry photos. The soldiers usually have their subguns down at chest level and held tight to their bodies. Ready to fire long bursts. The Sten magazine would just be sticking straight down. The Sterling is right up at chest level and provides a handy place to grip and turn with the left hand. The magazine is across your body and shouldn't run into a door frame or anything. It is almost like a vertical fore-grip on an AR-15 but on the side.

The final advantage isn't the position of the mag but the mag itself. Sten mags are far from the most reliable sub gun mags in the world. When they improved the Sten, they improved the mags. The Sterling mags are a huge improvement in every way over standard Sten mags. They are a marvel when you really examine and load one. Very cool.

I think I'm talking myself into wanting one. As I already said, this would be a great gun to chop the barrel and make a SBR. For moving fast inside a building, it would make a world of difference.

http://www.falfiles.com/forums/showt...hreadid=262074

Gregg

Re: Sterling 9mm sporter
 

I'm the same way with the AR. Especially on the range and off the bench. I really like 20 round mags. I was finally able to buy a 20 round PMag and it looks good so far.

I do own a whole slew of 30 round AR mags but I am ex-Army. I'll use the 20 round mags for hunting or target shooting but the 30 rounders are for when I REALLY need the AR!

Gregg

Re: Sterling 9mm sporter
 

I agree, rifles should shoot rifle ammo. There is one exception I believe,

The Keltec sub 2000 carbines that shoot handgun ammo (9,40,45) are extremely affordable, accurate, fun to shoot, compact, and very useful.

Say you have run out of rifle ammo, you only have your sidearm left, but you have perps at 50 yards+, you get into your backpack whip out your lightweight carbine unfold it, and send some lead flying at em' with perfect accuracy using the ammo you have from your 20 extra sidearm magazines. Your right back in the fight and not missing a beat. Your average person could not hit the broadside of a barn at 50+ yards with a handgun.

I love em.

Re: Sterling 9mm sporter
 

I dumped my KelTec Sub 200 (Glock 17 mags) and picked up a Calico "pistol" instead. MUCH better. It is bottom ejecting which is good for in-vehicle use (I have the brass catcher which works flawlessly). It is ambidextrous. It takes 50 and 100 round helical drum mags (which also work flawlessly). 100 round mag can be sholdered (when combined with a laser sight). Mags can be stored loaded with no spring tension. No muzzle rise due to chamber positioning. On and on...

At first I thought they looked cheesy, but after handling one I am VERY impressed. I am a huge fan of 9mm SMG style weapons. Capacity, concealement, rugged dependability, etc. The Calico Liberty 950 embodies the concept in my book.

Re: Sterling 9mm sporter
 

Beretta CX4 Storm and Ruger PC-9 here...both 9mm.

Let me add one more benefit to these pistol caliber carbines...they are very quiet (relatively) with Winchester 147 Ranger Talons. Sounds more like a soft "pop" than a sharp "crack". Doesn't really sound like a firearm at all. Shoot it with or without hearing protection. Very quiet.

Great for night-time "pest" removal. The BTs are quite effective, too.

Re: Sterling 9mm sporter
 

Thanks looks like a couple more carbines I need to check out.

Re: Sterling 9mm sporter
 

I've had a Calico M951 carbine for years. Nice weapon, but reliable ONLY with factory ammo. My reloads (Dillon RL550B, Lee or Dillon 9mm dies) tend to make the weapon puke. Those same reloads run just fine through my 9mm pistols & MP5.

Re: Sterling 9mm sporter
 

I like my KelTec Sub 2000 asa companion to my Glock 17.....33 round mag and they both fit easily in a school type book bag or computer case....along with a ton of mags/ammo. KelTec also has folding rifle cartridge carbines....

Re: Sterling 9mm sporter
 

The Argent Dragon:

I ordered mine from the same company (Classic Arms) and am very happy with it - 200 rounds without any malfunctions, decent accuracy @ 25 yards from the standing position.

This was one of those "gotta have it" guns, since I don't yet have the FRNs for a full-auto Sterling Mk.4 SMG (about $7000-8000 these days, especially from a quality builder like Stan Andrewski).

Re: Sterling 9mm sporter
 

Tapco is now making new US made magazines for the Sterling/Sten, they go for ~$20 each. Copes has some in stock($8 flat rate shipping):

http://www.copesdistributing.net/pro...oducts_id=2267

Re: Sterling 9mm sporter
 

you can still get loads of used ones for $8 - 20 bucks all over the place. Tapco is poop in my book.