Well Done Claymore, another cracking review mate.
I'd put in a short 'First Impression' shortly after receiving mine which I've reposted here for some further discussion hopefully.
I've had magazine loading problems too that I haven't yet fully sorted. The tip I got from MGCUK was to cut the original Sten spring so that only 1 and 1/2 coils protruded from the end of the mag with the cap removed. That helps, but there's noway I can fill a mag! I bought a mag loader off e-Bay but the bloody thing's twisted so I can't get the mag into it! I'm trying to buy a new loader from a dealer in the States but he's playing about a bit at the minute.
As you rightly say Claymore, this steel Sten is superb.
Your video is a another belter mate, I notice you've started using cardboard boxes to catch your ejected rounds now (and protect your camera too eh? Good idea that!)
Here's my 'First Impressions' again:
I've also bought one and as Claymore says, it's superb.
I'd like to compile a review myself too but Claymore does them so much better and he's got a camera and video!
My version has a skeleton stock rather than the T shaped stock.
It's beautifully made, has the chemical black finish and looks absolutely real.
It's relatively easy to strip, the stock slides off unlocking the recoil spring retainer at the rear of the receiver.
The cap pops out, spring out, followed by the bolt itself oncethe cocking lever's been pulled out.
The detonator chamber, similar to the MGC Thompson with integral non removable pin, but much better made, can be difficult to remove from the barrel. Mine won't tap out as the instruction sheet suggests, so again, following the instructions, the barrel's removed by unscrewing 3 retaining screws deep inside the barrel shroud tube.
My only criticism, and this is splitting hairs really, is that the Allen key supplied isn't long enough to reach the screws and turn fully, you have to give each screw a half turn before the tool fouls the barrel. Easily sorted with a longer Key though! and certainly doesn't detract from the gun.
Once the barrel's off, you can see a small 2mm hole drilled in the end of the receiver tube. I used a short steel rod (part of the Marushin XM177E kit tool kit) to push through the hole and tap it with a small hammer.
That pushed the detonator chamber out easily enough.
There are 2 small holes drilled through the chamber base to vent smoke out through the 2mm single hole and then out of the barrel.
Cleaning is easy, I've been using Browning Aerosol Gun Oil which cleans and lubricates. There's ample room to push a rag or cloth down the receiver tube and the bolt is dead easy to clean.
My gun was a bit 'sticky' on arrival, the bolt was catching slightly but stripping and cleaning down with oil had it sliding really nice and freely.
Loading the mags is a real job. I had 2 supplied, one a 32rd standard mag, the second the Indian version issued later to overcome jamming problems the 32rder had. The Indian has brass runners inside making the mag a single stack feed and reducing capacity to 19.
The single stack feed is supposed to overcome the jamming probs caused by the 32 rd'ers double stacking.
Springs are very heavy being real firearm items.
I can't get anymore than 15/16 into the 32rd mag, no more than 6 or 7 into the Indian mag.
Kevin at modelguncollector told me to cut the springs to leave 1.5 coils (one and a half coils) protruding from the bottom of the mag wiith the cap removed. We tried this and managed 17 into the 32rd, about 11 into the Indian.
He suggested trying the Hudson M3A1 mag spring but mine is a fraction too wide and catches the mag body. Maybe Marushin MP40 Mag springs will be ok but I haven't tried that yet.
A mag loader could well be the answer! I've just bought one a genuine Sten WW2 tool but it's slightly twisted and I can't get the mag to push inside it so that'll need looking at next.
Anyway, with 2 part loaded mags, let's try firing...
Single shot first by pushing the selector button in...
Bang! and a good strong ejection of the spent round, bolt re-cocked automatically...
Again... BANG! Same result...
Select Full Auto and squeeze...
Rat..Tat...Tat...Tat...Tat...Tat... YESS! Lovely! And again.. squeeze and Rat...Tat...Tat till the mag emptied.
Plenty of smoke from port and barrel, nice metallic clatter as well as the caps banging, fabulous!
Next mag in anf full auto all the way till empty.
Rate of fire is nice and slow, I wouldn't haave a clue as to rounds per minute but it just sounds so realistic!
Some models seem to fire rather too fast, but this is perfect.
Checking the rounds afterwards showed signs of denting around the nose, where the firing pin enters, and marks around the base where bolt and ejector claw clout the round.
I put 1 round through 3 times, and the nose had 3 dents about the hole afterwards.
This gun may be heavy on rounds if used regularly but I guess it's better to damage brass than bolts ain't it?
We've plenty of problems with zinc bolts breaking on models but this steel job won't break!
Overall impressions is this is a superb model. It's a beautiful reproduction of a classic WW2 gun, even down to gas welds around the trigger housing! The other welds seem to be Mig but who cares! It's a superb model.
Best of all it works and works well. Once the magazines are sorted with springs to allow proper filling, it'll be even better.
DOC should be proud that his design and idea works! Well done DOC.
Kevin at Modelguncollector markets these and he's onto a winner.
I'll be looking forwards to Claymore's review and his thoughts as he's far more knowledgable than I am!
Cerwyn
_________________
Hobby collector of mainly WW2 era uniforms, headgear, field equipment and replica weapons.