MGC Stirling Basic Strip Down Guide

When I bought my first Modelgun a few years ago, I had no idea how to take it apart for cleaning and inspection. The factory instruction manual had plenty of diagrams but all the text was in Japanese which I couldn't read.
Members of this forum were very helpful and soon had me on the correct path.

I regularly receive e-mails from new members asking the same type of questions as I did after buying my first gun. I have posted a number of Step by Step Guides for Beginners already intended to cover the Basics of Field Stripping, Cleaning & Inspection and Reassembly for other Modelguns,

Here's the latest in the series:

MGC Sterling exploded diagram for reference



1: Remove Magazine,




2: Ensure bolt is all the way forward






3: Unhook Folding stock from under the barrel








4: Push spring catch Part #52, to release end cap Part #20




5: Push end cap Part # 20 towards receiver and twist to remove. This is a simple bayonet type fixing


6: Withdraw Recoil Spring.




7: Pull the Bolt back up the Receiver, Pull the Charging handle Part #7 out


8: Withdraw the Bolt from the Receiver



9: Grasp the Muzzle and unscrew the barrel assembly Part #5



If at all possible, avoid unscrewing these 3 socket head screws Part #3. These fasten the Detonator Chamber Part #2 to the barrel shroud / receiver. If these are removed, unscrewing the barrel may well pull this out with it. I made the mistake of removing the lot and had a really difficult job putting it back in again! For normal cleaning, the chamber can be left attached and cleaned in situ




10: Once the barrel is withdrawn, the Detonator Pin Part #4 will either drop out, or can be pushed out



If, however the barrel is a tight fit on the threads of the Det. Chamber and it’s impossible to unscrew it at the muzzle you’ve little or no option but to remove the 4 socket head screws and remove the entire assembly.



If the barrel and Detonator Chamber have been removed as one assembly, the barrel must be unscrewed from the Chamber. It may be necessary to loosen the lock nut first - IF PRESENT




The gun is now stripped ready for basic cleaning

Cool to see a Sterling model!
Disassembly looks a bit similar to MP18, except for unscrewing the end cap - solution used in Sterling seems to be more practical.

These perforated shrouds are something special :-)

Oh man... i now want a Sterling!

Well done, and it is a beauty for sure...

Hi 2sharp

I was lucky enough to be offered this really nice example of MGC's Sterling by a forum member. It's a real beauty, there's a steel bolt, it'll fire both MGC P220 and KSC 9mm cartridges, all I need now is time to make a decent video of it firing

As time permits, I'll write up a Re-assembly guide plus some details on further strip down procedures.

That is a terrific tutorial, thank you!


Pit.