Firearms / Sub machine guns / Sterling
Sterling
General Facts
- TYPE
Sub machine gun - ORIGIN
United Kingdom - NICKNAMES
L2A3 (UK designation for Mk 4)
L34A1 (UK designation for Mk 5)
C1 (Canadian designation)
Carbine 1A (Indian designation for Mk 4)
Carbine 2A1 (Indian designation for Mk 5) - DESIGNED
1944 - 1951 - DESIGNER
Enfield - PRODUCTION
1953 - 1980's - PRODUCERS
Canada - Canadian Arsenals
India - Indian Ordnance Factories
United Kingdom - Royal Ordnance Factores - QUANTITY
Over 400.000 - UNIT COST
Unknown - CHARACTERISTICS
Good accuracy
High reliability
Limited rate of fire
Introduction
The Sterling is a sub machine gun that was designed in the United Kingdom after World War 2. The Sterling started its life as the Patchet Machine Carbine. The design was initiated at the end of World War 2. It was to replace the cheap Sten with a more accurate high quality weapon.
Design
The Sterling has very distinct looks with the curved magazine that is inserted sideways. The bolt has spiral grooves that collect dirt within the weapon, making it very reliable for a blowback weapon. The Sterling also is one of the few sub machine guns that can mount a bayonet.
Firepower
The Sterling fires the 9x19mm round from a 34 round magazine. Most versions, including the ubiquitous Mk 4, are selective fire weapons firing from an open bolt. Semi-automatic versions fire from a closed bolt to increase accuracy. Even though it is a very simple weapon it is known to be very accurate and reliable.
Users
The Sterling was used by most Commonwealth forces and exported to over 70 nations. Many countries have replaced the Sterling with more modern designs or assault rifles. However, the Sterling still remains in use in many nations.
Sterling
The Mk 4 is the most widely produced variant of the Sterling family of sub machine guns. The Mk 4 is known in British service as the L2A3. The Mk 2 (L2A1) and Mk 3 (L2A2) were batches with subsequent improments until the design finaly settled on the Mk 4. The Mk 8 is a special semi-automatic police carbine that fires from the closed bolt position.
- Specifications:
- Sterling Mk 4
- Sterling Mk 8
| Type | Sub machine gun |
|---|---|
| Caliber | 9x19mm Parabellum |
| Magazine | 10, 15, 34 |
| Operation | Gas operated, open bolt |
| Fire selector | 0-1-F |
| Rate of fire | 550 rpm |
| Barrel length | 198 mm |
|---|---|
| Rifling | 6 grooves, 250 mm right hand twist |
| Muzzle velocity | 390 m/s |
| Stock | Foldable |
| Length | 690 mm / 483 mm |
| Width | ? |
| Height | ? |
|---|---|
| Weight | 2.72 kg empty |
| Sights | Iron sights, 410 mm sight radius |
| Remarks | - |
| Type | Sub machine gun |
|---|---|
| Caliber | 9x19mm Parabellum |
| Magazine | 10, 15, 34 |
| Operation | Gas operated, closed bolt |
| Fire selector | 0-1 |
| Rate of fire | Semi-automatic |
| Barrel length | 198 mm |
|---|---|
| Rifling | 6 grooves, 250 mm right hand twist |
| Muzzle velocity | 390 m/s |
| Stock | Foldable |
| Length | 690 mm / 483 mm |
| Width | ? |
| Height | ? |
|---|---|
| Weight | 2.72 kg empty |
| Sights | Iron sights, 410 mm sight radius |
| Remarks | - |
Sterling-Patchett
The Mk 5 was adopted as the L34A1 in British service. The Mk 5 is a silenced variant dedicated for special operations personnel. The barrel within the integrated silencer has 72 radial hole in it. This allows the Mk 5 to use standard 9x19mm ammunition instead of special subsonic ammunition. It is intended to be fired semi-automatic, but can fire fully automatic if necessary.
- Specifications:
- Sterling Mk 5
| Type | Sub machine gun |
|---|---|
| Caliber | 9x19mm Parabellum |
| Magazine | 10, 15, 34 |
| Operation | Gas operated, open bolt |
| Fire selector | 0-1-F |
| Rate of fire | 515 - 565 rpm |
| Barrel length | 198mm |
|---|---|
| Rifling | 6 grooves, 250 mm right hand twist |
| Muzzle velocity | 293 - 310 m/s |
| Stock | Foldable |
| Length | 864 mm / 660 mm |
| Width | ? |
| Height | ? |
|---|---|
| Weight | 3.6 kg empty |
| Sights | Iron sights, 502 mm sight radius |
| Remarks | - |
Sterling Para-pistol
The Mk 7 was developed for paratroopers and is a very rare weapon. The Mk 7A is a select fire weapon that fires from an open bolt position. The Mk 7C is fitted a semi-automatic weapon that is more accurate as it has a much longer barrel and fires from the closed bolt position.
- Specifications:
- Sterling Mk 7A
- Sterling Mk 7C
| Type | Sub machine gun |
|---|---|
| Caliber | 9x19mm Parabellum |
| Magazine | 10, 15, 34 |
| Operation | Gas operated, open bolt |
| Fire selector | 0-1 or 0-1-F |
| Rate of fire | 550 rpm |
| Barrel length | 89 mm |
|---|---|
| Rifling | 6 grooves, 250 mm right hand twist |
| Muzzle velocity | ? |
| Stock | - |
| Length | 355 mm |
| Width | ? |
| Height | ? |
|---|---|
| Weight | 2.2 kg |
| Sights | Iron sights |
| Remarks | - |
| Type | Sub machine gun |
|---|---|
| Caliber | 9x19mm Parabellum |
| Magazine | 10, 15, 34 |
| Operation | Gas operated, closed bolt |
| Fire selector | 0-1 or 0-1-F |
| Rate of fire | Semi-automatic |
| Barrel length | 198 mm |
|---|---|
| Rifling | 6 grooves, 250 mm right hand twist |
| Muzzle velocity | 390 m/s |
| Stock | - |
| Length | 470 mm |
| Width | ? |
| Height | ? |
|---|---|
| Weight | 2.3 kg |
| Sights | Iron sights, 410 mm sight radius |
| Remarks | - |