Took the pdf drawings of the STEN and entered them into AutoCAD.
Started taking measurements there.
I stand by my position that there's nothing on a STEN that cannot be made in a high school metal shop.
I modify that position with... this is not a real STEN if it's semi-auto.
Converting it to closed bolt semi-automatic operation might take a bit more doing, especially keeping an eye on making sure it cannot take any full-auto parts.
If ATF didn't consider open bolt, fixed firing pin guns illegal machine guns, then this would be simple. Lock the selector in the semi position and drive on!
The next nut to consider is that while I am certainly allowed to make my own gun for personal use without telling the ATF (or any other government entity in Florida) there might be a bit of sticky wicket concerning design approval. I am still researching that. It could merely be something that you need to do if you're making a gun from a parts kit that used to be an MG rather than entirely from scratch.
And there's nothing in making one from scratch that requires I don't use Indianapolis Ordnance's semi-kit if I am faithful with the other dimensions.
Plus... Since this will have to have a 16" barrel, I think that the handguard should be extended out to the muzzle so that it looks like the suppressor from a STEN Mk IIS. That'd be cool, wouldn't it?
I think it might also be a good idea to look at the dimensions for a Colt 9mm AR magazine, since they're a lot more available than STEN and generally regarded as more reliable.
Started taking measurements there.
I stand by my position that there's nothing on a STEN that cannot be made in a high school metal shop.
I modify that position with... this is not a real STEN if it's semi-auto.
Converting it to closed bolt semi-automatic operation might take a bit more doing, especially keeping an eye on making sure it cannot take any full-auto parts.
If ATF didn't consider open bolt, fixed firing pin guns illegal machine guns, then this would be simple. Lock the selector in the semi position and drive on!
The next nut to consider is that while I am certainly allowed to make my own gun for personal use without telling the ATF (or any other government entity in Florida) there might be a bit of sticky wicket concerning design approval. I am still researching that. It could merely be something that you need to do if you're making a gun from a parts kit that used to be an MG rather than entirely from scratch.
And there's nothing in making one from scratch that requires I don't use Indianapolis Ordnance's semi-kit if I am faithful with the other dimensions.
Plus... Since this will have to have a 16" barrel, I think that the handguard should be extended out to the muzzle so that it looks like the suppressor from a STEN Mk IIS. That'd be cool, wouldn't it?
I think it might also be a good idea to look at the dimensions for a Colt 9mm AR magazine, since they're a lot more available than STEN and generally regarded as more reliable.