The Sterling Submachine Gun Magazine: The Best Magazine Ever Designed?

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The Armourer's Bench

The Armourer's Bench

Күн бұрын

In the mid 1940s, George Patchett set out to design a submachine gun and magazine that would improve on the STEN gun's shortcomings. The result was arguably one of the best SMG magazines ever designed. Robust, reliable and easy to use - the Sterling magazine is definitely an improvement over the venerable STEN's mag.
Be sure to check out our accompanying article for this video here -
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Intro: (0:00)
Early Patchett Prototype with STEN mag (0:50)
STEN mag's shortcomings (1:10)
Call to action (1:56)
Patchett's new design (2:50)
Sterling magazine disassembled (3:15)
Rollers! (4:00)
Re-assembly (5:10)
Canada's Sterling (5:55)
The magazine and the gun (6:15)
Outro (6:55)

Пікірлер: 74
@TheArmourersBench
@TheArmourersBench 3 жыл бұрын
Thanks for watching guys, here's this week's accompanying article - armourersbench.com/2020/09/27/the-sterling-submachine-gun-magazine/
@sgtcote1
@sgtcote1 3 жыл бұрын
While deployed in Iraq, I happend to recover a Sterling SMG. I was fortunate to be the NCOIC of a weapons repair shop which is where it was stored. During that time I was able to "play" with it and fell in love with its simplicity and reliability. When I returned home I picked up a civillian "no fun switch" Type 2 Sterling and to this day its one of my favorites. Never mind its also the model used in Star Wars for the Storm Trooper Blaster. To bad I never thought of sending home all the mags I had in Iraq for it.
@ApurtureSci
@ApurtureSci 3 жыл бұрын
Very interesting! About 15 years ago when I was a kid I visted Normandy with my parents and we stayed in a local B&B that was packed full of militaria, including the husk of a tank in the courtyard. In our room there was a little display of various war-related items, one of which was a Sterling magazine and a few inert rounds. I suppose I didn't know exactly what it was from at the time, but I loved popping the rounds in and out, the rollers facinated me! It's quite possible that's when my interest in firearms and engineering became a lot more serious.
@kalliste23
@kalliste23 3 жыл бұрын
I used Sterlings extensively during the Cold War. The faults with it were that as an open bolt gun it's very sensitive to ammunition quality. This is a generic problem obviously. The second major fault is that in actual field use they rust amazingly fast and had to be constantly cleaned. In some ways that's not an entirely bad thing in that the constant problem of rust caused you to constantly clean and oil the gun. The magazines were never an issue, unlike L1A1 rifle magazines. Bren L4 magazines, on the other hand, were very reliable because of the top feed. The Owen SMG had it right. I suspect the rollers are actually more trouble and expense than they are worth. For instance in the fine wet mud sand of the Barry Budden training area near Dundee the rollers aren't rollers however much you try to keep things clean. They seem like a great idea on paper but in actual use, not so much. As per comments below, the robustness of the feed lips and how thick the metal body is to resist dents and deformation is the thing.
@TheArmourersBench
@TheArmourersBench 3 жыл бұрын
Thanks Johnny, always great to hear from people who used them. Definitely agree, the rollers are novel and likely do help in some cases but the double feed, robust body and mag shape are probably more important features. Thanks for watching.
@hamm6035
@hamm6035 3 жыл бұрын
I remember my Grandfather talking about how they were superior to any other design. He loved the gun. Having fired many rounds I agree. Flawless.
@briansmithwins
@briansmithwins 3 жыл бұрын
The magazine is the weakest link in a whole bunch of firearm designs. I'd argue the reason for the AK and HK G3's reputation for reliability is because of their overbuilt magazines with reenforced feed lip collars
@TheArmourersBench
@TheArmourersBench 3 жыл бұрын
Definitely, so important to get them right. Thanks for watching!
@TheArmourersBench
@TheArmourersBench 3 жыл бұрын
They really are just as essential as the firearm themselves, it's symbiotic I think.
@PaulR387
@PaulR387 Жыл бұрын
Great video, I have an MK3 de activated Sterling and bought your book, very interesting and informative, thank you
@TheArmourersBench
@TheArmourersBench Жыл бұрын
Thanks Paul, I’m glad you found it interesting! A Mk3, very nice.
@snowflakemelter1172
@snowflakemelter1172 3 жыл бұрын
Have you got or seen any official reliability tests on the STEN and its magazine ? It would be interesting to see how reliable it actually was.
@TheArmourersBench
@TheArmourersBench 3 жыл бұрын
I do, going to be a part of the Sten series that I'm still working on!
@gerry343
@gerry343 2 жыл бұрын
Couldn't find this magazine at my local newsagents.
@314299
@314299 3 жыл бұрын
The C1 SMG was also issued with a short 10 round magazine for easier use while inside AFV's.
@MarkiusFox
@MarkiusFox 3 жыл бұрын
It is a magnificently over-engineered design that might even give the MP5 magazine a run for it's money.
@CenlaSelfDefenseConcepts
@CenlaSelfDefenseConcepts 3 ай бұрын
One of my biggest regrets is not getting one of the Wiselite sterling carbines 12 years ago
@kindermord
@kindermord 3 жыл бұрын
Keep ‘em coming!
@TheArmourersBench
@TheArmourersBench 3 жыл бұрын
Definitely will, thanks for watching!
@IvesMarcelin
@IvesMarcelin Жыл бұрын
Good morning from France
@superfamilyallosauridae6505
@superfamilyallosauridae6505 3 жыл бұрын
You can make these in parts kits in the US. Considering doign this in a few years.
@andrewjohnston4127
@andrewjohnston4127 3 жыл бұрын
Brilliant video 😀
@TheArmourersBench
@TheArmourersBench 3 жыл бұрын
Thanks Andrew, thanks for watching!
@skylongskylong1982
@skylongskylong1982 3 жыл бұрын
During the Troubles in Northern Ireland, Army produced 10 round magazines for sterling’s. These were used for covert activities, and for RCT drivers.
@ultrablue2
@ultrablue2 3 жыл бұрын
Another informative video, Matthew. I was wondering what part cost played in not only the Sterling’s magazine, but also the Sten and other weapons. During the war, I know easy of production along with material and unit cost was a huge part of weapon manufacturing. The end result were things like the Sten and the M3 grease gun, built in large quantities cheaply, over the expensive, more intensively made Thompson guns. Obviously the Sterling magazine was a vast improvement over the Sten magazine, but did cost and effort still factor into its design, or were these not issues this time?
@TheArmourersBench
@TheArmourersBench 3 жыл бұрын
Thank you! Great question. Cost was most definitely a factor for the UK government at the time. They not only took the Sterling design and copied it without Sterling's permission but they adapted the mag to be simpler and cheaper - the one I mention in the video. Sterling sued and won. Cost is always king in military procurement.
@michaelkolano8686
@michaelkolano8686 3 жыл бұрын
I wonder why rollers as a follower haven't been used elsewhere? perhaps that it makes the follower very big? i don't know.
@matthayward7889
@matthayward7889 3 жыл бұрын
At a guess I’d say they’re more expensive?
@its_clean
@its_clean 3 жыл бұрын
@@matthayward7889 Roller followers are generally not considered today for both of the reasons mentioned here. Of course, they're more expensive to manufacture than a simple pressed or stamped follower, and they take more vertical space, either reducing capacity or requiring a longer magazine body. More importantly, modern developments in low-friction and self-lubricating polymers/plastics have permitted the introduction of inexpensive molded polymer followers offering anti-tilt features and smooth, reliable feeding, obviating many of the benefits of rollers. The majority of modern magazines use molded polymer followers.
@gregoryw70
@gregoryw70 3 жыл бұрын
Because it is one of those "Innovations" that only the British think are innovative. There is no proof that this mag is any better and it certainly hasn't been copied and re-used in other guns the way some magazines have. For example the Soumi / Swedish K magazine or the Uzi magazine.
@TheArmourersBench
@TheArmourersBench 3 жыл бұрын
Indeed, it's a novel idea and has some merit certainly but as I mentioned the Canadian mag didn't sacrifice much by abandoning the rollers. The key I think is the profile of the curve and the double feed. My video title was a little hyperbole haha.
@its_clean
@its_clean 3 жыл бұрын
@@gregoryw70 The use of rollers is innovative by any definition, and its utility and effectiveness are not in question. Efficiency, ease of manufacture, and cost are another matter. TAB admitted the title was hyperbole but the Sterling magazine is indeed widely accepted as one of the superior pistol-caliber magazine designs. Being "copied and re-used" is not the only indicator of significance, as the Uzi magazine is not known for the same reliability as the Sterling's. Its chief virtue was its availability, simplicity, and cost- not its superior performance. As to the impact of Patchett's magazine design, I'd arguably look to the MP5. While I doubt there was any direct influence from the Sterling, it's clear to see that the curved profile is nearly identical, and the idea of a pressed reinforcing rib is present as well. It's likely less a case of inspiration than a necessary acceptance that this configuration is in fact the ideal design for a steel 9mm magazine. It would be appropriate as well to note that the MP5 is renowned for its reliability and smooth-feeding magazines- which was not the case initially. The MP5 was originally accompanied by a traditional (for subguns) straight-walled magazine; only after encountering feeding issues did they redesign the magazine with a curve. You could argue that even with all of HK's engineering grunt, they still needed to fail and discover on their own what Patchett already knew decades earlier.
@kw9849
@kw9849 3 жыл бұрын
Another contender would be the 36 round Carl Gustav M45 magazine (also used post-war in the Suomi). Reliable, easy to load, and extremely durable, though heavy.
@TheArmourersBench
@TheArmourersBench 3 жыл бұрын
Yes, definitely a good mag. Double feed is the key I think. Thanks for watching.
@lewisbenzie845
@lewisbenzie845 3 жыл бұрын
Came from Forgotten Weapons reddit :)
@TheArmourersBench
@TheArmourersBench 3 жыл бұрын
Welcome! Thanks for watching.
@lanceluthor6660
@lanceluthor6660 3 жыл бұрын
Every time I see a new PCC making a big deal about using Glocks double stack single feed mags that were designed for 17 rounds , I wonder why they don't use the Sterling mags? Would they work as well vertical? I love the rollers. Are they difficult to find?
@kw9849
@kw9849 3 жыл бұрын
I'd wager it's a matter of availability. Glock mags are ubiquitous and reasonably reliable. There have been exceptions; Lage made a bunch of their uppers use M45 magazines, which were widely available as surplus for a time.
@Broken_Yugo
@Broken_Yugo 3 жыл бұрын
Big up front cost to set up production for something like this, cheaper and easier to design around an existing, popular, in production mag. There's also the argument that it's a benefit for a PCC to use service pistol mags, to such an extent some offer options besides Glock.
@DSlyde
@DSlyde 3 жыл бұрын
I only know of two magazines that use rollers like that - the sterling and the p90 (though thats in part because of the round rotating mechanism). If it has those advantages, why isnt it more common?
@RyeOnHam
@RyeOnHam 3 жыл бұрын
Comments help the YT algorithm. Never seen inside a Sterling magazine. I would argue that all those features may REDUCE reliability and durability, but really everything looks solid in there. My UZI magazines (and modified for the Colt 9mm AR-15) have always been 100% reliable. Not sure you can get higher than 100%, but then I don't drag mine through the mud, either.
@TheArmourersBench
@TheArmourersBench 3 жыл бұрын
Yeah, I think a 100% reliable mag is the holy grail haha.
@domhogan7842
@domhogan7842 3 жыл бұрын
TAB, can you amplify the connection of magazine design commonality ( interchangeability) between the Sterling, Sten, Lanchester, MP18, MP38 and others- namely, was single feed intended to take advantage of captured enemy munitions.
@TheArmourersBench
@TheArmourersBench 3 жыл бұрын
I've never seen any mentions of using enemy mags in documents but when I have the guns on hand I think it'll definitely be worth doing a video comparing them all!
@piggosalternateaccount4917
@piggosalternateaccount4917 3 жыл бұрын
Brill video, they'll probably still be used in a galaxy far far away.
@TheArmourersBench
@TheArmourersBench 3 жыл бұрын
Thank you! Haha almost certainly!
@m.j.mahoney8905
@m.j.mahoney8905 3 жыл бұрын
The thing that really twists my melon is that the Sterling can feed from Sten and Lanchester mags as well. No idea how, given that they're single-position feed, but there you go.
@TheArmourersBench
@TheArmourersBench 3 жыл бұрын
Well the Sterling's bolt is heavily influenced by the Lanchester's. Sterling manufactured Lanchesters. The early Patchett prototypes used Lanchester bolts. The Sten and Lanchester bolt faces aren't too different as both evolved from the MP28. The Sterling's magazine housing was also designed to index the mag at a similar length of insertion to the STENs. But the double feed really makes feeding more reliable.
@m.j.mahoney8905
@m.j.mahoney8905 3 жыл бұрын
@@TheArmourersBench true enough -- so, is the Sterling's feed ramp just a chamfered ring like the Sten's? And I guess the forward angle of the Sterling mag is less pronounced than it looks? Cheers!
@TheArmourersBench
@TheArmourersBench 3 жыл бұрын
From my understanding the Sterling's feed ramp is much like the Lanchester's as it was seen as adequately reliable in terms of feeding.
@gallowsend
@gallowsend Жыл бұрын
nice vid
@cron1165
@cron1165 2 жыл бұрын
What did the 60 round magazine look like? Round drum? I can't find anything online
@piggy59873
@piggy59873 3 жыл бұрын
will they work in sten mk2?
@ClaudioBenassi
@ClaudioBenassi 3 жыл бұрын
It is the best smg mag ever. Period.
@mr.zafner8295
@mr.zafner8295 3 жыл бұрын
Thanks for the informative video.
@TheArmourersBench
@TheArmourersBench 3 жыл бұрын
Thanks for watching!
@mpagit
@mpagit 3 жыл бұрын
Designed by a Patchett - it had to be good 😀 (relative - same surname).
@rubennasser6907
@rubennasser6907 3 жыл бұрын
The rollers are not very useful for double-stack, double-feed mags, since the rounds in the column rotate veeery little while feeding. This, and the fact that they add complexity, cost, space and weight are the reasons why they are not used in modern designs that simply go with a well designed follower. You can see that a curved magazine does make sense with a tapered case, but curved mags were invented and used in much earlier designs. Same for a well designed case presentation angle, strong lips, positive lock and over insertion tabs.
@TheArmourersBench
@TheArmourersBench 3 жыл бұрын
Indeed and we can see that the rollers weren't essential from their deletion from the Canadian magazines.
@Nephi895
@Nephi895 3 жыл бұрын
Yeah, its a good mag, but have you ever read Cat Fancy?
@TheArmourersBench
@TheArmourersBench 3 жыл бұрын
I googled it. I laughed.
@silvasaleh5079
@silvasaleh5079 Жыл бұрын
I have the gun but I don't have a magazine
@silvasaleh5079
@silvasaleh5079 Жыл бұрын
I'm interested of the magazine
@motolooper4928
@motolooper4928 3 жыл бұрын
My uncle died because of magazine posistion caught him every corner and stuck.
@TheArmourersBench
@TheArmourersBench 3 жыл бұрын
How did he die?
@motolooper4928
@motolooper4928 3 жыл бұрын
@@TheArmourersBench magazine stuck in the corner wire, he was shot down struggling to pull out the magazine.
@TheArmourersBench
@TheArmourersBench 3 жыл бұрын
@@motolooper4928 Ahh I see, that's tragic. Certainly one of the common complaints with the magazine. They thought it would be better for prone shooting, it was just carried over from its predecessors the Lanchester and Sten. Where was he killed?
@motolooper4928
@motolooper4928 3 жыл бұрын
@@TheArmourersBench korea
@TheArmourersBench
@TheArmourersBench 3 жыл бұрын
Ahh, wasn't a Sterling then. It'll have been a Sten.
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