Go to play with a machine gun today

[Ian]

I think it startled the people in the lane next to me.

A friend of mine here in town has a Mk V Sten submachine gun, and I finally got to try stooting it today. The indoor ranges we went to (The Firing Line) allows pistol-caliber full auto, and I had an awesome time blasting through about 250 rounds of 9mm.

After trying a few shots with it set to semi to get the feel of the gun, I switched to full auto and started playing with 2-3 round bursts. It was really pretty easy to fire two or three rounds at a time, and single shots were a very easy to squeeze off.

It was really interesting to try to keep longer bursts on paper (most of the time a 10 or 12 inch square target at 7 or 10 yards). It seemed to be mostly a mental skill, as the force of the repeated recoil wasn't physically any trouble to cope with. When I really focused on it, the gun would jump around, but stay pretty close to my point of aim. When I lost concentration at all, though, it really jumped around.

It really is a shame that full-auto is so tough to get into economically. If the guns' costs wasn't so enormously distorted by the Feds, I'd get one in a heartbeat. I'd love to be able to regularly practice with one.

 

[Wildalaska]

Stens have such a low cylical rate that they are real easy to keep on target

WildsubgunAlaska

 

[kaferhaus]

Pretty much every weekend here...

We have a private range w/target stands, steel gongs/plates etc. from 5-1,000M. There's always several members there with a vast array of class 3 weapons.

I shot 2 full auto Glock pistols (forget muzzle control), a MP5, M15, AK74, M16 and a 1927 Thompson yesterday..

You bring the ammo and most any of the guys will let you shoot anything they have... some of them will even PROVIDE THE AMMO!

 

[Kharn]

Just wondering, am I the only person that wears Peltor's right-side up (lettering upright)?

Kharn

 

[El Tejon]

Ian, have you tried the rentals at Flatt Creek yet?

 

[Nick1911]

Awesome! I didn't think there were many transferable mk.V's around

-Nick

 

[Ian]

kaferhaus - I hate you.

El T - Last time I was there, they didn't have full autos available for rentals yet.

Nick - The guy who owns this one is a professional machinist. He bought a parts kit and manufactured his own receiver about a month before the '86 ban.

 

[kaferhaus]

Ian: If you ever get down this way, I'll make sure you get to "play".

 

[Dr.Rob]

My first time with a machine gun was at The Firing Line with a rented Mac-11 in .380...

Sounds like a great time was had by all.

 

[Bane]

-Ian

Big deal! I got to go to class today (with it raining and snow on the ground). Talk about a killer time! (Playing with machine guns, I really hate you!)

-Bane

 

[Thrash1982]

Grrrrrr @ you!

 

[PMDW]

Looks like you had fun. I'd like to get a sten some time soon.

I work for a Class 3 dealer, so I get to go when they go out to test the new inventory.

Fun.

 

[Bart Noir]

Peltor

Yup, he has it inside out. The padding on the band across his skull is on the side away from the hair. At least he has hair! Andno way am I going to try to bend mine inside out just to see how hard it is.

Bart Noir

 

[Chris Rhines]

Fun stuff. Was the Sten it better than the Uzi?

- Chris

 

[Ian]

Bart - I just took the ear pieces off and turned them over...

Chris - Yeah, I think the Sten beats out the Uzi. The Sten has a much more comfortable stock, and between its heavier weight and slower rate of fire, it's easier to keep on target.