New Century Arms Semi-Auto Sterling 9mm SMG

[Applegator]

Barrel Removal

AmEngRifles

My barrel was very tight when I first got the Sterling. I tride two times to loosen the front barrel locking lug before I finally got it off.

Successful Method
1) Insert the largest allen wench in the front barrel lug hole that will fit
2) push the button on the Lug nut
3) Hold the gun firmly and unscrew the barrel lug. May have to get more leverage or tap the allen wrench with a hammer to get it started.

Once I took it off, the barrel slid out smoothly.

To completely remove the barrel, you have to remove the mag release mechanism by unscrewing the mag release button and removing the insert by removing the small allen screw that holds it in place.

Thanks for the information on the Mags. I will give that a try with a few of my problem mags. I picked up 10 mags from the guy selling them in lots of 5on Gunbroker.com. They are in very good condition, but two had a feeding problem. Taking them apart and cleaning the inside with a nylon brush and a little oil helped alot. One of the followers would stick midway on one mag that came with my Sterling. I filed the front of the follower a small bit and it works fine now.

One recommendation to all Sterling owners. Try to pick up atleast one 15 round mag if you can. They keep the gun compact and since the curve is minimal, they feed very well. I would like to get a few more, if I can find them at all and at decent price.

 

[AmEngRifles]

Thanks Applegator.

On barrel removal. The barrel nut or the ejector parts were not the issue with my gun. My barrel nut removes no problem. When I had the gun all stripped down, the barrel STILL won't budge out of the receiver. When I spoke with Wiselite, they informed me that barrel "replacement" was not a warranty item, code for "we really don't want you to remove the barrel". Not sure why that is a concern with them? They never said they were press fit into the barrel trunnion or support, but it sure seems that way.

Glad you have one that the barrel will come out of. I really hate to crank on my barrel too much and bend it or worse, if there is something WORSE than bending a barrel!?

Otherwise I love this little gun. I should include a picture of what I am describing with the mags, but if you REALLY pay attention to the way the feed lips relate to each other, I think most will see whether their lips are diverging or parallel. Know what I mean? It is a subtle difference, and one I did not pick up on at first, although I guess I did wonder why they were as they were. Now I have all mags, both new and used that give me good feeding.

 

[Wise Lite Arms]

Sterlings from WLA

Be real careful of how you take care of your barrels!
Right now I have every barrel in house or on the way allocated for manufacturing. That is why we can't sell any. If you ruin one now you may have to wait some time for a replacement. It would have to be co-ordinated with Century as they would be short a gun on the weekly delivery. We have done it for a customer, it just took time to be cleared.

By the way, we do have factory new STERLING lo-cap magazines available on our web site.

Regards,
Richard C. Hamer
Factory Representative
Wise Lite Arms
Class II Manufacturer
07 FFL SOT
FAX: (940) 433-8096
WEBSITE: http://www.wlarms.com/
SALES: [email protected]
INFORMATION: [email protected]

 

[AmEngRifles]

Dear WLA,


Are there any plans to produce some form of rail to be fitted to these Sterling?

Thanks,

AmEngRifles

 

[cleardiddion]

I really want one of these now...
Wish I had the money.

 

[GunTech]

Who wants a semi?

Here's my daughter with my PAWS ZX-5 (US made Sterling copy)

http://guntech.com/misc/smg.mov

 

[cluttonfred]

Show off. ;-)

 

[ziggymolly]

Hi to all,
I'm a new member and just wanted to know if anybody who owns a Sterling 9mm Carbine has had a problems with the firing pin? I bought mine from Center Fire Systems back in July and took it to the range to see what it will do.It fuctions great with out any jams! Well after about 180 rds of ammo the firing pin broke! After cleaning the gun and inspecting the firing pin,the metal for this part looks really brittle. I was using Winchester brass ammo. I contacted Wise Lite Arms and explain the problem, and they sent me a new one free on charge because it was still under warranty. I guess when the warranty expires the firing pin will cost me $30 + $6 for shipping. I'm afraid to go again to the range because the new firing pin may break again. Anybody knows a good machine shop that would make a better and strong firing pin? I'm all ears! Thanks Jaime

 

[Wise Lite Arms]

Go ahead and shoot your Sterling as much as you want!
We have manufactured/delivered thousands of these guns and what you experienced with your firing pin is definitely not "normal".
If you do experience any further problems with your Sterling please contact me at the "INFO" account and we will take a closer look at what is going on.
Don't avoid enjoying your firearm for fear of a problem, WLA does stand behind what we make!

Regards,
Richard C. Hamer

 

[AmEngRifles]

ziggymolly,

I agree with WLA. Shoot your gun! I have well over a thousand rounds through mine and no issues with any broken parts. The sear catch portion (or whatever it is called?) that is roll pinned to the firing pin itself looks a bit wobbly, but until it breaks or otherwise fails, I am not too worried.

This is not an investment piece gun (not at this point-in-time anyway), it is a shooter gun. These are fun little rifles to shoot. Don't deny yourself the FUN!

 

[hocfutue]

Pistol model?

I would LOVE to see a pistol build for sale, similar to the construction of the PPS-43 semi-auto from Wiselite--built with the folding stock welded in the up position, and with an original barrel length. Pretty sure it'd sell better than a carbine with the goofy 16" barrel.

 

[Sunray]

"...but then I am a lefty..." Not an issue with a real Sterling. Wouldn't touch any firearm that Century had anything to do with though.

 

[AmEngRifles]

Continuing story

Nothing exciting to report. My Sterling has settled into an almost boringly reliable routine. I have nearly 1,000 rounds through it now with NO stoppages. A good portion has been CCI aluminum cased ammo. My gun is filthy. And yet, it just keeps on going. I can see the accuracy falling off a little and I know I desperately need to clean it. But all things considered, it is nice to know the Centruy/Wiselite reincarnation is operating in a similar fashion to it's full blooded parental unit. It is getting a bath tomorrow.

It has also become my 14 year olds' favorite gun. Not only does he think it looks cool, but he enjoys the mild recoil and ease of operation. Like father, like son.

 

[blue german]

Any plans to produce a DISPLAY barrel.... like Action Arms did for the Uzi 9mm years back. I agree the 16 1/4 inch barrel on the Sterling looks a bit GOOFY but it has to be so to make it legal. But a non-functional aluminum 'fake barrel' could be a dead ringer for the original 10 inch Sterling barrel and give it back some of the looks of the original SMG.

 

[DillonCustoms]

In short. DONT BUY IT

Ive been building custom fire arms and doing military restorations for a few years now and bought one of century arms sterling semi autos. its accurate when it feeds right and the firing pin actually engages. It took me 3 months and LOTS of hours with a micrometer and a file to fix the firing pin and feeding problems. this weapon was never designed to be a closed bolt hammer fired system; Military versions have the pin and bolt in one solid piece. Century arms version has a highly cut up drilled and modified bolt and receiver. Ive had 3 clients with the same problems ask me about putting military original parts back in it. My answer to them is hell no because the amount of cutting and grinding and modifying that needs to be done will likely mean the weapon wont fire at best, or blow up in your face at worst. the second and biggest reason is it will be an NFA regulated weapon and i don't have or want the licensing. if you want one bad enough buy a military surplus parts kit for 300 bucks and find a qualified gun smith to build you a licensed fully auto w/ semi fire selector open bolt short barrel military version.

 

[nalioth]

In short. DONT BUY IT

Three years down the road, does Century even sell these any more?

Did we miss the post dates?

 

[IslandTimes]

Wiselite makes them and century sells them. Bought mine from J&G sales. Mine's pretty solid and works fine for me.

Though, I do wish I could find a gunsmith that could build me a legal full auto one of these, that would be fun...

 

[TIMC]

Oh man you drug up an old thread to trash it. Oh well while we are bringing it back to life let me say that mine works great and I am impressed with the sights and accuracy of the gun; it performed much better than I thought it would. Sounds like there are more happy owners than unhappy.

 

[Boomie]

+1, I love mine (Wiselite from J&G). I did replace the front sight with a fiber optic one someone on another forum was selling. Big improvement. My only complaint is I think the front site is a little crooked (and the shroud over it definately is). Not much of a problem but it throws off the aim if I switch the rear site peephole.

 

[rtz]

Three years down the road, does Century even sell these any more?

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/756/products_id/411540189

 

[Boomie]

Or here;

http://www.jgsales.com/product_info.php/p/sterling-carbine,-9mm-cal-by-wiselite-/products_id/3446

 

[nalioth]

I was trying to call attention to this ZOMBIE thread, w/o directly calling it a zombie thread.

It was rhetorical, sheesh.

 

[Rileyfiveco]

Some of the semi sterlings are made by masterpiece arms and wiselite-cannot speak to wiselite model but really like my sterling made by masterpiece arms- a pleasure to shoot.