aa USER HANDBOOK STERLING SUB-MACHINE GUN 9-mm. MK 4 (S.M.G. 9mm. L.2.A.3.) STERLING ARMAMENT COMPANY LIMITED DAGENHAM | ESSEX ENGLAND CONTRACTORS TO MINISTRY OF DEFENCE, HER MAIESTY's GOVIANMENT. CROWN AGENTS, AND OVERSEAS GOVERNMENTS. Telephone: 01-595 2226 Cables: STERLING. DAGENHAM, ENGLANDSTERLING SUB-MACHINE GUN S-mm. MK. 4. Above: Shown with butt extended and bayonet fitted Below: Shown foldedSECTION I-GENERAL Introduction Technical Details Special Features Bure Body Trigger and Safety Mechanism Backsighe Bayonet SECTION 2—DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION ‘The Backward Action The Forward Action ‘Action ef the Trigger Mechanism Single Shot Fire Automatic Fire Applied Safety To Open Butt To Close Burt CONTENTS pege pars. ‘0 10 3 8 “4 “4 to 20 30 a 32 33 34 3S a a 30 st 52 53 60 20 SECTION 3_STRIPPING AND ASSEMBLY Elementary Stripping and “Assembly To Remove Return Spring To Remove Trigger Group Ascombly Advanced Stripping and Assembly To Remove Ejector To Strip Trigger Group To Remove Extractor To Remove Patol Grip To Remove Barrel To Strip Magazine To Remove Foresight To Remove Backsight To Assemble Trigger Group To Replace Barrel To Assemble Foresight To Assemble Backsight To Assemble Magazine SECTION 4—ZEROING SECTION 5—CLEANING age pare, Is Is 6 ‘6 7 7 la 19 9 20 u a a a Bw oRORB 80 81 a2 a3 9.0 9d 92 93 94 95 26 97 98 99 9.10 ony 912 3.13 10.0SECTION I—GENERAL 10 INTRODUCTION. The Sterling Sub-Machine Gun, Mark 4, isa light and easily handled weapon which will selectively fire automatically or single shot. Seandard 9 mm Parabellum ammunition is used. Ici a shore range weapon normally used for engagement at ranges up t0 200 yards. Ie may be used at longer ranges dependant on the skill of the fire. (On account of its accuracy, lightness and reliability, the gun can be regarded ax a general purpose weapon, It is automatic, being operated by cate reaction or" blow back '* whether fired “single shot "* or in bursts, 20 TECHNICAL DETAILS Calibre 9 mm 9mm Length —butt folded 19 inches 48.2 ems butt extended 27 inches 69 cms Weight—machine gun only 6 Ibs (approx) 2.7 Ke (approx) —with full magazine (34 rds) 7 lb 10 02 (approx.).. 3.5 Kg (approx.) —with full magazine and bayonet... 8lb 40: (approx.). 3.73 Kg (approx.) Barrel length... . 7.8 inches 19.8 ems —number of grooves... 5 " pitch of rifling... | turn in 9.84 inches. 25 ems twist of rifling. 5 Right hand Sights radius ...22-6..0c 0085 16.1 inches Alems ype é Rear—aperwure Fore—tlade range settings: 100 and 200 yards... 100 and 200 metres Cyclic rate of fire... 550 r.p.m. approx.TECHNICAL DETAILS (CONTINUED) TERMINAL VELCCITY AND KINETIC ENERGY OF STANDARD 9 mm BULLET RANGE VELOCITY KINETIC ENERGY Yards Metres Fr/SeeM/See Fe/ibs Kem ° ° 1280390 “7 a2 109 100 Wis 340 339 a9 218 200 ms 18 262 36.4 37 300 on ee 207 207 436 400 7008 67 22 54s 500 700 (24 Bs 188 654 600 2 193 09 182 763 700 sm 78 89 123 an 800 sig 188 ” 10.2at 32 33 4 3.0 SPECIAL FEATURES BUTT. When not in use the butt is folded under the weapon reducing the ove folded the weapon can be used as a pistol, length by 9 inches. With the butt BODY. The forward part of the body. ie, the birrel casing, is perforated to assist cooling. It will be found that even, after prolonged firing the body remains comfortably cool. Finger guards are fitted at both ends of the barrel casing. TRIGGER AND SAFETY MECHANISM. The trigger mechanism is fitted with a change lever which can be set to give either automatic fire or single shot. The change lever also has a SAFE position which locks the trigger and sear, irrespective of the position of the bolt, which eliminates the possibility of a round being fired if the weapon is dropped. BACKSIGHT. The rear peephote sight is instantly changed from 100 to 200 yards range setting by rocking over. BAYONET. The bayonet Is mounted so that it is off-set when the weapon is in the firing position. It will be found that, when the weapon is held in the "* on-guard " position for bayonet fighting, the natural balance of the weapon, with for without magazine, brings the bayonet into the upright potition.SECTION 2_DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION 40 The weapon (Fig. |) is operated by case reaction or "' blow back Fonusiont cocKiNG HANDLE scorweruan racers tional arrangement41 THE BACKWARD ACTION (Fiz. 2), When the cartridge is fired the propellant gases exert an equal pressure against both the bullet and the cartridge case, the latter being supported by vie bolt and the compression of the return spring, ‘The gas pressure accelerates the bullet also the cartridge case and bolt in opposite divcctions and at ehe weight of the bullet is considerably less than that of the combined weight of the cartridge case and bale, ehe bullet attains a much ‘greater velocity than that of the cartridge case and bolt. When the bullet clears the muzzle all have reached thelr maximum Yolocities but the cartridge case has not yer cleared from the chamber, thus preventing the gases escaping from the breech, ‘The cartridge case does not clear the breech unti| the gases behind the bullet have disperted into the air, ensuring that pressures are down to safe limits belore the breech is untesled The bolt is now being decelerated by the compression of the return spring. ‘The empty cartridge cate, held against the face of the bolt by the extractor, is carried back until it strikes the ejector and is ejected through the opening on the right side of the wexpon RETURN SPRING Ansa ms Fig. 2. Backward action42 THE FORWARD ACTION (Fig. 3) When the volt reaches the limit of its backwatd travel it is forced forward by the compression of the return spring. During its forward travel the bolt contacts the top round in the magazine and, guided by magatine lips, the round is fed into the chamber. The bolt then follows up on the round, feeds it into the chamber, and fires it jest before the forward movement ceases, During the forward movement of the round from the magazine, the firing pin of the bole cannot come into line with the percussion cap of the cartridge until the round is actually in the chamber. This provides the mechanical salety for this type of weapon. Upon firing, the backward action again commences. Fig.3. Forward action5.0 ACTION OF THE TRIGGER MECHANISM (Figs. 4,5, § and 7). 5.1 SINGLE SHOT FIRE (Figs. 4 ond 5). When the change lever (I) is set to the single shot position R, the Inner arm Of the change lever is located under the tall of the tripping lever (2) When with the weapon cocked, the trigger (3) is pressed, the sear cradle (4) is rocated about the sear axis pin (5), the sear (6) Is lowered and the bolt is carried forward by the pressure from return spring. During this movement the tail of the tripping lever contacts the inner arm of the change lever causing the tripping lever partially to rotate. Continued pressure on the trigger causes further rotation of the tripping lever until the upper arm disengages from the step on the sear. At the same time the sear plunger and spring (7) are compressed. When the round is fired, the sear is held down by contact with the under surface of the bolt, but as the bolt reaches the end of its rearward movement and Is clear of the sear. the sear Is forced upward by pressure of the sear plunger and spring. ‘Then as the boit is moving forward, the sear engages against the bent on the face of the bolt and holds the bolt in the cocked position. When the pressure on the trigger is released, the rear end of the cradie rises, lifting the tripping lever and causing it to rotate about its axis pin until the upper arm of the tripping lever re-engages on the step of the sear ‘The trigger must be fully released and again pressed for each single-shot. Bok pry whdrown Fig. 4. Action of trigger mechanism (single shot fre)52 AUTOMATIC FIRE (Fig. 6). When with the change lever (1) set at automatic A and the weapon cocked, the trigger {is pressed, the projection on the upper part of the tr Pin (5). This depresses the sear (6) freeing it from contact with the face of the bent on the bolt, and allowing the bole tofly forward. The movement of the sear cradle compresses the sear cradle spring (8). ger its the end of the sear cradle (4) rotating it about its axis ‘The weapon will now continue firing until either the trigger is released or the magazine is empty. ‘When the trigger is released the sear cradle returns to its former position under the action of the sear cradle spring, the sear is raised into the boltway and contacting the bent on the bolt, holds the bolt in the cocked position. 5.3 APPLIED SAFETY (Fig. 7, Cocked), When with the weapon cocked, the change lever (I) is set at safe'S the Inner arm of the change lever Is positioned directly under the shorcarm of che eripping lever (2). When the crigger is pressed the sear cradle and sear (6) cannot be depressed because the shore arm. of the tripping lever is held immovable by the Inner arm of the change lever. (Fig. 7, Bole forward). When with the bolt forward, the change lever (I) sec atsafe S, the weapon cannot be cocked because the sear (6) is engaged in the safety slot (9) at che rear of the bolt, and the sear cannot be depressed because it is held immovable 7. Applied Satecy as described In previous paragraph. a60 19 Fig. 9 To-clowe butt TO OPEN BUTT (Fig. 8). Hold the weapon with the left hand near the backsight with the barrel pointing towards the ground. Pull the bute plate (11) outwards with the right hand to release the bute catch (12) and swing the bute to the rear of the weapon. With the thumb of the left hand press the back cap catch (13) and snap the butt into ‘engagement with the lugson the back cap. pen the butt frame to forma triangle andthe butt plate catch (14) will engage to lock, TO CLOSE BUTT (Fig. 9). Release the butt plate catch and collapse the triangle by pushing the tubular member into the frame. With the thumb of the left hand press the back cap catch, at the same time push the back cap forward and swing the butt away from the back cap. Pivot the butt to its folded position, swing the butt plate out to operate the Lute catch te-engage in the barrel casing, then fold the butt plate flat to lack in position.SECTION 3—STRIPPING AND ASSEMBLING 8.0 ELEMENTARY STRIPPING AND ASSEMBLING (Figs. 10 and |). Before stripping, ensure that the weapon is not loaded and remove sling fitted. Set change lever to A, place butt in the folded position and bolt forward. TO REMOVE RETURN SPRING AND BOLT. Press back capcatch (13) to full depth. Push back cap (15) forward and rotate anticclockwise until locking lugs disengage from locking recesses. Remove back cap and draw cocking handle to rear of weapon. Lift cocking handle outwards snd withdraw return spring assembly (16) from rear of body. sembly Remove bolt from rear of body. Re-assemble in reverse order. The spring-loaded fouling pin will prevent mis since the cocking handle cannot be inserted until his pin is pushed forward by the centre pin on the spring assembly, This ensures that the cocking handle must pass through the hole in the centre pin, Fig. 10, To remove return spring and bolt8.2 TO REMOVE TRIGGER GROUP (Fc. |/) Set change lever at “ Safe", and with 2 small turn the slot in the head of the trigger group retaining pin (7) in line with the word "* Free "" on the right side of the pistol grip. With the nose of 2 bulle: or the blunt end of the cocking haridle push trigger group retaining pin out and remove. Pull trigger group towards sear of weapon, disengage [rom step In underside of barrel case and swing front of trigger group out and remove from bedy. Te remove trigger guard, push out forward pin, swing guard downward, pivoting about its rear fixing, and unhook from underplate in or rim of a cartridge NOTE Elementary stripping doot not include any further pring of B83 ASSEMBLY. Assemble in the reverse order of stripping Fig. Il. To remove trigger group14, 15 ond 16). STRIPPING. ‘when if is required to replace worn or breken parts, fon the mechan'sm and operation of the weapon, Com- TO REMOVE and magazin through eject 1 unscrew magazine catch screw (18), remove spring (19 Beant ster ie Tap aus siesae BON eae "Fig. 13. Toutrip trigger group 92 TO STRIP TRIGGER GROUP (Fig. 13), Pus": out sear axis pin (5) and fe ‘out trigger axis pin (23) and remove trigger (3) downwards through trigges ut sear group from trigger group. Push Push out tripping lever axis pir (24) and lift tripping lever (2) 1rom sear cradle (4) and life sear (6) from sear cradle,2 94 Fig. 14, To remove extractor TO REMOVE EXTRACTOR (Fig. 14). Push out extracior retaining pin (28) and remove extractor (26). During this operation hold extractor with thumb or forefinger otherwise it may shoot out. Remove extractor plunger and spring (27). Assemble in reverse order, TO REMOVE PISTOL GRIP. Unscrew grip retaining screw using A” Allen key. Withdraw grip. Assemble in reverse order.TO REMOVE BARREL (fig. 15\. Partially unscrew the two barrel retaining screws (28) as shown using 2” Allen wey. Protect these with s piece of wood and using 42 mallet drive barrel back from its seating. Remove screws and rotate barrel (29) to dlear bayonet lug and withdraw from body, TO STRIP MAGAZINE (Fiz. 16). Depress stud protruding through bottom plate (20) and slide plate from magazine case, cantralling the magazine spring with hand eo ——— to prevent ie fying (ree Withdraw platform and spring assembly (31) rocking platform at bot. com of magazine case to clear indentations. 20 Fig. 16, Te strip magazine9.7 FORESIGHT. The foresight fits into 2 doversil in the barrel case. It is a spring fit, there being no retaining pin or screw. To remove, tap right out from either side with a drift 9.8 BACKSIGHT. This should not be removed unless absolutely necessary. To remove the backsight, drive out the pin, lft out sight and spring, taking care not to lose small collars. ASSEMBLY 9, TRIGGER GROUP. 9.9.1 Ensure change lever is at automatic A. 99.2 Replace tripping lever and its axis pin in sear cradle, ensuring that che head of the tripping lever is engaged on the lower step of the te 9.9.3 Insert sear group into trigger group housing. Line up the sear, sear cradle and trigger housing, using trigger group retaining pin as a érift, and t.7..¢e sear axis pin 794 Insert trigger upwards through trigger guard ensuring that the erigger plunger is depressed within its housing. Line ‘up, using trigger group retaining pin asa drift, and replace trigger axis pin 99.5 Test trigger group for correct functioning at safe, single-shot and automatic 9.10 BARREL. 9.10.1 Insert barrel into case and push forward, rotating the barrel to clear bayonet lug. The extractor clearance groove in the barrel face should be in line with the ejector opening 9.10.2 Replace barrel retaining screws hand tight, then finally tighten, a litele on exch screw at atime using Allen key. 9. FORESIGHT. To assemble, insert foresight into dovetall and tap into the required poticion wu9.2 9.13 100 tor 102 ma a BACKSIGHT. Place spring and sight in housing, line up and insert pin. Insert collars and peen ends of pin over into countersinks in collars. MAGAZINE, Feed platform and spring into magazine casing, rocking past the indentations—the upper roller it on the left side when viewed from the rear of the magazine. Compress spring into casing and slide on bottom plate, engaging the stud in its hole in bottom plate. SECTION 4—ZEROING ‘The weapon Is zeroed before issue to the vier and should require little attention other than correction for line, or direction. Thisis effected by tapping the foresight to lelt or right. The foresight is a spring ft in its seating and requires no securing screw, Vertical zeroing is effected by loosening the 4 BA grub screw securing the blade (4 turns) with a yk Allen key and rotating, the biade in or out as required, one of more full turns. The grub screw must be tightened to relock. One turn of the bhde gives 4 variation of M.PA. of 5} inches at 100 yards, ‘The weapon may be zeroed at either 100 yards or 100 fees. For 100 yards the Mean Point of Impact should be on sight line. For 100 feet M.P.. should be 2 inches above sight line. SECTION 5—CLEANING Carry out elementary stripping. Clean the bore of the barrel using a pull-through and flannelette size 4 inches x 3 inches. ‘When the bore is clean, cil it, using flannelette size 4 inches x 2 inches. Clean and oll the chamber using 1 piece of tick: with flannelette on it. Clean the remaining pares of the weapon with an oily rag. Particular attention being paid to the cilling of the face of the bolt, inside the bolt run and to the elector. Magatines shoul be cleaned with an olly rag. Ensure that the platform is easy to move inside che magazine care.[BRIEF HISTORY OF SUBMACHINE GUNS AND CARSINES. Steting ‘Thebutiness ofStering Engineering began etthe tum ofthe cerry. n the mid 1940's the Company wsinvolvedin the developmant of lightweight ntry mortar ‘withthe Ministry of Defenca In 1858 the Lanchertr machine carsine, which wa Saaad on tha Garman MP2 1 wos Soaignad by GM Larchastar of tha Storing ER ‘ineering Company. Over 10,000 ofthese weapons ware mantactured andaupplied tothe Royal Nevy and Briah Commonwealth Navies, The Company azo man- [Ufactured the De Lila sient carbine which was in ation nrerstance forces ir Europe within 28 hours of the fist weapon being produced. The Company also manufac ‘ured components for other weapons. Patchett Design work proceeded during the War wo achsive a ighter.more accurate. compact and completely riabie waspon. Extensive work by Sirting’s deaigh team under {G.W: Patchett eoulted in the Potchet Sub Machine Gun. Limited quantities saw service Europa shorty before foe and oF Werld Wat I ‘Aver the War, frthar development and improvemerts ware made and, ates series of competitive tata hed by tha British Government, twas adopted as the san: ‘daré woapon fo: HM Forces bathe Sub Machine Gun mm L2A3in 15k {ZAY and L2A2 ware ari versions mde mad quanties Between 195 a 889 Wt he agony tha Brith Fores the wapon Bec known a he tering. ‘Stating Merk 4 (L283) |With the adoption of the woepan bythe British Forew. production was increased andthe weapon hasbeen supplied and ie tli being supped tothe Armed and Police Forces of over 30 courtria inthe frea word. More than 2milion Mark 4's have boon mada The deni of tho Starling Mark (243) haa not beet changed inary mavtod \deg'e0 since its ntroductionand curent spare parts wl it any Mask 4 ever mase. Improvements have been made egulay in production tchniques a many cum. ‘nem are now made from extruded section material o precision castings but ntecchangeabity of all components has mained unalteree. ‘Starting Mark 5(L34A1) ABrish Genera Stat requirement for wnspon of single shot and ful automat capably that met the standart of “mechanical noe tobe unhaard at 20 metras and ‘not o be recognised aa a frac at 80 metren” was expressed i the oe. Resoorch and design were undertaken Dy GW. Patchett who mat tha requirements fortis ‘weapon based cn the SMG L2A3. Aft extensive Vii an order was paced by he British Government and neolaboration wit) G.W. Patchett, Stelingundrook the ‘manufacture of te SMG Senn LAY (String Patcher SMG Ser Mark § —Sionced). ‘Thematnod ot slencing We described in oa itarature k should be eehaisns thao have an effectively senced weapon the bullet must be subsonic, ther ‘amaine the “creck” ofthe bullet an passed through the ar wich immeciataly disclose the prasance oftheir and thet of «warm. The Sterling Patchett | silenced firearm. not merely sound moderated or suppressed. ‘TheMark has row become vailabe forsale to triendly Governments along with the Mark 4 which, ofcourse, continues in product an the proven standard Sub Machine Gun, ‘Steng Mark 6 Semi-Automatic Carbines ‘The Mark 6s identical in appearance tothe Sterling Submachine Gun Mark 4 except thatthe bere hes been lengthened to conform Wit U.S, Regulations and the \woepon is capable of semi-automatic fire only. The vaapon is primary designed to meet the demand f US cvilan wnthusiaate ‘Steding Para Pistol Mark 7 ‘This in 9 special compact version ofthe standard Mark 4 Submachine Gun, The Para Pil range wes develops and put into croduction in tte 1963 by the Woska Director, Mr, 0.7. Howroya The Mark ?isdesignedior vehicles special una pilots andrews’ pectoral weapons where conned space iitethe storage t wandard ‘Submachine Guns. The Mart 7 gives thesame fre power and characteristice a a ull length Submachine Gor. The weapon comes in four erent moda tha Miltary versions Ad and AB which fire from the open bolt andhave the capably of fiing single snot ot automatic rapid fire At denotes 4” barel and AB denotes 87,8" Darel length. A suppressorsilencer is available forthe Aé unt. The Police varions ae designated C4 ord CB, The Cares free from aclosad bolt and has afosting fring pin, All dosed bolt units ire in the wingle shot mode only. AC series guns have two locating butions onthe upper sia of Une gun cating to enable a dovatl scope al tobe fitted The buttons are ready drilled and tapped and the String scope ral son thamn act Thi awl take moet angurn rae of right and optical sights, Storing Carbine Mark 8 ‘TheSterfing Mark 8 Carbine mm ¢ closed bot ring weapon designed specticlly for Police usage whore if lite accuracy ia damandedand yatthe ute f pistol am- ‘munition obvistss some ofthe normal dusdvantages associated wit high velocity ammuntioninaucha fle. iacapabie of sam-automatictire ont, Allweapons have ‘wo Locating Buttons on the upperside cl the gun cating to enabe the dovetslied scope ri to be fries“Comparative reterance numbers and nomenciature Manutecturern Raferance Lritan Gaveenrent Retwrce Patcheet Sterling SMG'8 mm Nar 1} NG Patchet 9mm ‘Stevting SMG B mm Mark 2 ‘SMG 9 mmL2a? Staring SMG 9 mm Mark 3 ‘SMG @mm (22 Sugling SMG 91mm Markt SMGOmm 2A Po ‘Sterling Patchett SMG 9 mm Mack SMGBmm USAT Sterling Carbine men Mare 8 Na Staring Para Pino! mm Mark? Ad nd AS NA Staring Pistol O mm Mark? C4 ana.ca : NA Sterling Carbine 9 men Marks NA Taste ane Toa Exihnive tents wee caring out by the Beth Authotitesbatorw adopting the Staring and tha StelingPatchet. Thea ara retarreo in komen the iterate Inthe catn ofthe standard weopon,theve involved immersion in md, sandstorm ana Arcveconditions and is rlabity and continued functioning Undorauch adverer conditions sled iota compactnass. strength and axcaptional accuracy compared with tx competitors tram many counties ied {outs adyption Enauranoe Wise were dacontunwed ahs: 1.008 ‘ounds au the weapane showed no Jone of accuracy and thare was "0 messi Similar texts were cried out en the sient weapon with equaliy good results, wii anything, even mare accuracy, due tothe ang aseaich and development comtinve DTEH 1984