The STEN Doesn't Suck

Published on April 9, 2026
Duration: 9:35

This video provides a detailed review of the Sten Mark II submachine gun, examining its historical context, technical specifications, and practical performance. The presenter, with hands-on experience, assesses its reliability, accuracy, and ergonomics, concluding it was a cost-effective and crucial weapon for Britain during WWII despite its crude design.

Quick Summary

The Sten Mark II is a fully automatic, magazine-fed submachine gun chambered in 9mm Parabellum, operating on a direct blowback, open bolt system. Developed for rapid, low-cost mass production during WWII, it features a 7.8-inch barrel, simple sights, and a side-mounted magazine well. Despite its crude design, it proved reliable and cost-effective for the British military.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Historical Context: WWII and Dunkirk
  2. 01:38The Need for the Sten
  3. 02:08Development of the Sten
  4. 02:39Origin of the Name 'Sten'
  5. 03:14Under the Hood: Sten Mark II Features
  6. 04:11Muzzle and Barrel
  7. 04:29Sights and Durability
  8. 05:15Magazine Well and Release
  9. 05:33Magazine Design and Reliability
  10. 05:52Fire Controls and Safety
  11. 06:01Charging Handle and Drop Safety
  12. 06:22Stock Variants
  13. 06:38Performance Testing: Reliability
  14. 07:21Performance Testing: Accuracy
  15. 08:03Ergonomics and Handling
  16. 08:22Verdict: Cost-Effective and Usable
  17. 09:04Was the Sten the Best WWII Subgun?

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Sten Mark II submachine gun?

The Sten Mark II is a fully automatic, magazine-fed submachine gun chambered in 9mm Parabellum. It operates on a direct blowback, open bolt system and was designed for rapid, low-cost mass production during World War II.

Why was the Sten submachine gun developed?

The Sten was developed out of necessity for the British military after the heavy equipment losses during the Dunkirk evacuation in 1940. Britain needed a simple, cheap, and quickly manufacturable automatic weapon to arm its forces against German advances.

What are the key technical features of the Sten Mark II?

The Sten Mark II features a 7.8-inch barrel, a simple post and aperture sight with a durable triangular front sight, a side-mounted rotating magazine well, and a crossbolt safety. It uses double-stack, single-feed 32-round magazines.

How reliable and accurate is the Sten Mark II?

During testing with 300 rounds, the Sten Mark II experienced only five failures to feed, which were easily cleared. At 30 yards, it achieved 80-85% hit probability with short bursts, demonstrating reasonable accuracy for its intended role.

What is the significance of the Sten's design and cost?

The Sten's crude but effective design allowed it to be produced in just five to six man-hours for a very low cost. This made it an invaluable asset for the British war effort, prioritizing logistics and availability over refinement.

More Reviews Videos You Might Like

More from BurstReview

View all →