Sten MKIII aka SAS3 build tutorial

[dutigaf]

in this tutorial will give you a breif overview of how to switch a old used parts kit into a functional and legal semi auto to play with.... for less than $400.

pictures will follow shortly as i add to this.

[franks71vw]

awesome once I finish the 50 and the pps43 from pirate I want to build my sas3 kit.. :mrgreen:

[op4rebel]

yah i want to build one two, just need time and some materials hopefully over xmas break I can get to work on it.

[dutigaf]

this is how you start... with a pile of parts!!
http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h18/dutigaf/sten%20mkIII/semiautostensas3kit.jpg
both of these are top notch kits, expect to pay about $125 to 150 currently.

next, you clean and finish taking them apart and making sure everything is ready to go back together..


http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h18/dutigaf/sten%20mkIII/mk3smgkit.jpg




its pretty simple.... grind off the welds and throw out the old tore up metal parts... just dont bend any of the rear ring or trigger assembly!! then yoru ready for the next part.

[dutigaf]

next you need the parts to put it back together.. you can make these yourself, but semi auto stens makes a great kit that will get you safely shooting.... I know the owner personally and he is a fine fellow who will answer any questions you have. heres what you get from him:

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h18/dutigaf/semiautostensas3kit.jpg

it has complete directions that anyone can follow. i will give you some pix of mine as soon as i go take them. lmao

then more after its got a final appearance job... stay tuned.

[dutigaf]

hey guys i just rushed a few pix this morning cause i ve got like 20 pms and 10 emails from differnt friends at differnt sites on this..... i suck at pictures as you can see.

the best thing about this kit is that it comes with directions and pictures!! here are a few shots of it in the white and no i dont have the hand gaurd on the side yet!!

below is what i started out with and what i finished with. and if you do the pistol version, remember that you have to make it so that a rifle stock cant go on there!

i did this by welding a pin right below the connection point on the trigger housing and then cutting it out of the part where the pistol grip mates..... so a rifle stock cant slide on there. if you dont do this then you either have to go to the barrel extension or pay the fee and get a SBR deal.

i made the pistol grip myself out of some flat stock and a t-stock connector, im very happy with it, as it fits my hand perfectly. of course you can laugh at me welding as this kit had no "ears" and a good welder like 555th im not. lol


http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h18/dutigaf/sten%20mkIII/DSC00177.jpg

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h18/dutigaf/sten%20mkIII/DSC00176.jpg
http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h18/dutigaf/sten%20mkIII/DSC00180.jpg

[dutigaf]

ok heres a couple of pix with a finish on it.... i chose not to put the deflector on the side and just welded up all the rivet places it left instead.


http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h18/dutigaf/sten%20mkIII/DSC00184.jpg
http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h18/dutigaf/sten%20mkIII/DSC00185.jpg



now this was just a quick over view as some of the posts that go with this got deleted in the last crash....

it comes with very detailed instructions and anyone who can build an AK can do this as well.

if there are questions we can get into more details then so look it over and then ask away.

[dutigaf]

seems that the FCG area pictures for this one got lost.... not a problem as it is exactly like the MKII in the other thread so if you need help in that area ask or go to the MKII build thread and look at it. simple to just weld the selector in place and its all explained there.

[Lt Shaffer]

Hey Dutigaf, I just ordered some springs from you. What screws did you use on your MKIII trunions and where did you get them? Thanks.

[dutigaf]

i use grade #8 hardened "button head" screw in size 8x32x5/16"

they run about $10 for a box of 1oo at fastenal or grainger

you should get your springs today or tomorrow at the latest! they went priority mail.

keep us posted.

[A. Stull]

Looks great! Years back when Tapco was selling the MKIII kits for $25 a piece I bought 4 of them and gave em away as Christmas presents. Wish I would have kept them now :banghead:

[dutigaf]

thank you.

and i wish you would have kept them too!!!!

a GOOD kit with tabs is running $150+ nowdays a average kit with NO tabs is still over $100.

[Lt Shaffer]

Thanks for the info!

[Dan Wilson]

What are the "tabs" to which you speak?

Dan

[COPE]

What are the "tabs" to which you speak?

Dan

I'm wandering the same thing. I was thinking about picking up a kit or two, and really don't know what the "tabs" are.

[Pvt. Joker]

IIRC, they are the parts that attach the mag well to the receiver tube. When demilled, some were left intact, and some were torched off. They make it easier to build.

[COPE]

IIRC, they are the parts that attach the mag well to the receiver tube. When demilled, some were left intact, and some were torched off. They make it easier to build.

Who has the kits with the tabs intact? Or is it a crapshoot?

[Pvt. Joker]

IIRC, they are the parts that attach the mag well to the receiver tube. When demilled, some were left intact, and some were torched off. They make it easier to build.

Who has the kits with the tabs intact? Or is it a crapshoot?

No idea. Best bet might be to hit GB auctions with photos, maybe? But as far as wholesalers, I couldn't tell you.

[dutigaf]

sorry my fault for not clarifying that...

like Joker said: there is 1 set at the magwell

there is another set on early demills at the connection of the lower to the tube

this is the set that is most desireable and costs you more money as a kit.

maybe i can find you some pix tonite. the lower tabs are not really a big deal its kinda like braggin rights...

my kit has "intact tabs" or having a USGI 1919kit instead of an IZZY.

they both work the same.

ive got 1 kit left with no tabs and 6 with tabs.

its a lot harder to demill teh tabbed ones.

no im not selling any of the tabbed ones. lol

these are my "Shit hits the fan" kits for emergency use.

if your in a real hurry you can build a sten in about 2.5 hours if you need to and have the parts close by.

[RaccoonRough]

Great build Dutigaf,
Thanks for the post, the picts help alot.

RR

[dutigaf]

glad to see you join us over here... and your very welcome.

[weasel_master]

Duti, can I get you to repost those pictures? I got pissed off trying to do my first one as I messed up the tube. I've got a new tube now and think I am ready to try again. Also, do you have a picture of those bits you used? I didn't save the picture you sent me before.

[dutigaf]

WM,

yeah i didnt know the pix were gone .. i'll get to that first thing in the morning bub.. about 630 am EDT..

ok?

oh, and bits??? what are we talking about here? you mean the burr bits that go in your dia grinder?

[weasel_master]

I believe those are it. Whatever you used to cut your cocking slot after you drilled the holes to start the slot.

[dutigaf]

oh ok.... used the rotozip with cutting wheels to make the slot and then the "burr bits" to smooth it all out.

no secrets there. just good old hand tools... burr bits are NOT cheap. you can get them at grainger or MSC or Fastenal. they run near $25+ each and you can get them in different aggressiveness runs.

those brand new ez lock dremel wheels work like the berrys on a rotozip with a flex shaft and cut like all get out... talk about more power!!

i'll never buy another dremel.... just their wheels

[dutigaf]

WM,


this build was a quick gloss over but you may wanna check out my MKII build it has more pictures and better info as i took my time on it and set it up better.

right now we are having trouble with my links getting broken so if its not working right let me know and i'll rehost that one too.

and somewhere on this site i have a magwell setting tutorial!!

as mentioned the server seems to be having a few issues right now...

[Kali Komrade]

Just glancing over this is there an alternative method to doing this other than that semi auto conversion kit SAS3 thing... Is he still making them?
Still want to do one of these...

[dutigaf]

yes


if you want striker set ups...

semi sten still makes them with YOOPER AL

or indianapolis ordnance makes them too.

or if you want to do a hammer fired all you gotta do is do your own bolt or Terry at HellBox Armory will do it for you if you tell him exactly what you want done.

let me know how you want to work on it and i'll help you along.

s