Shooting the Sterling

The Sterling:  Designed in 1942.  Perfected in 2011.  Okay, that’s a bit much… and it’s cheesy as hell.  However during test firing today at Ballistic Testing Zone One, the Sterling didn’t have a single malfunction of any kind.  The gun ran flawlessly.

Some guys might complain about the high bore axis...

It’s a very soft shooting gun, with almost no recoil.  The action is a straight up Blow Back type, so the cases came out dirty, as is the bolt… but remarkably the ejection was very consistent, and only threw the brass a few feet.  Even during a full mag dump, the gun remained consistent and composed.  Also, it didn’t even get really hot, something that some people were fearful about.  Don’t worry about that.

That is one Dead washing machine.

I can’t speak of the accuracy, because I didn’t put it on paper.  I was just blasting in the directions of some Cow Pies that were laying scattered around BTZ1.     The rear sight has two apertures, one for 100 meters, the other for 200.  I tried both, just for fun, and I think I’m going to keep it on 200.  Mine seems to be shooting low, which is fine.  Low hits can be adjusted.  I need to put this gun on paper, and I will later.

Firing in "STORM TROOPER" mode is advisable.

To contrast this from the previous Sterling I fired, it’s almost like a completely different gun.  It’s reliable, which is something the other Sterling was not.  It’s smooth, which is different too.  Both guns were soft shooting, which is why I liked them, but this one is now closer to a Beretta 12 than the Sterling I had fired before.

A Bolt Hold Open would be nice, but they don't have them on Sterlings.

11 thoughts on “Shooting the Sterling”

  1. Looks like fun!
    These have Crusader Serial Numbers or preexisting ones?
    Why do I see mine becoming something of an ammo pig?
    *Runs off to find the best deals on 9mm ammo online*
    While watching videos on youtube, I was shocked at how controllable they seemed in full auto use… Being a total kitten in semi auto seems like a natural byproduct of that.
    George, I envy you.
    Room full of Sterlings, good friends, and wide open shooting areas.

    Jim

    1. I agree with Jim…I truly envy you. With each and every post I get more and more excited, something I didn’t think possible.

    2. We purchased the receivers, so they have their own serials and not our own. Until we get our own machining to build our own, that is the unfortunate state. But we still retain full control over what parts go in our guns.

      1. The only way that you would be able to make your own serial number is if you buy an 80% receiver or go all the way and make your own from the ground up. Usually an 80% receiver is the way to go as it’s the best money/time/effort mix. Now you can check with the ATF that because you (Crusader) are a manufacturer that you sould be able to create your own serial number because you are “creating” that firearm. You MUST engrave the company information and also pay the manufacturing tax on each firearm (but of course I’m telling you something that you already know) and I only bring this up because I have seen AK’s (Vector to be exact) that had a seperate serial number on the receiver but the “registered” serial number was Vector’s. I’m pretty sure that Crusader can make their own specific serial number. You’re building it & entering it in your manufacturer log & paying the tax on it…you should check it out for your customers.

  2. I’ve read about the Sterlings shooting low and the reason being the extra barrel length and less muzzle rise. Even more reason to SBR it.

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