Just a random thought and flame me if you will, but I notice that there's no rush to attack these stens with wire wool / 1000 grade wet and dry or the usual nitromorse treatment that the MP44's all recieved when they came out. There were loads of people stripping them to make them look old, yet I haven't seen the stens get the work over. Does the £350 price tag make the grinding paste stay in the box?
It's because the Stens are blued, not painted. The AGM MP44's, like the MP40's have a thick layer of black paint which looks a bit cack, so, to get them looking half decent and realistic, they NEED a bit of abuse with some wire wool, it's not a case of aging them. The Stens don't need this, as they already have a realistic finish. Now, the magazine on the other hand needs a damned good beating and going over with some 180 grit!
Watch this space for some Sten modding though. 
When I want your opinion - I'll tell you what it is!
It's because the Stens are blued, not painted.
Unlike the real ones, which are painted, not blued 
It's because the Stens are blued, not painted.
Unlike the real ones, which are painted, not blued
My old Mk II deac was blued. I think it just depends what factory it came from.
Yup, I've seen both painted and blued stens.
Blued look nicer.
Blued is usually a post-war refurbishment. In 20+ years of reenactment, I can honestly say that the blued stens I've seen are in the small minority.
Blued is usually a post-war refurbishment. In 20+ years of reenactment, I can honestly say that the blued stens I've seen are in the small minority.
Well, looks like we've got some that are in that minority then. Even in 20+ years of reenactment, I doubt you've seen EVERY Sten ever made, have you?
When I want your opinion - I'll tell you what it is!
Please, no tit-for-tatting on this forum!
It hardly matters - the fact is the Stens look very nice out of the box, not the flat black spray paint look of the CYMA Thompson or AGM StG44. No need to crap 'em up as it looks like the will age garcefully with use.
Blued is usually a post-war refurbishment. In 20+ years of reenactment, I can honestly say that the blued stens I've seen are in the small minority.
Well, looks like we've got some that are in that minority then. Even in 20+ years of reenactment, I doubt you've seen EVERY Sten ever made, have you?
No, but I've seen and handled a good cross section 
I've seen and handled a good cross section
So did Jesus 
I've seen and handled a good cross section
So did Jesus
Just put this on my Sten. Should make it easier to find in a pile of Stens!
When I want your opinion - I'll tell you what it is!
Excellent - it will save burning your hand too!
No one seems to be putting up any reviews on thier Stens...or am I missing them. Was looking forward to what buyers really thought after the confusion over the items previously.
Reviews anyone???????
er.. well I've done two in this thread already!
Yes but what about evryone else?????? If 10 people got one can't believe the others that have picked theirs up don't have something to say. Blimey look at the MP44, everyone was posting reviews. Just look forward to what people think and more pictures other than the ones the manufacturer supplies.
Oh but we have, its all on this thread!
Just put this on my Sten. Should make it easier to find in a pile of Stens!
Did you make that yourself or buy it from somewhere?
Got it off Ebay. Axenige sell them for £8.
On the subject of reviews, I'll put some thoughts and photos together when I can be arsed. For the moment, I'll just say I'm very happy with my Sten!
When I want your opinion - I'll tell you what it is!
I'm just waiting 'till the weekend when I can try it in the back garden and see how it shoots and feeds because in the low light of the tunnels it was impossible to tell if anything was coming out or where it was going.
That said, I too am very pleased. It looks nice, is heavy and pretty solid and the battery seems to be magic. It was also a pleasant surprise to find that it didn't need downgrading. Hop was a bit of a blow, however if Viva stick to their word and come up with an after-market add-on that will be very welcome.
