Live fire E-11 baster built on real L2A3 rifle

TinCuda · Jul 21, 2018

Hi all,

I am kind of new to this forum. I have read some but this is my first thread. I am far from an expert and I do not consider myself much of an artist. I hope you like it but I do welcome any thoughts or comments.

This is something that I have been kicking around in my head for a while now and I finally thought I would give it a try.

Now for the disclaimer... As this is a live firearm, please do not follow my example or do this at home yourself. I am not liable for any injuries, OK? Nothing here is for sale. Please do not ask. Sorry if I over-read a rule against real firearms in this forum. Also, I will not get into a debate or discussion about firearms or related laws. Recognizing that this is a forum about movie props, this is not the place. I will say this, I live in the United States and as such, the firearm laws require that a firearm classified as a "rifle" must have a 16 inch long barrel. I refuse to register and pay the tax to reclassify this rifle into a "short barrel rifle" and I would rather have an awkwardly long barrel than pin/weld the stock forward.

The rifle is a British L2A3 Sterling built and converted by Wiselite into a closed bolt semi-auto version. Because working L2A3s are becoming fairly hard to find these days, everything that I have done to mine is completely reversible as I will explain as we go.

I started out by making the top rail from 3/4 inch steel flat bar stock that I got at a local hardware store. It took three attempts before I had one that I was happy with. I used the longer one in the middle. I got the airsoft version so I could have a three dimensional object to look at. I realize it has some errors in authenticity.

.,

TinCuda · Jul 21, 2018

The next thing, I cut down a magazine. In the interest of full disclosure, I used measurements from the airsoft version. I think it came out pretty close.

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TinCuda · Jul 21, 2018

I got some great parts from War Machine Paintball. I do own a real M38 but I am not planning on doing any weathering to this blaster and I just can not bring myself to repaint a real M38 scope. It was bought a couple of years ago when I was still thinking things through. The reproduction scope looks real nice and I do not have to worry about messing up a historic piece.

TinCuda · Jul 21, 2018

Then I did some pretty straight forward painting and assembly. The counter bracket was made from a piece of aluminium angle. I drilled the holes in the top rail and the counter bracket (not accomplished yet in the picture) to line up with the holes that hold the scope in place. I thought the gold eagle on the counter, the brass rings and the silver screw heads on the scope looked nice unpainted.

TinCuda · Jul 21, 2018

As I stated before, everything I am doing is completely reversible. I am using neodymium rare earth magnets to hold everything in place. The ones that I got advertise something like 20lbs lifting capacity. I did not test this but the top rail holds on really nice and tight. Maybe not enough to shoot with the rail on, but plenty well enough to display. These are some pictures of me fit checking the rail and getting the correct size magnets.

TinCuda · Jul 22, 2018

This is the final top rail fully assembled. This whole thing goes on and comes off as one piece and is held on with magnets. The front of the rail is located by using one of the barrel vent holes and the back of the rail is held straight with the aft sight.

TinCuda · Jul 22, 2018

This is a work in process. I still have to install the rails on the barrel shroud. This is what I have so far. I hope to get it done in a week or so when I can find some more time.

I hope you have enjoyed this so far and I will post more pictures when I get this build all done. Thanks for checking it out.

ed-209 · Jul 22, 2018

Finally!!! First time I've seen anyone do this. Great job!!!

superjedi · Jul 22, 2018

Very cool! I have a Wiselite Sterling, and maybe I'll do something similar someday.

Kovnyn · Jul 22, 2018

Is that built on a remanufactured receiver from a kit? If not, then I understand the reason for the 16 inch bbl. But if it was, you could have welded the stock in the folded position and used a proper length barrel, which would classify it as either a pistol or simply as a firearm.

It's awesome either way, and if I can ever get a Sterling kit at a decent price, I'd do the same thing.

Just like if I ever get a Red Nine C96, I'm modding it as a live fire DL 44.

TinCuda · Jul 22, 2018

Kovnyn said:
Is that built on a remanufactured receiver from a kit? If not, then I understand the reason for the 16 inch bbl. But if it was, you could have welded the stock in the folded position and used a proper length barrel, which would classify it as either a pistol or simply as a firearm.

It's awesome either way, and if I can ever get a Sterling kit at a decent price, I'd do the same thing.

Just like if I ever get a Red Nine C96, I'm modding it as a live fire DL 44.

The rifle is a British L2A3 Sterling built and converted by Wiselite into a closed bolt semi-auto version. Although Wiselite is an American company, they were sold by Century Arms. (back around 2009-2011?) Wiselite only manufactured "rifle" versions with the full length barrel shroud. They did make some pistol versions of the sterling (attached picture) but they were not an ideal platform to start an E-11 build. Parker Arms manufactured some rifles from Sterling kits back in the 1980s that they called the Mark 6. This only came in a 16 inch barrel rifle to my knowledge. If anyone else ever made a "pistol" version, I am not aware of it. Even if it was made, the rarity of it might make it cost prohibitive. I suppose I would be willing at some point to take on a pistol kit build but the legal pitfalls and restrictions are something to look at very seriously.

I would love to make a live fire C96/DL-44. That is very likely going to be my next project after I get this one done. I have been keeping an eye out for a Mauser that is reasonably priced. I would be looking for one that is not necessarily numbers matching with poor/fair external finish. Red Nine a must for me.

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Kovnyn · Jul 22, 2018

I remember seeing Sterling pistols available, but it was probably 10 years ago, give or take.

Closed bolt semi auto conversion on a virgin receiver, stock welded closed. Much like the PPSH-43 pistols available today. I don't remember what they were going for, though.

I kick myself for not snagging the Red 9 Mauser when I had the chance several years back, for like $400.

I wonder if anyone does accessory kits for the AR-15/ A-280. Been thinking about building up another AR.

GrenadeKing · Jul 23, 2018

For $200 you can register it as a Short Barrel Rifle (SBR). It's not a difficult process, especially today, it just requires some patience waiting for the forms to be returned from the ATF. Not sure about the Sterling but, with most SMGs the barrels can be swapped in minutes without permanently altering the gun.

Looks great thought. I never considered using magnets to make the mods removable.

TinCuda · Jul 23, 2018

Kovnyn said:
I remember seeing Sterling pistols available, but it was probably 10 years ago, give or take.

Closed bolt semi auto conversion on a virgin receiver, stock welded closed. Much like the PPSH-43 pistols available today. I don't remember what they were going for, though.

Show me.

GrenadeKing said:
For $200 you can register it as a Short Barrel Rifle (SBR). It's not a difficult process, especially today, it just requires some patience waiting for the forms to be returned from the ATF. Not sure about the Sterling but, with most SMGs the barrels can be swapped in minutes without permanently altering the gun.

Looks great thought. I never considered using magnets to make the mods removable.

I really did not want to get into a "firearm" discussion on this forum. I do not believe this is the best place for it. Please re-read my first post.

Thank you for the feedback.

GrenadeKing · Jul 23, 2018

TinCuda said:
I really did not want to get into a "firearm" discussion on this forum. I do not believe this is the best place for it. Please re-read my first post.

Thank you for the feedback.

My apologies; I seem to have glossed over that part. Sometimes I get ahead of myself, especially when two or more of my hobbies/passions intersect. I certainly understand where your coming from though. No disrespect intended.

Kovnyn · Jul 23, 2018

TinCuda said:
Show me.

Thank you for the feedback.

Here's a PPS-43 (not ppsh, my bad) pistol with the stock welded closed.
https://www.classicfirearms.com/pol-pps-43c
This is considered a pistol, as it was built on a receiver of either new manufacture, or a reconditioned receiver that was previously demiled.

And I did find a Sterling pistol.
https://www.gunsamerica.com/909196903/Wise-Lite-Arms-Colefire-9mm-Sterling-Pisto.htm

TatooineMachine · Jul 23, 2018

Great job!

TinCuda · Jul 24, 2018

GrenadeKing said:
My apologies; I seem to have glossed over that part. Sometimes I get ahead of myself, especially when two or more of my hobbies/passions intersect. I certainly understand where your coming from though. No disrespect intended.

No worries. I certainly do not mean to offend anyone either. Due to the fact that I am relatively new to this forum and this is my first thread, I really did not want my first activity to “trigger” (full pun intended) anyone. It may be that I merely suffer from firearm repression syndrome. I belong to dedicated firearm forums where we debate philosophies and laws to great length. Those forums understandably do not always appreciate movie prop building or modeling. They are not the same kinds of experts found here. Among other things, I am a firearm as well as a history enthusiast. I am not super concerned about radio knobs and flash light handles used to build light sabers and such, I do find it very difficult to alter a working historical firearm. It is also not my place to criticize others for doing so. Point of fact, I cried to myself internally as I modified the original L2A3 magazine for the E-11 build.

So, with that being said, I would very much like to continue with this forum in good standing and look forward to any advice or criticisms any member might have.

TinCuda · Jul 24, 2018

Kovnyn said:
Here's a PPS-43 (not ppsh, my bad) pistol with the stock welded closed.
https://www.classicfirearms.com/pol-pps-43c
This is considered a pistol, as it was built on a receiver of either new manufacture, or a reconditioned receiver that was previously demiled.

And I did find a Sterling pistol.
https://www.gunsamerica.com/909196903/Wise-Lite-Arms-Colefire-9mm-Sterling-Pisto.htm

Funny you should pick a PPs-43. I was just goofing around. Because the top rail was built to attach with magnets...

I think it looks kind of Star Wars-ish. LOL

.,

Kovnyn · Jul 24, 2018

Very cool. Like a predecessor to the E-11.

Wouldn't mind picking up a PPS-43 myself one of these days. Just not high on my list.

That firearms forum you mentioned wouldn't be The High Road, by any chance?

Live fire E-11 baster built on real L2A3 rifle

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