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Photo: Grzegorz Pietrzak (user Vindicator) · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0
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Sten

Machine Pistols · United Kingdom · 1941
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Sten

Sten
Sten Photo: Grzegorz Pietrzak (user Vindicator) · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0
* Absolute score — assessed within category · no era adjustment
Firepower
40
Full-Auto Control
30
Magazine Capacity
50
Concealability
85
Accuracy
35
Reliability
55
Ergonomics
20
Rate of Fire
60
Versatility
65
Cost-Effectiveness
95
Origin United Kingdom
ManufacturerRoyal Small Arms Factory
CategoryMachine Pistols
EraWorld War II
In service1941–1945
Operators53 countries
Quantity3,700,000
Data Quality88%
MASS(Military Archive Scoring System)
48
Machine Pistols MASS Rating
20/36
World War II
151/217
All-Time
Machine Pistols · 10 axes scored
Firepower
40
Full-Auto Control
30
Magazine Capacity
50
Concealability
85
Accuracy
35
Reliability
55
Ergonomics
20
Rate of Fire
60
Versatility
65
Cost-Effectiveness
95
ⓘ Regardless of era, the same scoring system applies to all units in the machine pistols category.
01 / Overview
Sten
Prime contractor
Production
1941–1945
Quantity
3,700,000
Unit Price (current)
$217.262↗ 1875% inflation · 1942→2025
Original Price
$11 (1942)
Operators
Conflicts
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
MACHINE PISTOLS · WORLD WAR II
20
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
96
UNIT COST (2025 USD)
$217.262
Original: $11 (1942)
Inflation: +%1875
48
machine pistols category
ⓘ Performance/Price and MASS score are computed across all units in the machine pistols category, regardless of era.
02 / Specs & Design
◎General6MOD.6
  • First Production Year1941
  • Service Entry Year1941
  • DesignerMajor Reginald V. Shepherd and Harold J. Turpin
  • Weight (Empty)3.2 kg
  • Currently In ServiceYes
  • Notable UsersBritish and Commonwealth forces, resistance groups, Free French, French Resistance, Milice française, Danish resistance, Czechoslovak troops, Chinese communist forces, Cuban revolutionaries, Algerian forces, IRA, and others
◈Cartridge & Calibre6MOD.6
▣Operation8MOD.8
◇Ballistics2MOD.2
  • Muzzle Velocity365 m/s
  • Effective Range (point)60 m
◆Barrel & Sights5MOD.5
▤Construction6MOD.6
▲Production & Cost5MOD.5
  • Total Production3.7
  • Production Start1941
  • Production End1945
  • Unit Cost2.3 USD
  • Variants7
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANStill in Service
  1. 1927First deployment: Chinese Civil War
  2. 1941Production started
  3. 1945Production ended
85
years in service
4
years in production
3,700,000
units produced
51
countries operating
ⓘ The producing country still actively operates it. 2 countries retired it.
05 / Operators
Operator Inventory2country · 86units
86active
📖 TERMS ON THIS PAGE7terms
A type of firearm action where the breech is not locked and the cartridge case expands to seal the breech, using case expansion and pressure to retain gases.
A firearm feed system where ammunition is stored in a separate container (magazine) that can be removed and replaced, enabling rapid reloading.
A firearm stock that can be folded or collapsed to reduce overall length for storage or transport.
Adjustable metal aiming devices on firearms, consisting of a front post and rear notch, used without magnification.
Select fire is a fire selector mechanism on a firearm that lets the shooter choose the firing mode, such as semi‑automatic, burst, or fully automatic.
A pistol barrel with external helical grooves allowing the attachment of a suppressor or other muzzle devices.
These terms are listed automatically because they appear on this page.full encyclopedia →
📚 Sources
📖 ENCYCLOPEDIA Browse the Machine Pistols entry →