S&T L2A3 MK4 Sterling Submachine Gun AEG

S&T
Code: STAEG66
455.49
  • Full metal construction - Mostly steel
  • Rotary adjustable HOP-up unit
  • The iconic British SMG of the Cold War

If you're a British firearms enthusiast you must recognise the L2A3 Sterling SMG, the iconic British submachine gun which served with the British Army throughout the Cold War and beyond. Replacing the STEN gun, the Sterling was everything the STEN should have been, offering improved ergonomics, semi-auto and full auto fire modes and a complex but highly functional folding stock. This SMG was one of the few British firearms squaddies reportedly liked, and the S&T replica matches up with the Sterling's superb reputation in the real steel world. 

Constructed almost entirely from steel with all the features one would expect from an authentic Sterling replica, the S&T L2A3 is built like a tank, with the appropriate weight and heft for a realistic experience whether you're skirmishing with it or just fondling it on the sofa. Inside, we have a unique gearbox type with an alloy shell, caged motor and 18:1 ratio steel gears, with a well-concealed rotary adjustable HOP-up unit on the outside of the outer barrel. If you're looking for an old-school SMG or are working on your historic British firearms collection, you need the S&T L2A3 MK4 Sterling!

Full description

Description

British firearms fans, you'll love this one! S&T have chosen to replicate the L2A3, Sterling MK4 variant, the final production version of the Patchett SMG, and the most widely produced model. This is the submachine gun which replaced the iconic STEN gun in British Army service, carrying through the utilitarian design aesthetic but with considerable functionality, handling and quality improvements.

The Sterling saw widespread use with Britain and Commonwealth states, including use with the Australian and New Zealand forces in the Vietnam War. Although intended to be replaced by the L85A1 in 1987, in reality, many Sterlings remained in service with the British Forces well beyond that date, well into the late 1990s. While the Sterling is no longer in Service with the British, many former Commonwealth nations retain them, and several are known to have surfaced for use with Special Forces during the early stages of the Second Gulf War in 2003.

Featuring a Polymer Pistol Grip and full metal construction, the S&T L2A3 Replica has flawlessly authentic looks and a realistic, hefty feel in the hands. The receiver is constructed entirely from steel, as is the folding stock and magazine well, just like the real thing. Unlike many Airsoft replicas which use alloy receivers, the S&T Sterling is bristling with steel, meaning improved durability, a more authentic finish and an authentic feel which is hard to match. 

The accurately replicated Sterling under-folding Skeleton Stock lies at the rear, and is just as complex to operate as the real thing! To unfold it, simply pull the butt plate down, rotate the stock into position, press the leaf spring inside the butt plate and the whole assembly should lock in place via the spring-loaded receiver end cap. To fold the stock again, press the receiver end plate, rotate the stock to the front, press the leaf spring inside the butt plate once more to collapse the butt plate assembly and hook the protruding stud into the keymod-like vent port at the front of the handguard. If you're having a hard time with the Sterling stock, we suggest checking out this video

While it may be complex to operate, with the stock folded, the Sterling is nice and compact, easy to wield in close quarters and suitable for smaller gun bags and cases. With the stock deployed, there is no wobble, and despite the clunky Uzi-like deployment, it is remarkably comfortable to use.

The ported front handguard/heat shield features a protrusion on the left side, welded onto the steel tube receiver. This is the bayonet lug, included on the Sterling so users don't feel left out when the order to fix bayonets is given. On the top of the receiver, we are treated to authentic aperture iron sights, one of the areas the Sterling most notably improved on the STEN it replaced. The rear sight provides two apertures for aiming, a finer aperture for semi-auto fire and a wider one for full auto.

Included in the box is a curved 110rnd 'banana' type magazine to complete the look of this iconic British SMG. Internally the Sterling is equipped with a proprietary gearbox type with an alloy shell, caged motor and steel 18:1 ratio gears, capable of semi-auto and full auto fire via the fire selector switch on the left side of the pistol grip. The charging handle is located on the top right of the tubular receiver and when pulled back, provides a satisfying metal-on-metal "clank". The rotary adjustable HOP-up is neatly concealed on the outside of the outer barrel and can be turned through the vent ports to tune the Sterling for your chosen ammo weight. 

The battery compartment is in the receiver and accessible once the receiver end cap has been removed. Inside, you will find a mini-Tamiya battery connector. To remove the end cap, simply press it in to unlock the stock, hold the retaining latch on the bottom of the receiver down and rotate the end cap counterclockwise, after which it will come free. We recommend a 7.4V 850mAh LiPo in block configuration for an easy fit. 

For Airsofters looking for a Late- or Post-Cold War era Submachine gun that isn't an MP5, the Sterling provides another iconic and unmistakably British SMG platform, built like a tank with solid performance, both at range and up close. 

Features

  • Full metal construction - Mostly steel, just like the real thing
  • Accurate Replica of the Sterling SMG - Perfect for collectors and Falklands Reenactors
  • Accurate Sterling stamped markings - Completes the iconic Sterling looks
  • Aperture iron sights - Adjustable rear aperture, protected front post
  • Textured pistol grip - Comfortable with an authentic finish
  • Under-Folding 2-Position skeleton stock - Steel construction, complex but comfy
  • Sling Loop on Butt Cap - Ideal for single-point slings
  • Unique gearbox - Alloy shell, caged motor, 18:1 steel gears
  • Rotary adjustable HOP-up - On the outside of the barrel, accessible through the vent ports
  • Rear wired - Mini-Tamiya battery connector
  • Recommended battery: 7.4V 850mAh LiPo in Block configuration
  • Compatible with S&T/Beta Project Sterling Magazines

Package Includes

  • S&T L2A3 MK4 Sterling Submachine Gun AEG
  • 110rnd Medium Capacity Magazine
  • Instruction Manual 

Specification

General

Weapon Construction External
Weapon Type
Submachine Gun
Over 18 Only Icon
Over 18
Yes
Icon UKARA - United Kingdom Airsoft Retailer Association
Defence / UKARA Required
Yes, No,
FPS Icon
FPS (Feet Per Second), using 0.20g BB
Approx. 350fps ± 10%, using 0.20g BB
Site Legal Icon
Site Legal, using 0.20g BB
Yes
Screwdriver Icon
Pre-Built
Yes
Package
Included Items
Magazine
Skill Level Icon
User Skill Level
Regular Player
Patrol Base - Warning Icon
Warnings
Li-Po - Never Leave Charging Unattended
Li-Po - Only Use Approved Chargers
Li-Po - Charge in a Fire Safe Area

Weight and Dimension

Weight KG Icon
Weight (KG)
Approx. 2.64kg
Weapon Length Collapsed
Length (Collapsed)
48.1cm
Weapon Length Extended
Length (Extended)
68.6cm

Construction

Colour Wheel Greyscale
Primary Colour
Black
Construction Icon
Construction
Steel receiver, stock and magazine well. Alloy outer barrel. Polymer grip surround.
Weapon Construction External
External Construction
Polymer
Alloy
Stamped Steel
Steel
Gearbox Icon
Internal Construction
Polymer
Alloy
Aluminium
Steel

Weapon Specific

Power Source Icon
Powered By
Electric
Blowback Icon
Blowback
None
Weapon Platform
Submachine Gun, Sterling,
Magazine Style Icon
Magazine Style
Submachine Gun, Sterling,
Fire Select Icon
Fire Selector
PatrolBase | Fire Select Safe
Safe
Patrol Base | Fire Select - Semi Automatic
Semi Automatic
Patrol Base | Full Automatic
Full Automatic
Weapon Safety Features Icon
Safety Features
Trigger Lock
Shooter Configuration Icon
Shooter Configuration
Right Handed
Weapon Configuration Icon
Weapon Configuration
Standard
Weapon Scale Icon
Weapon Scale
1:1
Suggested BB Weight
0.25g

Hop-Up

Hop-Up Unit Icon
Hop-Up Unit
Yes
Hop-Up Unit Adjuster Icon
Hop-Up Adjuster
Rotary
Hop-Up Unit Location Icon
Hop-Up Location
On the outside of the outer barrel, accessible through the handguard vent ports

Furniture

Weapon Furniture Icon
Furniture
  • Folding Stock
  • Textured Pistol Grip
  • Bayonet lug
  • Ported Barrel Shroud/Heat Shield
  • Aperture iron sights
Rail System Icon
Rail System
None
Icon Stock Positions
Stock Setting
Folding
Weapon Length Extended
Stock Positions
2 Position
Sight Type Icon
Sight Type
Iron Sights , Aperture Iron Sight,
Sling Plate Icon
Sling Options
Loop , Receiver ,

Barrel

Outer Barrel Length (in)
7''

Magazine Specific

Magazine Type
Medium Capacity , AEG,
Magazine BB Capacity
Approx. 110 Rounds
Magazine BB Fill Method
Speed Loader
Magazine BB Fill Location
Top

Electric Gun Specific Information

Gearbox
Wiring Icon
Gearbox Wiring
Rear Wired
Motor
Airsoft Motor Icon
Motor Type
Standard
Battery Specific
Battery Connector
Patrol Base | Icon | Mini Tamiya
Mini Tamiya
Compatible Battery
Compatible Battery Type
Li-Po
Compatible Battery Configuration
Block
Compatible Battery Voltage
7.4v

Product Testing Data

Notepad Icon
Test Description
350 FPS +/- 10%
Notepad Icon
Tested Using
0.2g ASG BLASTER
Notepad Icon
Test Date
26/03/2024

Size guide

Joule Charts

Special Instructions

These table can be used as a reference to see if the BB weight you are using will be over acceptable Joulage limits at some Airsoft Sites in the UK. To check if the weight can be used chrono your weapon using the BB you intend to use, and then compare it to the chart.

FPS, Power and Joule Limits can vary from site to site, so please get in touch with where you're going to play with in advance to avoid disappointment.

Suggested limits are based on Joulage Limit rules used Halo Mill: Proving Grounds, with a 350fps limit for Automatic Replicas, 400fps for Semi-Automatic Replicas, and 500fps for Bolt Action Replicas.

Tap the tabs below to open the relevant chart for your replica.

Suggested limits are based on Joulage Limit rules used Halo Mill: Proving Grounds, and is the equivalent of 350fps, using 0.20g BB resulting in an upper limit of 1.14j.

Velocity BB Weight (Grams)
FPS 0.20 0.25 0.28 0.30 0.32 0.36 0.40 0.43 0.45 0.50
250 0.58 0.73 0.81 0.87 0.93 1.05 1.16 1.25 1.31 1.45
260 0.63 0.79 0.88 0.94 1.00 1.13 1.26 1.35 1.41 1.57
270 0.68 0.85 0.95 1.02 1.08 1.22 1.35 1.46 1.52 1.69
280 0.73 0.91 1.02 1.09 1.17 1.31 1.46 1.57 1.64 1.82
290 0.78 0.98 1.09 1.17 1.25 1.41 1.56 1.68 1.76 1.95
300 0.84 1.05 1.17 1.25 1.34 1.51 1.67 1.80 1.88 2.09
310 0.89 1.12 1.25 1.34 1.43 1.61 1.79 1.92 2.01 2.23
320 0.95 1.19 1.33 1.43 1.52 1.71 1.90 2.05 2.14 2.38
325 0.98 1.23 1.37 1.47 1.57 1.77 1.96 2.11 2.21 2.45
328 1.00 1.25 1.40 1.50 1.60 1.80 2.00 2.15 2.25 2.50
330 1.01 1.26 1.42 1.52 1.62 1.82 2.02 2.18 2.28 2.53
335 1.04 1.30 1.46 1.56 1.67 1.88 2.09 2.24 2.35 2.61
340 1.07 1.34 1.50 1.61 1.72 1.93 2.15 2.31 2.42 2.68
345 1.11 1.38 1.55 1.66 1.77 1.99 2.21 2.38 2.49 2.76
350 1.14 1.42 1.59 1.71 1.82 2.05 2.28 2.45 2.56 2.85
355 1.17 1.46 1.64 1.76 1.87 2.11 2.34 2.52 2.63 2.93
360 1.20 1.51 1.69 1.81 1.93 2.17 2.41 2.59 2.71 3.01

Suggested limits are based on Joulage Limit rules used at Halo Mill: Proving Grounds, and is the equivalent of 400fps, using 0.20g BB resulting in an upper limit of 1.49j.

Velocity BB Weight (Grams)
FPS 0.20 0.25 0.28 0.30 0.32 0.36 0.40 0.43 0.45 0.50
250 0.58 0.73 0.81 0.87 0.93 1.05 1.16 1.25 1.31 1.45
260 0.63 0.79 0.88 0.94 1.00 1.13 1.26 1.35 1.41 1.57
270 0.68 0.85 0.95 1.02 1.08 1.22 1.35 1.46 1.52 1.69
280 0.73 0.91 1.02 1.09 1.17 1.31 1.46 1.57 1.64 1.82
290 0.78 0.98 1.09 1.17 1.25 1.41 1.56 1.68 1.76 1.95
300 0.84 1.05 1.17 1.25 1.34 1.51 1.67 1.80 1.88 2.09
310 0.89 1.12 1.25 1.34 1.43 1.61 1.79 1.92 2.01 2.23
320 0.95 1.19 1.33 1.43 1.52 1.71 1.90 2.05 2.14 2.38
330 1.01 1.26 1.42 1.52 1.62 1.82 2.02 2.18 2.28 2.53
340 1.07 1.34 1.50 1.61 1.72 1.93 2.15 2.31 2.42 2.68
350 1.14 1.42 1.59 1.71 1.82 2.05 2.28 2.45 2.56 2.85
360 1.20 1.51 1.69 1.81 1.93 2.17 2.41 2.59 2.71 3.01
370 1.27 1.59 1.78 1.91 2.03 2.29 2.54 2.73 2.86 3.18
380 1.34 1.68 1.88 2.01 2.15 2.41 2.68 2.88 3.02 3.35
390 1.41 1.77 1.98 2.12 2.26 2.54 2.83 3.04 3.18 3.53
400 1.49 1.86 2.08 2.23 2.38 2.68 2.97 3.20 3.34 3.72
410 1.56 1.95 2.19 2.34 2.50 2.81 3.12 3.36 3.51 3.90

Suggested limits are based on Joulage Limit rules used at Halo Mill: Proving Grounds, and is the equivalent of 500fps, using 0.20g BB resulting in an upper limit of 2.32j.

Velocity BB Weight (Grams)
FPS 0.20 0.25 0.28 0.30 0.32 0.36 0.40 0.43 0.45 0.50
250 0.58 0.73 0.81 0.87 0.93 1.05 1.16 1.25 1.31 1.45
260 0.63 0.79 0.88 0.94 1.00 1.13 1.26 1.35 1.41 1.57
270 0.68 0.85 0.95 1.02 1.08 1.22 1.35 1.46 1.52 1.69
280 0.73 0.91 1.02 1.09 1.17 1.31 1.46 1.57 1.64 1.82
290 0.78 0.98 1.09 1.17 1.25 1.41 1.56 1.68 1.76 1.95
300 0.84 1.05 1.17 1.25 1.34 1.51 1.67 1.80 1.88 2.09
310 0.89 1.12 1.25 1.34 1.43 1.61 1.79 1.92 2.01 2.23
320 0.95 1.19 1.33 1.43 1.52 1.71 1.90 2.05 2.14 2.38
330 1.01 1.26 1.42 1.52 1.62 1.82 2.02 2.18 2.28 2.53
340 1.07 1.34 1.50 1.61 1.72 1.93 2.15 2.31 2.42 2.68
350 1.14 1.42 1.59 1.71 1.82 2.05 2.28 2.45 2.56 2.85
360 1.20 1.51 1.69 1.81 1.93 2.17 2.41 2.59 2.71 3.01
370 1.27 1.59 1.78 1.91 2.03 2.29 2.54 2.73 2.86 3.18
380 1.34 1.68 1.88 2.01 2.15 2.41 2.68 2.88 3.02 3.35
390 1.41 1.77 1.98 2.12 2.26 2.54 2.83 3.04 3.18 3.53
400 1.49 1.86 2.08 2.23 2.38 2.68 2.97 3.20 3.34 3.72
410 1.56 1.95 2.19 2.34 2.50 2.81 3.12 3.36 3.51 3.90
420 1.64 2.05 2.29 2.46 2.62 2.95 3.28 3.52 3.69 4.10
430 1.72 2.15 2.40 2.58 2.75 3.09 3.44 3.69 3.86 4.29
440 1.80 2.25 2.52 2.70 2.88 3.24 3.60 3.87 4.05 4.50
450 1.88 2.35 2.63 2.82 3.01 3.39 3.76 4.04 4.23 4.70
460 1.97 2.46 2.75 2.95 3.15 3.54 3.93 4.23 4.42 4.91
470 2.05 2.57 2.87 3.08 3.28 3.69 4.10 4.41 4.62 5.13
480 2.14 2.68 3.00 3.21 3.42 3.85 4.28 4.60 4.82 5.35
490 2.23 2.79 3.12 3.35 3.57 4.02 4.46 4.80 5.02 5.58
500 2.32 2.90 3.25 3.48 3.72 4.18 4.65 4.99 5.23 5.81
510 2.42 3.02 3.38 3.62 3.87 4.35 4.83 5.20 5.44 6.04