Sterling Mk6 Carbine
Sterling Armaments Company · Carbine · Discontinued · 1983
Also known as: Sterling Mark 6, Sterling Mk6 Police Carbine, Sterling Semi-Automatic Carbine
Overview
The Sterling Mk6 Carbine is a semi-automatic, closed-bolt carbine derived from the British Sterling submachine gun. Manufactured by the Sterling Armaments Company of Dagenham, England, in the 1980s, it was built for police, civilian and export markets. Firing 9x19mm Parabellum from a side-mounted curved box magazine, it retains the Sterling's tubular receiver, underfolding stock and ventilated barrel shroud but fires from a closed bolt for improved accuracy, with a lengthened barrel (typically 16 inches) to satisfy US import and firearm-length regulations.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 3400 g (119.9 oz) |
| Weight (loaded) | 3900 g (137.6 oz) |
| Overall Length | 890 mm (35.04") |
| Folded Length | 690 mm (27.17") |
| Barrel Length | 410 mm (16.14") |
| Action Type | Blowback |
| Firing Mechanism | Closed Bolt |
| Trigger Type | Semi Auto |
| Magazine Capacity | 34 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 400 m/s (1312 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 596 J (440 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 100 m (109 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 200 m (219 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Rifling Twist | 254 mm (10.00") |
| Number of Grooves | 6 |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Steel |
| Finish | Phosphate Black Crackle |
Calibers
- 9x19mm Parabellum · primary · 9mm NATO — also known as 9mm Luger, 9mm NATO, 9x19mm
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic
- Feed systems: Detachable Box Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Safety, Sear Disconnector
- Features: Closed Bolt Operation, Side Mounted Magazine, Underfolding Stock, Ventilated Barrel Shroud, Adjustable Peep Sight, Extended Barrel
Base model
Service history
Operators
- Civilian and sporting market · adopted 1983
- Police forces · as Mk6 Police Carbine
Production
Production years: 1983-1988
Produced in limited numbers for the civilian, police and export markets before Sterling Armaments ceased production in 1988
Origin
Country of origin: United Kingdom
Designer: George William Patchett
Discontinued: 1988
Notes
The closed-bolt semi-automatic action and extended barrel distinguish the Mk6 from the open-bolt, full-automatic military Sterling. US-market examples used a 16-inch barrel to comply with ATF minimum rifle-length rules; a rarer 19-inch barrel variant also exists.
Background
The Sterling submachine gun family gained pop-culture fame after the Sterling was used as the basis for the Imperial Stormtrooper's E-11 blaster in the Star Wars films; the semi-automatic Mk6 carbine is a sought-after civilian collectible of that lineage.