Sputter Gun

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Sputter gun
Suptter gun.jpg

Type Submachine gun
Land of Origin USA
Specifications
Barrel length 7.8 inches (197 mm)
Cartridge 9x19mm Parabellum
Action Blowback-operated, Open bolt

Rate of Fire ~500 round/min
Muzzle velocity 1,200 ft/s (365 m/s)
Effective Range 50 yards (46 m)
Feed 32 round detachable box magazine
Production History
Design Date 1981?
Produced ~1982-1985
The Sputter Gun was a modification of the British Sten Submachine Gun, designed to circumvent then-existing U.S. laws defining a machine gun. The Sputter Gun, lacking a trigger, was designed to fire multiple rounds upon release of the bolt, until all ammunition was expended. The Sputter Gun was, however, reclassified as a machine gun by the ATF.

Contents

Background

In 1985, the ATF became aware that William M. York, doing business as York Arms Co., was selling a modified version of a Mk.II Sten that was capable of fully automatic fire. York advertised the gun as a weapon for those "who want the fun and excitement of owning and firing a fully automatic weapon without the government tax and red tape." The ATF instructed York to recall weapons already sold and issue refunds. This was unnecessary, however, as none had been sold.[1]

Reclassification

The ATF originally defined a machine gun as any weapon capable of firing multiple rounds by a single trigger action. This was changed, in light of the Sputter Gun, to read[1]

The 'shoots automatically' definition covers weapons that will function automatically. The 'readily restorable' definition defines weapons which previously could shoot automatically but will not in their present condition. The 'designed' definition includes weapons which have not previously functioned as machineguns but possess specific machinegun design features which facilitate automatic fire by simple alteration or elimination of existing component parts.

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 http://www.cs.cmu.edu/afs/cs.cmu.edu/user/wbardwel/public/nfalist/york.txt

See also

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