S&T Armament STEN Mk II SOE Welsilencer & Commando Grip AEG

If rare retro platforms are your poison, the STEN Mk II SOE Welsilencer & Commando Grip AEG from AGM will scratch that itch! Made almost entirely from stamped steel, with an aluminium "Welsilencer" suppressor and an integral muzzle flash tracer module, this STEN puts realism at a peak with the cold, authentic feel of metal in-hand and iconic looks which will definitely turn heads.

Based on a rare prototype STEN gun designed for the SOE (Special Operations Executive) at its Welwyn facility, this bespoke STEN build differs from the integrally suppressed STEN Mk II(S) in its "Welsilencer" suppressor, designed similarly to the suppressor of the "Welrod" pistol, with metal washers and a rubber seal to provide maximum suppression effect. Despite its crude looks, the STEN SOE was cutting-edge technology in its day, famous for its role in multiple SOE raids, including the assassination of Norwegian informant Ivar Grande.

A solid external build which generously includes a muzzle flash tracer module, the AGM STEN Mk II SOE Welsilencer & Commando Grip AEG provides a unique battlefield experience, and looks fantastic on the wall as a bonus. Whether you collect rare firearms replicas or want the STEN gun experience in its most stealthy form, you're going to love this one!

Starting at the front, we can find the lengthy integral "Welsilencer" suppressor, made from aluminium with a removable front aperture. Unscrewing the aperture allows you to remove the integral tracer module and housing, after which you can unscrew the rear cap to extract the module itself and access the controls.

The mode selection button is on the front of the tracer module, offering muzzle flash/tracer and tracer only modes to choose from. The USB Type-C charging port is also on the front of the module, but the cable to charge the tracer is not included. Throwing this extra bit of fun into the build at no extra cost genuinely impressed us, as it makes shooting the STEN SOE that bit more exciting!

The suppressor itself can be unscrewed at the rear collar, providing access to the battery compartment of this front-wired build. With the suppressor unscrewed, you'll find a Deans battery connector inside, to which you connect your choice of battery. We recommend a 7.4V 1450mAh LiPo in crane/nunchuck configuration for ease of fitment. There is plenty of space inside the suppressor for bigger batteries, though you'll have to stick with relatively long, slim designs.

Following the suppressor, we arrive at the receiver, made from sheet steel, just like the real STEN gun. As you'll receive it, the STEN will be in "storage" configuration, with the magazine well rotated to face downwards. To ready the STEN to shoot, you'll need to pull the catch on the front of the magazine well out, then rotate the magazine well by 90 degrees so it is positioned on the left side. This feature was included on most variants of the real STEN to allow it to be stored flat for transportation and parachute drops, though the further simplified Mk III had its magazine well welded in place.

With the magazine well in the storage position, you can access the adjustable HOP-up of the STEN through the small hole in the ejection port, using a small Allen key (size to be confirmed). This is a new addition to the very latest AGM STEN AEGs, replacing the older model's fixed HOP-up unit. The HOP-up allows you to tune the amount of backspin applied to your BBs and tune for different ammo weights, seeking the flattest possible trajectory.

The magazine release is on the top of the magazine well, allowing you to release the magazine by pushing downwards on the button. Compatibility-wise, the STEN SOE is good to go with AGM STEN/MP40/MP41 AEG magazines and comes packaged with a 50-round low-cap magazine. It's worth noting that the magazine cannot be inserted with the magazine well in the storage position.

Aft of the magazine well, the receiver is a simple layout, just like the real super-simple STEN. The mock charging handle is on the right side, complete with a track cut into the receiver with the "safety" notch appropriately represented. The safety notch was included to provide some level of safe carry for the STEN, which was legendarily prone to accidental discharges, especially if dropped.

The charging handle cannot be racked, but can be repositioned by unscrewing the handle itself. If you do choose to reposition the handle, please ensure you don't force the handle if it feels like it won't move; this could trap any internal wiring and cause faults.

Below the charging handle track, we can find a simple sling point, a welded steel bar, ideally suited to whatever sling setup you fancy. Being made from steel ensures this sling point is strong enough to go the distance and does appropriate justice to the real STEN gun. Below the sling bar, we can find the trigger itself, protected by a stamped steel trigger guard. This flat-faced trigger is also a great match for the real STEN, ensuring visuals are on point across the entire build. There is no safety catch or fire selector switch on the STEN, so make sure you keep your finger away from the trigger unless you intend to shoot!

On top of the tube receiver, we can find our iron sights, made from stamped steel and welded into place. The front sight is a wide barley-corn style blade, paired with an aperture rear sight. Easy to align and generally well-liked by soldiers in the STEN era, these sights are fixed in place, ready for spray and pray fire supremacy!

At the rear of the receiver, we come to the unique "Commando" grip, designed to shorten the STEN for concealment and parachute drops. Naturally, this isn't the most comfortable grip design, but AGM has put the effort into rounding the corners, meaning it's probably a step up from the real STEN Commando grip.

Inside, the AGM STEN SOE is based around a version 7 gearbox, the same gearbox shape used in M14 AEG platforms. The shell is made from alloy and equipped with 18:1 ratio steel gears running on polycarbonate bushings. The newly added adjustable HOP-up unit should help provide the range needed to compete at outdoor events, and the Deans battery connector enhances electrical efficiency considerably compared to the mini-Tamiya connector on the previous version.

Though most of the effort has been put into the externals of this beast, the gearbox sounds remarkably smooth when shot, and the rate of fire is respectable, ideal for WW2 scenarios where shredding the enemy team with 30 rounds per second just isn't cricket!

Whether you're a fan of rare, retro goodness or you're after a WWII platform to suit a stealthy playstyle, the AGM STEN Mk II SOE Welsilencer & Commando Grip AEG has your name on it. A superb build on the outside with a muzzle flash tracer unit on board and compatibility with version 7 gearbox upgrades, the STEN SOE is as impressive on the field as it is on display!

Features

• Full metal build - All steel other than the Aluminium suppressor
• 6.02mm Tightbore inner barrel - Superb accuracy potentially
• Integral Welsilencer suppressor with muzzle flash tracer module - Light 'em up!
• Rotatable magazine well - Rotate the magazine well to store the STEN flat, just like the real deal
• Grub screw-adjustable HOP-up - New design, access in "Storage" config through the port on the bolt
• Full automatic only - No semi, no safety!
• Receiver sling point - On the right side, steel build for strength & realism
• Skeletonised "Commando" pistol grip - Iconic WW2 Special Forces look
• Front wired: Deans connector - Recommended battery: 7.4V 1450mAh LiPo
• Version 7 gearbox:
  • Alloy shell
  • Polycarbonate bushings
• Compatible with AGM STEN/MP40/MP41 AEG Magazines:
  • 50rnd Low-cap magazine
  • 120rnd Mid-cap magazine
  • 300rnd High-cap magazine

Package Includes

• AGM STEN Mk II SOE Welsilencer & Commando Grip AEG
  • 120rnd Mid-cap magazine

Special Instructions

Please note: The included muzzle flash tracer unit requires a USB Type-C cable to charge its internal battery. We recommend recharging the battery every 2-3 months to maintain battery health, regardless of usage.