The Probert Encyclopaedia of Warfare

L2A3

The L2A3 or 'Sterling' is a British blowback operated selective fire sub-machine-gun developed from the earlier L2A1 which developed from 1942. The L2A3 was selected as a replacement sub-machine-gun for the Sten during the 1950's. The L2A3, sometimes known as the Patchett after its designer, takes a 9 mm Parabellum round from a 10-, 32-, or 34-round box magazine. It has a cyclic rate of 550 rounds-per-minute and a muzzle velocity of 390 meters-per-second. The L2A3 has a 198 mm long barrel and a folding stock.
Research L2A3