The Sterling Mark II Auto was introduced in 1980 as a successor of the Sterling Arms Model 400. It was chambered in .380 Auto. The .380 Auto, or 9 mm Short as it is known in Europe, is a somewhat under-rated cartridge. It has served as a police cartridge throughout Europe for several decades and as a military cartridge too.
The bullet will deliver something in the order of 165 foot-pounds of energy at the muzzle, which is sufficient to make most people stop and think, and it is also less likely to ricochet than higher-powered cartridges such as the 9 mm Parabellum. For many years it was just about the most powerful cartridge which could be managed in a blowback action without going to extremes, another point which counted in its favor.
Design
The Sterling is one of the few .380 automatic pistols made in the United States; it is an inexpensive pistol and the standard of finish reflects its price, but there is nothing wrong with its quality of construction and it is surprisingly accurate. The action is a straightforward blowback with an external hammer, and with a double-action trigger. There is a slide-mounted safety which, when operated, moves a steel barrier behind the firing pin, so that should the hammer fall it cannot discharge a cartridge.
Once the safety is on, the hammer may be lowered by controlling it with the thumb while pressing the trigger; thereafter the pistol can be fired by releasing the safety and pulling the trigger to cock and drop the hammer. Once the first shot has been fired, subsequent shots are in single-action mode, their recoiling slide cocking the hammer.
The foresight is a fixed blade, the rear-sight, a square notch adjustable for elevation and windage. The sterling is comfortable to fire and can deliver consistent three to four-inch groups at 25 yards range.
Technical specifications: Sterling Mark II
| Manufacturer: | Sterling Arms Corp., Lockport, NY 14094, United States |
| Type: | blowback, double-action, semi-automatic pistol |
| Caliber: | .380 Auto / 9 mm Short |
| Barrel: | 3.56 in (90.5 mm) |
| Weight (empty): | 25.5 oz (723 grams) |
| Magazine capacity: | 8 rounds |
I briefly owned one of these. “Briefly” because unfortunately, mine was nowhere as near as reliable as the one(s) the author must have test fired. I could barely fire an entire magazine of FMJ ammo.
I owned one back in the 80s and wish I still had it. I carried it on many desert ventures.
I BOUGHT A USED MODEL 400 AROUND 1978 IT HAS ALWAYS FUNCTIONED WELL AND HAS ALWAYS FED ANY AND ALL KINDS OF AMMUNITION WITH NO PROBLEM IT WAS MY EVERYDAY CARRY GUN FOR ABOUT 20 YEARS, THEN I WENT TO A 9mm. I STILL HAVE THE STERLING.
I’m looking for the right magazine clip for my mark 11 we’re should I be looking
always parts and mags on ebay or GunBroker….the gun can be finicky and a jamomatic…if it is, take it apart and with fine sand paper hit all the inside surfaces of the slade and rails. Don’t take off metal just smooth it and this gun runs nicely
I am looking for a mag. for mine , no one carries them . where can I fine them ?
Rex, Triple K (triplek.com) has mags for just about every gun ever made. They are a bit pricey ($48) as is typical for guns no longer made. I’ve also seen the same Triple K mags on eBay for $39-$40 (best offers also accepted). Ebay also has parts for it as well as user manuals and a disassembly guide with photos.
Triple K mags are garbage, though. Very little they make isn’t a dumpster fire, though I suppose some of their repro grips can be made to fit.
I am searching for the Sterling 38 mark II pistol grips STL CNC cut file. Can anyone help me with this? Thank you.
I’m sorry, I’m looking for a 380 mark II