StenSten

The Sten is a British 9mm submachine gun created during World War II as a cheap, fast-to-produce weapon for home defence, paratroopers and resistance fighters. Designed with stamped steel parts and a side-mounted magazine, it was famously simple — sometimes called “a gun made from car parts” — yet it performed reliably enough to arm millions of troops. Lightweight, compact and easy to maintain in the field, the Sten became a symbol of British ingenuity under pressure, seeing action across Europe, North Africa and with countless resistance movements. Its crude look and unmistakable profile made it an icon of WWII cinema and post-war media. Shooting the Sten at Churchill Shooting Budapest is a surreal, cinematic experience — like stepping straight into a classic war film — and remains one of the most distinct historic daytime activities in Budapest. If you want a true old-school SMG that feels both scrappy and legendary, the Sten is a perfect pick. Seen in movies: – Dunkirk – The Dirty Dozen – A Bridge Too Far – Where Eagles Dare – Numerous WWII British and resistance-themed films Featured in games: – Call of Duty (WWII titles) – Battlefield V – Medal of Honor – Day of Defeat and other WWII tactical shooters Used by militaries & forces: – British Army and Commonwealth forces – SOE and resistance groups across occupied Europe – Post-war militias and security forces using surplus Stens Fun Fact: The Sten was so cheap and fast to make that Britain produced some versions for under £2 each at the time — meaning it became the only mass-issued military weapon in history that cost less than a pub lunch. Non-shooters always love to learn that one of WWII’s most recognisable guns was basically “wartime IKEA.”