(GunReports.com) — Gun Tests’ Idaho-based test team takes a detailed look at two two historical and technically interesting firearms in the June 2013 issue of the magazine. Sr. Technical Editor Ray Ordorica examined the 9mm Wise Lite Arms Sterling L2A3 9mm, about $500, and the Inter Ordnance/Pioneer Arms PPS-43C Pistol chambered in 7.62×25 Tokarev, also in the $500 range.
Ordorica said, “The latter is officially a pistol because its folding stock is welded in the folded position. We found the folding stocks do nothing for their handling or practical function, but in close quarters that might be a handy feature.”
He added, “Both designs originally fired from an open bolt, and the Sterling was originally selective fire. These two test guns are both manufactured to fire semiauto-only, and they both fire from a closed bolt.”
Gun Tests Editor Todd Woodard said, “The two magazines we received with the Sterling each held 34 rounds and were the original design, with rollers instead of a simple follower to ensure the rounds feed easily and positively.”
Ordorica said, “The Sterling was a well-made piece of goods, we thought. The gun had an aftermarket barrel of just over 16 inches length that kept the Sterling legal, in keeping with its semiautomatic firing operation. Everything but the pistol grip was made of steel, pierced, welded, formed, and homogenized into an example of fine British gunmaking worthy of the Crown.”
First designed as a Soviet SMG, the Pioneer Arms Corp PPS-43C Pistol 7.62×25 Tokarev was adopted by Poland during WWII and in one form or another was made in about 2 million copies. Woodard said the test gun was a joint effort by Inter Ordnance, Inc. (IOInc.us), and Pioneer Arms, and was converted to fire semiautomatically only, from a closed bolt. It was made at the Radom plant in Poland.
Gun Tests subscribers should receive their printed magazines in about 10 days. Subscribers with electronic access can check Gun-Tests.com next week to read about these matchups, Publisher Tim Cole said.
We managed to find three types of 9mm ammo and two brands of 7.62×25 Tokarev, enough to wring out both guns. Here’s what we found.
