Sterling L2A3

Silhouette (Visual Identification)

Technical Specifications

Category	Submachine Guns
Operating system	Blowback-operated, select-fire, fires from open bolt
Cartridge	9mm Parabellum (9 x 19mm)
Length	481 mm
Feeding	Box magazine

Sterling submachine guns , were purchased in more than 70 countries. However, it must be noted that these weapons were rather popular among British troops because of their relatively compact size, adequate firepower and accuracy and good reliability. Special "high power, submachine-gun only" ammunition was procured by British army for Sterling submachine guns. This ammunition was absolutely safe in Sterling submachine guns, but can cause extensive wear to many 9mm pistols designed for commercial 9x19mm ammunition.

Global distribution map

Weapon prevalence

Country of origin

Licensed production

Production without a license

Scale dependend aggregation of production sites

The Sterling L2A3 is found in 66 countries according to our data.

This map is a reflection of data on global distribution and production provided primarily by the BwVC. It is not exhaustive. If you would like to add to or amend the data, please click here.

Global distribution list

The data on global distribution and production is provided primarily by the BwVC, but also from national and regional focal points on SALW control; data published by think tanks, international organizations and experts; and/or data provided by individual researchers on SALW. It is not exhaustive. If you would like to add to or amend the data, please click here.

Symbol legend

	Country of origin
	Licensed production
	Production without a licence

G	Government: Sources indicate that this type of weapon is held by Governmental agencies.
N	Non-Government: Sources indicate that this type of weapon is held by non-Governmental armed groups.
U	Unspecified: Sources indicate that this type of weapon is found in the country, but do not specify whether it is held by Governmental agencies or non-Governmental armed groups.

It is entirely possible to have a combination of tags beside each country. For example, if country X is tagged with a G and a U, it means that at least one source of data identifies Governmental agencies as holders of weapon type Y, and at least one other source confirms the presence of the weapon in country X without specifying who holds it.

Argentina (ARG)		G
Australia (AUS)		G
Bahrain (BHR)		G
Bangladesh (BGD)		G
Barbados (BRB)		G
Belize (BLZ)		G
Botswana (BWA)		G
Brunei (BRN)		G
Bulgaria (BGR)		U
Canada (CAN)		G
Chile (CHL)		U
Cuba (CUB)		U
Cyprus (CYP)		G
Democratic Republic of the Congo (COD)		U
Dominican Republic (DOM)		G
Egypt (EGY)		U
France (FRA)		U

Gabon (GAB)		G
Ghana (GHA)		G
Guinea (GIN)		U
Guyana (GUY)		G
India (IND)		G
Iran (IRN)		U
Iraq (IRQ)		G
Jamaica (JAM)		G
Jordan (JOR)		U
Kenya (KEN)		G
Kuwait (KWT)		G
Lebanon (LBN)		G
Lesotho (LSO)		G
Libya (LBY)		G
Malawi (MWI)		G
Malaysia (MYS)		G
Malta (MLT)		G

Morocco (MAR)		G
Myanmar/Burma (MMR)		G
Namibia (NAM)		U
Nepal (NPL)		G
New Zealand (NZL)		G
Nigeria (NGA)		G
North Korea (PRK)		G
Oman (OMN)		G
Pakistan (PAK)		G
Papua New Guinea (PNG)		G
Philippines (PHL)		G
Portugal (PRT)		G
Qatar (QAT)		G
Sierra Leone (SLE)		G
Singapore (SGP)		G
Somalia (SOM)		G

South Africa (ZAF)		U
South Sudan (SSD)		U
Spain (ESP)		G
Sri Lanka (LKA)		G
Sudan (SDN)		G
Swaziland (SWZ)		G
Tanzania (TZA)		G
The Gambia (GMB)		G
Trinidad and Tobago (TTO)		G
Tunisia (TUN)		G
Uganda (UGA)		G
United Arab Emirates (ARE)		U
United Kingdom (GBR)		G
United States (USA)		U
Zambia (ZMB)		G
Zimbabwe (ZWE)		G