{"id":274,"date":"2022-09-25T22:52:40","date_gmt":"2022-09-25T22:52:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gunsandpride.com\/?p=274"},"modified":"2022-09-25T22:52:40","modified_gmt":"2022-09-25T22:52:40","slug":"obscure-object-of-desire-sterling-302-22lr-pistol","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gunsandpride.com\/?p=274","title":{"rendered":"Obscure Object of Desire: Sterling 302 .22LR Pistol"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"td-post-featured-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/cdn0.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221720-scaled.jpg\" data-caption=\"\"><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"696\" height=\"392\" class=\"entry-thumb td-modal-image\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn0.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221720-696x392.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn0.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221720-696x392.jpg 696w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221720-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221720-700x394.jpg 700w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221720-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221720-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221720-2048x1152.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221720-150x84.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221720-1068x601.jpg 1068w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221720-1920x1080.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221720-747x420.jpg 747w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221720-560x315.jpg 560w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 696px) 100vw, 696px\" alt=\"Sterling Model 302 .22LR pistol\" title=\"Sterling Model 302 .22LR pistol\"\/><\/noscript><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"wp-next-post-navi\">\n<p>\nNext Post Coming Soon&#8230;\u25b6\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>How did I find a Sterling 302? Well, it\u2019s a long story. I\u2019ve become a pretty big fan of auctions. Not Gunbroker-style auctions, but real auctions that move in real time.<\/p>\n<p>I have a local firearm auction that I hit up every time they host an auction. I typically aim for historic, largely affordable firearms. Sometimes I see a gun get zero bids and if the price is right, I hit the bid button.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_532077\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-532077\" style=\"width: 696px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-532077 size-large\" alt=\"Sterling Model 302 .22LR pistol\" width=\"696\" height=\"392\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn0.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221721a-700x394.jpg 700w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221721a-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221721a-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221721a-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221721a-2048x1152.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221721a-150x84.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221721a-696x392.jpg 696w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221721a-1068x601.jpg 1068w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221721a-1920x1080.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221721a-747x420.jpg 747w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221721a-560x315.jpg 560w\" data-lazy-sizes=\"(max-width: 696px) 100vw, 696px\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn0.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221721a-700x394.jpg\"\/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-532077 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn0.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221721a-700x394.jpg\" alt=\"Sterling Model 302 .22LR pistol\" width=\"696\" height=\"392\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn0.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221721a-700x394.jpg 700w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221721a-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221721a-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221721a-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221721a-2048x1152.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221721a-150x84.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221721a-696x392.jpg 696w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221721a-1068x601.jpg 1068w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221721a-1920x1080.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221721a-747x420.jpg 747w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221721a-560x315.jpg 560w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 696px) 100vw, 696px\"\/><\/noscript><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-532077\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Eighty bucks isn\u2019t a bad price at all. (Travis Pike for TTAG)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>One such firearm was a little .22LR-looking pocket pistol from a company called Sterling. I had never heard of the company, never seen the gun before, but no one put in a bid, and the opening bid was $80.<\/p>\n<p>Little did I know that I had purchased the Sterling 302, a surprisingly robust little pocket pistol from the 1970s. I thought it might be a pot metal-ish little thing, but I was surprisingly wrong.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>The Sterling Arms Corporation<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Not only did I end up with an interesting pistol from the 1970s, but the company that made it is rather interesting, too. The Sterling Arms Corporation is a bit of a mysterious company. Kevin at the <a href=\"https:\/\/weaponsman.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">WeaponsMan<\/a> blog wrote an in-depth article about Sterling Arms Corporation, and this article contains the majority of information we know about the company.<\/p>\n<p>As a company, they made some interesting <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/oscure-object-of-desire-stevens-model-235\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">little weapons<\/a>, including a High Standard HDM design with the barrel trimmed to nothing and chambered in .380 ACP. They made some cool pistols but, as a company, were rather secretive.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_532078\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-532078\" style=\"width: 696px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-532078 size-large\" alt=\"Sterling Model 302 .22LR pistol\" width=\"696\" height=\"392\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn0.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221721-700x394.jpg 700w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221721-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221721-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221721-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221721-2048x1152.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221721-150x84.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221721-696x392.jpg 696w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221721-1068x601.jpg 1068w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221721-1920x1080.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221721-747x420.jpg 747w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221721-560x315.jpg 560w\" data-lazy-sizes=\"(max-width: 696px) 100vw, 696px\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn0.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221721-700x394.jpg\"\/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-532078 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn0.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221721-700x394.jpg\" alt=\"Sterling Model 302 .22LR pistol\" width=\"696\" height=\"392\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn0.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221721-700x394.jpg 700w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221721-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221721-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221721-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221721-2048x1152.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221721-150x84.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221721-696x392.jpg 696w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221721-1068x601.jpg 1068w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221721-1920x1080.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221721-747x420.jpg 747w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221721-560x315.jpg 560w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 696px) 100vw, 696px\"\/><\/noscript><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-532078\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">This is a little .22LR pocket gun, but it\u2019s surprisingly nice. (Travis Pike for TTAG)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Who designed the guns? Who knows? Where did they come from? No idea. Why did they use certain cryptic initials and numbers in the names of their guns? I dunno. They weren\u2019t really open about it, and in the 1970s, firearm marketing wasn\u2019t anything like it is today.<\/p>\n<p>The Sterling Arms Corporation isn\u2019t related to the <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Sterling_(marque)\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">British Sterling<\/a> by any means. Another Sterling produced cheap revolvers out of California, but there is no evidence the companies are connected. The Sterling Arms Corporation was originally based out of Buffalo but quickly moved to Lockport, New York. The most notable thing they did was import the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.imfdb.org\/wiki\/File:Red_2_p232_shoot.jpeg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">SIG P232<\/a>.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_532073\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-532073\" style=\"width: 696px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-532073 size-large\" alt=\"Sterling Model 302 .22LR pistol\" width=\"696\" height=\"392\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn0.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221723-700x394.jpg 700w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221723-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221723-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221723-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221723-2048x1152.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221723-150x84.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221723-696x392.jpg 696w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221723-1068x601.jpg 1068w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221723-1920x1080.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221723-747x420.jpg 747w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221723-560x315.jpg 560w\" data-lazy-sizes=\"(max-width: 696px) 100vw, 696px\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn0.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221723-700x394.jpg\"\/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-532073 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn0.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221723-700x394.jpg\" alt=\"Sterling Model 302 .22LR pistol\" width=\"696\" height=\"392\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn0.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221723-700x394.jpg 700w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221723-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221723-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221723-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221723-2048x1152.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221723-150x84.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221723-696x392.jpg 696w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221723-1068x601.jpg 1068w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221723-1920x1080.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221723-747x420.jpg 747w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221723-560x315.jpg 560w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 696px) 100vw, 696px\"\/><\/noscript><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-532073\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">It\u2019s not pretty, but it shoots well. (Travis Pike for TTAG)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The company shut its doors in 1983 or 1984. According to Massad Ayoob, Sterling Arms Corporation was sued out of existence. Long story short\u2026a babysitter had her boyfriend over. The boyfriend found the family\u2019s .380 Sterling. He removed the mag and, thinking the weapon was unloaded, pulled the trigger and fired the weapon, striking the child and leaving him paralyzed.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Final Firearms \u2013 The Sterling 302<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/obscure-objects-of-desire-savage-m1907-pistol\/\">Sterling<\/a> made a number of seemingly odd and interesting guns, but in the mid-70s, they produced some fairly practical and seemingly boring pocket pistols. These were known as the Sterling 300, which was a .25 ACP, and the 302, which was a .22LR. According to a 1978 catalog, the Sterling 302 cost $73.95, so when you account for inflation, me picking one up for $80 is a bargain.<\/p>\n<p>I figured it was a Saturday Night Special-style pistol that was popular in the era. Imagine my surprise when I picked up my firearm, and found the Sterling 302 is clearly not a pot metal Saturday Night Special. The frame and slide are blued steel. The grips might be plastic, but the gun looks fantastic.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_532080\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-532080\" style=\"width: 696px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-532080 size-large\" alt=\"Sterling Model 302 .22LR pistol\" width=\"696\" height=\"392\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn0.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221721b-700x394.jpg 700w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221721b-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221721b-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221721b-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221721b-2048x1152.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221721b-150x84.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221721b-696x392.jpg 696w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221721b-1068x601.jpg 1068w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221721b-1920x1080.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221721b-747x420.jpg 747w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221721b-560x315.jpg 560w\" data-lazy-sizes=\"(max-width: 696px) 100vw, 696px\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn0.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221721b-700x394.jpg\"\/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-532080 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn0.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221721b-700x394.jpg\" alt=\"Sterling Model 302 .22LR pistol\" width=\"696\" height=\"392\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn0.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221721b-700x394.jpg 700w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221721b-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221721b-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221721b-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221721b-2048x1152.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221721b-150x84.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221721b-696x392.jpg 696w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221721b-1068x601.jpg 1068w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221721b-1920x1080.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221721b-747x420.jpg 747w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221721b-560x315.jpg 560w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 696px) 100vw, 696px\"\/><\/noscript><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-532080\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Trench sights present an interesting challenge. (Travis Pike for TTAG)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The gun weighs thirteen ounces, is 4.75 inches long, and is 3.5 inches tall. It\u2019s one inch wide and sports a 2.125-inch long barrel. It has a simple six-round magazine and, predictably, it uses a simple blowback design.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_532074\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-532074\" style=\"width: 696px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-532074 size-large\" alt=\"Sterling Model 302 .22LR pistol\" width=\"696\" height=\"392\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn0.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221722b-700x394.jpg 700w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221722b-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221722b-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221722b-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221722b-2048x1152.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221722b-150x84.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221722b-696x392.jpg 696w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221722b-1068x601.jpg 1068w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221722b-1920x1080.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221722b-747x420.jpg 747w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221722b-560x315.jpg 560w\" data-lazy-sizes=\"(max-width: 696px) 100vw, 696px\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn0.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221722b-700x394.jpg\"\/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-532074 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn0.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221722b-700x394.jpg\" alt=\"Sterling Model 302 .22LR pistol\" width=\"696\" height=\"392\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn0.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221722b-700x394.jpg 700w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221722b-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221722b-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221722b-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221722b-2048x1152.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221722b-150x84.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221722b-696x392.jpg 696w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221722b-1068x601.jpg 1068w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221722b-1920x1080.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221722b-747x420.jpg 747w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221722b-560x315.jpg 560w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 696px) 100vw, 696px\"\/><\/noscript><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-532074\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The safety is odd, but functional. (Travis Pike for TTAG)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The Sterling 302 has a manual safety mounted right above the trigger that\u2019s easy and quick to use. Across the top, you won\u2019t find any sights, only a trench. I\u2019ve never shot anything with just a trench sight, so this would be an interesting adventure.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_532082\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-532082\" style=\"width: 696px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-532082 size-large\" alt=\"Sterling Model 302 .22LR pistol\" width=\"696\" height=\"392\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn0.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221721c-700x394.jpg 700w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221721c-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221721c-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221721c-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221721c-2048x1152.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221721c-150x84.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221721c-696x392.jpg 696w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221721c-1068x601.jpg 1068w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221721c-1920x1080.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221721c-747x420.jpg 747w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221721c-560x315.jpg 560w\" data-lazy-sizes=\"(max-width: 696px) 100vw, 696px\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn0.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221721c-700x394.jpg\"\/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-532082 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn0.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221721c-700x394.jpg\" alt=\"Sterling Model 302 .22LR pistol\" width=\"696\" height=\"392\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn0.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221721c-700x394.jpg 700w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221721c-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221721c-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221721c-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221721c-2048x1152.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221721c-150x84.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221721c-696x392.jpg 696w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221721c-1068x601.jpg 1068w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221721c-1920x1080.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221721c-747x420.jpg 747w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221721c-560x315.jpg 560w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 696px) 100vw, 696px\"\/><\/noscript><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-532082\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The European magazine release isn\u2019t fast. (Travis Pike for TTAG)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The magazine release is mounted to the bottom of the grip in a very European-style design. The weapon came in blued, nickel, or even stainless steel, with the stainless being the most expensive at all of $90.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>At the Range With the Sterling 302<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>With a little Winchester and Federal ammo, I hit the range with the stout little Sterling 302. I set up two steel targets and one paper target. I attempted to group the weapon at 10 yards. The trench sights threw me off, and I hit substantially low in a position I felt was comfortable. In my first attempt, I created a group that was 2.14 inches at ten yards. That\u2019s not terrible for the little gun.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_532076\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-532076\" style=\"width: 696px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-532076 size-large\" alt=\"Sterling Model 302 .22LR pistol\" width=\"696\" height=\"392\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn0.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221720a-700x394.jpg 700w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221720a-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221720a-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221720a-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221720a-2048x1152.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221720a-150x84.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221720a-696x392.jpg 696w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221720a-1068x601.jpg 1068w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221720a-1920x1080.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221720a-747x420.jpg 747w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221720a-560x315.jpg 560w\" data-lazy-sizes=\"(max-width: 696px) 100vw, 696px\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn0.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221720a-700x394.jpg\"\/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-532076 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn0.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221720a-700x394.jpg\" alt=\"Sterling Model 302 .22LR pistol\" width=\"696\" height=\"392\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn0.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221720a-700x394.jpg 700w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221720a-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221720a-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221720a-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221720a-2048x1152.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221720a-150x84.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221720a-696x392.jpg 696w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221720a-1068x601.jpg 1068w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221720a-1920x1080.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221720a-747x420.jpg 747w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221720a-560x315.jpg 560w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 696px) 100vw, 696px\"\/><\/noscript><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-532076\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">It\u2019s tiny, and it\u2019s pocket-sized. (Travis Pike for TTAG)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The trigger has a fair amount of takeup and gets a little stiff, but it isn\u2019t bad. I need a class on trench sights, and I just applied a little Kentucky windage to my <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/obscure-object-of-desire-astra-600\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">shooting<\/a>. At ten, fifteen, and even twenty-five yards, I made effective hits.<\/p>\n<p>At ten and fifteen yards, I hit a 10-inch gong with the Sterling 302. In fact, I went six for six at both ranges. At 25 yards, I went three for six on the gong and six for six on an IPSC steel target. With real sights, I think I could have done a fair bit better.<\/p>\n<p>Recoil wasn\u2019t an issue. It\u2019s an all-steel .22LR, so this wasn\u2019t an issue. Reliability wasn\u2019t bad. The gun worked best with Federal Automatic, and my only issue with the Winchester is that every so often, the last round would fail to feed. The Federal Automatic worked without issue. I caused an issue myself by having my hand too high on the gun.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_532075\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-532075\" style=\"width: 696px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-532075 size-large\" alt=\"Sterling Model 302 .22LR pistol\" width=\"696\" height=\"392\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn0.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221722a-700x394.jpg 700w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221722a-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221722a-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221722a-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221722a-2048x1152.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221722a-150x84.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221722a-696x392.jpg 696w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221722a-1068x601.jpg 1068w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221722a-1920x1080.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221722a-747x420.jpg 747w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221722a-560x315.jpg 560w\" data-lazy-sizes=\"(max-width: 696px) 100vw, 696px\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn0.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221722a-700x394.jpg\"\/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-532075 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn0.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221722a-700x394.jpg\" alt=\"Sterling Model 302 .22LR pistol\" width=\"696\" height=\"392\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn0.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221722a-700x394.jpg 700w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221722a-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221722a-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221722a-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221722a-2048x1152.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221722a-150x84.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221722a-696x392.jpg 696w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221722a-1068x601.jpg 1068w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221722a-1920x1080.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221722a-747x420.jpg 747w, https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/0923221722a-560x315.jpg 560w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 696px) 100vw, 696px\"\/><\/noscript><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-532075\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Is it perfect? No, but its no Saturday Night Special either. (Travis Pike for TTAG)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>That caused a problem once when shooting, which created a failure-to-feed situation. Don\u2019t tighten up too high when shooting these little guns.<\/p>\n<p>The Sterling 302 is a fun little gun, and I\u2019m impressed by what I assumed would be a cheap little pistol I picked up at the auction. Now I want to get a few more Sterlings, especially a PPL.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-next-post-navi\">\n<p>\nNext Post Coming Soon&#8230;\u25b6\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thetruthaboutguns.com\/obscure-object-of-desire-sterling-302-22lr-pistol\/\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Next Post Coming Soon&#8230;\u25b6 How did I find a Sterling 302? Well, it\u2019s a long story. I\u2019ve become a pretty big fan of auctions. Not Gunbroker-style auctions, but real auctions that move in real time. I have a local firearm auction that I hit up every time they host an auction. I typically aim for [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":275,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-274","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-reviews"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/gunsandpride.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/274","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/gunsandpride.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/gunsandpride.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gunsandpride.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gunsandpride.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=274"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/gunsandpride.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/274\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gunsandpride.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/275"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/gunsandpride.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=274"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gunsandpride.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=274"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gunsandpride.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=274"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}