Sterling Arms

About

Sterling Arms Corporation was a private American firearm manufacturer based mainly in Lockport, New York (despite starting nearby in Buffalo). Never manufacturing anything other then pistols, in the 1970's the company shifted to cheap compact and sub-compact pistols chambered in .22 and .380 ACP most of which later became notorious because of their weird looks and even more for their incredibly bad reputation as an unreliable firearm (which can be compared to Lorcin L25). Despite improving their line greatly in late 70's and early 80's with .380 ACP pistols including Model 302, Model 400 and an imported licensed version of SIG-Sauer P230 (It's interesting that they started to manufacture it in 1975, whole 2 years before the main line was started by SIG-Sauer themselves), corporation went bankrupt and/or otherwise closed in 1984. In current times, the manufacturer remains one of the most mysterious American firearm manufacturers: not a single designer is known, most of the abbreviations were not explained and many more unknown features. Certain lack of research was partially covered by a post "The Short Life of the Sterling Arms Corporation" in "WeaponsMan" blog, which must be acknowledged for most of the information and images found on this page.

Note: This manufacturer has nothing to do with similarly named British one responsible for Sterling SMG, as well as two other companies, one of which was situated in California and another one made cheap revolvers.

Specifications

Founded: 1967

Country: USA

Products: Pistols

Guns

Pistols

Weapon	Caliber(s)	Capacity	Produced	Variants	Image
Sterling Model 302	.22LR	6	1972-1984
SIG-Sauer P230	.380 ACP	7	1975-1984	SIG-Sauer 230 Stainless SIG-Sauer 230 Two-Tone SIG-Sauer 230 Blued
Sterling Arms Model 400 Mark II	.380 ACP	8	1980 - 1984	Sterling Arms Model Mark II Blued