Sterling SAR STERLING SAR (Sterling Assault Rifle) / UNITED KINGDOM "The Sterling Assault Rifle is a joint development of Sterling Armaments and Chartered Industries of Singapore. It has been designed to be a sturdy and reliable weapon capable of being mass-produced at low cost so that it can be sold to smaller countries wishing to go into modern small-calibre assault rifles without great expense. Operation is by gas piston acting on a bolt carrier which contains a rotating bolt. Firing is by hammer, which is blocked from striking the firing pin until the bolt is home and locked. A three position gas regulator allows compensation for fouling or changes in ammunition, and the flash hider on the muzzle doubles as a grenade launcher." ("Military Small Arms of the 20th Century", 4th Edition, by Ian V. Hogg and John Weeks, ISBN: 0-910676-28-3, Ca. 1981) The Sterling rifle was intended to be for foreign sales, however these sales never truly developed for the companies involved. However during the period in question (mid 1980's) the predominant military sales went to the AK-47/74, the Colt M-16A1, and the FN-FAL. Many were unwilling to try a new design and soon Sterling had abandoned the project and Chartered Industries began development of their own rifle based on many of the principles of the Sterling-the SAR 88A.
Sterling SAR
Picture and information courtesy of: PIERANGELO TENDAS
