E-11 Stormtrooper Blaster · Volume 12
Cheatsheet
Laminate-ready synthesis — dimensions, legal pivots, 501st spec quick-ref, vendor reference, full bibliography
Contents
(Generated by build/inject_toc.py at build time. Section headers below are the source of truth.)
The laminate-ready synthesis of the entire deep dive. Print this volume, laminate it, and have it on the bench during the build. Everything here is referenced in detail in Vols 1–11; this volume is the one-page-per-topic summary.
12.1 The five build paths — one-row decision matrix
| Path | Source | Cost (USD) | Hours | Legal posture | 501st target |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A1 Semi-auto Sterling clone | Wise Lite / IO Inc | $1,500–3,000 | 30–60 | Title I rifle, state-AW concern | Yes (most CRLs) |
| A2 Parts-kit / 80%-receiver | Demilled UK kit + Wise Lite receiver | $1,500–2,500 | 60–120 | Title I rifle, 922(r) compliance | Yes (most CRLs) |
| A3 Class III transferable | Pre-1986 registered Sterling | $30,000–50,000+ | 20–40 | NFA Class III | Yes (most CRLs) |
| B Off-the-shelf | Doopydoo / airsoft / 3D-print | $50–500 | 5–30 | Imitation firearm | Yes (most CRLs) |
| C From-scratch | Raw stock | $300–800 in materials | 100–250 | Manufacture-for-self / non-firing | Yes (Centurion target) |
12.2 Consolidated RPF-consensus dimension sheet
| Component | Dimension | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Receiver tube length | ~197 mm (7.75″) | Sterling Mk 4 factory |
| Receiver tube OD | ~38 mm (1.5″) | Sterling Mk 4 factory |
| Receiver wall | ~2 mm | Sterling Mk 4 factory |
| Cooling-hole pattern | 6 helical rows, ~28 holes | Sterling Mk 4 factory |
| Magazine (curved 34-rd) | ~228 mm × 28 mm | Sterling factory |
| Magazine angle | ~15° forward of vertical | Sterling factory |
| Folding stock (folded) | ~140 mm | Sterling Mk 4 factory |
| Folding stock (extended) | ~240 mm | Sterling Mk 4 factory |
| Overall length, stock folded | ~480 mm (19″) | E-11 hero consensus |
| Overall length, stock extended | ~710 mm (28″) | E-11 hero consensus |
| Scope rail | ~150 mm × 25 mm × 5 mm | RPF community |
| Scope pod | ~90 mm × 32 mm OD | RPF community |
| M38 grenade-launcher tube | ~125 mm × 25 mm OD | M38 ref + RPF |
| Hengstler counter (when present) | ~35 mm × 25 mm × 25 mm | RPF community |
| Sandtrooper T-track | ~180 mm × 15 mm cross-section | RPF community |
| Sandtrooper ammo pouch | ~80 × 100 × 40 mm | RPF + costume refs |
12.3 Quick legal pivots
12.3.1 Federal posture
- NFA Class III machine gun? Only Path A3 (registered transferable, pre-1986). Hughes Amendment closed new civilian MG registry May 1986.
- 922(r) parts-count? Only Path A2 — must achieve ≤10 imported regulated parts via US-made substitutions. Common: US-made magazine drops count by 3.
- Orange-tip rule (15 USC § 5001)? Applies to non-firing imitation firearms in commerce. Personal-removal after purchase is federally lawful (state law may differ).
- Manufacture-for-self? Path C semi-auto firing build: lawful federally; receiver must be marked. State serial requirements vary (CA / NJ / WA).
- Constructive intent trap? Don’t possess full-auto Sterling parts with a semi-auto Sterling clone or 80%-receiver host. Federal felony if interpreted as unregistered MG possession.
12.3.2 Restricted states summary (for E-11 builds)
| State | Path A1 Sterling clone? | Path A3 Class III? | Imitation firearm in public? |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | Likely AW under PC § 30515 | Prohibited (mostly) | Restricted; bright-color rule |
| New York | Likely AW under SAFE Act | Prohibited | Restricted |
| New Jersey | Likely AW | Prohibited | Restricted |
| Massachusetts | Probably AW | Prohibited | Restricted |
| Connecticut | Likely AW | Permitted in some cases | Restricted |
| Maryland | Status varies | Permitted | Less restricted |
| Hawaii | Restricted | Prohibited | Restricted |
| Illinois | Less restrictive on Sterling clone specifically | Prohibited | Less restrictive |
| Washington DC | Restricted | Prohibited | Restricted |
| Most other states | Permitted (federal posture) | Permitted (federal posture) | Less restricted |
Default rule: verify state-of-residence rules before purchasing or transporting any Path A build.
12.3.3 Forms cheatsheet
| Form | Use |
|---|---|
| ATF 4473 | Standard FFL transfer (Path A1, A2 purchase) |
| ATF Form 4 (5320.4) | Transfer of NFA item to individual/trust (Path A3) |
| ATF Form 5320.20 | Transport NFA item across state lines (Path A3 cross-state) |
| ATF Form 1 (5320.1) | Make an NFA item (NOT applicable to E-11 unless making an SBR, etc.) |
| State firearm permit | Required in NJ, MA, IL, NY, others |
12.4 501st quick-ref
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Stormtrooper CRL | databank.501st.com/databank/Costume:Stormtrooper |
| Sandtrooper CRL | databank.501st.com/databank/Costume:Sandtrooper |
| Death Star Trooper CRL | databank.501st.com/databank/Costume:Death_Star_Trooper |
| FISD forum | forum.fisd.club |
| 501st main | 501st.com |
| Submission process | FISD approval portal → CRL reviewer feedback → resubmission if needed |
| Approval levels | Basic / EIB → Centurion → Hero spec |
| Common rejection reasons | Wrong proportions, missing magazine canonical curve, missing folding stock, glossy finish, wrong weathering for variant, missing Sandtrooper T-track |
12.5 Vendor reference
12.5.1 Path A1 — Semi-auto Sterling clones
- Wise Lite Arms —
wiseliteinc.com— Texas - Indianapolis Ordnance Corp. —
indianapolisordnance.com— Indianapolis, IN
12.5.2 Path A2 — Parts kits
- Royal Tiger Imports —
royaltigerimports.com - Apex Gun Parts —
apexgunparts.com
12.5.3 Path B — Off-the-shelf
- Doopydoo / Doopy’s Doodads —
doopydoosprops.com(community canonical resin kit) - Anovos — closed 2020; secondary market via eBay / RPF classifieds
- S&T Armament — airsoft Sterling SMG (intermittent availability)
- Snow Wolf — airsoft Sterling SMG (intermittent availability)
- Replica Prop Forum (RPF) —
therpf.com— community 3D-print files and build resources - Thingiverse, Printables, MyMiniFactory, Cults3D — 3D-print file sources
12.5.4 Path C — Materials and finishing
- McMaster-Carr —
mcmaster.com— bulk steel, aluminum, fasteners - Online Metals —
onlinemetals.com— specialty alloys - Speedy Metals —
speedymetals.com— bar stock - Lauer Custom Weaponry —
lauerweaponry.com— parkerizing concentrate - Brownells —
brownells.com— Bonderite cleaner, post-park oil, gunsmithing tools - Cerakote Industrial Coatings —
cerakote.com— Cerakote application
12.5.5 Weathering and finishing
- Vallejo Model Air —
vallejo.acrylicosvallejo.com— acrylic paints - Tamiya —
tamiya.com— model paints, weathering products - AK Interactive —
ak-interactive.com— chipping medium, weathering pigments - Testors Dullcote — matte varnish (Hobby Lobby, online)
12.5.6 Insurance
- NRA Carry Guard —
nracarryguard.com— Path A firearm insurance - Homeowner/renter scheduled property rider — varies by carrier
12.6 Reading-order quick reference
For specific reader goals:
- 501st trooper, Path B build: Vol 2 → Vol 5 → Vol 7 → Vol 8 → Vol 9 → Vol 11
- Semi-auto firearm builder, Path A1: Vol 3 → Vol 4 § A1 → Vol 7 → Vol 8 → Vol 10 (state-specific) → Vol 11
- Parts-kit builder, Path A2: Vol 3 → Vol 10 (922(r) first) → Vol 4 § A2 → Vol 7 → Vol 8 → Vol 11
- NFA collector, Path A3: Vol 10 (NFA first) → Vol 3 → Vol 4 § A3 → Vol 7 → Vol 8
- Lab fabricator, Path C: Vol 3 → Vol 6 → Vol 7 → Vol 8 → Vol 10 § 10.6
- Collector or future Sterling-derived prop: Vol 3 → Vol 10
12.7 Common-mistake checklist
Before declaring a build complete, audit against these common failure modes:
- Proportions check — receiver length, magazine angle, stock fold, scope rail position against the RPF dim sheet (§ 12.2).
- Greeblies check — scope rail + scope pod + M38 tube all present and positioned. Hengstler counter present-or-absent per the chosen hero piece.
- Sandtrooper check (if applicable) — T-track present, ammo pouch attached.
- Magazine canonical — curved 34-rd Sterling silhouette, not a straight magazine or wrong-curve substitute.
- Finish matte, not glossy — parkerized or parkerized-look; flat black, not semi-gloss or gloss.
- Weathering appropriate to variant — Stormtrooper handling wear / Sandtrooper sun-bleach + dust / Death Star Trooper near-clean.
- 501st CRL spec match — read the CRL for the target variant; check each spec point.
- State legal posture cleared — Path A1 / A2 / A3 specifically; verify state-of-residence rules.
- 922(r) compliance documented (Path A2 only) — parts-substitution records, vendor receipts.
- Insurance updated — scheduled property rider or specific firearm coverage.
12.8 Full bibliography
12.8.1 Sterling collector and historical literature
- Hobart, F.W.A. The Sterling Story. Sterling Engineering Co., 1995.
- Walter, John. The Sterling Sub-Machine Gun. (Small Arms Profile 12.) Profile Publications, 1971.
- Sterling Armaments Company technical manuals (UK MoD declassified).
- Skennerton, Ian. The British Sterling 9mm Sub-Machine Gun: L2A1, L2A2, L2A3, L34A1. Skennerton & Riling, 1998.
- Ezell, Edward Clinton. Small Arms of the World (multiple editions). Stackpole.
12.8.2 Star Wars / E-11 prop literature and community
- Replica Prop Forum (RPF) —
therpf.com— community discussion threads, build threads, dimension references. - 501st Legion —
501st.com— global Imperial costuming organization. - FISD (Fighting 501st Imperial Stormtrooper Detachment) —
forum.fisd.club. - 501st Stormtrooper CRL —
databank.501st.com/databank/Costume:Stormtrooper. - 501st Sandtrooper CRL —
databank.501st.com/databank/Costume:Sandtrooper. - 501st Death Star Trooper CRL —
databank.501st.com/databank/Costume:Death_Star_Trooper. - Bapty & Co. —
baptys.com— historical context for the original 1976 props. - The Star Wars Holocron (community wiki).
12.8.3 US federal firearms law — primary sources
- 18 USC § 921 — federal firearms definitions.
- 18 USC § 922(r) — parts-count rule for imported parts.
- 18 USC § 926A — FOPA safe-passage rule.
- 26 USC § 5841 — NFA registration.
- 26 USC § 5811 — NFA transfer tax.
- 26 USC § 5845(b) — machine-gun definition.
- 26 USC § 5861 — NFA prohibited acts.
- 15 USC § 5001 — Toy Gun Marking Act / imitation firearm rules.
- 27 CFR § 478 — GCA Title I implementation.
- 27 CFR § 478.11 — firearm definition.
- 27 CFR § 478.39 — § 922(r) regulated-parts list.
- 27 CFR § 479 — NFA Title II implementation.
- Hughes Amendment (FOPA 1986, P.L. 99-308) — May 19, 1986 machine-gun closure.
- ATF Form 4 (5320.4) — NFA transfer.
- ATF Form 5320.20 — NFA cross-state transport.
- ATF Form 4473 — Title I FFL transfer.
- ATF Open Letters and Determination Letters — searchable on
atf.gov.
12.8.4 State firearms law — selected primary sources
(Per § 12.3.2 restricted-state summary.)
- California Penal Code § 16700, § 30515, § 29180 — imitation firearms, AW Control Act, home-built firearm rules.
- New York Penal Law § 265.00 — firearms regulation (SAFE Act).
- New Jersey N.J.S.A. § 2C:39-1 et seq. — firearms / AW law.
- Massachusetts MGL Chapter 140 § 121 — feature-list bans.
- Massachusetts MGL Chapter 269 § 12B — imitation firearm rules.
- Connecticut General Statutes § 53-202 — AW restrictions.
- Maryland Code § 4-301 — Tier classifications.
- Hawaii Revised Statutes § 134 — firearms / imitation firearm rules.
- Illinois Public Acts on AW (post-2013).
- District of Columbia Code § 7-2501 — semi-auto rifle restrictions.
- DC Code § 22-4504 — imitation firearm restrictions in public spaces.
12.8.5 Manufacturing and finishing references
- Brownells —
brownells.com— gunsmithing reference and supplies. - Lauer Custom Weaponry —
lauerweaponry.com— parkerizing technical. - Cerakote Industrial Coatings —
cerakote.com— application technical documentation. - McMaster-Carr —
mcmaster.com— engineering reference and materials.
12.8.6 Hub-internal references
../../_shared/deep_dive_protocol.md— canonical authoring workflow for firearms-hub deep dives.../../_shared/legal_ethics.md— hub-wide legal posture (this volume’s parent reference).../../_shared/comparison.md— cross-build comparison matrix; Sterling-donor index row.../../Mauser_C96/02-inputs/volume_sources/— sibling deep dive; vol9.md (from-scratch real firearm) is the canonical machinist-grade authoring precedent.../../DL-44/02-inputs/volume_sources/— sibling deep dive; pipeline bootstrap source.../../docs/superpowers/specs/2026-05-23-e11-scaffold-design.md— the brainstorming-skill scaffold spec this series was built from.
End of E-11 deep-dive series. Twelve volumes complete. Build it.