Given the overall production resources of WW1 one might be better off combining the simple blow back SMGs/grenades with proper LMGs and covered by centralised HMGs. The obsession with a better 'rifle' required the same resources, machining and skilled workers as LMG production did. SMGs can be made elsewhere.
I do realise that this involves using concepts which were not (bar late WW1 trench assault work) general at the time and treating a 'gun' as a tool and not an expression of skilled engineering was heretic but there is no technical reason that bars the idea at the time. The trickiest part of a WW1 'Sten' is the magazine.
The production of thin spring steel sheet and stamping it precisely is the hard bit. Makers of Chauchat magazines were pressed by tin plate toy makers whose dies and presses were incapable of working such hard steel and had to use thin, soft, mild steel. OK for a disposable magazine but too weak for repeated reloading and use.
LMGs were already in existence and freeing up 'rifle' making would allow far more to be made. The saving in weight of an SMG etc allows attacking troops to carry more LMG ammunition to reload the LMG magazines and maintain a resistance to counter attacks for longer until the follow up troops pass through their lines. OTL saw an increasing proportion of troops dedicated to supporting LMGs and an SMG is far handier in close actions than a long rifle.
I do realise that this involves using concepts which were not (bar late WW1 trench assault work) general at the time and treating a 'gun' as a tool and not an expression of skilled engineering was heretic but there is no technical reason that bars the idea at the time. The trickiest part of a WW1 'Sten' is the magazine.
The production of thin spring steel sheet and stamping it precisely is the hard bit. Makers of Chauchat magazines were pressed by tin plate toy makers whose dies and presses were incapable of working such hard steel and had to use thin, soft, mild steel. OK for a disposable magazine but too weak for repeated reloading and use.
LMGs were already in existence and freeing up 'rifle' making would allow far more to be made. The saving in weight of an SMG etc allows attacking troops to carry more LMG ammunition to reload the LMG magazines and maintain a resistance to counter attacks for longer until the follow up troops pass through their lines. OTL saw an increasing proportion of troops dedicated to supporting LMGs and an SMG is far handier in close actions than a long rifle.