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Bren gun (.303 British)Model: Bren light machine gun
The famous Bren gun is a common symbol of the British army in World War II, but its history continues far beyond that. The Bren is one of many light machine guns of that war that loaded from a top-mounted box magazine, with the Danish Madsen likely being one of the first. The Bren was actually a modification of the Czech ZB vz. 26, and the name comes from Brno, the city where the weapon was designed, and Enfield, where the Royal Small Arms Factory was located.

The Bren was eventually replaced by belt-fed GPMGs, but it did its service quite admirably and was popular with the soldiers who used it all the way until its official retirement from British service in 2006. The gun was well-liked for its accuracy and light weight, and after World War II it was rechambered in 7.62x51mm NATO. 7.62mm weapons are identifiable by their almost completely straight magazines, and were designated the L4.



Specifications:
Weight:
 22.83 lb (10.35kg) (Mk1 and Mk2)
Length:
 42.9 in (1,156 mm), Mk IV
Barrel Length:
 25 in (635 mm)
Cartridge:
 .303 British
7.92x57mm Mauser (Chinese)
7.62x51mm NATO (L4)
Action:
 Gas-operated
Muzzle Velocity:
 2440 ft/s (743.7 m/s)
Effective Range:
 600 yd (550 m)
Feed System:
 Detachable box magazine. 30 rounds.
Sights:
 Front post, rear aperture.
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Where to find

While the Bren is sadly out of service in many countries, it is still in use in Indonesia and India and India still manufacturers it as the 1B. American gunsmiths have used deactivated receivers to built semi-automatic Brens. A competent worker can build their own from available parts for as low as $350, while pre-built ones can run as high as $2500. A fully automatic weapon can run up to $50,000, not including the $200 tax stamp and red tape (if it's even legal in your state).


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Complexity

The Bren is a bit unusual thanks to the top-mounted magazine, which requires the sights to be fitted on the left. Despite this quirk and the heavy weight if you intend to use it as a rifle, it has excellent accuracy and is very reliable and durable.
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Controls
  • Safety: Located on the left side of the receiver above the trigger. Rotate left for AUTO, middle for SAFE, right for SEMI.
  • Magazine catch: Located behind the magazine well.
  • Charging handle: Located on the right side of the receiver.

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Loading

Condition One, or "Locked and Cocked." Chamber loaded, magazine full, hammer cocked and safety applied.
  1. Point the weapn in a safe direction. Critical step in case it accidentally discharges!
  2. Rotate the safety to the middle position to activate it.
  3. Take a loaded magazine and insert it into the magazine well front-first, then rock it back into place.
  4. Pull the charging handle back and let it snap forward.
Condition Two. Chamber loaded, magazine full, hammer down, safety off.

    Cannot be done.

Condition Three. Chamber empty, magazine full, hammer down, safety off.
  1. Point the weapn in a safe direction. Critical step in case it accidentally discharges!
  2. Take a loaded magazine and insert it into the magazine well front-first, then rock it back into place.

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Unloading

How to unload the firearm and make safe. Presented in a numbered list.
  1. Point the weapn in a safe direction. Critical step in case it accidentally discharges!
  2. Rotate the safety to the middle position to activate it.
  3. Push the magazine catch forward and rock the magazine forward, then pull it up and out of the magazine well.
  4. Pull the charging handle back and examine the chamber for any ammunition. Release the charging handle.
  5. Deactivate the safety.
  6. Pull the trigger.

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Field Stripping

How to disassemble the firearm for cleaning. Presented in a numbered list.
  1. Point the weapn in a safe direction. Critical step in case it accidentally discharges!
  2. Unload the weapon as described above.
  3. Push out the body locking pin. Pull the butt group to the rear and off of the receiver.
  4. Hold the return spring and pull the piston group up and out of the gun.
  5. Fold the bipod up and twist the barrel to the left. Remove the bipod off the front of the barrel.
  6. Turn the carrying handle up and then turn the barrel catch that was previously under it up. Slide the barrel forward and out.
Reverse to reassemble.



chitoryu12
chitoryu12 		Latest page update: made by chitoryu12 , Apr 30 2012, 4:58 PM EDT (about this update About This Update chitoryu12 Edited by chitoryu12

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