MKI pistol grip bolt repair cup.

[Kev G]

Found some what were descibed as 'MKI pistol grip inserts' on the box ,probably made by Interarms.
Although to silver solder/braze them in place it is nessasary to cut the damaged (or MK2) pistol grip bolt thread cup off the butt group they are not really inserts.



I'm curious to know if anyone has ever come across them on a MKI / MK3/ L4A4 or possibly an L4A3/5 that has been converted to accept a MKI pistol grip and bolt ?

Anyone any ideas ?

ATB KG

[Peter Laidler]

Just a thought on these things KG. I don't ever remember seeing one used and we didn't have them in the spares system unless Tankie or Skippy remembers some such thing. So far as I remember, all we did with our damaged threads (usually when the thread was torn out by the grip screw when the gun was dropped or mangled in some way) was to dress off the mangled threaded part and drill out the centre of the original with a drill and tap to 5/16" BSF (?) and use a Mk2 pistol grip and screw.

However, during the Bren Mk2 to L4A3/5 conversion programme, if the spec stated that the butt slide was to be to the lightweight Mk3 spec then it would have necessitated converting the thread FROM the 5/16" bolt to the original zillion TPI 9/16" approx hollow bolt size. And these threaded cups would be a good idea from the production point of view.
Drill out the existing threaded hole to the spigot size at the end of the cup
Silver solder cup in place
Mill underside of butt slide rails to decrease height........ job done and a Mk3 butt slide to boot!

[tankhunter]

Nope, is the short answer. I have never seen any such item, either kin the flesh, in E.M.E.R,s Or in any Workshop Instructions a locally made Mod. Nothing in the system as a repair idea submitted under the sfatt sugestion schems either.

Very good idea, But as Peter has stated. Drilling & retapping was the easier & Prefered method approved. This was a lot easier, asNot heat was applied either. & to that effect, the rustproofing was not disturbed. A simple touch up with Suncorite, & some grease when the paint was dry. Easy!

I submit this is something that has been devised, as you say Kev. By Either, Interarms, Or some other major refurbisher.
Possibly, a Foriegn method utilised by another Nations Military Wksp's Overhaul Program.

I have never heard or seen any information on this componant before.

[Kev G]

Seems they were an Enfield thing after all
Found it while looking for something completely different.......as you do.



ATB KG

[tankhunter]

Detective Kev on the case to a successful Conclusion as usual!

I have never encountered these myself, probably because all the L4 Series I encountered. Had probably all been converted previously. Nearly all Brens (.303") that came through our Field Workshops were Drill Purpose Cadet versions anyway.
I never saw one needing a replacement Grip screw that was damaged Myself.

That was probably due to Instructors Putting the fear of god into them. About how they were ONLY allowed to Field strip Guns & NO Further!

[Peter Laidler]

Yep, I agree with Tankie and as I half mentioned earlier. A factory modification to convert Mk2 butt slides to Mk3 spec or to repair knackered Mk3 butt slides. I never saw such things or noticed them but a good idea.

In the latter days of the Brens and L4's, we were up against the time and motion accountants who would have the final say as to whether 4 hours spent at the Armourers shop, machine shop, welding bay, back to the Armourers etc etc was uneconomic for a £45 part so it'd be scrapped.. With scrapping went a whole raft of experience too - more's the pity

Same with blank firing attachments. Cost, say £12 to make but £18 to return to a major workshops for bead blasting, phosphating, (maybe bushing a worn out gas port) repainting in yellow high temp paint, baking and ............. So the accountants say scrap for new

Oh, don't get me going about skill-loss among the skilled

[tankhunter]

Peter, with Previous & Current continuing Government Bean counting Departments Policies of: 'Saving Pennies & Wasting thousands'.



Im afraid my status is: 'Terminaly Confused'!.....................