Bren compared to its contemporaries
Curious to learn something from those that know, and have actually handled the weapons.
Ignoring the concerns of a contemporary owner/shooter today. No concern with availibilty/price of such things as mags and barrels. No concern for ammo price.
No concerns with production, no concerns with cost. No national pride involved.
Your a soldier facing some advancing enemy force in 1943. You have the standard supply of replacement barrels, mags, and ammo from a defensive position. You expect to have to reposition several times during the upcoming battle. You will have a number of supporting soldiers with you.
You can have any Bren model made to that date, any Czech vz26/30/39 LMG, or Jap Type 99 LMG.
All based on the same Czech design. All shooting a roughly equivelent cartridge.
What LMG would you want, and why? Please be specific.
Things I can think of to be considered: weight, ease of loading mags, reliability, resistence to corrosion (use of stainless steel), barrels chrome lined for durability, weight, practicality of bipods, sights, optical sights, etc....