Can some one list the most common types of U.S. remade Bren Gun rebuilders and how they were different in the way they did their conversions ? Which are better than the others ? Who is still making the conversions today ?
Can some one list the most common types of U.S. remade Bren Gun rebuilders and how they were different in the way they did their conversions ? Which are better than the others ? Who is still making the conversions today ?
Hey tr63, good man for jumping into the new sub section!
I am not fully versed on all makers and their variations. There is a good description by a member that I will have to go back and see if it can be linked. In the meantime, Badger is looking to be able to migrate all those discussion over the the "Semi" section. Tall order as sometimes the two morph together in one thread.
The MAIN four builders that I am aware of, and most now DO NOT build semi auto Brens any more, are Historic Arms (unclear of status), Project Guns (retired), WiseLite (no longer building Brens), and SMG Guns (no longer building Brens). I am unclear it Midwest Metals Creations ever did Bren guns. He apparently sold semi auto parts for the Bren build at one time. So many of the builders/suppliers from years past no longer do so. The supplies are dwindling, unless new stocks are found and imported. Sadly, as of today, no more barrels will come in without being cut up. And it seems the only builders now are individuals doing it for themselves.
IF you get the opportunity to purchase a Mighty Lime Bren, I think that would be a VERY good investment. They are exceedingly well built and have some solid engineering behind them. He does not build for sale, but he had been listing a couple of his guns on GB in the recent past.
There is Kiwi Custom Guns. He appears to be building still? Try this link. RESTORATION | kiwiscustomguns
It was Joe H under the discussion "Wise Lite Arms semi auto only Bren".
AmEngRifles
That is an interesting list. Thanks for putting it together. A friend of mine in the Tampa Bay, Fla has build several (for himself) and I'm about to try to start and finish one this year. Of course I think that I said the same thing last year. But going to give it a try anyway.
That said several folks have built their own.
tr63 -- why not think about giving it a go. If you need building info private message me.
Later 42rocker
I HAD a Bren Mk1 & regret selling that one massively!!!
Here is a pic, it was built by SMG guns & functioned Flawlessly.
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/8...0/835/5rkd.jpg
I have been in contact with Rick & his son [I forget his name] of SMG guns at least 2 times in the past couple of years asking if they would ever build them again & regrettably the answer was no. There were 2 reasons. First, they are totally consumed with their FG42 project. Second Rick stated that the kits that are left are mostly unbuildable. IIRC, he said that back in the day the receivers were band saw cut in I think 2 places & now they are plasma torch cut in either 3 or 4 pieces & really too much work to salvage if they are salvageable at all.
There was a post today by another member about Sarco having Mk 3 kits for sale @ $285, I looked at the pics & the receiver sections looked knarly to say the least. I think they are priced that low because they are unbuildable.
However, I have also spoken to Len Savage of Historic Firearms last year & he is still building, or at least he was at the time I spoke with him. At the time the price was a little too much for me but I think next year I'm gonna buy 1 of their L4A3 Bren kits & have Mr. Savage build that for me. I live close enough to Sarco that I can go there & hopefully hand pick one that appears to me to be buildable. I'll look at the Mk 3's while I'm there.
Hope this helps, Mick
Good luck on the hand picking one at SARCO !! In the old days 1960 and 1970's it was possible to do hand picking in their New Jersey location today they do not normally let the customer beyond the show room . Could happen if you know Charlie on a first name bases .
Interesting, like I've stated I do not work for sarco or get anything back from them for this.
That said I've got a sarco Bren mk1 parts kit sitting about 15ft away from me. Bought it at knob creek a few days ago. Receiver looks like the ones that they have on sale right now. of course mine is a mk1. I spend a day cleaning the slag off the receiver and it's looking good. Then I fit the slide and bolt slide into the groves. Next I'll be cleaning the inside of the receiver and fit it to the welding jig. That said I think that it and the ones they are selling can be rebuilt. Yes, the front end will be an interesting rebuild. But just but what if I don't rebuild that area. Lets see the mag cover might not be held in place, I can live with that. No mag cover. Next, well the barrel nut locking spring button will have to be dealt with true but something that can be handled. This style of receiver cut is far better to deal with than an mgs style. My thoughts of course.. Also I have all three styles of bren receiver cuts
, IO, mgs, and now sarco style sitting 15 ft away from me. I personally like the idea that I won't have to deal with rebuilding the barrel and locking area. But that's me.
Later 42rocker
There’s a Lime mk3 in GB right now.
And it is/was beautiful. Got snapped up at he end. Mighty Lime builds are about the best on the market, from a NON-builders perspective. No offense to those builders of such items. I am just a lowly consumer.Quote:
Originally Posted by forti-cinis
Wish Mighty Lime would get his ffl! :-) I need a ML recoil set up for a Historic Arms rifle!!
BTW, look at BRP Guns, they have center section Bren receives parts that would maintain many of the critical dimensions. Lots of nice MkI sections. Should make for a very nice build. Not cheap though.
Just discovered that apparently Stemple did some Bren builds!?
One is on the popular auction site GB. Looks pretty nice. On par with Historic and Project Gun. Probably not quite as nice as a SMG.
Add Stemple to the builders list.
Quote:
Originally Posted by AmEngRifles
Word is that he built one. Was not a production series. Also, word is it runs well. Went from owner; who passed, to his brother; who sold and to friend, who knew both.