Bren Magazine Loader

[tj214]

Just picked up a Bren mag loader in excellent condition.

Attachment 100858

Can't find a manual or instructions. Any leads?

Thanks.

Information

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[tr63]

There is a U-tube 60 second film showing your hopper type loader in action .

[tj214]

Very helpful--thanks. Still looking for official documentation as well. I just like to have the regs/manuals for all the equipment I own.

[Peter Laidler]

It is a snug fit in the Bren chest, left hand side at the bottom. That is the reason for the circular recess cut into the side of the chest. 2 types were available. 1 for ammo in clips and one for loose boxed ammo. But guess what........ You could be sure that if you had a CLIP loader, your ammo would come in loose form. And if you had LOOSE loaders........, guess what? So PDQ the loading machines were put into store because the rifle sections found that they could load magazines, jamb free in a few seconds by hand within a few seconds. Thereafter the TOET was changed to incorporate loading mags by hand and by 91940, mag loaders were consigned to the bin labelled the TWOT bin in forces parlance. Total Waste Of Time

[tj214]

Thanks, Peter. That certainly explains why these devices are so scarce (and expensive).

[22SqnRAE]

I might be speaking out of turn, here, and you can shoot me down if you care.

You'll probably find any ex-Servie (well, Army at least and for those that have Marines, I'll include them out of manners) would shun most of the gadgets "collectors" think are wonderful and necessary bits of kit. CES can be quire exhaustive and doesn't always get taken into the field (bush...) when you have to pack and carry it. You take the important hings.

Tests Of Elementary Training (TOET) for weapon handling requires the Digger (insert your National term of endearment for soldier) to hand load mags at a certain pace and accuracy.

Brens were no different. In later years when the Bren was superseded by the useless Automatic Rifle L2A1 (in Australian Service) the Dig needed to load the required 30 rounds per mag in a certain time frame.

Surprisingly, prior to the next action, all Section members would help the No 1 and No 2 on the gun load mags. It took far less time and effort than you'd think. And relieved the mind boggling frenetic move form boredom to terror and excitement.

While they're another physical accoutrement, they're not an item that you'd find many Digs worrying about. Nice to collect, but as Peter Laideler says another WAFTAM. (you can work that one out yourself...)

[browningautorifle]

the Dig needed to load the required 30 rounds per mag in a certain time frame.

Still today, we had to load a 30 rd rifle mag in 55 seconds with loose ammo and 25 second with the mag charger. Lots of time, but give it a try some time cold and see how long it actually takes YOU...

[Flying10uk]

https://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=60615

[Peter Laidler]

We used to just strip a couple of clips or pick up a slack handful of ammo in our right hand (or left hand if you were one of the cack-handers), hold the mag on our left knee and slip the rounds in, push back. next in, push back next in push back and so on. After about a minute it became second nature. I do remember that the gun crews REALLY used to get arsey if they were shouting for magazines - and you passed them part empty mags. Watch the foul language fly then.............

[Mk VII]

The superannuated idiots in the War Ministries think these sorts of gadgets are a great idea; the man who actually has to carry all this stuff into the field, and weigh up the value of every ounce, has a sterner test.