Bren Gun Pistol Grips

[Peter Laidler]

This little article isn’t going to concern many people but it might one day, so here goes……..

You are all aware that there are two types of grip and screw, the Mk1 and 2 types which correspond to the Mk1 and 2 butt slides.

The Mk1 type grip has a large .6” or so diameter hole through the grip through which passes an equally large bolt – or the SCREW, grip, pistol (Don’t ask me why is it called a screw when it’s really a bolt!). There are TWO basic types of SCREW too! There’s a hollow version and a later wartime solid version. I understand that this grip is the only one available, certainly in the UK and hence the reason for this article.

The Mk2 grip has a smaller 3/8” dia hole through the grip and is retained by a simple 3/8” BSF threaded bolt. Both are easily identifiable and that’s all you really need to know except that the Mk2 grips and bolts are NLA – or No Longer Available, certainly in the UK.

Both are shown in Photo 1

PHOTO 1
Attachment 61043
(Click PIC to Enlarge)

(Mk2 butt slides in UK service being converted to L4 spec FOR UK SERVICE were converted in the interests of standardization to take the Mk1 type grip and screw. They were also lightened to Mk3 spec too but that’s going off at a tangent!)

So what do you do if you’re a Mk2 gun owner needing a replacement Mk2 grip. Help is at hand. The FIRST thing you’ll need to do with your newly acquired Mk1 grip is with the aid of a sharp chisel, to ‘square-off’ the top inside rear section of the Mk1 grip. You’ll see this simple ‘squaring-off’ feature identified in photo.

The next thing you’ll need to decide is this:

a) Do you want to just bush to length the existing .6” dia hole to a depth of 2.8”* in the Mk1 grip to accept the original Mk2 3/8” screw (as shown clearly in PHOTO 2), or

b) Do you want to simply machine down your newly acquired SOLID Mk1 screw to fit the Mk2 butt slide

PHOTO 2
Attachment 61044
(Click PIC to Enlarge)

It’s really up to you……… Both methods are clearly shown in the photos

PHOTO 3 clearly shows the bushed hole. Don’t forget this bush is turned to suit, a comfortable fit and glued into the grip. The bush is 2.8” long so as to retain the important large diameter of the internal hole at the top (see PHOTO 2), where it locates over the butt slide

PHOTO 3
Attachment 61045
(Click PIC to Enlarge)

PHOTO 4 shows left: The Mk2 grip screw. Centre: The standard Mk1 screw and right: a modified Mk1 grip screw to fit the Mk1 grip to a Mk2 gun. The screw has been waisted for aesthetic reasons only but can be left solid. It’s a matter for you. But it’s important that if you are going down this route, you specify to the supplier that you require a SOLID screw to start with.

PHOTO 4
Attachment 61046
](Click PIC to Enlarge)

Obviously there will be other methods of cross fitting but while I tried both methods, when you’ve got a lot to do, I found simply modifying a lot of solid bolts in one hit the quickest and aesthetically, the best.

Any questions………?

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[Luis Bren]

Thank you for de info Peter!
I'll check my Bren to see that pistol grip has installed!

[Peter Laidler]

This info really only affects those who need to fit a new pistol grip.

By the same token, if a Mk1 gun owner could only get a spare Mk2 type grip then he could bore the 3/8" hole out to take the original Mk1 screw. Just a thought!

[tankhunter]

Peter, The last modified Bolt (Screw) should have been oil blacked to protect/ finish it. I will have to deduct four points for this. See Me after the Lesson young Man!..............

[Peter Laidler]

Just thinking of a half decent excuse that Harry Weeks (the ogre) won't have heard before........ Ah, yes.... I left it silver to highlight for the photo!

[tankhunter]

Just thinking of a half decent excuse that Harry Weeks (the ogre) won't have heard before........ Ah, yes.... I left it silver to highlight for the photo!

Good Man, well covered! Consider yourself reinstated!..........:madsmile

Now get back to Work!....

[Vincent]

Very useful for people building semi-only Bren’s in the US. The pistol grip is a 922(r) part and US made ones are not plentiful.

[TactAdv]

I asked Peter this awhile back, and am glad to get the information recorded here again.

He did convince me at the time to not bother, so I went ahead and got a repop:

e-sarcoinc.com/brenmkireplacementgrips-1.aspx


They turned out to be pretty darn good. For others in a similar situation here, this may be the answer, although Bren grip wood in ANY condition is for some stupoid reason very hard to find over here. There is only one place that has any original wood as spares, all MkI wood and not in overly great shape ( i know!).

The availability for spares here is seemingly old parts-kit take offs, the Sarco repop, or importing wood from the Continent.....all of which I have done/explored. The imported part ended up costing over $80.00USD, the Sarco repop ended up being a VERY nice copy and well worth it.

The Sarco repop can be easily stained, "aged", and installed as a VERY good option. Can't beat it at <$20.00.

Anyway, my thoughts......YMMV.
-TomH

[Vincent]

Thanks for the information. Did you have any luck finding butt stocks?

[TactAdv]

Kind of......I presume you are talking about sourcing wood here in the USofA.

Sarco has pricey Mk I stock repops:

e-sarcoinc.com/brennewmkibuttstockwhardware.aspx

......$295.00!! Look good, but a better comment might be that those of this forum still in the UK might well see a good opportunity to sell a some real ones over here, and make something for the effort. Box 'em up and mail 'em!!

BrianP still has NICE wood, (wow, that came out wrong)....wood STOCKS that is....if you are needing Mk II or III/IV pieces. I have bought several of the Mk II and was VERY happy. All Canuck though. Guess if I am going to be buying Canadian wood, it's either this or hockey sticks......

8: BUTT, Mk 2 (good condition) - BRP CORP Store
8: BUTT, Mk 2 (excellent condition) - BRP CORP Store

....my experience is only with the "excellent condition" MK II pieces- and they ARE...VERY nice. New, as issued, almost perfect, probably got a ding here and there from being in a box bouncing around the world. Can't beat the price.

He has Mk IV wood too....

BREN Mk4 Stock

.....there are some other sporadic pieces I see offered in all the "usual places", but nothing anymore to speak of that is considered "surplus condition".

-TomH