nut,piston buffer BE9462

[ZGB]

Repainting some needy MK1m/a brens at the moment. I have stuck buffer piston nut. Any magic tricks out there to undo one or is it the usual persuaders.

Information

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[Peter Laidler]

These were never a problem because the nut was screwed up and undone using the brace and 'bit' in the Armourers tool kit. The 'bit' was the screwdriver used to unscrew the stock bolt on the No1, 4 and 5 that fits perfectly. The official tool was the largest screwdriver in the combination tool. I suggest that you use the correct 'BIT, scrrewdriver, stockbolt'

[Kev G]

After they have been hibernating in some Greek storage facility for decades I have had to resort to a liberal dose of flames to assist undoing said nut


ATB KG

[ZGB]

Thanks for the info peter unfortunately don't have a brace and bit.These tools are hard to come by.I have modified the tool in the combination set with a better tommy bar for a bit more torque. And some of Mr calors finest gas should do the job.

[Peter Laidler]

Just a further note on unscrewing the buffer nut ZGB but make sure that when you do anything with a twisting motion on the butt slide, ensure that the butt slide is gripped tightly by the buffer housing in the vice.

If you want to borrow the screwdriver bit, just ask...........

[ZGB]

I did what you suggested thanks.The only proplem i had was the butt slide/buffer housing kept wanting to rotate in the soft vice jaws but it finally came undone.Luckily the threads were okay so no need to use precious spare parts it was just super tight.Thank you.

[Peter Laidler]

This Bren forum is certainly making me think and remember things from the dim and distant past.

On the subject of butt slides, there was an idea for the Mk33 and prototype Mk4's that the lightweight butt slide could end just ahead of the trigger guard. After all, what use did it serve? All it held was the ejection opening cover and front tripod mounting pin and with the best will in the world, tripods are not the most practical thing for use in the jungle.......

Oh yes....., where were we...... Ah, yes, butt slides!

[Brit plumber]

I think that Len Savage does a similar thing on his semi builds. The L4A3 conversion on relevant thread shows the shorter cut slide.

[ZGB]

Was there any field trials done with the shortened mk3/4 buttslides or did they go no further than the factory.

[Peter Laidler]

Wartime trials with the short butt slide took place at the small arms school at |Pendine. The result was that it COULD be lightened in other ways. It was also felt that if the 'new' light bren was used elsewhere, then it might need the tripod mounting. So the standard butt slide remained, modified/lightened and evolved into the Mk3 type we have today. The short butt slide was almost approved though. But the last thing you need is a mixed fleet....

When the Bren book is finally published - sigh, sigh............ you'll enjoy the Mk4 chapter. After studying the Mk4 trials, I realised why many other events tookplace