Wanted: Ideas on how to lock the magazine in place

[tankhunter]

Yes, when I said 'Shield' That was what I meant by shroud! You are quite correct. I have never seen shrouds available on thier own. They are USUALY seen as part of the assembly of a Bipod head & obvioulsy integral. I should imagine they were available at Field Wksp level for replacement by Brazing & subsequent rustproofing & painting. I have as Peter stated, Straightened out 'Quite a few' in Service!
As an Important point of interest. ANOTHER Feature of the shroud was to reduce the flame flash around the gas cylinder periphial holes. This reduced the 'Enemy' from getting too much of idea of where the Gunner may be sited. Obviously, they would see the Muzzle flash from the front end of the Flash Hider/Eliminator. But the F/E on the L4, the same as the SLR Rifle. did NOT completely 'Eliminate' that flash. This is confirmed in a lot of amendments in user handbooks where the term Flash 'Eliminator' is barred out. And the word 'Hider' inserted. Also, SOME of the exhausted gases were vented away & back towards the rear of the gun. If they had gone downwards, as SOME did on the Bren. It may well cause a small dust cloud to be thrown up & add to the difficulty of showing the gunners position as well. In reality, it was a small amount when this happend. BUT, every little helps as they say! & this was also a benifit of having a shroud fitted to the bipod head. As I undertand it, the L4A9 was developed by the simple addition of an IWS Bracket to the LHS as Peter has mentioned. This was originaly for the usage in the then Northern ireland troubles. Some sections carried LMGs when out on countryside patrols. & also set up in cover on VCPs (Vehicle Check Points) for nightime usage. For the possible event of an IRA vehicle running through the VCP after spraying the sited troops with fire! Also, it gave a patrol the facility to lay down heavy covering fire to enable the rest of the Riflemen in it. To execute a pincer movement on the perpetrator/s who had attempted to Ambush the Patrol. Amendment: Since I posted this info, A check of the relevant E.M.E.R has revealed that the Gas 'Shield' is correctly termed 'Cowel'!