54R Bren Issues

[Peter Laidler]

The problem with carrying handles wasn't the removal or replacement of the assembly from the barrel but the removal of the wood handle part. It was the zillion TPI nut that was the problem. As apprentices we used the official stupid tool of course and it was easy to tip the nut and cause it to cross thread on the stem. As apprentices we were told that we could only commit then heinous cross threading crime once as thereafter, it was deemed negligence on our part and we would have to pay for the damage. It was a complete load of twaddle of course but it made you think twice when repeatedly stripping and assembling.

Out in the real world we just copied the carrying handle forked screwdriver from our elders which held the nut square! I seem to remember that the handle only came from Ordnance as the stem (27 or 30) and fittings as an assembly. But in case you needed any of the individual components, you always had a load of loose parts in the tray. The Mk1 wood handle part always got a complete battering so they were slightly turned down to Mk1 spec to use the smaller dia end plate which solved the problems

I understand that the complete carrying handle assemblies are readily available in the US

[djandj]

Attachment 63271

The barrel on the right was reamed too deep. You can see where the reamer cut into the part of the barrel that supports the rim.

Attachment 63272



This is the part of the tool that made those cuts. They are not supposed to be there.

GREAT! Will you tell that to the builder who keeps telling me it's the ammo and refusing to warranty his work?

[djandj]

Attachment 63273

By the way, it’s easy to take the carry handle off that barrel and put it on the other. Just take screw 23 out and the handle assembly will come off. Then push pin 5 out, 7 and 10 will then come out. Invert the barrel so pin 8 drops away from the barrel and 9/12 will slide off the barrel.

It takes 10 minutes to swap it from one barrel to another… Peter can probably do it in less than 2 minutes.

Did you use the gas regulator that was on the barrel? What setting did you use?

Yes, Vince I used the regulator on it. Started on the lowest setting and it cycled MOST of the time. Moved it up to the second to lowest setting, and it functioned perfectly.

Now all I need to do is start a write-in campaign to get the builder to pay for new barrel. Actually, if it works out in the upcoming trials, I'll do what we discussed in PM and get this one parkerized.

Although mine has that little slot thing on the bottom to mate with the receiver. What barrels have them?

[AmEngRifles]

djandj,

Might respectfully suggest, look for a good Bren barrel in .303 and send it off to Project Gun and have them ream it to their standard. Might be less aggravation to start fresh with a willing partner? I THINK barrels can still be found for around a 100 bucks?? Haven't been shopping them too much lately, but believe I spied one on the internet just a week ago at that rate. Hopefully Project Gun wouldn't charge much more than $100 to ream it to 7.62x54R?

By the way dj, you are being kind listing .303 at .70 cents a pop. It is closer to a $1.00 a pop from what I see, and if you go for the fancy stuff, like Hornady's offerings, they can be upwards of nearly $3.00 a round!! So I understand your strong desire to have a 7.62 R rifle. Ever think SVT? UK59? JK! We LOVE the Bren, just wish we didn't have to have a reweld with a limited trigger selection.


AmEng

[browningautorifle]

Hopefully Project Gun wouldn't charge much more than $100 to ream it to 7.62x54R?

I think you can get the ream for that. Save the shipping both ways and just do it yourself. A new ream cuts nice and clean. Really easily too...

[AmEngRifles]

Hope it is acceptable to post this?

Omega Weapons Systems (520) 889-8895

Seems like a good price, especially considering that no more are coming in.

[browningautorifle]

They seem to have a bit of everything there.

[Vincent]

Yes, I will tell the builder that.

I hope the trials go well. It would be nice not to have to look at the bolt next. Let us know how it goes.

[Peter Laidler]

I agree with BAR (thread 265). That way you can ream to EXACTLY what you want/need it to be.

The strange part about this saga is that it did work and function correctly using brass cased ammo! I realise that that isn't the point but none the less, it's a fact!

[browningautorifle]

I've been watching this since the beginning and just about can't stand the amount of fiddling this thing has needed. The whole problem is a gun needs to be headspaced as a unit when completed and not piecemeal. I get the impression the barrel and bolt are done remotely and not to the very gun they're installed in. If you start with a new barrel, you can do it to spec and end this misery. Then you should be able to shoot whatever ammo comes to hand...