7.62mm L4 series........

[Joe H]

What is the width difference of the Lahti Saloranta LMG 20rnd 7.62x53R Magazine and the Bren? I would like to see the follower and do some tinkering. Curious how it compares to the width of the Zb26/30 8mm mags too.

Derek,

The Lahti mag was designed to feed up. It is double stack and ends up as a single feed in the center of the mag. The Bren is double stack and grabs a round from either side. The main portion of the mag is much wider than the Bren well. The one I have will not fit the current Russian 7.62 x54r. It is not long enough. It was designed for a 7.62x 53R. The
rounds are for all practical purposes identical. It can be modified to fit the 7.62x54R by removing a curved plate in the mag. There is a very long Thread over on the Weapons Guild about adapting it to other rifles, nothing about the Bren. Just about everyone had very little luck.

I'll send you one. Feel free to experiment with it. I don't need it back.

Joe

[Peter Laidler]

I'm even more convinced that starting with a good 'known' before you start is the way to go. Tac Adv makes several valid points and has obviously been here beforee, especially with regards the slightly larger base rim diameter. By default, this will reduce the capacity by one mathematically but by doing so, this should make the curvature and platform configuration MORE adaptable. Especially since we might be getting rid of the now unnecessary (and friction causing) follower

[raexcct2]

Before I go on with this bit/thread, a question............ Is anyone out there in forumland contemplating the conversion of a standard Mk2 or 3 Bren into a repro, live or dewat/deact L4 look-a-like project?

Yes, MK2. Just finished reading all 7 pages of this thread and I realize this is above my skill level. I will have to send this out to a gunsmith/machinist.

[Peter Laidler]

Without the skill and learned depth of knowledge gained by C-130 pilot - and access to the parts I doubt whether your local gunsmith is the man! Why not have a chat over a beer with the man himself, Are you there C-130 pilot?

You can simplify the whole thing by leaving the butt slide, bipod legs and sleeve, gas blast plate etc etc as they are.

[c310pilot]

I have found that a vast majority of gunsmiths really have no clue. They simply have a license so they can own post sample machine guns. Most of the work is farmed out. I have photos and a step by step process all laid out. I can convert a Bren easily enough having done it. All it takes is time as the learning curve is over! You definitely need a mill, and if you want the mag reinforcements a lathe. The parts Peter discussed are all 'frosting' as I like to call it. Bolt on type items except for the gas shield which is easily fabricated. I would be more than happy to discuss.

Joe L and I have some ideas as far as the mag and we are going to put together a couple of frankenmags for giggles to see if we are heading down the right path. Apex gun parts here in the US had Bren mags for $2.00 ea. Cheap for parts, springs followers, and cutting and brazing on a Lahti upper. It will be an interesting concept test to say the least.

[Peter Laidler]

What seems to be the problem with 7.62mm magazines for the 7.62mm L4 Bren conversion. If you haven't got the 30 rounders, then the standard rifle magazines fit and function - as they were made to interchange. And even if you can't get the UK 'big lug' type, the FN type will fit. And if they are a bit loose fore-and-aft, then it's simplicity itself to fabricate the big lug.

Or am I missing something in my old age?

[Brian Dick]

I've got plenty of 30 rd L4 mags if in need. Both new and used.

[c310pilot]

What seems to be the problem with 7.62mm magazines for the 7.62mm L4 Bren conversion. If you haven't got the 30 rounders, then the standard rifle magazines fit and function - as they were made to interchange. And even if you can't get the UK 'big lug' type, the FN type will fit. And if they are a bit loose fore-and-aft, then it's simplicity itself to fabricate the big lug.

Or am I missing something in my old age?

The thread kind of got derailed. I have 14 7.62 mags for my L4. The mag conversion is for the 303 guns to shoot 54r. 54r is .18 per round. 7.62 is close to .60 and .303 is usually even more. cheaper than dirt recently had a bunch of hxp for .44 per round to my door. It's all about economy.

[raexcct2]

C310pilot,

I finally received my Sarco L4A3 parts kit. Kit was pretty greasy and came with no barrel and the receiver was torched in 3 locations which I am pretty sure will cause it to be unrebuildable unless I use other cut up sections from other cut Bren receivers.

I am pretty much immobile since I just had knee replacement surgery on 1 December.

I have some Bren Mk1 cut receiver pieces that I think could be used to rebuild the original L4A3 receiver (have access to those pieces) but worse case scenario I still have two Interordnance 3 cut Mk2 Bren receivers that I could use. Unfortunately, these kits are buried in my parts stash and I can't access them right now.

Do you have a manufacturing license to rebuild these receivers or do you have some kind of build manual that you would sell so I can get this Bren built. I still have to wait for Sarco to produce those L4A3 barrels sometime later next year.

[Joe H]

raexcct2,

Can't speak for C310 but I came to the same conclusion you did about the L4A3 kits. At a minimum you will need a front section from a MGS Mk II kit. From the pictures It seems everything forward of the mag well is scrap. If you check out the link below there are pics of worse cuts than shown in Sarco's ad. I thought about using IO Mk II kit, rebuilding to semi then machining the mag well area for the FAL mag. But then you are really paying $600 for the ejector block and a few barrel fittings and still don't have the barrel.

Good luck with your knee replacement I've had two. I feel your pain

As far as "How to" The link below is where it is at:

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Got Deal & Steals regarding L4a3 kits and Bren builds for rebuilding to semi info.

Joe