Semi Auto Bren extract problem

[Sentryduty]

(Understatement of the day) The whole barrel is loose as a goose's butt...

Does give them a nice wide beaten zone though...

[locchau]

Vincent,

I have no luck with the ZB39 mag that I got. Its either not load the first round or only load and shoot the first one, two round at most then the bullet tip down into the mag. I oil the gun very well with break free CLP before and after shoot it, just clean it for pictures. Yes I use the same bolt for both calibers and it is the only bolt that I have. I just order PPU 174gr FMJ ammo from Aim Surplus, hopefully they will get here before Friday. As soon as the ammo get here, I will try it and will follow your comments if it still not working out. I’ll first try to polishing the .303 barrel chamber today after I get off from work before cutting the striker spring since I have tried to order a couple of spare from Mr. Savage but he don’t have any in stock. Anyone here have Historic Arms Bren with spare striker spring and one to sale one? I’ll be more than happy to take it. By what you said there is headspace involve on replacement of barrel, I probably hold off on that because I do not have any headspace gauge and don’t much about Bren to be able to do that by myself.

Joe and vincent, this is a dumb question but how do I disassemble the ZB39 mag. Is the bottom floor plate slide out just like AK or AR mag?

Loc Chau

[Joe H]

Loc Chau.

On the top of the mag there is a little dimple. Press it down with the tip of a cartridge or small screwdriver. With it pressed down, slide off the top plate. It will only slide off one way, it's tapered.

Clean it out and oil it. My best guess is that the outside case is pushed in and its binding the follower. Check and be sure you can pull the follower up and down in the case by the spring without binding.

Another thing to check is the overall length of the cartridge. The ZB39 was made for a 8x56R which has a length of 75.91 mm. The 7.62x54R is 77.16mm. The ZB39 mags I have have ample clearance for the longer 54R round. Possibly your 54R is over length.

Joe

[browningautorifle]

a nice wide beaten zone

I have a long story about that for you sometime. It dates back the the first guns we received...and trying to zero them.

[Vincent]

Joe,

There is quite a bit of variation in 54R length. I think 54mm is supposed to be the max case length. They all seem to be shorter than 54mm and since it is a rimmed cartridge, it doesn’t matter if the case is a little shorter.

On paper there is a difference between 54R and 53R case lengths. The manufacturers are supposed to round up or down to the closest mm. But that’s in a perfect world. In reality 54R and 53R can have the same case lengths.

There is also variation in bullet lengths. When combined with a shorter case it can be significant.

Lahti-Saloranta M/26 7.62x53R mags will also take some of the shorter 54R. I don’t remember how many rounds will fit.

The primers are hard, but they last forever.

Loc,

Be sure you are not putting the rounds in too far back in the magazine. There is a space at the back of the mag that’s wide enough for a round to fit if you push hard. The rounds go in forward of that, where the mag is wide enough to take two rounds.

[WallyG.]

I have been told that the Historic Arms striker spring is a stock unit from McMaster Carr. Search their web site and match your spring's characteristics to theirs.

[Joe H]

Lahti-Saloranta M/26 7.62x53R mags will also take some of the shorter 54R. I don’t remember how many rounds will fit.

Vincent,

Awhile back I got a few of those 20 rd Lahti mags ($5/ea) thinking they could be altered to fit the Bren. The 54R I had wouldn't fit in them. There was a strap that could be removed so that the longer 54R would fit but there were so many other problems I stuck with the ZB39.

There is a very long thread over on the Weapons Guild about trying to use the Lahti mags for other rifles but from what I could tell nobody had much luck.

Joe

[locchau]

Hi all,

Thank you all. Just finish polished both chamber last night, will try to work on the ZB mag tonight. Thank you Joe for the mag disassembles instruction. Vincent, I have noted that the round will go all the way back to the mag as you mention and will not feed. I made that mistake once . WallyG, I’ll check McMaster Carr to see if they have the spring or something close enough that I can use for experimental. Now I just wait for the PPU ammo from Aim Surplus hopefully before this weekend so I can play with the Bren since I have 3 day weekend because of July 4th Holiday. Wish you all have a good week, will post update of how thing goes along.

WallyG, found the springs that are close enough for me to try. I order two different one, if they work I have spare for anyone who need it.

Loc Chau

[locchau]

Hi every one,
Hope everything going well for all of you, just want to give an update on the Bren. It’s been awhile since my last range time due to get the kids out to the beach and work around the house. Last weekend I finally have the time to take the Bren and some of my rifles out to the range and the result is very promising. First try the Bren with 7.62X54r with the mag mod per Joe instruction and it works great, although I only try the mag with 15 rounds. I shot 3 mags of the 7.62X54r and the 4th mag I try lacquer coated ammo and it does not like it, I have stuck case in the chamber. Next I try the Prvi Partizan .303, 174 Gr brass case and the rifle works perfectly fine. I shot about 4 boxes of the .303 ammo and the trigger stop reset, it acts like the safety is stuck in on position. I have to look at this problem, my guess is just the trigger assembly but I am very happy with the way the gun performs. I am making progress every day, thank you all for your help and support. Will be update again on the next range time, you all have a good day.

[Joe H]

loc,

Glad to hear you are making good progress. Keep us updated.

Joe