Bren compared to its contemporaries

[Stronginthearm]

And at the end of the day THEY GET THE JOB DONE WITH THOSE CHOSEN TOOLS . EFFICIENTLY,RELIABLY & SAFELY, WITHOUT LOSS OF LIFE TO THE USERS END. Then That is What is Required! Yes?

Agreed.

I know this isn't the place for a discussion on the merits of certain calibres. So I will keep it brief. I have recently read two lengthy official military reports on 5.56 vs 7.62 Nato. One was British one American, and both said essentially the same things: 1. Both calibres have their merits; 2. Completely re-arming (to switch calibres) is out of the question for cost and political reasons; 3. An intermediate calibre MIGHT be the solution; and 4. Until someone comes up with the definitive answer, logistical efficiency will lose out to battlefield effectiveness and soldiers are best off carrying a mix of calibres (ie weapons of different calibres) to cover all needs.

[Groupie]

I like the 41 Johnson, but the magazine is TWENTY not THIRTY rounds. Yes u'd think 30 from the length but it's inline not staggered. Still it's 13 pounds compared to 19 for the "Lightest" Brens [Mk3 and 4] Review "Kelly's Heros" Don Rickles's line "I'll give you 50 dollars to carry the machinegun" Later it was a Hundred Dollars ! So let's hope we weren't talking treking through Burma or the Italian Mountains. As to the insertion of the FG42 and 42/44 I don't have one and WANT BOTH Damn It ! They are SOOOooo Light and Feel SOOOOO GOOD ! Ideal for the Italian mtns as the Allies found out at Casino from Smiling Jack's paratroopres

[Peter Laidler]

But it wasn't still in service 10 years later.......... or 30 years later or like the magnificent Bren, 60 plus years later. A true 'gentlemans' machine gun that could mix it with the best of them. And when the going gets tough, the tough old Bren gets going. Now obsolete around the world but it has left a hallowed name that is slowly being overtaken by that other legend, the FN MAG/GPMG/L7. But we'll see in 2030 when it's been (from 1965) in British service for 65 years

[Sarge]

I'vre never had the opportunuity to shoot any of the jap FAs, but have examined them. I would take the Bren w/o hesitation!
Since the 8mm round was mentioned I would also throw in with the MG 42 (longest serving front line MG [MG 42, MG 42/59, MG 1, MG 3] in the world - followed closely by the Bren, but the Bren is now out and the MG3 is still going strong!) in the scenario described. While not a point fire weapon, in the defensive role it is a very good area fire weapon and if encountering ruskie or jap type mass wave attacks would be the ideal weapon.
Depending on what shooting I'm doing, my choice is Bren, MG 42 and BAR. While the BAR is a good weapon, I do not like it nearly as well as the other 2 so it doesn't get shot much.
Sarge

[John Sukey (Deceased)]

While declared obsolete, the Brens were used in Gulf war 1. It was supposed to be used only to defend the APC's The army thought otherwise and stuffed as many Brens into those apc's as they could, and issued them out to the infantry.
Of wourse the Wonder rifle, the SA80 was issued to the front line troops and the L1A1's to the rear echelons. Shortly after observing the sterling qualities of the SA80's performance in the sand, the SA80's were sent back to the rear echelons and the L1A1's went to the troops at the cutting edge because they DID work in the sand.

[tankhunter]

While declared obsolete, the Brens were used in Gulf war 1. It was supposed to be used only to defend the APC's The army thought otherwise and stuffed as many Brens into those apc's as they could, and issued them out to the infantry.
Of wourse the Wonder rifle, the SA80 was issued to the front line troops and the L1A1's to the rear echelons. Shortly after observing the sterling qualities of the SA80's performance in the sand, the SA80's were sent back to the rear echelons and the L1A1's went to the troops at the cutting edge because they DID work in the sand.

AND also the outstandingly MAGNIFICENT Sterling L2A3, Which also functiond flawlessley in a sandy enviroment! This weapon is a personal favourite of mine, & if held correctly, is a very accurate short range 'tool'! also important to ensure that the magazine lips are undamaged. It Will shoot ALL day long!.......................

[LesterH]

Owning two D/A Brenguns and an MG42. Bren MKII for me. Heavy but has the greatest accuracy and slowest rate of fire.
MG42 is OK if you can hump the Lafiette mount with you.
If you have only two soldiers take a Brengun. If there are eight soldiers take a MG42/M53 or MG1 and take plenty of link!
My mate who was in 3 Para in the Falkland Islands told me the HQ company had two brenguns for defense. The main rifle companies had the GPMG.

[tankhunter]

[QUOTE=LesterH;205993]Owning two D/A Brenguns and an MG42. Bren MKII for me. Heavy but has the greatest accuracy and slowest rate of fire.
MG42 is OK if you can hump the Lafiette mount with you.
If you have only two soldiers take a Brengun. If there are eight soldiers take a MG42/M53 or MG1 and take plenty of link!
My mate who was in 3 Para in the Falkland Islands told me the HQ company had two brenguns for defense. The main rifle companies had the GPMG.[/QUOTE]

They Probably sourced those LMGs from the Marines. I was a Battalion Armourer with 3 Para Right upto the Falklands campaign. They NEVER had L4's on the Batt Inventory whilst in Germany Where they deployed from.
All they ever had there were GPMG L7A2's. Curious as to where they appeared from?
The Falkland island defence force had a few in thier inventory prior to the 'Engagement' as well as SLR's. These were all sold off to the UK Market & deactivated long after the 'Force' was re equiped with the current L85 series.

[Peter Laidler]

That the Bren was accurate was a total myth. It wasn't as accurate as even the most mediocre rifle of WW2. But it was a machine gun and it didn't have to be pin point accurate. Even the L4 wasn't a whole lot better - as the accuracy patterns allowed for and showed when we range tested them. BUT, in its defence, that myth was impressed into soldiers who could take heart that not only was it tough, simple, reliable but their instructors had impressed on them how accurate it was too. And when you've got all of those attributes, a soldier won't ask for anything else

[tankhunter]

That the Bren was accurate was a total myth. It wasn't as accurate as even the most mediocre rifle of WW2. But it was a machine gun and it didn't have to be pin point accurate. Even the L4 wasn't a whole lot better - as the accuracy patterns allowed for and showed when we range tested them. BUT, in its defence, that myth was impressed into soldiers who could take heart that not only was it tough, simple, reliable but their instructors had impressed on them how accurate it was too. And when you've got all of those attributes, a soldier won't ask for anything else

Except: Booze, Women & Money!................................Oh, & MORE Booze!.......