BREN questions I couldn't get answers to:

[Nomad, 2nd]

I looked, but could not find the answers to a few questions...

I’m looking at (With a friends help) making a Semi BREN.

I’ve been doing some reading, and looked at old threads, but didn’t see some answers to these questions:

MK1 Parts kit:
WWII Bren 1 Parts Kit [PBR00006] - $249.95 : Military Gun Supply, SSAR-15, Parts Kits, Surplus Guns, And More!

MK2 Barrel (Interchangeable, if not correct) :
Bren Barrel MK II Part #BBL-BREN MKII

(Need to check quality)

Gas regulator:
APEX Gun Parts

And, that’s it for parts…
There are directions for rewelding the receiver, and converting it to semi.

(I’ve got a case of mags already.)

All I need right?


Additional Questions:

Spare parts recommendations:
What spare parts (Shooting purposes) should I get, and any leads (Both for Semi and FA… I’ll get my Manufacturing license one day, and I’ll put a kit back for a post sample)


Found this:

“The South African 7.62x51 barrels (DSA has them and the extractors) can be used with a .303 bolt - 7.62 extractor and the ZB39 magazine and this works well enough and is also not a permanent modification.”

Barrel:
D S Arms

Extractor:
(Same page)

Now: I’ve got a FAL 30 round mag which is a converted Bren mag…

From my reading, I BELIEVE my L1A1 mags ether will work, or can be converted to work as a stand in for the ZB39 magazines… (Which I have not found.) Yes/No?


Anything in need of correction, or recommendations to do something differently?

Thank you

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[Brit plumber]

You cant fit a FAL mag or a L1A1 mag directly into a unmodified Bren mag well due to them being shorter and the need for a revised mag catch/ejector block. The reason the ZB39 mags are used is because they were designed for what is kown as the ZB39 commercial Bren. The mag well on the ZB39 is almost (not quite) the same as the Bren and as the ZB39 mag is straighter than the .303 Bren mag, you can squeeze 7.62mm ammo into it but I belive only about 12 rounds will feed correctly. You can get ZB39 mags in the UK for about £6 each i think i paid.

I'd expect a South African 7.62mm modified block would be more ideal than using the .303 block. they will be available i'm sure.

[Peter Laidler]

If you're serious about converting your Bren to SEMI and at the same time converting it to 7.62mm, then I suggest that you buy THREE Brens because you WILL ruin the first two or even the first three. Next, buy an extensive machine shop. Buy a big bottle of Scotch and a few packets of Aspirins to cure the headaches from a) the Scotch and b) the headaches that you'll get from the conversion to 7.62mm

I would stick to .303" and phone someone who'se done the semi job a few times. There are a few names mentioned on earlier threads within this very forum.

Next bit of advice.................... If you insist on converting one to 7.62mm, then stay away from the South African format. Stick to the British L4A2 type. Or better still, just get a readily available A3 or 5 and convert that to semi auto instead

[Brian Dick]

There are no readily available 7.62 Brens of any description over here in the USA Peter. They're all sitting in the UK and the government won't let us import them! I was very lucky to score the post sample L4A3 I have. There were a couple of other dealers who were a bit upset that I learned about after the fact too. I just bit the bullet, (pardon the pun), when they were hemming and hawing back and forth about price. It's the ONLY one I'd ever seen short of Nottingham and Warminster so I jumped on it. I hope it'll be on display at SARCON in September. Are any of you guys coming to Las Vegas for the convention?

[Peter Laidler]

Any views on my comments regarding the efforts to home convert one to a) Semi auto, closed bolt firing and at the same time, the suicidal route to b) 7.62mm...........

But there is an easy answer to one bit of your question Nomad. That is that Mk1 and 2 barrels will interchange.......... but only in .303"

[WallyG.]

The South African 7.62 barrels when paired with a .303 bolt set up with a 7.62 extractor work (feeds & extracts) well enough in a .303 receiver body...I have such a set-up. The technical issue is the magazine... for semi-auto, the easiest route is the ZB39 magazine... which will feed Ok - better and more rounds if you remove the follower guide (piece of sheet metal attached under the follower about the spring). The mag well adaptation for the true L4 7.62 magazines is apparently a bear (Captain Laidler is an undisputable source for this fact) ... but same is further evidenced by one semi-auto smith here in the states working on adapting one for me... now well over 2 years - and he's comparing his build eforts to an unaltered & live L4. I'd stick with the ZB39 set-up option if you must shoot 7.62 in a US semi-auto Bren build.