UK straight pull Bren?

[Brit plumber]

I've been following this thread on the forum about a approved UK Spec straight pull L1A1 SLR.

L1A1 Single Shot spec?? Any ideas?

From what I can gather, the TMH and Bodies are original matched items fitted to new barrels and have modified bolts and carriers.

My question is, why can't this be done to a Bren? I know the barrel being readily removable may have a bearing but as far as I was aware, once a section 5 always a section 5.

From what i've read on the L1A1 thread, it sounds like it could be possible to use the Bren body (possibly modified by blocking the piston bore) and lower, combined with a new barrel, less gas hole and a mofdified bolt and carrier (Minus gas piston).

I peronaly dont see this as possible but I never thought i'd see a L1A1 straight pull made with original parts.

Any thoughts?

Information

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[Kev G]

It's allready in the starting blocks as a project,but rather than a new barrel the idea is to bore out and sleeve with a donor 303 bolt action rifle barrel.
Have seen one of the L1A1's at the range and they look good although the price tag is crazy.
Also know RFD's that wouldn't touch them,same also goes for getting a sec5 dealer to do a Bren in the same manner as the L1A1.

A bit too much of a grey area for me,ATB KG

[Brit plumber]

Do you think the Barrel would be pinned in place? Also had a thought about the gas cylinder, a new gas cylinder left solid and a solid regulator would also help in the right direction.

I would like to see useable Brens back on the ranges but its still too much of a gray area for me too.

[peregrinvs]

Or Plan B: build a .22LR semi-auto replica?

[Peter Laidler]

It's worth remembering in the back of your mind somewhere that the act also gave the Home Sec. the authority the power to ban, without compensation or recourse, anything that he didn't like in the future........................... Or words to that effect

Asw I understand it, the L1A1's were 'allowed' by default really due to the fact that others like it and using components from their auto origins were already permitted.

[bouletbill]

Since the current Rt Hon Home Sec is a political animal leaning a tad more to the right than his Blair/Brown paranoid control freak predecessors, then perhaps he could possibly have a slightly more lenient attitude towards the shooting sports . Or do we presume they are all tarred by the same ACPO brush ?

[Gloworm]

Any more thoughts on a straight pull or .22 conversion, it has been a few years since this thread started and more and more straight pull conversions of other models are available? Viable? I know I would snap one up

[tankhunter]

Do you think the Barrel would be pinned in place? Also had a thought about the gas cylinder, a new gas cylinder left solid and a solid regulator would also help in the right direction.

I would like to see useable Brens back on the ranges but its still too much of a gray area for me too.

Mmmm, As the Gas cylinder is a Part of the receiver. It would have to be complete cut off. & a solid externally profiled section machined up, ALIGNED correctly. & welded in place!
I don't think that would be feasible TBH. Far too many variables involved to do that. & of course, it would add SUBSTANTIALY to the cost or remanufacture!

If this were to take off as a project that was 'Allowed' to be executed. Then I would suggest a 1/2" slot be machined the length of the gas cylinder. UNDERNEATH it. Then a length of steel bar welded at each end to retain it. The barrel would have to be pinned & welded to the receiver also. The full auto facility removed (Easily Done!) & the breech block modified along with some internal changes to the reciever. To prevent full auto parts being interchanged.
The piston extention would also have to be modified for the same reasons. (Much easier to do!)

I suspect, that the Powers that be. Would never allow such a project as a Bren LMG lookalike such as this. To even get off the ground! The SLR was a different animal. A Rifle, not a 'Machine Gun'. Anything Fullauto wise, is a very sensitive area to 'Them'!..........

[Gloworm]

I have seen that one of theHSBA has a straight pull FG 42 that is used at Bisley, how would one begin enquiring, go straight to the Right Hon Home Sec or via another route?
Build up a proposal with detail about how it could be done and not converted back?
If we don't ask, the answer will always be no :-)
GW

[Peter Laidler]

Straight pull FG '42's are readily available, made as single shot and not a conversion of anything in Germany. As such they are freely available in the UK if you have the authority on your licence. But, alas, a Bren gun in whatever guise, will always have BEEN a Bren gun.

What you could do is this. Learn by heart the mnemonic KISS or Keep It Simple Stupid and adhere to that principle henceforth.

Now buy a cheap deactivated Bren that by definition isn't a firearm. Then ask your local firearms people for an authority to possess a single shot rifle. Strip the Bren one stage at a time starting with the butt slide; so that the trigger mechanism is fixed at Safe and Repetition. It doesn't really matter if it changes to A too because it can't A in any case! Take the piston extension and cut it off and make good at the at the start of the ejection opening. Anything beyond that is academic now. Remove the gas cylinder and insert a solid dummy look-a-like version so that this new one is simply something that supports the soon to be dummy gas block. No need to do anything about the 'hole' to the rear of the gas cylinder. It's not a gas cylinder as such because you have removed the ACTUAL gas cylinder. (All this hole does is guide the piston back into the gas cylinder).

Make a new barrel and fit the old fittings to it. Removeable or not is a matter for you. Submit the new made gun to the HO and see what they say. You could do all that in a weekend.