- It says Bren MkI, but isn't that a MkII?
- Never seen anyone hold a Bren with the left hand on the carry handle folded out and swivelled left.
- Don't know about the BAR, but the test was a bit hokey. The Bren is a crew-served weapon in its normal mode. I'd have liked to see a comparison with them both used in their normal operational mode.
Like I said, just my immediate reactions on seeing it for the first time.
Happy new year, one and all. Hope 2011 is a good one!
Last edited by gravityfan; 01-01-2011 at 03:11 AM.
The 'Gunner' was an Ex U.S Marine & trained with the B.A.R is Service. He had probably never handled a Bren before. This 'Test' was obviously biased in favour of the B.A.R.
I believe the .30" Cal round was more powerfull though. But lack of controlability in this comparisson was self evident. Any weapon of this weight from the hip would be wastefull of ammo.
The Bren carrying handle folded outwards was a feature to be used for controlability in the AA role, from the AA tripod. It was not meant or designed to be used as a front grip for use in the fire and movement/from the hip role. This is a myth. For that, you used the folded bipod legs with the butt tucked under the arm, resting on the ammo pouches.
The notion that you would use the extended carrying handle to fire from the hip is the stuff oof fiction....... or nightmares. Just TRY using the carrying handle that way and within about 5 seconds you'll begin to feel the whole 19 pounde weight pulling your left arm out of the socket.
Just my two pence worth........ But I could be wrong having fired one once........ (sorry, just being silly there!)
The only time I've ever used it in the outwardly folded roll is in conjunction with the sling over my shoulder. It does balance well and you can change mags on the run as long as you're not fussy where you sling the empty...........
The greatest LMG to ever see service in the British Army...........................
The UK did trial the BAR and a 'Superintendent of Design' modified variant of it during the lengthy LMG acceptance trials in the early to mid 30's. The SofD version got a bit further than the standard BAR but even then, the opinion was that while the BAR was good, it was just that..., a heavy rifle. What was needed was a true light machine gun. Not the same thing................ The rest, as they say, is history and entered both legend and folklore as the finest machine gun ever put into the hands of a soldier
The same applied to the L2 rifle. It was just a heavy rifle and not an LMG........... same as the SA80 LSW and dare I say it, the RPK. Good rifles but alas, not good machine gunbs. Just boys trying to do a mans job
I agree with Peter. The quick change barrel means everything in the LMG role. The BAR is a good weapon but comparison is apples and oranges. The L2 and M14 in the SAW role had the same drawbacks as the BAR.
I have fired the Bren in 303 and 7.62 Royal Anglian Regiment ACF 1968 -1972.
From prone, standing, and from the top of a 432 APC.
We were taught to hold the Bren using the sling and holding the bipod clear of gas vent.
I would imagine holding the carry handle would effect accuracy a bit.
Having 2 BARs and 2 Brens, I'd suggest a 3rd competitor, the Johnson 1941 LMG. On any giving day with varing ammo targets ranges and tarain I think each is the BEST depending on the afore mentioned variables. I never shot them all side by side, but thought the FN D super with cast lead lower velocity bullets for accuracy and control, but at shorter range and larger targets the 1918A2 with military ammo was better. For short range controled full magazine emptying fire I liked the '41 Johnson. For bipod firing prone use I like the Brens. So why not a total comparison ? No longer have a Van, ranges are scarce and avialiable time is not what it used ot be. I have many guns I've never got to shoot. Such is life as the French say, but hope is eternal and there's always other days. Hope this was in some way worth the reading ?
Good points Groupie but.............. It's worth remembering while we're thinking about the points that while they were all good, when it finally left British Army service in 2002 - and about 2008 by default, it was the longest serving bit of kit in the British Army. How long was the service life of the Johnson and BAR. Not 65 years was it?
BREN Gun versus B.A.R. (Video)
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