Bren Gun on Discovery Channel

[csmarcher]

Wednesday Evening October 24th @ 5pm Pacific Time, Discovery Channel, "Sons of Guns"

Apparently they are doing a Bren build in the programme along with a 57mm recoilless rifle.

Information

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[Woodsy]

Now that is a worry! Between the technical & historical ignorance of the gunshop staff, and the 'dramatic' scenes of the director, they are bound to show it in a poor light! The ususal rubbish of firing it with the barrel handle up and an incorrect butt grip, I suppose. They may even stun us by trying to compare it to the godawful BAR! I have been fortunate enough to have used a large variety of LMG's (and owned them) and nothing is as good as the Bren!

[Peter Laidler]

Here here Woodsy................ The finest light machine gun to have ever been put into the hand of a soldier. Given the three attributes of reliability, simplicity and accuracy, he won't ask for anything else

[tankhunter]

Here here Woodsy................ The finest light machine gun to have ever been put into the hand of a soldier. Given the three attributes of reliability, simplicity and accuracy, he won't ask for anything else

Except More BEER!................

[WallyG.]

Saw a previous showing here in the Central Time zone... the semi auto build is minimally detailed but competent... the hype and showmanship are true to form and Mr. csmarcher was a breath of fresh air as a "Customer and Marksman" Enjoy! For all of the Yanks who don't have the coin to purchase the real thing (full auto)... the recent trend of semi-auto conversion and demil parts kit rebuild has been a great oportunity to own, experience and appreciate firing the Bren... in slow mode.

[Brian Dick]

I forced myself to watch it when I saw "BREN"! Low and behold, in walks Len Savage of Historical Arms to supervise the build since he was instrumental in starting the semi-auto Bren craze here in the USA. They converted it to a L4A3 specification after it was built and functioned in .303. I'd like to know how much money it took to get Len to lay a new, real chrome lined 7.62 L4 barrel on them. They are rare as rocking horse manure on this side of the pond.

[Peter Laidler]

Jeeeeeees.......... We were knee deep in the 7.62mm Bren barrels when they were finally declared obsolescent/obsolete

[WallyG.]

You forget that this is a TV show... I'd wager that Gary had found that barrel and Len just delivered it on camera for the production continuity... but Len does have deep and old conections into the NFA community so any scenario is possible... He's just never offered one to me... and I've been hanging out regularly in his shop... (well at least in the last 6 years).

[John Crusher]

I saw that episode and after it was over I went out to the vault and opened up a safe and there mine sits, .303 semi and a pure dream to shoot !! I usually take her to the range in the transit chest with all the accruments and my 2 best barrels. I understand why the Bren gunners in WWII had mixed thoughts on them. They are almost too accurate for a LMG, but I LIKE IT !!

[csmarcher]

Lets put it this way, the show relies on a bit of "Hollywood magic"..

PM me and I can give you the low down on what and how it was done. I don't like to post anything in public that may be construed as derogatory or negative, so I'll leave it at that.

Cheers

Gary