My semiauto 7.62x39 Chinese conversion is finished!

[Peter Laidler]

Oh yes............ I've just GOT to say it and don't take offence F-W, but you seem to be holding it like a wuss. Pull the pistol grip and gun backwards into your shoulder like you are....* and twist it. The with your other hand, grip the small of the butt to steady the gun, twisting it against the rotation of the pistol grip. Squash your cheek onto the hand holding the butt, make a small silhouette, align the sights, hold steady and fire. If you are the Bren gunner, you mean business. Because when the section hear you open up, they get a warm feeling that tells them that everything's going to be OK. You can almost hear the collective sigh as they're thinking '....thank xxxx it's on our side....'

*We were taught to hold the Bren and the GPMG like you were pulling a.............. I'll change that to a more politically correct........... like you were pulling a Caribbean car thief out of your car. Phew!

[ForgottenWeapons]

BP - I do have lean a bit over the stock, but it's not that big of a deal. The bolt handle is on the right side, which is convenient for me, and of course the mag catch is ambidextrous. Overall, I really had no trouble with it.

Peter - Alas, I never had a proper education on Bren handling. That said, it sounds like the proper technique is largely designed to control recoil - which is a non-issue in 7.62x39. It hardly moves at all when firing, so a looser grip doesn't really cause problems. That said, I will definitely try the correct hold when I have the chance to practice some more - this match started about 16 hours after I first laid hands on the gun.

[Vincent]

That looks like a good workout, Ian.