Sourcing Mk1 parts

[cpu77]

I have a Mk1 receiver with a Mk2 barrel, Bipod and stock. I am not having much luck sourcing Mk1 Parts other than a barrel. I thought I heard someone was making the stock, Grip, and Carry handle? I will also need the Mk1 stock hardware.


Thanks
Ralph

Information

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[Peter Laidler]

PM me if you don't get a response from closer to home. The grip (do you mean the pistol grip?) requires a different grip bolt that might not be compatible with the thread on your butt slide. The actualk grip can easily be modified to suit. Carrying handles also need a larger diameter PLATE, grip. This large diameter made them vulnerable to damage that we had to endlessly patch-repair. There is a LOT of superflous crap on a Mk1 gun butt, believe me!

Generally speaking, the Mk1 and 2 parts will and were made/designed to interchange but only as complete assemblies. But let me inject a bit of realism into this. In the real world of users and Armourers, we didn't worry about whatever the mark/type was. The guns came in, were repaired/rebuilt with what was available on the shelf or from Ordnance, range tested and sent out again. Certainly in the later years of the Mk1 and 2 guns, they came in as Mk1's or 2's but went OUT as all-but Mk3 guns!

[Joe H]

Ralph,

Try here for repro bren wood:

Gunville Gun Stocks and Silver Hill Co.- Gun Stocks and Gun Parts


Here are some other suppliers. You will find it is hit & miss for MKI parts, probably for the reasons as described by Peter:

Bren I and II : Military Gun Supply, SSAR-15, Parts Kits, Surplus Guns, And More!

BREN Parts

Sarco, Inc. - Bren MKI MKII


Search results for: 'bren' ima-usa.com

Sometimes parts show up on gunbroker.com
Joe

[Peter Laidler]

Wow.......... don't they know how to charge!!!!!!!

[Joe H]

Ralph,

Also try:

APEX Gun Parts

Joe

---------- Post added at 01:17 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:13 PM ----------

Wow.......... don't they know how to charge!!!!!!!

Peter,

They sure do. Since you can't import machinegun parts without an import license; once the parts are in the U.S. they've got you.

Joe

[Peter Laidler]

Dont forget CPU that fitting parts on Brens is done using the old fashioned long forgotten method. That of hand fitting, especially the butts and the components. I say that but really, everything was a bit long winded to get it right! But once they were up and running and on-song....., they were unstoppable!

If I were you I'd invest in the little soft cover SAseries book about the Bren gun. It's probably the best little 'ready reckoner' type booklet you'll find. Cheap and available from Brian at BDL Ltd in SC

[Peter Laidler]

Silence from CPU. I don't think we'll hear from him again. That's how to look a Mk 1 parts gift horse in the mouth!

[cpu77]

LOL... No no. I did not add this thread as auto notification so did not know if anyone replied. Then I replied to it yesterday but must not of hit the submit button?

Anyway I wanted to tell you alll thanks so much for sharing all of this great info with me. I put together and own a running MK2! I did have help though I have always wanted a Bren with dial sights. Thats why I bought this kit. I will post pics of the kit as soon as it gets here. I would like a more informed opinion on where it came from and the configuration it might have been. Here is a link to the auction.....http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...Item=418305832 I have found barrels for $100 and bipods for $130. Can I buy parts from canada? Are the internals of the MK1 different? Thanks again guys you have been a great help! BTW does anyone know of a good weld service. I know project guns did them and Wiselite does or used to?

[Joe H]

CPU,

Looks like a good kit. It does have a MK II barrel and butt-stock as you know. It's an older de-mill but is has a cut through the gas tube rather the barrel nut area. It's a more difficult weld to make than a weld in the barrel nut area. I'm pretty sure all of the internals are interchangeable between a Mk I & II.

As far as Canada, and I'm assuming you are referring to Marstar; I called them a while back. MG parts - no shipping to the US without import license. Parts that are not required for firing the weapon such as stocks could to shipped to US. You will have to call them.

Here is another builder, but last I checked he was not doing any new Bren work. you will have to call or email:

SMG Guns

You might check with Len Savage. A number of forum members have Brens built by him. Len is referred to in this thread :

Bren Mk 2 Recoil Spring Issues

OR -- Get a cheap TIG welder from Harbor Freight and do the welding yourself as I did.

Joe

Attachment 53570

[Peter Laidler]

Is your Mk1 a runner Joe?

As for the CPU's parts Bren I'd say that the 'gas cylinder' re-weld/repair is FAR simpler/easier to repair than a barrel nut area repair. I say this because the gas cylinder where it is cut isn't actually the gas cylinder per-se at all as the actual gas cylinder is only the first 3" (from the front) of the gun. It is in this first 3" or so, within the actual gas cylinder that the gas has imparted all the energy that it's going to, to the face of the piston as by then, the bullet has long left the bore and there ain't no more gas. In fact, just another inch or so to the rear are gas vents and once the face of the piston has come level with the most forward of these, then the gas in the barrel, gas cylinder and remainder of the tube have equalised to atmosphere.

You could call the round area behind the actual gas cylinder 'a round tunnel like tube section to guide the piston back into the gas cylinder' as that's all it does. The fit of the piston in that part is what I'd describe as a sausage in the high street!

If I had to repair this I wouldn't be too accurate about alignment. What IS important here is DISTANCE and radial alignment for the barrel locator and gas cylinder spigot.

I haven't had to do one of course