+ Reply to Thread
Page 1 of 5 1 2 3 ... LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 50

Thread: Bren Gun Mag. Loader ?

Click here to increase the font size Click here to reduce the font size
  1. #1
    Legacy Member tr63's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2013
    Last On
    02-05-2022 @ 08:25 AM
    Location
    maine U.S.A.
    Posts
    404
    Real Name
    john senesy
    Local Date
    03-19-2024
    Local Time
    09:58 AM

    Bren Gun Mag. Loader ?

    Anyone seen a Bren GUN mag. loader ?What did it look like ? How did it work ?
    Information
    Warning: This is a relatively older thread
    This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

  2. # ADS
    Friends and Sponsors
    Join Date
    October 2006
    Location
    Milsurps.Com
    Posts
    All Threads
    A Collector's View - The SMLE Short Magazine Lee Enfield 1903-1989. It is 300 8.5x11 inch pages with 1,000+ photo’s, most in color, and each book is serial-numbered.  Covering the SMLE from 1903 to the end of production in India in 1989 it looks at how each model differs and manufacturer differences from a collecting point of view along with the major accessories that could be attached to the rifle. For the record this is not a moneymaker, I hope just to break even, eventually, at $80/book plus shipping.  In the USA shipping is $5.00 for media mail.  I will accept PayPal, Zelle, MO and good old checks (and cash if you want to stop by for a tour!).  CLICK BANNER to send me a PM for International pricing and shipping. Manufacturer of various vintage rifle scopes for the 1903 such as our M73G4 (reproduction of the Weaver 330C) and Malcolm 8X Gen II (Unertl reproduction). Several of our scopes are used in the CMP Vintage Sniper competition on top of 1903 rifles. Brian Dick ... BDL Ltd. - Specializing in British and Commonwealth weapons Specializing in premium ammunition and reloading components. Your source for the finest in High Power Competition Gear. Here at T-bones Shipwrighting we specialise in vintage service rifle: re-barrelling, bedding, repairs, modifications and accurizing. We also provide importation services for firearms, parts and weapons, for both private or commercial businesses.
     

  3. #2
    Advisory Panel
    Peter Laidler's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Last On
    03-17-2024 @ 02:10 PM
    Location
    Abingdon, Oxfordshire. The home of MG Cars
    Posts
    16,505
    Real Name
    Peter Laidler
    Local Date
    03-19-2024
    Local Time
    03:58 PM
    I have seen them. Can't really describe what they looked like except that they looked like they'd never work in a month of Sundays. How did it work...... Badly! There were two sorts. One with a hopper for loose rounds and one for loading rounds in chargers. Others will hopefully come in with pictures and how their examples work flawlessly but the Army decided that they were totally crap so withdrew them very soon after introduction. They worked perfectly in the dry, warm classroom but were severely hampered if you were in a hurry, it was dusty, rainy, wet, cold, sandy, uneven, cloudy, dark....... you know the sort of thing. There has been a fair bit written about them on this forum and where the loader was located within the chest (yes...., it really was). Made by Birmaloy and Qualcast who also made lawn mowers and cast alloy parts for the Boys rifle etc etc. The Boys rifle worked a tiny bit better than the mag loaders

    To be really honest, during your basic training you were required to fill a Bren magazine with 30 rounds in 1 minute. After a bit of practice among the recruit squad you had this time down to 30 seconds or so and all passed the TOET's easily. So I'm bound to ask what on earth was the use of a magazine loader. There was another drawback too. If you had hopper type loaders you can bet your last penny that your ammunition came in bandoliers/chargers and vice verca

  4. The Following 2 Members Say Thank You to Peter Laidler For This Useful Post:


  5. Avoid Ads - Become a Contributing Member - Click HERE
  6. #3
    Contributing Member Flying10uk's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2015
    Last On
    Yesterday @ 10:42 PM
    Location
    UK
    Posts
    5,072
    Local Date
    03-19-2024
    Local Time
    01:58 PM
    There was someone selling "genuine" Bren mag loaders on eBay out of Bulgaria a while back so I purchased one. I then decided, after it arrived, to consult the chaps here; it turned out not to be actually for the Bren although it does look very similar.

  7. #4
    Legacy Member Brit plumber's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Last On
    03-04-2024 @ 02:19 PM
    Posts
    1,807
    Local Date
    03-19-2024
    Local Time
    02:58 PM
    Yes the plentiful ZB39 loader. I'm waiting for my numbers to appear! Oh and some AA sights to, wish the seller would hurry up and find them!!

  8. #5
    Advisory Panel
    Peter Laidler's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Last On
    03-17-2024 @ 02:10 PM
    Location
    Abingdon, Oxfordshire. The home of MG Cars
    Posts
    16,505
    Real Name
    Peter Laidler
    Local Date
    03-19-2024
    Local Time
    03:58 PM
    Bren mag fillers........ Have you ever heard of chocolate tea pots? The trouble with the original Bren idea that it was meant to be all things to all men...., a sort of jack of all trades but master of none. Heavy MMG/support weapon on a tripod and dial sight, AA gun on its stand, SMG from the waist, defence on a fixed line tripod super-dooper accurate* 'rifle' with its telescope etc etc. I've said this before and will probably say it a thousand times again. But it only ever really excelled at ONE thing. As a section support weapon at section and platoon level. And at that, it reigned supreme. The only thing that could replace it was the 7.62 Bren until the early 80's when the GPMG was finally integrated into every Infantry regiment.

    I've got my nostalgic clouded rose tinted spectacles on now and am back on the ranges. Fire orders time......... 'DOWN BEHIND THE GUNS, test and adjust your positions. Range 500...... Make sure your gun is aligned and sighted with the target number to your right. With a magazine of 30 rounds......... LOAD!
    * i wasn't even as accurate at the most mediocre rifle of the time!

  9. Thank You to Peter Laidler For This Useful Post:


  10. #6
    Legacy Member Brit plumber's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Last On
    03-04-2024 @ 02:19 PM
    Posts
    1,807
    Local Date
    03-19-2024
    Local Time
    02:58 PM
    I have a good photo of Bren/ZB etc. mag loader comparison thanks to KG, it will be somewhere on this forum I'm sure. I would post but I don't want to steal Kevs thunder so I'm sure he'll be a long at some point. If not do a forum search for Bren mag loaders and see what you find.

  11. #7
    Legacy Member Vincent's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Last On
    02-27-2020 @ 09:22 PM
    Location
    Texas
    Posts
    1,890
    Local Date
    03-19-2024
    Local Time
    07:58 AM
    Try looking in The Bren LMG (Light Machine Gun) forum.

  12. #8
    Contributing Member Flying10uk's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2015
    Last On
    Yesterday @ 10:42 PM
    Location
    UK
    Posts
    5,072
    Local Date
    03-19-2024
    Local Time
    01:58 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by Brit plumber View Post
    Yes the plentiful ZB39 loader.
    Probably, I thought about complaining, but the chances of me getting a Bulgarian to understand that the "genuine" mag loader he had sent me wasn't actually for the Bren but for something else were probably about zero. (No disrespect to Bulgarians)

  13. #9
    Legacy Member tankhunter's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2010
    Last On
    06-28-2023 @ 05:15 PM
    Location
    UK
    Posts
    1,054
    Real Name
    Mike
    Local Date
    03-19-2024
    Local Time
    08:58 AM
    Pete, RE: 'Chocolate tea pot's'.....

    I much prefer carrying handles for Main Battle Tanks. or an Ashtray on a Motorbike!

    Nah, the chocolate teapot thing wouldn't work for me. As I only drink Coffee!......

  14. Thank You to tankhunter For This Useful Post:


  15. #10
    Legacy Member Brit plumber's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Last On
    03-04-2024 @ 02:19 PM
    Posts
    1,807
    Local Date
    03-19-2024
    Local Time
    02:58 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by Flying10uk View Post
    Probably, I thought about complaining, but the chances of me getting a Bulgarian to understand that the "genuine" mag loader he had sent me wasn't actually for the Bren but for something else were probably about zero. (No disrespect to Bulgarians)
    Their English is good enough to list on eBay and he/they KNOW what they are!

  16. Thank You to Brit plumber For This Useful Post:


+ Reply to Thread
Page 1 of 5 1 2 3 ... LastLast

Similar Threads

  1. 455 Webley speed loader
    By JHC II in forum Ammunition and Reloading for Old Milsurps
    Replies: 6
    Last Post: 01-15-2018, 08:00 PM
  2. Unknown mag loader?
    By Flying10uk in forum Other LMG/HMG and SMG Forum
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 05-21-2016, 02:49 AM
  3. Is this a ZB-39 mag loader??
    By TactAdv in forum The Bren LMG (Light Machine Gun)
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 08-01-2014, 11:42 AM
  4. FAL Magazine Loader
    By USMC6094 in forum FNFAL Rifles
    Replies: 5
    Last Post: 02-07-2012, 03:53 AM
  5. Magazine loader
    By Sid in forum The Watering Hole OT (Off Topic) Forum
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 05-02-2009, 07:42 PM

Tags for this Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
Raven Rocks