-
Legacy Member
I do not disagree with some of what is said in this post and other treads about the loader , but I have found it very use full . My hands no longer can operate the way they use to 50 years ago . Maybe in the 1940's young men in their late teen's and 20's could load the Bren mag. in the rain ,snow or what ever in 25 seconds . But to the same men in their latter years who are at the range with their semi-auto Mk I and Mk II and want to fire off 500 rounds or so , it is very use full . It makes a Saturday after noon a fun time . It also fills a space in the Bren chest very well .
Last edited by tr63; 07-02-2019 at 11:09 PM.
-
-
07-02-2019 11:01 PM
# ADS
Friends and Sponsors
-
Legacy Member
tr63, not challenging or disparaging any of your comments, but in light of some things said, I often collect based on practicality. Practicality of price and usefulness.
I long ago owned a Bren Tripod to go with an early foray into the semi auto Bren world. As a man of limited means, I have to pick and choose as I can afford. The semi auto gave me so much trouble, that after 3 trips back to the maker, it was decided to release me from my ownership of burden. Got a refund for said rifle and limped forward. Had the Bren tripod for a while after as it was purchased separately from the gun. I noticed prices climbing and sold the heavy bastard. Decided BIPODS were more useful and cheaper. IF I was lucky enough to own full auto, a tripod may be a MUCH more useful item, but as it was, I was mostly into combat rifle copies and other semi autos. Everything under 12 pounds for many years, until recently.
Now, I see Bren tripods on GB for $2k!!?? Can't repeat my normal reaction to that pricing, but it does include the term WTF!? They are OFF my collectors radar. I treat the Bren mag loader much the same way.
I am nearly retirement age, but I still prefer to hand load the mags. There is something reassuring about feeling each round as it gets properly fed and seated. Hard to get from ramming a stripper or using a hopper. Of course I am only on range time, no combat pressure. Good thing about the Bren mag is they are double feed, but for anyone that owns Sten mags or Grease gun mags, they know what a bear a single feed mag type can be. There, you really do need a mag loader, something more stabilized than a pencil or a stick. lol. Have used BOTH in the past, but the simple pressed steel mag loaders for the M3 or even Spoon Loader for the Sten offers a world of ease for your thumb. Those items have not reached the upper echelon of collectors pricing yet, but they MAY one day??
Much like the comments and insights from those that have been there and experienced that, I tend to shy away from the stuff that in reality, serves little purpose. Would rather spend that money on ammo or beer.
No disrespect intended. I just realize what drives my collecting senses at times. Practicality is certainly part of that.
Last edited by AmEngRifles; 07-10-2019 at 01:32 PM.
-
-
-
Legacy Member
I am not sure what your retirement age is but if it is 65. Than I am well past that number .You may have fingers that are working fine ,but maybe in in a few more years things may not be the same and loading the mag. will be pain full for you . The Mag. loader makes it very easy for some folks . I purchased my Wise-lite MkII a little over 2 years ago at Poulin's Auction House for $3700.00 . It came with the Mk I tripod , Mk II bipod ,correct carry sling , 12 extra Bren mags. in the metal carry case , a complete carry all with all tools oil bottle etc., the gunners wallet with all the items that belong in it , a spare barrel ,12 extra mag. springs . It had one problem that the barrel would not slide off as it should . The gas cylinder was out of round in the IDA. changed it out and all was good to go .The gun runs 100 % mag. after mag. with out a hang up. I all ready had a wooden carry chest for the Bren Gun that I purchased from SARCO 30 years ago for $25.00 each .Picked up correct steel cleaning rod for the chest along with the mag . loader that fits in the lower left corner bottom . As you know I recently purchased the South African Bren .308 barrel along with 2 ZB 30 8x56r Mags. the barrel head spaced perfect and the gun runs great . Still missing a few things .I am more of a collector and shooter . I did not see my post on the mag . Loader as any ting other than saying it works . In war time troops dumped many items that they saw little use for . And that is what posters have stated ,but for the collector the Mag. loader is a part of the Bren Chest that was issued in the early years of the war . As I understand it my 1939 Bren chest came with one .
Last edited by tr63; 07-10-2019 at 07:00 PM.
-
-
Legacy Member
Your MkII purchase sounds like a very nice package. I would be proud to own that, but building it piece by piece now would be my challenge. All things Bren related are interesting to me, but as time has marched on, some pieces are just too expensive to me to be a pratical purchase. But that is only my perspective. I respect your collecting reasoning just as much as mine. It is always great when those items provide us with the pleasure of the pursuit of happiness. With all respects.
-