Semi Auto Bren's?

[The Grand Inquisitor]

I've always thought the Bren's were interesting rifles, and from some of the articles I've read, somepeople have made the claim that it was the "best "machine gun" of the WWII era (would this be light machine guns or all MG's, including the MG42's and 1919's...I was always under the impression that the MG42 is the universally loved MG of that era).

While it's possible to get a semi-auto BAR (for too damned much money), semi auto MG42, semi auto 1919, and other semi auto LMG's and MG's (they're not exactly machine guns after being made semi auto though I suppose...) but I have never seen a semi auto Bren gun for sale that was not a WWII bring back collectors piece (that only cost $15,000). Is it because the parts are difficult to make, is it just not cost effective, or is it potentially because most people would shy away from a semi-auto LMG chambered in a fairly expensive .303?

I'm sure there are some NFA Bren's out there, but those don't count, but was there a time when Bren's were available in semi auto here, because it certainly would be an interesting piece to add to any Enfield/British military rifle collection.

 

[Gunsnrovers]

Guy out of the South East making them for a few thousand. Pretty nice. Shot one in .303 and one coverted to .308. We use for re-enacting with BFA's, but live fire them as well.

I believe they came from "The Gun Shop" in Georgia.

Have shot the Bren, BAR, and 1919 in full auto and humped them around for the day. No German stuff though. I'll take the Bren. Easy to use, very accurate, easy to keep up and running.

 

[Third_Rail]

The hold-up was that the ATF kept declaring them MGs. Finally, the people making them got an OK, without changing much at all. Good ol' ATF.

 

[Kingson]

Here is a web site for a guy that is making semi auto Brens and other semi auto stuff.
Semi Auto Bren Site

 

[Vern Humphrey]

I used to have a Bren back in the '50s -- we found it at a British arms dump near Siwa Oasis in Egypt. Couldn't fire it where anyone connected with the government could hear you, but it was a lot of fun. Dad wouldn't let me try to get it back to the states.

 

[doc jake]

The British army issued the LMG, 7.62 NATO version of the BREN (up intill the newer LSW was available) for use in the Jungle. would this not be a better option for conversion ? easer to feed than the old .303. also takes the 20 rnd SLR mags as well as the issue straight 30 rnd ones.