Original Bren Ten: shoot it or not?

[Dragonfly]

I may have the good luck on finalizing a deal on an original Bren Ten in the next day or so. I’d like to shoot it occasionally...maybe 50 rounds a year or so, but I’ve read online horror stories about cracked slides. For those of you who own one, what do you think?

 

[Eugen]

I can't help you with your questions, but I'd sure like to see some photos when you get it. Keep us posted. Congrats on you acquisition.

 

[TEAM101]

Buy it and shoot it. You only live once.

 

[GBExpat]

but I'd sure like to see some photos when you get it.

In the mean time:

https://www.google.com/search?q=bre...v_KzaAhXs6YMKHYQ8BxkQsAQIQQ&biw=1203&bih=1056

I have seen mentions of "Bren Ten" over the years, but never knew what it was or its claim to fame.

Googling the above seems to have answered both of those questions for me: it is a handgun that was used by one (both?) of the characters on the television show Miami Vice.

I have never seen even a single episode of Miami Vice, so ...

 

[kcofohio]

I may have the good luck on finalizing a deal on an original Bren Ten in the next day or so. I’d like to shoot it occasionally...maybe 50 rounds a year or so, but I’ve read online horror stories about cracked slides. For those of you who own one, what do you think?

I don't own or have ever seen one in person.
But if you're concerned about cracking the slide, may I suggest you look into reloading your own ammo. You can make lighter loads.
I agree with Eugen. Posted pics would be sweet!

 

[Slamfire]

Cut your loads and go shoot the thing. Few things are more worthless than a gun you are afraid to shoot, because you are afraid that you will wear it out.

This is a rare, 5 1/2" barrel M46 22lr. About 500 were made with the 5 1/2" barrel. I still had the thing drilled and tapped for an optical sight mount, compared to its value as a paper weight to a collector.



Well, it shoots great. That's all that matters to me, some day, some body is going to be crying at my estate sale about how I ruined their profit, by using my guns. The heck with them.

 

[bannockburn]

I'm a firm believer that it's your gun and you should do with it what you want. For myself I would shoot it as that was what it was designed and built for. If you're that concerned about it being safely operated have it checked out by a qualified gunsmith to insure that it is safe to use, and if it is, then go out and enjoy it.

 

[Officers'Wife]

I don't know if it would apply to firearms but long ago when I was beating myself up over ripping the line off a hydraulic cylinder… My grandfather told me that breaking something is a sure sign you're getting your money's worth out of it.

 

[Charlie98]

In the mean time:

https://www.google.com/search?q=bre...v_KzaAhXs6YMKHYQ8BxkQsAQIQQ&biw=1203&bih=1056

I have seen mentions of "Bren Ten" over the years, but never knew what it was or its claim to fame.

Googling the above seems to have answered both of those questions for me: it is a handgun that was used by one (both?) of the characters on the television show Miami Vice.

I have never seen even a single episode of Miami Vice, so ...

Don Johnson, as Sonny Crockett in Miami Vice, carried a Bren Ten for the first 3 (or 4) seasons, and then switched to a S&W. One of the best episodes is One Way Ticket where Sonny 'goes to see his therapist'... and takes it for a run on Hogan's Alley. It's pretty sweet.

The Bren Ten is on my Unobtanium List... very likely to stay there forever, unfulfilled.

 

[GBExpat]

Considering their rarity, market value and weight, I am de-lighted that they do not appeal to me.

That said, I now understand Dragonfly's excitement (happy anticipation?) at scoring one of these scarce pistols.

Congrats on the fine acquisition, Dragonfly!

Oh ... and according to the THR unposted-but-understood-by-all rules you are required to provide us with some pics of the Beaut ... and also, eventually, a Range Report.

 

[Kingcreek]

My understanding was that the only thing more scarce than a Bren 10 was a magazine to fit it.

 

[PapaG]

Make sure you get a magazine or two with it. One of the reasons they failed in the beginning was the inability to get mags.

 

[ATLDave]

If I did shoot it, I would use some heavily downloaded ammo.

 

[hdwhit]

Team101 wrote:
You only live once.

Unless you're James Bond.

And if you're Home Simpson, then, You Only Move Twice.

 

[RecoilRob]

When the 10mm first came out, about the only ammo maker was Norma and their 200's were going an honest 1200 fps.....which is pretty stout. The early guns (Colt Delta included) being fed a constant diet of such ammo suffered all kinds of maladies but modern available ammo is turned WAY down and should be fine to shoot in limited amounts. Stay away from Buffalo Bore and other boutique brands that load them to original or even stiffer levels when shooting a valuable collectable. Ditto what others said about the magazine/s....hopefully the gun comes with several. Good luck!

 

[kcofohio]

I may have the good luck on finalizing a deal on an original Bren Ten in the next day or so. I’d like to shoot it occasionally...maybe 50 rounds a year or so, but I’ve read online horror stories about cracked slides. For those of you who own one, what do you think?

Here is an article from 2012 by Massad Ayoob, titled, "What Killed the Bren Ten?"
https://gundigest.com/more/classic-guns/what-killed-the-bren-ten
It might give you some pointers. I found it to be an interesting article.

 

[Wishoot]

Are you a collector?
Is it new in box?

If none of the above, then shoot it.

 

[Jim Watson]

Agree. If it is truly NIB and the price gives hope of a short term capital gain, treat it as an investment and leave it unfired.

Otherwise, use it up.

A friend has a stock answer when someone says of an older gun "Why are you shooting that, don't you know it is a Collector's Item?"
"Yes, but what you don't know is that it has already been collected."

 

[armoredman]

Shoot it, enjoy it, great score!

 

[Dragonfly]

Thanks, everyone! I just finalized the deal this evening—I will indeed shoot it from time to time. I should have it within a week or so—I'll post pictures once I get it.

 

[GBExpat]

Thanks for the update.

How many magazines come with the deal?

 

[mokin]

Glad you went through with the purchase. If you don't shoot it, you'll regret it. If you can't handload for it (at first), try some Hydrashocks. Although expensive, they are extremely light for the 10mm and have good brass.

 

[4v50 Gary]

Haven't heard the problem myself. When I was young, the problem with the Bren Ten was unobtanium magazines.

 

[Panzerschwein]

I think Jeff would prefer you shoot it.

 

[gyrene]

As an original owner of a Bren Ten (Special Forces model), I certainly understand your dilemma. To make matters even more difficult, the Bren Ten is a delightful shooter, reliable, accurate, and with the sweetest DA/SA trigger ever put in a handgun (Sig and Beretta are good, just not as good). I share your concerns though, and only take mine out to the range every year or two. But RecoilRob's observation is correct--- early Norma 10mm ammo was hot (over 600 ftlbs). Today's 180g Federal FMJ is advertised as 1030fps (I've chrono'd it at just under that) and that makes for a muzzle energy of 425ftlbs. You won't kill any wild boars with that load, but it shouldn't kill your prized Bren, either. Enjoy!