Bren Gun Stock replacement
 

I am in the middle of replacing the stock on my 1941 Mk1 M Inglis Bren gun. I stress "MIDDLE"!

It was my intention to replace the Mk2 stock that was on it with a Mk1 stock. I have cleaned the Mk1 stock and hardware and wanted to try a fit and see what she would look like. I took off the old Mk2 stock. (no problem, no springs flying)

Any hints on how I compress the bolt spring/rod without it making like; a jack in the box or slinky!?

I have been: Sliding the spring/rod into the tube holder
holding the retaining cover/nut flush with the end of the stock
I compress the sping by sliding the sock into place

and just as I try to screw it secure, it gets away from me and out it all comes!

Argh! There didnt seem to be that much tension on the spring when I undid it!

There has to be an easier way or am I missing something?

It should be fairly easy to compress and screw down. Might want to make sure you have the rod slipped through all the way in case it is somehow hanging on something and thereby making less space for the spring.

Failing that, the Mark II had double springs (a spring inside a spring) for added strength and reliability. If you have this set up, you could remove the inner spring since you are putting the weapon back to Mark I status. Unless you're planning a combat operation, removing the second spring wouldn't be a loss.

Added a shot of both types of lowers in case you don't have a reference manual there.

You need to have the piston buffer spring (short and thick spring) and the return spring tube already mounted onto the weapon before you install the return spring. Just thought I'd mention that in case you were trying to install it as an assembly.

Thanks David! I do not have a manual or exploded drawing the pics were a big help.

It only had the one spring. The rod WAS getting hung up.

I removed the magazine, held it baqrrel down and dry fired it.

Every thing fell into place.

Thanks again!

Glad to hear it came back together :thup2: