Bren L4
Royal Small Arms Factory · Machine Gun · Out Of Production · 1957
Also known as: Enfield L4, L4A4, Bren Gun 7.62mm
Overview
The Bren L4 is the 7.62x51mm NATO conversion of the classic .303 British Bren light machine gun, undertaken by the Royal Small Arms Factory at Enfield from 1957 onward. Converted from existing wartime Mk 2 and Mk 3 Bren guns, the L4 series retained the Bren's top-mounted box magazine, gas-operated tilting-breechblock action and quick-change barrel, but used a straightened 30-round magazine and a chromium-lined barrel to standardise the British Army on NATO 7.62mm ammunition alongside the L1A1 SLR.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 10000 g (352.7 oz) |
| Overall Length | 1133 mm (44.61") |
| Barrel Length | 635 mm (25.00") |
| Action Type | Gas Operated Long Stroke |
| Firing Mechanism | Open Bolt |
| Trigger Type | Single Stage |
| Magazine Capacity | 30 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 744 m/s (2441 fps) |
| Effective Range | 600 m (656 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 1690 m (1848 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 500 rpm |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Wood |
| Finish | Parkerized |
Calibers
- 7.62x51mm NATO · primary · 7.62mm NATO — also known as .308 Winchester, 7.62x51mm, .308 Win
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic, Full Automatic
- Feed systems: Detachable Box Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Safety, Fire Selector
- Features: Top Mounted Magazine, Quick Change Barrel, Integral Bipod, Carry Handle, Chromium Lined Barrel
Variants
Base model
Service history
Operators
- British Armed Forces · adopted 1957 · as L4
- Australian Army
- Indian Army
Conflicts
- Cold War (1947-1991)
- Falklands War (1982)
Production
Production years: 1957-1960s
Converted from existing .303 Bren stocks rather than newly manufactured
Origin
Country of origin: United Kingdom
Designer: Vaclav Holek
Notes
A re-chambered conversion of existing Bren guns rather than newly built; magazine capacity is nominally 30 rounds but typically loaded with 28-30. Soldiered on into the 1990s, seeing action in the Falklands War.
Background
Rather than scrap the beloved Bren when Britain adopted the NATO 7.62mm round, Enfield simply re-bored and re-chambered thousands of existing guns - the L4 served on in some British units right up to the 1990s, outliving many weapons designed to replace it.