M96 TOP FEED ("BREN GUN" STYLE) CONFIGURATION

The Top Feed or "BREN" transformation of the M96 can be done with no modification to the M96 receiver.
The rear sight of the M96 rifle is remove and the lower receiver is attached where the rear sight was.
The handguard is switched to the other side of the receiver. Two additional parts are necessary: a receiver cover with an offset
rear sight; and a barrel with an offset front sight. These two parts will be included in a BREN Kit which will be available
towards the end of 2000.

Many people ask, "What is the advantage of the BREN configuration?" I asked the same question
when I first saw a BREN gun. To answer the question properly, a short history of the BREN
gun is in order.

Prior to WWII the British adopted the "BREN" gun chambered for the .303 British cartridge. The
BREN gun was an adaptation of the Czech ZB 26. The BREN featured a 30 round magazine which stuck
straight out of the top of the rifle. Those who really know firearms will tell you that the BREN gun was the best
magazine fed machine gun of WWII. Yes, even better than the well respected BAR developed by John Browning.

The BAR was limited mostly by its 20 round magazine and its lack of a quick change barrel. Had a 30
round magazine been made for the BAR, it would have stuck down a considerable distance, making
it difficult to fire from the prone position. Also, without a quick change barrel, there may have been the fear
of overheating the rifle to rapidly.

The BREN with its 30 round magazine extending out the top of the receiver could easily accept a 30
round magazine. The operator could shoot prone or from a fox hole while keeping a very low profile and
without the magazine being ground into the dirt. Addtionally, the top fed rifles also benefit from more reliability
because gravity aides in feeding rounds instead of against feeding rounds in conventional bottom fed rifles.

The same benefits of the BREN Gun's top feed design apply to the M96. The top fed look will grow
on you. After you have shot the rifle in the top fed configuration, all doubt about its usefulness will vanish.

* The M96 has a quick change barrel system which allows the operator to change barrels without tools. There will shortly be
offered barrels of various lengths and weights, including chrome-lined barrels. The BREN Gun configuration (top fed configuration)
requires a different barrel with offset front sights.

**Prices May Vary

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