New rifle - BREN 805 Carbine

armoredman · April 21, 2016, 12:30 AM

Just broke it down and cleaned it so far, no trigger time yet, but it's coming, along with pictures and video!

globemaster3 · April 21, 2016, 06:58 AM

During a deployment to AFG where I worked extensively with a Czech contingent, I was able to see the military version of these first hand. Got to hoist one, but we never had an opportunity to go to the range with it. I recall it was pretty hefty compared to the M-4. If you don't mind me asking, what does it hit the scales at?

rpseraph · April 21, 2016, 08:14 AM

OP can weigh his... but I know the latest version was lightened (at the request of the soldiers carrying it!) I think most version are around ~8lbs, depending on the configuration. Should be comparable to the M4, at least for the newer versions. Lot of variables though

Tucker 1371 · April 21, 2016, 08:38 AM

I want one of these so bad, looks like a SCAR killer at its price point.

marine6680 · April 21, 2016, 01:14 PM

It's OK for a rifle to induce spontaneous drooling right?

sirgilligan · April 21, 2016, 04:48 PM

Congratulations. I love CZ products and if I didn't have that slot filled with a very similar firearm I would be on the search for one too.

ronl · April 21, 2016, 05:57 PM

Nice looking weapon. It reminds me a lot of the Robinson Armament XCR. Being from CZ you can bet that it shoots well. Keep us up with a range report when you can get to it.

dakota.potts · April 21, 2016, 07:13 PM

Very cool. I remember posting a thread about 3 years ago with a pipe dream that they would be available. Now that they are here, I cannot come close to affording one

Targa · April 21, 2016, 07:59 PM

That is really nice. I love the you don't see it every day firearms.

Fishbed77 · April 22, 2016, 07:43 AM

The want is strong with this one.

armoredman · April 22, 2016, 01:38 PM

dakota, I know the feeling - when I handled the LEO version at SHOT 2015 I felt like it was a holy grail I'd never see. A wild number of variables came into play all at the same time and I burned a LOT of joss.

rpseraph, list weight is 8.2 pounds. Honestly, it feels about the same weight as my Scorpion with Thordsens and red dot on it. Not bad at all, especially for a fat old non-operator who is only going to "hump" it from car to bench, most likely. I am hoping to use it doing some varminting someday, we'll see. Gonna need to see what bullets it likes in a varmint flavor.

I have to post this pic - the trifecta is complete.

The top dogs from CZ USA in the Modern Sporting/Home Defense catagory.

Theohazard · April 22, 2016, 01:45 PM

I notice that the mag well seems larger than it needs to be. Is this rifle design simply a 7.62x51mm design that was re-chambered in 5.56?

dakota.potts · April 22, 2016, 03:34 PM

Armoredman, your CZ collection always makes me jealous.

Any plans to get the caliber conversion kits when available?

Dirty_Harry · April 23, 2016, 06:17 PM

It looks like a sweet rifle. I am planning on buying one eventually

armoredman · April 24, 2016, 04:07 PM

My gun smith buddy LAGS shooting the BREN today.

I had very little ammo and the place was absolutely packed to the gills, proper range report later with more ammo/less people. I can tell you I put my thumb in the wrong spot and got zinged by the bolt handle - that's moved to the other side of the rifle.

Theohazard, no, it was designed for 5.56mm right from the get go, with 6.5mm as an option. I believe 7.62x39mm was also a European option.

Dakota, thank you, but it wasn't all me.

armoredman · April 24, 2016, 05:40 PM

Swapped the bolt handle to the right side - about as difficult as opening a door. Easy to strip and clean.

Destructo6 · April 25, 2016, 09:19 AM

Nice rifle. Very nice.

That range looks like Tucson Rifle Club in Three Points...

Orion6 · April 25, 2016, 10:44 AM

Jealous. I love a lot of the new stuff but no longer have the funds I had years ago to play with such awesome toys.

Keep us posted on how she runs long-term.

armoredman · April 25, 2016, 06:48 PM

Destructo, no, but I can say I worked at The Tucson Rifle Range just past Three Points many years ago, neat place, only 1000 yard range in Southern AZ, and the total members range is over 1 mile wide, with 7 different ranges including a 7 bay Cowboy Action range. Nifty place. Paid squat. Was a fun second job until they moved my scheduled day to a day I was at my regular job, so that I would quit. I obliged them.

This range is in Casa Grande.

armoredman · May 1, 2016, 05:48 PM

BREN was shot with the BUIS, no optics yet, and the Scorpion has the Bushnell TRS-25 red dot.

Destructo6 · May 2, 2016, 09:16 AM

Very nice.

Love the look of the gun and always appreciated the uniqueness of Czech design. At the $1,000 range, a must-have.

Pond, James Pond · May 2, 2016, 10:29 AM

As I said in another thread, I think they look great.

Are all the parts proprietary or is there some overlap with ARs, for example?
The mags look like they might be AR-ish.... Compatible?

Rifling twist? I'd hope for something better-suited to lighter bullets due to ammo availability over here. My old M400's 1:7 was a little too quick I think for 55gn.

armoredman · May 2, 2016, 09:38 PM

Actually it takes AR mags.

Those are D&H products, to be precise, but I'm told Lancer and PMAGs run just fine.
I am told the rifling is 1-7, and my test handload targets might shed light on that.

I'm going to have to look for some 62 grain stuff to try. Oddly enough, when I used my last ten rounds to shoot a basketball sized object on the 200 yard line it only took 2 rounds to nail it.

I think what might REALLY make the difference is an optic of some sort.

Glockstar .40 · May 11, 2016, 01:37 AM

Very nice!! I'm currently trying to persuade my wife that I need one

armoredman · May 11, 2016, 01:18 PM

"Investment"...that word worked at least once, for me.

April 21, 2016, 12:30 AM	#1
armoredman Senior Member Join Date: May 22, 2007 Location: Arizona Posts: 5,299	New rifle - BREN 805 Carbine Just broke it down and cleaned it so far, no trigger time yet, but it's coming, along with pictures and video!

April 21, 2016, 06:58 AM	#2
globemaster3 Senior Member Join Date: January 28, 2006 Posts: 1,482	During a deployment to AFG where I worked extensively with a Czech contingent, I was able to see the military version of these first hand. Got to hoist one, but we never had an opportunity to go to the range with it. I recall it was pretty hefty compared to the M-4. If you don't mind me asking, what does it hit the scales at? __________________ NRA Life Member "We have enough gun control. What we need is idiot control."

April 21, 2016, 08:38 AM	#4
Tucker 1371 Senior Member Join Date: December 29, 2008 Location: East TN Posts: 2,649	I want one of these so bad, looks like a SCAR killer at its price point. __________________ Sgt. of Marines, 5th Award Expert Rifle, 237/250 Expert Pistol, 382/400. D Co, 4th CEB, Engineers UP!! If you start a thread, be active in it. Don't leave us hanging. OEF 2011 Sangin, Afg. Molon Labe

April 21, 2016, 04:48 PM	#6
sirgilligan Senior Member Join Date: October 28, 2009 Posts: 614	Congratulations. I love CZ products and if I didn't have that slot filled with a very similar firearm I would be on the search for one too. __________________ SirGilligan - "If you find your back is up against a wall, maybe you have been backing up for too long." iOS Apps: BallisticsGL Gun Log Gun Log SPC WatchForce

April 21, 2016, 07:13 PM	#8
dakota.potts Senior Member Join Date: February 25, 2013 Location: Keystone Heights, Florida Posts: 3,084	Very cool. I remember posting a thread about 3 years ago with a pipe dream that they would be available. Now that they are here, I cannot come close to affording one __________________ Certified Gunsmith (On Hiatus) Certified Armorer - H&K and Glock Among Others You can find my writings at my website, pottsprecision.com.

April 21, 2016, 08:14 AM	#3
rpseraph Senior Member Join Date: October 23, 2015 Location: MinneSNOWta Posts: 454	OP can weigh his... but I know the latest version was lightened (at the request of the soldiers carrying it!) I think most version are around ~8lbs, depending on the configuration. Should be comparable to the M4, at least for the newer versions. Lot of variables though

April 21, 2016, 01:14 PM	#5
marine6680 Senior Member Join Date: July 24, 2012 Location: Parker, CO Posts: 4,594	It's OK for a rifle to induce spontaneous drooling right?

April 21, 2016, 05:57 PM	#7
ronl Senior Member Join Date: December 2, 2007 Posts: 1,100	Nice looking weapon. It reminds me a lot of the Robinson Armament XCR. Being from CZ you can bet that it shoots well. Keep us up with a range report when you can get to it.

April 21, 2016, 07:59 PM	#9
Targa Senior Member Join Date: March 20, 2014 Posts: 2,084	That is really nice. I love the you don't see it every day firearms.

April 22, 2016, 07:43 AM	#10
Fishbed77 Senior Member Join Date: November 23, 2010 Posts: 4,862	The want is strong with this one.

April 22, 2016, 01:38 PM	#11
armoredman Senior Member Join Date: May 22, 2007 Location: Arizona Posts: 5,299	dakota, I know the feeling - when I handled the LEO version at SHOT 2015 I felt like it was a holy grail I'd never see. A wild number of variables came into play all at the same time and I burned a LOT of joss. rpseraph, list weight is 8.2 pounds. Honestly, it feels about the same weight as my Scorpion with Thordsens and red dot on it. Not bad at all, especially for a fat old non-operator who is only going to "hump" it from car to bench, most likely. I am hoping to use it doing some varminting someday, we'll see. Gonna need to see what bullets it likes in a varmint flavor. I have to post this pic - the trifecta is complete. The top dogs from CZ USA in the Modern Sporting/Home Defense catagory.

April 22, 2016, 01:45 PM	#12
Theohazard Senior Member Join Date: April 19, 2012 Location: Western PA Posts: 3,829	I notice that the mag well seems larger than it needs to be. Is this rifle design simply a 7.62x51mm design that was re-chambered in 5.56? __________________ 0331: "Accuracy by volume."

April 22, 2016, 03:34 PM	#13
dakota.potts Senior Member Join Date: February 25, 2013 Location: Keystone Heights, Florida Posts: 3,084	Armoredman, your CZ collection always makes me jealous. Any plans to get the caliber conversion kits when available? __________________ Certified Gunsmith (On Hiatus) Certified Armorer - H&K and Glock Among Others You can find my writings at my website, pottsprecision.com.

April 23, 2016, 06:17 PM	#14
Dirty_Harry Senior Member Join Date: January 11, 2006 Location: Kalamazoo, MI Posts: 1,484	It looks like a sweet rifle. I am planning on buying one eventually __________________ "The only purpose for a pistol is to fight your way back to the rifle you never should have laid down." "I won't be wronged, I won't be insulted, and I won't be laid a hand on. I don't do these things to other people and I expect the same from them." -John Wayne

April 24, 2016, 04:07 PM	#15
armoredman Senior Member Join Date: May 22, 2007 Location: Arizona Posts: 5,299	My gun smith buddy LAGS shooting the BREN today. I had very little ammo and the place was absolutely packed to the gills, proper range report later with more ammo/less people. I can tell you I put my thumb in the wrong spot and got zinged by the bolt handle - that's moved to the other side of the rifle. Theohazard, no, it was designed for 5.56mm right from the get go, with 6.5mm as an option. I believe 7.62x39mm was also a European option. Dakota, thank you, but it wasn't all me. Last edited by armoredman; April 24, 2016 at 05:44 PM.

April 24, 2016, 05:40 PM	#16
armoredman Senior Member Join Date: May 22, 2007 Location: Arizona Posts: 5,299	Swapped the bolt handle to the right side - about as difficult as opening a door. Easy to strip and clean.

April 25, 2016, 09:19 AM	#17
Destructo6 Senior Member Join Date: March 18, 1999 Location: Nogales, AZ USA Posts: 4,000	Nice rifle. Very nice. That range looks like Tucson Rifle Club in Three Points... __________________ God gave you a soul. Your parents, a body. Your country, a rifle. Keep all of them clean.

April 25, 2016, 10:44 AM	#18
Orion6 Senior Member Join Date: December 26, 2004 Location: Tennessee Posts: 340	Jealous. I love a lot of the new stuff but no longer have the funds I had years ago to play with such awesome toys. Keep us posted on how she runs long-term.

April 25, 2016, 06:48 PM	#19
armoredman Senior Member Join Date: May 22, 2007 Location: Arizona Posts: 5,299	Destructo, no, but I can say I worked at The Tucson Rifle Range just past Three Points many years ago, neat place, only 1000 yard range in Southern AZ, and the total members range is over 1 mile wide, with 7 different ranges including a 7 bay Cowboy Action range. Nifty place. Paid squat. Was a fun second job until they moved my scheduled day to a day I was at my regular job, so that I would quit. I obliged them. This range is in Casa Grande.

May 1, 2016, 05:48 PM	#20
armoredman Senior Member Join Date: May 22, 2007 Location: Arizona Posts: 5,299	BREN was shot with the BUIS, no optics yet, and the Scorpion has the Bushnell TRS-25 red dot.

May 2, 2016, 09:16 AM	#21
Destructo6 Senior Member Join Date: March 18, 1999 Location: Nogales, AZ USA Posts: 4,000	Very nice. Love the look of the gun and always appreciated the uniqueness of Czech design. At the $1,000 range, a must-have. __________________ God gave you a soul. Your parents, a body. Your country, a rifle. Keep all of them clean.

May 2, 2016, 10:29 AM	#22
Pond, James Pond Senior Member Join Date: July 12, 2011 Location: Top of the Baltic stack Posts: 6,079	As I said in another thread, I think they look great. Are all the parts proprietary or is there some overlap with ARs, for example? The mags look like they might be AR-ish.... Compatible? Rifling twist? I'd hope for something better-suited to lighter bullets due to ammo availability over here. My old M400's 1:7 was a little too quick I think for 55gn. __________________ When the right to effective self-defence is denied, that right to self-defence which remains is essentially symbolic. Freedom: Please enjoy responsibly.

May 2, 2016, 09:38 PM	#23
armoredman Senior Member Join Date: May 22, 2007 Location: Arizona Posts: 5,299	Actually it takes AR mags. Those are D&H products, to be precise, but I'm told Lancer and PMAGs run just fine. I am told the rifling is 1-7, and my test handload targets might shed light on that. I'm going to have to look for some 62 grain stuff to try. Oddly enough, when I used my last ten rounds to shoot a basketball sized object on the 200 yard line it only took 2 rounds to nail it. I think what might REALLY make the difference is an optic of some sort.

May 11, 2016, 01:37 AM	#24
Glockstar .40 Senior Member Join Date: February 18, 2012 Location: West of the Rockies Posts: 435	Very nice!! I'm currently trying to persuade my wife that I need one __________________ He alone is my Rock and my Salvation, my Stronghold; I shall not be shaken!

May 11, 2016, 01:18 PM	#25
armoredman Senior Member Join Date: May 22, 2007 Location: Arizona Posts: 5,299	"Investment"...that word worked at least once, for me.