CZ introduces the BREN 2 BR battle rifle
Česká Zbrojovka officially announced the BREN 2 BR battle rifle, a full-caliber 7.62x51mm variant of the BREN 2 weapon system, currently including variants in 5.56x45mm and 7.62x39mm
CZUB announced the BREN 2 BR battle rifle early on in September
The BREN 2 weapon system was introduced about two years ago by CZ - Česká Zbrojovka Uherský Brod A.S. as the heir of the tried-and-truee CZ 805 BREN A1 assault rifle, itself a commercial success and adopted by numerous entities worldwide.
Vastly improved thanks to the feedback from military and police users of the previous design, the BREN 2 has already started to replace the CZ 805 BREN A1/A2 system among many of the first-time users.
Lighter and more versatile than the BREN A1/A2 system, the BREN 2 weapon system includes two modular assault rifles – the 5.56x45mm CZ 806 model and the 7.62x39mm CZ 807 model. Oddly enough, among these two, the latter was adopted in 2017 by the special intervention group of the French National Gendarmerie (GIGN) due to the higher performance of the former-ComBloc 7.62mm caliber in urban environments.
The CZ BREN 2 BR battle rifle, seen from the right side
The CZ BREN 2 BR is the full-caliber, battle rifle variant of the BREN 2 weapon system
Following the immediate success of the 5.56x45mm and 7,62x39mm variants, the well-known Czech-based manufacturer goes full circle with the CZ BREN 2 BR, a 7.62x51mm NATO battle rifle version of the platform.
Once considered outdated, full-caliber select-fire military service rifles have been making a major comeback in recent years as technology and material advancements made them handier, lighter, more versatile and controllable than in the past. A welcome return, since modern theaters of operations have often seen troops armed with 14.5" barrelled, 5.56mm caliber assault carbines struggling to engage targets at long ranges or behind cover.
Battle rifles are also finding their way back within Police arsenals for purposes such as urban countersniping, interdiction of runaway vehicles, or to fight the ever-increasing threat posed by terrorist cells and criminal gangs equipped with full-automatic firearms and bodyarmor.
The BREN 2 BR 7.62x51mm battle rifle, seen from the left side
The CZ BREN 2 BR is a modular, versatile battle rifle
The CZ BREN 2 BR is a gas-operated, select-fire battle rifle offering semi-automatic or controlled burst fire capabilities as well as a three-stage regulator to ensure reliable function even when heavily fouled for reliability in all conditions. Other features include a side-folding and collapsing buttstock, and a 16-inch barrel.
The BREN 2 BR is configured to feed from SR-25 compatible magazines; issued ones are proprietary, made out of polymer, and offer an overall capacity of 25 rounds, but popular alternatives such as MagPul's PMAG LR/SR 20-rounds and 25-rounds magazines will fit. The system is built around a polymer lower receiver with many ambidextrous controls and others easily reconfigured for left-hand or right-hand operation, and a machined alloy upper receiver offering multiple Picatinny rail interfaces and attachment points for tactical accessories and optical sights.
CZ already announced that a semi-automatic only version of the BREN 2 BR rifle will be made available for civilian sales
That's more or less all we know about the CZ BREN 2 BR battle rifle so far. The rifle has been introduced to a selected audience in Bzenec, Czech Republic, in early September, but it will not likely be showcased to the general public until the next gun industry trade shows season kicks off in early 2019.
By the same time, the first semi-automatic, civilian grade variants of the CZ BREN 2 rifles in .223 Remington and 7.62x39mm should also be introduced to the global commercial markets. CZ already announced that a semi-automatic variant of the BREN 2 BR rifle is in the works, to be chambered in .308 Winchester for civilian sales, but no further information has been made available so far.
