BREN’D THE RULES

CZ’s Bren 805 has been covered in these pages before, and it has a reputation as being brick-like in terms of its reliability. Which it should be, given that it’s been in service with the Czech armed forces and France’s GIGN anti-terrorist unit, and is being adopted by the Hungarian army. Its brick-like characteristics also extend to its heft — it’s an 8-pound carbine without a mag, so when CZ announced it was going on a diet in its evolution to become the 806 Bren 2, we were pretty enthusiastic. Four years ago, we shot one of the first production units to come off the line in Uhersky Brod — the rifle hadn’t yet been made with a semi-auto trigger pack, so it was select fire only. We know, the hardships we endure …

We came away impressed by its controllability in full auto, as well as how lively it felt in the hands compared to its predecessor. We’ve been counting off the days until its arrival in the U.S. CZ teased the American market last year, when it released a small number of trial guns through one of its distributors. Imported as pistols in order to comply with the idiocies of 922(r) requirements, they gave us something to play with while the carbine versions awaited approval. Now that they’re trickling in, it’s time to see what all the fuss is about.

Before we get too far into the weeds, it might be a good idea at this point to consider just where we are in terms of small arms development. While Stoner’s design remains ascendant in the USA, and will be for