Brownells Retro Line | SHOT Show 2019

BRN-PROTO

One Tuesday of SHOT Show Brownells revealed the latest addition to their Retro line of firearms, the BRN-PROTO. The BRN-PROTO is modeled after the very first prototype AR-15, with a few modern updates. Chambered for 5.56×45, the BRN-PROTO features an original style 25 round magazine, brown polymer furniture, and a top charging handle. The chrome lined 20″ barrel has a 1-12″ twist rate and is capped off by a three prong duckbill flash suppressor.

I stepped into an empty Brownells booth at Range Day just as the representatives were moving the BRN-PROTO from one case to another. Always inquisitive, I asked what the rifle was. Since the gun had not been officially announced, the crew was hesitant, but eventually relented, even allowing me to put a few magazines through the rifle. The action is just as you’d expect from a quality AR-15; soft shooting, smooth cycling, with good looks to boot. The BRN-PROTO has an MSRP of $1,499.99 and is available for pre-order at Brownells now.

4x Carry Handle Optic

After shooting the BRN-PROTO, my attention turned to a small tube sitting atop a BRN-601 rifle. This small tube is the new Brownells 4x Carry Handle Optic. Modeled after the original Colt 4x optic used on early AR-15 rifles, the 4x Carry Handle Optic truly fits in with the rest of the Retro line. Impressively, the new scope is made by the same Japanese manufacturer who built the originals many decades ago.

The Brownells 4x Carry Handle Optic features fixed 4x magnification, a traditional duplex reticle, and a 21mm objective lens. Those with top charging rifles such as the BRN-PROTO will need to look elsewhere for your glass, as the 4x Carry Handle Optic is not compatible with those and similar models. The Brownells 4x Carry Handle Optic has an MSRP of $299.99 and will be available in Summer 2019.

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