Self Defense

CZ Bren 2 Ms Carbine

By: Dave Bahde

The ultimate hard-use survivalist carbine?

Adopted in 2010 by the Czech Republic, there was a request for an updated version of CZ’s 805 Bren that was lighter with a folding polymer stock and a number of improvements, which ended up being the Bren 2 BR (select fire). This was the base firearm from which the civilian semi-auto version — the Bren 2 Ms Carbine — was derived, and we’re here to tell you that it’s not disappointing.

The Bren’s barrel is cold-hammer forged and capped with a U.S.-made version of the issue flash hider/muzzle brake. Threaded 1/2 x 28 t.p.i., sound suppressors or muzzle devices can be readily attached. Gas can be adjusted for normal, hard use (more gas), and off; there is no “suppressed” setting. The upper receiver is aluminum, while the lower is molded from carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer. The handgrip is integral to the lower but does have interchangeable back straps. The charging handle does not reciprocate, locks forward until needed, can be swapped to either side and doubles as a forward assist. The safety and magazine release are ambidextrous, while bolt stops/releases are positioned on either side of the receiver, with another sitting inside the trigger guard, which you lift up to lock the bolt open and push down to release. The trigger is a two-stage and is surprisingly light (4.5 pounds) and crisp for a military-designed trigger. The polymer adjustable and folding stock locks solidly in place, can be released or deployed with one hand, and the gun still has firing capability when folded. QD sling swivel receptacles can be found on either side of the butt.

The carbon-fiber reinforced polymer lower sheds weight and houses an AR-style bolt release/catch, short-throw two-position ambi safety, ambi mag release, and a supplementary bolt release/catch within the trigger guard. At a crisp 4.50 pounds, the two-stage trigger is exceedingly good for a combat carbine.

Moving to the upper, a Picatinny rail runs the entire length of the receiver and modular handguard. M-LOK cuts can be found around the rest of the circumference of the handguard, giving ample options for accessory placement. Sling loops and QD sling receptacles sit on either side at the back of the receiver, but you will need to add an attachment point to the handguard.

The 16.50-inch cold-hammer-forged barrel is capped with a U.S.-made version of the issue flash hider/muzzle brake and shrouded by an M-Lok compatible handguard, with Picatinny rail atop and M-Lok cuts found around the rest of the circumference. Gas pressure can be easily adjusted for normal, hard use (more gas) and off. The non-reciprocating charging handle can be mounted on either side.

Range Time

I tested this rifle pretty harshly, including lots of dropping in the dirt, mud, and silt, walking on it, banging it around in the back of the truck, and knocking it off the bench several times; pretty much everything short of running over it with the truck or dropping it off a roof. The gun still works, and nothing fell off or broke. I can’t say that about some “duty-ready” ARs tested in the past, which I subjected to far less abuse.

Testing was completed using Trijicon’s durable Credo 1-8×28 first-focal plane riflescope. Accuracy was excellent—especially for a weapon built to be used in combat. My best group was around an inch at 100 yards using Hornady’s 55-grain Frontier Match/BT. Used in several tests, this round has proven more accurate than “precision” ammunition at twice the price.

The polymer adjustable and folding stock locks solidly in place, can be released or deployed with one hand, and the gun still has firing capability when folded. QD sling swivel receptacles can be found on either side of the butt. The handgrip is integral to the polymer lower but does have interchangeable back straps.

Reliability was what I expected from this platform — not a single stoppage. The factory muzzle brake mitigated recoil very well with very little blast at the shooter, but anyone standing next to it would not be as fortunate.

The Bren 2 Ms will work with conventional cans but will tend to make things kind of harsh, gassy, and possibly unreliable. Using a no-backpressure design like the X2 Orion, these drawbacks are not as noticeable. The X2 Orion did not change the brass ejection or gunk up the works and was as quiet as a suppressor gets on this system.

Tear down makes one thing clear: this weapon was designed to be easily dealt with in the field. Breakdown is fast and straightforward, with no tools needed. Everything about this carbine is well thought out for use in the field by your average person, no armorers needed.

The best 100-yard performance from our test gun came with Hornady’s 55-gr. Frontier HP / BT load, which printed this one-inch 5-shot group. We can confidently call that excellent precision for a combat carbine.

Bottom Line

Simple, proven rifles like this are my preference in a working gun. Given the need, this would be at the top of my list as a survivalist/defensive carbine that works in any condition without “tuning”.

Reliability was what I expected from this platform—not a single stoppage. The factory muzzle brake mitigated recoil very well with very little blast at the shooter, but anyone standing next to it would definitely get a wake-up call.

Priced at $1,999.00, it’s not inexpensive, but you get plenty of performance and second-to-none reliability for the money . . . you could pay more for a rifle that will do far less. If you are not married to the AR platform and are open to different systems, you will love this carbine. See it at your gun shop, or contact CZ-USA, Tel.: (800) 955-4486; Web: www.cz-usa.com