Ballistic Magazine
  • Guns
    • Handguns
    • Rifles
    • Class III & More
  • Gear
    • Accessories
    • Ammo
    • Knives
    • Suppressors
  • News
  • Lifestyle
    • Culture
    • People
    • Podcasts
    • Rides
    • Survival
    • Tactics & Training
  • VIDEOS
  • Subscribe
No Result
View All Result
Ballistic Magazine
  • Guns
    • Handguns
    • Rifles
    • Class III & More
  • Gear
    • Accessories
    • Ammo
    • Knives
    • Suppressors
  • News
  • Lifestyle
    • Culture
    • People
    • Podcasts
    • Rides
    • Survival
    • Tactics & Training
  • VIDEOS
  • Subscribe
No Result
View All Result
Ballistic Magazine
No Result
View All Result
 
New Year, New FREE GUN FRIDAY! Enter to WIN the Smith & Wesson and Black Hills package.

FIRST LOOK: Brownells BRN-PROTO Pays Homage to the Original AR-15

Frank Jardim by Frank Jardim
January 30, 2019
in Guns, Rifles, Videos
0
0
SHARES
71
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rxKiE7xpaKU

In the category of things retro-AR fans could only dream of owning, the original .223 caliber serial number 1 proto-type AR-15 rifle tops the list. That gun — and the few copies made for testing by the military in the late 1950s — were simply impossible to own … until now. Brownells told Ballistic Monday that it’s adding a copy of the great grandfather of the America’s Rifle to its excellent Retro line: the Brownells BRN-PROTO.

Brownells Bulk Ammo Barrels
RELATED STORY

Brownells Is Actually Selling Bulk Ammo Barrels in 5.56 and 7.62X51

AR-15 History Lesson

The proto-type AR-15 was actually a scaled down version of the revolutionary .308 caliber AR-10 rifle developed for military trials by firearms design genius Eugene Stoner in the early 1950s. Despite the AR-10 being very favorably reviewed in Army Ordnance testing, it was rejected in favor of the heavy, old-school steel and wood, M14 rifle. Later battle experience in Vietnam demonstrated the M14 couldn’t compete evenly in a firefight with the AK-47.

The M14 was reportedly too hard to control in full-auto fire. Also, soldiers couldn’t carry enough of its heavy ammunition to maintain fire superiority. Forward thinking military leaders anticipated this and continued to pursue a small-caliber service rifle even after the Army decided on a .308 caliber service rifle; then they bullied its allies into making that caliber the NATO standard.

The AR-10 redesign project was a team effort. Experts designed the new small caliber cartridge with the new rifle to meet the military velocity and penetration requirements. The .223 Remington was born right alongside the AR-15. Unfortunately, hide-bound military leaders had just as much trouble accepting the AR-15 as they did the AR-10. Both rifles shared the same shocking futuristic appearance. Ultimately, the technology oriented Air Force first embraced the AR-15. It had to be forced on the Army.

Brownells BRN-PROTO Features

Though most of the AR-15 proto-type design carried on into the the production M16s that led to our modern AR platforms, it had a few unique features that didn’t make the cut; most notable was the trigger-like cocking handle inside the carry handle on the top of the rifle. This system was ambidextrous and less likely to be damaged by bending if roughly handling during charging than the rear-mounted charging handle we’ve come to know. On the downside, it was slightly more susceptible to outside dirt since it’s slot was on the top of the action.

The proto-type also used a straight, 25-round magazine; that is obviously longer than the 20-round type that became standard on the M16. Brownells duplicated it on its replica.

Along with that, Brownells also duplicated the proto-type’s brown stock furniture and slim round front handguard, straight, rather than triangular, front sight tower and early flash suppressor.

Brownells also anodized the forged aluminum receivers in a more correct gray color like the original guns. For the record, the Brownells made its Retro stocks from durable modern Zytel, not the fragile plastic like the originals.

Final Thoughts

The proto-type was an exceptionally clean looking rifle with its slab sided receiver and carry handle mounted charging handle. There was no forward assist feature because Stoner never felt it necessary. In fact, it probably wasn’t with the clean burning powder the cartridge was originally designed for.

The replica has an authentic looking chrome-lined, 20-inch “pencil” barrel in a 1:12 twist. It also has a chrome-plated bolt carrier group made of 9310 steel.

Shooting the Brownells BRN-PROTO, one gets to experience the AR-15 in it’s sleekest, lightest form — as originally imagined.

MSRP on the Brownells BRN-PROTO is $1,299.99. For more information visit Brownells.com.

Didn't find what you were looking for?

CLICK HERE FOR COMMENTS

RELATED POSTS

The Matrix Dual-Pump Cage forend.

SHOT Show 2023: The 8 Most Interesting New Guns Released at SHOT!

7 new products announced ahead of shot show 2023.

New Guns & Gear Launched at SHOT Show 2023

Our author tested the SIG Sauer Cross hunting deer in rough country.

Testing the SIG Sauer Cross in the Wilds of the Appalachian Mountains

A basement bunker houses an impressive array of military uniforms and guns.

VIDEO: We Found 4 Hidden Military Gun Collections That Rival Museums!

Load More

WATCH NOW: Night Shooter | Season 2

Discussion about this post

FEATURED POST

Ballistic's Best Reader's Choice Winners

Winners Announced: Ballistic’s Best Readers’ Choice 2022

The votes are in! We've counted the ballots, and we're excited and impressed by you, the...

Read more

TRENDING

7 new products announced ahead of shot show 2023.

New Guns & Gear Launched at SHOT Show 2023

A top-quality chassis gives you adjustability and other features you need to make your long-range shooting more accurate and fun. These 7 top rifle chassis do it with class.

7 Top Rifle Chassis That Add Class & Accuracy to Your Long-Range Shoot

We tested 12 compact and micro compact pistols to determine the best carry gun.

Best Concealed Carry Pistols 2022: Compacts & Micros Dominate

Affordable Precision Rifles 2018

19 Affordable Precision Rifles That Won’t Break the Bank

PICK A CATEGORY

TRAINING & TACTICS SPOTLIGHT

The SecureIt Retrofit Kit helps organize gun safe storage.

DIY Upgrade With the SecureIt Gun Storage Steel 6 Gun Safe Retrofit Kit

Like many of you, my gun collection consists of more than one gun. In fact, it is significantly more than...

SHOWCASE: TRAINING AND TACTICS

Clearing Corners Gunsite Academy lead

10 Key Tips to Clearing Corners That May Save Your Ass

Chris Hemsworth learns box breathing and other challenges in Limitless.

Use Box Breathing Like Chris Hemsworth to Calm Down & Make The Shot

zeroing in rifles and pistols

Zeroing Rifles & Pistols: Getting to & Maintaining Zeroed Sights

European Mount, DIY Euro Mount, Hunting, lead

How to Make a European Mount in 6 Steps

Team SIG Sauer's Lena Miculek fires a P365 and debates .380 vs 9mm.

VIDEO: SIG Sauer’s Lena Miculek Debates .380 Vs 9mm for Defense

Cross-Eye Dominant Shooting, pistol

The Guide to Cross-Eye Dominant Shooting

Follow this guide to better shooting on the move.

SHOOTING 101: 3 Keys to Getting Hits While Shooting on the Move

Understanding eye dominance and both eyes open shooting will help you get on target.

VIDEO: Understanding Eye Dominance for Better Accuracy & Speed

AMMO SPOTLIGHT

Hornady Subsonic 7.62x39 launches a 255-grain bullet.

Hornady Subsonic 7.62×39 Ammunition Launches 255-grain Bullet, Quietly!

Hornady just announced the release of a very interesting new load, one we think hunters will jump all over....

site logo
The Premier Firearms & Survival Magazine

Tactical

  • tactical-life.com

Magazines

  • Tactical Life
  • The Complete Book of Reloading
  • Guns of the Old West

Facebook

  • Tactical-Life Facebook
  • Guns of the Old West Facebook

Twitter

  • Tactical-Life Twitter

Self Defense

  • PersonalDefenseWorld.com

Magazines

  • Personal Defense World
  • Combat Handguns

Facebook

  • Personal Defense World Facebook
  • Combat Handguns

Twitter

  • Personal Defense World Twitter

Shooting Lifestyle

  • BallisticMag.com

Magazines

  • Ballistic Magazine

Facebook

  • Ballistic Magazine Facebook

Twitter

  • Ballistic Magazine Twitter

Alpha Lifestyle

  • SkillsetMag.com

Magazines

  • Skillset

Facebook

  • Skillset Magazine Facebook

Twitter

  • Skillset Magazine Twitter

Instagram

  • Skillset Magazine Instagram
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe
  • Terms Of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • California Privacy Notice
  • Cookie Policy
© Athlon Outdoors, All Rights Reserved.
You use of this website constitutes and manifests your acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy, Cookie Policy, and awareness of the California Privacy Rights. Pursuant to U.S. Copyright law, as well as other applicable federal and state laws, the content on this website may not be reproduced, distributed, displayed, transmitted, cached, or otherwise used, without the prior, express, and written permission of Athlon Outdoors.

Manage your GDPR consents by clicking here. Manage your CCPA consents by clicking here.
No Result
View All Result
  • Guns
    • View All Guns
    • Handguns
    • Rifles
    • Class III & More
    • Sponsored
      • SIG Sauer
  • Gear
    • View All Gear
    • Accessories
    • Ammo
    • Knives
    • Suppressors
  • Videos
  • More
    • Free Gun Friday Sweeps
    • Sweepstakes
    • Subscribe
    • Contact Us
  • News
  • Lifestyle
    • View All Lifestyle
    • Tactics & Training
    • Survival
    • People
    • Podcasts
    • Rides

© 2023 JNews - Premium WordPress news & magazine theme by Jegtheme.