CZ 805 BREN
Ceska Zbrojovka · Assault Rifle · Discontinued · 2009
Also known as: BREN A1, CZ805, BREN 805
Overview
The CZ 805 BREN is a modular assault rifle developed by Ceska Zbrojovka, publicly introduced in 2009. It won the Czech military rifle competition to replace the aging Sa vz. 58, entering service with the Czech Armed Forces in 2011 as the standard-issue infantry rifle. The rifle operates on a short-stroke gas piston system with a rotating bolt, housed in an aluminum alloy upper receiver with a polymer lower. It features a four-position fire selector offering safe, semi-automatic, two-round burst, and full-automatic modes. The BREN is designed as a multi-caliber platform, capable of converting between 5.56x45mm NATO and 7.62x39mm by swapping the barrel, bolt, and magazine well adapter. The A1 variant features a 360mm barrel for the standard rifle role, while the A2 compact variant has a 277mm barrel. The rifle accepts STANAG-compatible magazines in 5.56mm configuration. Despite being a capable design, the CZ 805 BREN was criticized by Czech soldiers for excessive weight and poor ergonomics, leading to the development of the significantly improved CZ Bren 2 successor, which entered service from 2016.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 3580 g (126.3 oz) |
| Weight (loaded) | 4100 g (144.6 oz) |
| Overall Length | 915 mm (36.02") |
| Folded Length | 670 mm (26.38") |
| Barrel Length | 360 mm (14.17") |
| Action Type | Gas Operated Short Stroke |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Stage |
| Magazine Capacity | 30 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 920 m/s (3018 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 1693 J (1249 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 500 m (547 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 3600 m (3937 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 760 rpm |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Rifling Twist | 178 mm (7.01") |
| Number of Grooves | 6 |
| Frame Material | Aluminum Alloy |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Polymer |
| Finish | Matte Black |
Calibers
- 5.56x45mm NATO · primary · SS109 / M855 — also known as 5.56 NATO, 5.56x45
- 7.62x39mm — also known as 7.62 Soviet, M43
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic, Burst 2, Full Automatic
- Feed systems: Detachable Box Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Ambidextrous Safety Selector, Firing Pin Safety
- Features: Select Fire, Two Round Burst, Ambidextrous Controls, Folding Stock, Adjustable Stock, Multi Caliber System, Short Stroke Gas Piston, Rotating Bolt, Chrome Lined Barrel, Cold Hammer Forged Barrel, Picatinny Rails, Stanag Magazine Compatible, Quick Change Barrel
Variants
- CZ 805 BREN A2 — Compact Carbine
- CZ 805 BREN S1 — Semi Automatic Civilian
- CZ Bren 2 — Successor
Service history
Operators
- Czech Armed Forces · adopted 2011 · as CZ 805 BREN A1
- Czech National Police · adopted 2012 · as CZ 805 BREN A2
- Indonesian Army Special Forces (Kopassus)
- Mexican Marines (SEMAR)
Conflicts
- War in Afghanistan (2011-2021)
Production
Production years: 2009-2018
Approximately 8,000 rifles delivered to the Czech Armed Forces. Additional exports to Mexico, Indonesia, and other countries. Production ceased as CZ transitioned to the improved Bren 2 platform.
Origin
Country of origin: Czech Republic
Designer: Ceska Zbrojovka design team
Discontinued: 2018
Notes
Weight figures vary by source: 3.58 kg (Army Recognition), 3.6 kg (Modern Firearms, Wikipedia). The 3.58 kg figure is used as it comes from the manufacturer-aligned source. The A2 compact variant weighs 3.39 kg with a 277mm barrel. Muzzle velocity of 920 m/s is from Wikipedia's CZ 805 BREN article; Army Recognition and Bratislava Shooting Club corroborate this figure. The rate of fire of 760 rpm is from Wikipedia. The CZ 805 BREN was the first Czech-designed NATO-standard service rifle, ending decades of 7.62x39mm use. Production was phased out around 2018 as CZ transitioned to the Bren 2. A civilian semi-automatic version, the S1, was sold in the US market. The name BREN is a nod to the famous WWII-era Bren light machine gun, which was itself manufactured at Brno (Br-) and Enfield (en).
Background
The CZ 805 BREN made history as the rifle that finally retired the legendary Sa vz. 58 from Czech frontline service after over 50 years. But its own service life proved far shorter - Czech soldiers' complaints about its weight and ergonomics prompted CZ to develop the lighter Bren 2, which began replacing it after just five years. The BREN thus became the bridge between Czechoslovakia's Cold War arms heritage and the Czech Republic's modern NATO identity.