CZ 805 BREN A1
Ceska Zbrojovka Uhersky Brod · Assault Rifle · Out Of Production · 2009
Also known as: CZ-805 BREN, BREN 805
Overview
The CZ 805 BREN A1 is a Czech modular assault rifle chambered primarily in 5.56x45mm NATO, designed by Ceska Zbrojovka Uhersky Brod to replace the aging Sa vz. 58 in Czech military service. It uses a short-stroke gas piston with rotating bolt, an aluminum upper receiver and polymer lower, and supports caliber conversion to 7.62x39mm or 6.8mm Remington SPC via barrel and bolt swap. It accepts both proprietary translucent polymer magazines and STANAG mags.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 3600 g (127.0 oz) |
| Overall Length | 910 mm (35.83") |
| 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 | 870 m/s (2854 fps) |
| Effective Range | 500 m (547 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 700 rpm |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Rifling Twist | 178 mm (7.01") |
| Number of Grooves | 6 |
| Frame Material | Polymer |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Polymer |
| Finish | Anodized |
Calibers
- 5.56x45mm NATO · primary · 5.56 NATO — also known as .223 Remington, SS109, M855
- 7.62x39mm — also known as M43, 7.62 Soviet
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic, Burst 2, Full Automatic
- Feed systems: Detachable Box Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Ambidextrous Safety, Fire Selector
- Features: Modular Multi Caliber, Side Folding Stock, Adjustable Length Of Pull, Ambidextrous Controls, Picatinny Rail, Quick Change Barrel, Stanag Magazine Compatible
Variants
- CZ 805 BREN A2 — Carbine
- CZ 805 BREN S1 — Civilian Semi Auto
- CZ 805 G1 — Grenade Launcher
- CZ BREN 2 — Successor
Service history
Operators
- Army of the Czech Republic · adopted 2010
- Egyptian Armed Forces
- Federal Police of Mexico · adopted 2014
Conflicts
- War in Afghanistan (2001-2021)
- Mexican Drug War (2006-present)
Production
Estimated total produced: 8,500 · Production years: 2009-2017
Initial Czech contract was 6,687 BREN A1 rifles, 1,250 BREN A2 carbines, and 397 G1 grenade launchers; additional export contracts to Egypt and Mexico. Replaced by CZ BREN 2.
Origin
Country of origin: Czech Republic
Discontinued: 2017
Notes
The BREN name is a nod to the famed Czech-British ZGB/Bren light machine gun of the 1930s. The CZ 805 was replaced in Czech service by the lighter CZ BREN 2 starting in 2017 due to weight and ergonomics complaints from soldiers.
Background
Czech soldiers nicknamed the CZ 805 'the brick' for its hefty 3.6 kg empty weight, which proved the rifle's biggest weakness in field use; the criticism was so persistent that CZUB rushed development of the lighter BREN 2 within just a few years of full adoption.