CZ 805 BREN

CZ 805 BREN
A right-side view of the CZ 805 BREN A1
Type	Assault rifle Carbine
Place of origin	Czech Republic
Service history
In service	2011–present
Used by	See Users
Wars	War in Afghanistan Mexican Drug War EUTM Mali
Production history
Designed	2009
Manufacturer	Česká zbrojovka Uherský Brod
Specifications
Weight	3.6 kg (7.9 lb)
Length	CZ 805 BREN A1: 875–930 mm (34.4–36.6 in) (buttstock extended) 670 mm (26 in) (buttstock folded) CZ 805 BREN A2: 792–847 mm (31.2–33.3 in) (buttstock extended) 582 mm (22.9 in) (buttstock folded)
Barrel length	CZ 805 BREN A1: 360 mm (14 in) CZ 805 BREN A2: 277 mm (10.9 in)
Cartridge	5.56×45mm NATO 7.62×39mm
Action	Gas-operated, rotating bolt
Rate of fire	CZ 805 BREN A1 and CZ 805 BREN A2: 760 (±100) RPM CZ BREN 2: 850 RPM
Effective firing range	CZ 805 BREN A1: 500 m CZ 805 BREN A2: 400 m
Feed system	30-round box magazine
Sights	Iron sights

CZ BREN is a series of assault rifles, namely the CZ 805 BREN, CZ 807 and CZ BREN 2, created by Česká zbrojovka Uherský Brod in 2006 to replace the Sa vz. 58 in the Czech Army. The CZ 805 BREN is used by the Czech military, Indonesian special forces and Mexican police. In 2014, Slovak Army began to replace its vz. 58 rifles with CZ 805.

In November 2016, the Czech Army received its first batch of CZ BREN 2 next generation assault rifles.^[1][2] In 2017, French GIGN received 68 CZ BREN 2 assault rifles chambered in 7.62×39mm and is expected to order more, in order to replace most of its Heckler & Koch HK416.^[3] The CZ BREN 2 in 7.62×39mm was also issued to Egyptian airborne forces and Republican Guard in 2017 and 2018 respectively.^[4]

History

Czechoslovakia had the distinction of being the only Warsaw Pact member whose army did not issue a rifle based on the Soviet AK-47/AKM. They developed the Sa Vz. 58 in the late 1950s and although it fired the same 7.62×39mm cartridge and externally looked similar, its operating system and features were dramatically different. It was effective at the time it was introduced, but by the next decade was obsolescent and hard to modify.

In 1977, the Brno General Machine-Building Plants R&D Center began a program to create a new rifle under the name Lada S. A design was approved in 1984 that fired the smaller 5.45×39mm cartridge and could fill three roles: a subcarbine with a 185 mm (7.3 in) barrel; a rifle with a 382 mm (15.0 in) barrel; and a light support weapon with a 577 mm (22.7 in) barrel. They followed the variant family of AK-74 rifles and mostly took after their designs except for differences in the receiver cover, sights, and safety selector. The weapons were built by late 1985, tested starting in 1986, and was approved for production in November 1989. Shortly after that time however, the Cold War was ending and Czechoslovakia's communist party had stepped down following the Velvet Revolution. 300,000 Lada systems were planned, but by the time it was declared fit for production in February 1990, the Army had no funds. The country itself was splitting apart, and on 1 January 1993 it separated into the Czech Republic and Slovakia, ending 74 years of the country of Czechoslovakia. The Lada was not likely to be bought in large numbers by the smaller army. By then Česká zbrojovka Uherský Brod, which had taken over the design, had become privatized, and the company shelved the weapon for several years.^[5]

In the late 1990s, the Lada project was restarted with the prospect of the Czech Republic becoming a full member of NATO. It had been converted to fire .223 Remington ammunition shortly before it was shelved, mainly because the program did not involve producing 5.45×39mm ammunition and Sellier & Bellot was already producing .223 cartridges. The restarted rifle program rechambered the rifle to NATO standard 5.56×45mm ammunition, but retained a magazine well that accepted AK-74-type magazines. Converting it to accept STANAG magazines would have required the receiver to be redesigned and to have cost too much. The Army of the Czech Republic was interested in acquiring a new rifle but did not award any contracts. The Lada was then offered for export under the name CZ 2000.^[5]

Project 805

A Czech soldier fires his CZ 805 BREN A1 assault rifle.

For the domestic Army Replacement Rifle program development, the Lada was re-designated Project 805. The Army still did not wish to buy a new rifle for the entire military, but special forces did receive Bushmaster M4A3 carbines. With the prospect that the Army would re-arm gradually rather than on a large scale, CZUB drew up entirely new specifications in late 2005. Project 805 became the CZ XX, and then the CZ S805.

Two types of guns were drawn up: 'A' models chambered for intermediate rounds including 5.56×45mm NATO, 7.62×39mm, and 6.8mm Remington SPC; and 'B' models chambered for rifle rounds like 7.62×51mm NATO and even .300 Winchester Magnum.

All had three barrel lengths to act as a rifle, close quarters carbine, and designated marksman rifle/LSW. A CZ S805 was presented to the Army chief of staff in November 2006, but still was not ordered. CZUB then presented the weapon publicly and spent three years showing it at exhibitions. It wasn't until November 2009 that the Czech Army finally released a tender for a new infantry rifle.^[5]

CZ 805 BREN A1 with EOTech sights and housing conversion for STANAG (NATO) magazine.

The company reduced its modularity for the competition and submitted a 5.56 mm rifle (A1) and 5.56 mm carbine (A2), as well as similarly configured 7.62 Soviet-chambered guns. This was eventually reduced to just the 5.56 mm system. When the tender was released, 27 weapons were submitted, but were reduced to just the CZ 805 and FN SCAR-L. The CZ 805 won narrowly from emphasis on a domestic design and the result was made public on 1 February 2010. FN Herstal did not contest the decision, and the CZ 805 was officially ordered on 18 March 2010: 6,687 CZ 805 BREN A1 assault rifles; 1,250 CZ 805 BREN A2 carbines; and 397 CZ 805 G1 proprietary grenade launchers. Every one was equipped with Meopta ZD-Dot red dot sights and iron sights. For special forces, 1,386 enhanced optical suites consisting of Meopta's DV-Mag3 daylight 3× magnifier, NV-3Mag night 3× magnifier, and a DBAL-A2 (AN/PEQ-15A) laser target designator were also ordered.

In May 2010, the Army requested changes to the design before it could be operational including the change from a folding and telescoping stock to just a folding one, a pin-stabilized magazine well, a pistol grip with changeable backstraps, and the change from a 7-lug bolt to a 6-lug bolt. The first delivery of the CZ 805 occurred on 19 July 2011 with 505 guns and 20 grenade launchers. The initial order was to be completed in 2013.^[5]

Design

CZ 805 BREN A1 cutaway with Meopta MeoRedT and MeoMag 3 sights.

The CZ 805 BREN utilizes a well-proven locked breech principle with rotating breech block and its automatic function is driven by combustion gases tapped from the barrel with option of two-stage regulation of piston mechanism. The weapon is gas-operated and features a rotating bolt and a manual gas regulator.

Czech paratrooper with the CZ 805 BREN A2 carbine.

The CZ 805 BREN assault rifle is fitted with folding iron sights, but also includes an integral Picatinny rail on top of the receiver and is capable of accepting a wide variety of additional sighting equipment (red-dot or telescope day sights, night sights, lasers etc.). The weapon is equipped with side-folding buttstock, which is adjustable for length of pull, and can be completely removed if maximum compactness is required. Additional equipment also includes a new, specially designed 40 mm underbarrel grenade launcher and a bayonet.

The fire control unit includes ambidextrous safety/fire selector switch, which permits semi-automatic, 2-round bursts and full automatic fire.

Charging handle can also be installed on either side of the weapon, depending on user preferences. The CZ 805 BREN has two barrel lengths. A 360 mm (14.2 inch) barrel length for the standard assault rifle variant, the CZ 805 BREN A1 and a 277 mm (10.9 inch) barrel for the carbine variant, the CZ 805 BREN A2. The barrel is chrome-lined to ensure a very high accuracy and durability.
The rifle features a magazine housing which is a separate detachable unit. Which can be replaced easily to allow the use of STANAG or HK G36 5.56×45mm NATO magazines. It is also capable of housing a 5.56×45mm NATO 100-round Beta C-Mag. In standard configuration, the CZ 805 BREN uses a 5.56×45mm NATO proprietary 30-round magazine made of transparent polymer which is made by CZ.

Variants

Derivatives

CZ BREN 2

French GIGN 7,62x39 CZ BREN 2

A CZ BREN 2 with an 11 in barrel.

The CZ BREN 2 is a modular assault rifle from the production of CZ service weapons. Its design has been based on the experience of the most demanding users from among the special units and armed forces who demand the best, regardless of the area of operations.^[8]

The CZ BREN 2 is a multi-calibre rifle available in either 5.56×45mm NATO and 7.62×39mm calibres. It has multiple barrel lengths, ranging from 207 mm (8 inch), 280 mm (11 inch), and 357 mm (14 inch).^[9] A fire mode selector is fully ambidextrous, as well as other controls of this rifle. It has a simplified trigger system with three positions for "safe", "semi-auto" and "full-auto". The "2-round burst" firing mode of the CZ 805 BREN was abandoned.

The rifle's design is based on proven tapping the combustion gases from the barrel with the option of a three-stage regulation of the piston mechanism. The rifle has extreme reliability and durability under all conditions. It's capable of high accuracy and service life. Basic disassembly and assembly for routine maintenance can be carried out without the need for any tools.^[9] The rifle has a low weight and compact dimensions for fast and comfortable handling. The materials that are used to build the rifle are non-combustible and have increased fire resistance, as well as being resistant to impacts and mechanical damage.

Users

•  Czech Republic: Currently being introduced as the standard issue rifle for all parts of the Armed Forces and for selected units of law enforcement, including the Prague Castle Guard.
•  Egypt: Egypt has announced that it purchased an unspecified number of CZ 805 BREN A1.^[11] The CZ BREN 2 in 7.62×39mm was issued to Egyptian airborne forces and Republican Guard in 2017 and 2018 respectively.^[4]
•  France: 68 CZ BREN 2 chambered in 7.62×39mm ordered for the GIGN.^[12]
•  Hungary: Hungarian Defence Forces will adopt CZ 806 Bren 2 assault rifle replacing the current AK-63D. The rifle and the Scorpion EVO SMG will be also license produced in Hungary.
•  Indonesia: Used by Indonesian Navy frogmen (Kopaska)^[13] and Indonesian Army (Kostrad – Taipur)
•  Mexico: Used by Federal Police since 2014^[14]
•  Slovakia: 688 pieces bought by the Slovak Army in November 2014, along with the same number of CZ 75 pistols.^[15]
•  Vietnam
•  Thailand
•  India

See also

• List of assault rifles
• CZ 807
• Adaptive Combat Rifle
• FN SCAR
• MSBS Radon

References

External links

• Media related to CZ 805 BREN at Wikimedia Commons
• Modern Firearms - CZ 805 BREN
• Ceska Zbrojovka - CZ 805 BREN A2
• Official CZ 805 BREN A1 and A2 Instruction Manual
• Official CZ BREN 2 PDF