History
Czech manufacturer CZ built firearms for decades behind the Iron Curtain before the free world was finally able to enjoy its products with the establishment of CZ-USA in 1993. The Bren originated with CZ’s goal of designing a short-stroke gas piston rifle to compete with platforms like the FN SCAR. The first-generation Bren (officially released as the Bren 805) was a modular rifle system that could go between 5.56x45mm NATO and 7.62x39mm with the simple change of a barrel, bolt, and magazine well. The modular platform included modern ergonomic features and modern accessory mounting systems.
This caliber-fluid modular design is deeply rooted in Czechia’s history and serves as one more example of the country’s belief in the superior nature of its own designs and manufacturing, even within the confines of the Soviet Union. As the former nation of Czechoslovakia, the country opted not to go with the Soviet AK design, but rather with its own vz.58.
The Bren 2Ms
CZ released the second generation of the Bren in 2015. The new Bren 2 features a polymer lower, a lightened aluminum receiver, a non-reciprocating charging handle that can be set for left or right-handed use, and an ambidextrous AR-style bolt release.
The CZ Bren 2 has become extremely popular and gained some world recognition, as Czechia donated a number of rifles to the Ukrainian Army for foreign volunteer units to use in combat. CZ also just settled a licensing deal with the Ukrainian government for the nation to begin production of its own Bren 2s for military use as a gesture to bring more NATO-standard equipment to Ukraine. The CZ Bren 2 is now one of the most modern rifle designs to have seen extensive combat.
The Bren 2Ms is the second-generation model imported into the U.S. It’s offered as a pistol or a rifle, with a slew of barrel lengths to accommodate an array of uses. The Bren 2Ms is also offered in both 5.56 NATO and 7.62x39mm, as was the original intent of the design.
Related: CZ Debuts New Bren 2Ms Carbine Series in 5.56 NATO
The Guns.com warehouse recently obtained a CZ Bren 2Ms pistol chambered in 7.62x39mm with a 9-inch barrel via the We Buy Guns program, and I could not miss this opportunity to Czech it out (see what I did there?).
Design
The CZ Bren 2Ms has familiar controls similar to any modern AR-15. The left side of the receiver has a standard-placement safety and a standard AR-style bolt release above the ambi magazine release. The right side of the receiver mirrors the safety and includes a standard button magazine release, along with a bolt hold and release inside the trigger guard, making all the standard controls actionable from either side.
The lower receiver is polymer, and the pistol grip sits at a natural angle for the wrist. The angle makes long days of shooting less fatiguing on the wrist and allows for better control of the firearm. Aggressive stippling on the pistol grip allows for a secure grip despite any adverse weather conditions.
The light aluminum upper receiver is rich in features, starting with ambidextrous sling mounts at the rear, both QD and standard – a big plus in my book. The non-reciprocating charging handle can easily be switched from left to right, depending on the shooter’s preference.
Like the first generation of the Bren, the 2Ms is capable of changing calibers by simply swapping the barrel, magazine well, and bolt head. The Bren 2Ms also has a modular handguard that is interchangeable depending on what design fits the user best.
More Features
M-LOK slots on the handguard make it easy to affix any accessories. The top rail features foldable iron sights and can accommodate optics or other accessories like an IR box. The barrel sits under an adjustable gas block, making the design easy to suppress or adjust for different conditions.
The muzzle wears a three-pronged flash hider to eliminate any massive fireball that 7.62x39mm might create in a 9-inch barrel. The receiver also features an AR buffer tube and a SB Tactical SBA4 pistol brace.
This CZ pistol feeds from CZ’s proprietary 30-round polymer magazines. While I am normally not a huge fan of proprietary parts, I understand there are not many cheap options for 7.62x39 magazines that insert like an AR magazine. The CZ-designed 7.62 magazine is not overly expensive, and a few other companies such as AC Unity are also producing these pattern magazines.
Performance
Few things are more fun than slinging 7.62x39 downrange out of a 9-inch barrel. While I only had a chance to fire a little over 200 rounds out of the platform, I did get a solid feel for how this model handled. For a short-stroke gas piston design, the Bren 2Ms was extremely controllable, more so than most AKs that I have fired with similar barrel lengths.
I cycled through a series of brass-cased Belom ammo, some steel-cased TulAmmo, and a couple magazines of Soviet-era surplus, all without issue. There was no noticeable fireball through any of my shooting sequences, which leads me to think that the aggressive flash hider is doing a great job.
I shot two groups, one at 25 yards and one at 50, as I would expect a 9-inch-barrel 7.62x39 firearm to be ideal for these distances. I added an Aimpoint Patrol Rifle 2 to the top rail and was extremely pleased with the accuracy. The group at 25 yards felt solid and grouped very close. At 50 yards I was a little more spread out; however, I am still pleased with the practical accuracy of the platform, especially considering that I am not God’s gift to shooting.
I shot through a series of drills including the Bill drill, 2-2-2 drill, and the Mozambique. In all cases, the platform performed well and is likely capable of much higher feats of accuracy than I could give it. While a couple hundred rounds is hardly a measure of the capabilities of the design, it was a slight peek into the capabilities of the CZ design.
Pros & Cons
The Bren 2Ms performed admirably, with zero malfunctions, but the trigger is the one feature that feels mediocre to me. The initial take-up feels mushy and long, while the break doesn’t feel as crisp as it should. The reset is fairly short, but it was not overly audible.
Another issue of mine is the placement of the bolt hold/release inside the trigger guard. I have said it several times, but I prefer not to have controls inside the trigger guard, as it is just a recipe for a negligent discharge. Keep the controls away from the trigger.
Pros:
- Modular
- Ergonomic
- Familiar controls
- Lots of sling mounts
- Lots of barrel length options for both calibers
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Strong resume in service
Cons:
- Expensive
- Mediocre trigger
- Proprietary magazines
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Bolt release/hold inside the trigger guard
Summary
Overall, the CZ Bren 2 Ms is what I expect from CZ: a well-thought-out, reliable, and accurate firearm. The only real knock against it is price. Although it’s much higher than an AR-15, you could argue it is still extremely competitive in price compared to platforms like the FN SCAR.
All together, the CZ Bren 2Ms is a great modern platform. The design is showing its relevance and getting combat action in Ukraine, and it’s not often you get a chance to shoot a fairly new design that is already being put through the wringer.
From caliber to size, the Bren offers so much that it is hard to not be a fan of the platform. The CZ Bren 2Ms makes a strong case to become your next go-to AR alternative.
