Steve and Caleb are a little jazzed today because they’re giving us a tour of the new HK416-compatible Brownells BRN-4 piston upper receiver kit. The BRN-4 is built to HK416 specs, so it’ll work with any 416 components either original or aftermarket like the new ones Brownells will be releasing in the near future. More good news: the BRN-4 fits on a standard mil-spec AR-15 lower receiver, so you can build up an HK416-type rifle without encountering the scarcity and very high cost of original 416 parts. Or maybe you bought up some of the genuine Heckler & Koch surplus HK416 components we sold a few years ago? They’ll work with this upper.
The BRN-4’s free-floating quad-railed handguard is keyed to the front of the receiver, so it can’t shift or twist on the barrel nut. Removing the ‘guard reveals the H&K-type short-stroke piston operating system. A common problem with putting a piston system in an AR-15 is “bolt tilt,” which leads to excess wear on the receiver extension (aka “buffer tube”). The H&K bolt-carrier design eliminates the tilt, thus eliminating unwelcome wear-n-tear on the buffer tube.
The BRN-4 upper is called a “kit” because it comes disassembled. If you can assemble an AR-15 upper from parts, you’ve got the skills to build a BRN-4. It does not include a muzzle device, but the barrel has standard ½”-28 tpi threads, so any AR-15 flash suppressor or compensator is fair game.
If you’re an AR-15 collector or just want to build a sweet, high-tech PISTON-operated AR-type rifle that’s extremely reliable and still compatible with a gazillion AR-15 accessories…… the Brownells BRN-4 is for you!
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Why isn't the Barrel krome lined for that price 🤔
I like the spring loaded bolt carrier group. It would be nice to see if that kind of BCG could be made for a regular AR15 chambered in .223.
I love everything you guys (Brownelles) are doing, making/manufacturing, and offering for AR lovers and builders. The BRN-180 and the new BRN-4 are amazing and fun pistols/rifles. If only the 180 was just under $1,000. $1,500 for the BRN-4 upper is to much. If you can afford to spend $1500 on just an upper then you can afford a complete 416 kit.
M27 clone built coming up
Now do a 417 version, please!!!
Wonderful birthday news. I look forward to this time next november when, knowing brownells, they finally announce the long-awaited restock of these parts/kits and I might possibly get my hands on one along with some aluma-hyde II I've been haunting the store page of for about five months now!
Geissele copied the HK416 barrel nut when they made the first rail for it, thats why it looks so familiar, the barrel nut was so much better it became a new standard
The HK MR556 upper comes with a recoil spring and buffer. Yours does not?
Better put that back on the shelf so that you have an item to sell in your online store.
416 nah how about more m16a1/a2 carry handle uppers in stock now that would be nice.
Will you guys do a video of the pros and cons of this vs the standard AR upper?
I'll take mine in 14.5 please.
3:45 "the reason they do that is because there's no gas rings to add friction." The gas rings don't "add friction", they allow the gas to push the bolt forward while it's unlocking to reduce friction between the bolt and barrel extension. That's the effect H&K is trying to replicate with the spring between bolt and carrier. Someone teach this guy how an AR-15 works.
The best way to mitigate the bolt tilt issue for ANY piston operated AR platform, is to use an Aero Precision Enhanced, or POF Anti-tilt buffer tube.
BRN 4 complete kit runs $1500 right now. Not that bad. Hopefully it comes down a bit for Xmas. Larry Vickers worked for HK and was on the HK team that designed the 416. I think his design has a barrel that was only partially chromed, but not 100% sure. Anyway, excellent platform. Don't need the snide remarks aimed at Steve tho – re one syllable words.
You should update the stock status I ordered one only to get an email that they are not in stock nor may never be again. I didnt realize brownells adopted the optics planet model of coercing people into ordering products that are out of stock or do not exist.
Thanks fellows and everyone at Brownell
My only complaint is that the Bolt Carrier doesn't have the firing pin disconnector, kind of an important piece in this action to prevent slam fires.
It's nice to make this available. But you could get two LaRue Ultimate Uppers that shoot subMOA for the price of one of these.
Did the patent expire on the 416? My BRN180 is my go to so naturally I will need a BRN4 lower to go with the upper..
Where are the tests? Stop having people beta test things and show the tests done. Grab thousands of rounds, run it in a video then show us these things can run… Transparency…
It isn't a fraction of the price it's basically the same. You can get hk uppers $1,599. Why buy a replica?
DUDE YES. I can build a m27 clone without spending crazy money since mr556s are crazy now. Build it om a nice 80%.
Please make a BRN 4 lower with a3 ambi features…
I hope this stays in production permanently
love it, but plz ditch the full quadrail… its only needed on the last 4 inches anyway.
Why does the gas block that you guys provide look different from the HK ones? It looks too fat and different.
If you guys release matching lowers, I'm all in.
That’s crazy shoutout to brownells
I'm excited to see how this goes. We've long suffered with the "we cannot import to civilians" excuse.
Any plans on making 6.8 SPC barrels?
I’ll wait until Brownell’s AR-16’s are released. (7.62x51mm) + (Armalite AR-18/AR-180) = Unicorn 🦄 Gun 🤯😱🤫
Nice but the gas block is for a non-adjustable HK416 as compared to the adjustable gas block on the HK416-A5. I don’t know how these uppers will function when a suppressor is attached.🤔🫣🫤🎲🎲🤷🏻♂️🤦🏻♂️
Jesus man brownells out here making unobtainable guns available 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼 I’m definitely getting one
Happy to see you guys expanding your lineup! Thank God you're using standard threads. 416 threads are a pain in the ass.
No thank you 1500 bucks
I love it. Why a quad rail? Is that the only option?
Sick
Could you post the link?
I little out of my budget consider I already have several AR15’s but I’m tempted to get one anyway
Is that the only handguard available? Something light with M-lok would be nice.
Absolutely awesome to see Brownells releasing 416 parts. Hoping to see the BRN-4 Lowers or maybe even a more modernized 416 lower with the Ambi selector to complete the package.
Curious why they weren't able to make their own upper receivers in house.
Brownells always keeping my graduate budget even thinner…
I'd love to see this as a product line that gets expanded over time. Like with different variations of the 416, such as the A5.
These barrels don't key into hk uppers!
The 416 at home! I got a Silencerco Sco15 lower ready for this baby.
I got to admit. I’ve shot a gas piston AR. I’m not a big fan. I feel that the direct impingement is more accurate due to less mass moving reward. Also it seemed more prone to carbon fouling issues. The rifle was not mine. I was asked to take it to the range because the owner had some failures with it. So I did. After 10 rounds it had a failure to eject. Extraction seemed fine. I felt like the bolt did not fully cycle backwards enough. I took the rifle home and cleaned it and scrapped built up carbon off the gas piston. The owner was using Wolf ammunition. After I cleaned it. I took it back to the range and shot it with Federal ammunition. No issues at all. I brought it back home. Cleaned and lubed it with CLP. I advised the owner to stay away from Wolf ammunition. That’s been my only experience with the gas piston AR’s.
Does Brownells still like the brn-4 lower I would love a complete clone 416 if possible 🤔