CZ Yearbook 2019 /eng

82 | | 83 CZ BREN 2 FROM THE POINT OF VIEWOF A SHOOTER Martin Helebrant I had the opportunity to get to know the new CZ BREN 2 assault rifle during an event organized at a shooting range near Bzenec, in southwestern Moravia. It is a fairly large outdoor range whose conditions are described by many as similar to the dry and sandy environment of the Middle East. I first saw the CZ BREN 2 rifles during a presentation of the f inal pre-production models. The event was organized for se- lected journalists and I can say that I felt very honoured to have been invited. At the time, it was already an open secret that Česká zbro- jovka was further improving their CZ 805 BREN rifle, espe- cially with regard to a tender for India and some other coun- tries. Some features that had been upgraded were already known, so I hadn’t been expect- ing any signif icant changes. I understood just how wrong my expectations had been the moment CZ representatives opened the first case. The new rifle is simply different. Ergonomics inspired by M4 As soon as I held the gun in my hands, I could feel it was signif- icantly lighter and its balance was different. In comparison with the original CZ 805 BREN, the weight of the CZ BREN 2 is concentrated more to the cen- tre. The ergonomics and layout of the controls have been based fairly consistently on one of the currently most popular models, the M16/M4. So, if the shooter is already used to this type of gun, there won’t be much he or she will need to get acquaintedwith f irst. The most signif icant dif- ference is probably the position of the cocking handle which is shaped like the letter T in the M16/M4, placed on the top of the receiver, while in the BREN 2 it is flat and placed on the side towards the front of the receiver. The barrel of the gun that was presented to us was 11 inches long (280 mm), which is the basic version, there was also a short carbine with an 8-inch (207 mm) barrel. This model is suitable for special forces and anyone who needs a short and nimble rifle allowing operation in enclosed areas. The gun was fitted with a Meopta ZD Dot 1.5 collimator sight and a vertical pistol grip on the front bottom rail. The carbine was equipped with folding mechanical sights and short slanted forend. We were also supplied with sev- eral magazines of various types and design, all NATO standard compatible, and an ammo box full of common 5.56×45 NATO from Sellier & Bellot, a company based in Vlašim. In the target area we put up several paper targets for aimed shooting and beside them we set up a group of metal silhouettes. First, we checked the zeroing, using the paper targets. The original idea was for each participant to shoot first at paper targets with circles. However, on that day, the Bzenec shooting range was very different from the Middle East. The winter was nearing its end, the temperature was hov- ering just above zero and it was raining. At first there was just drizzle but later it started to rain harder with a snowflake here and there for good measure. Weather most foul one could say. The paper targets turned into wet rags, but at least we were able to zero the rifles. Familiar controls First I tried out the carbine. After inserting the magazine, I loaded a round into the chamber and put the gun to my cheek. I am aware of how light the new CZ assault rifle is and thanks to the different centring also how nim- ble it is. I aimat a target of a prone