Your Privacy Choices
Brownells, once the unquestioned leader in the retro AR space, is beefing up their lineup once again. These three new retro uppers add a newer twist to the range. Let’s break them down.
More Retro Guns @ TFB:
- [SHOT 2023] The Carry Handle Corner: Retro And Clone AR-15 Compendium
- The New Retro M81 Woodland Camo Holster from Safariland
- [SHOT 2023] The SHOT Show Retro Roundup
- Bushmaster’s Limited Edition Retro Carry Handle XM15A2
We will go in ascending price order. First up is the BRN-16A4 upper. Retailing at $599.99 with the bolt carrier group and charging handle, this A4 model has a 20-inch barrel and a flat top upper. A2 handguards are standard, but any drop in rifle-length RIS rail would fit. The barrel has a 1-in-7 twist rate and is chrome-lined.
With the classic 20 inch Government profile 5.56x45mm NATO barrel, the BRN-16A4 has an instantly recognizable appearance. The 20 inch barrel has a chrome bore and chamber, with 1-7 twist, perfect for M855 62 grain or heavier bullets. The muzzle is capped by the great performing M16A2 flash hider. The “F” Marked front sight base has the correct A2 square post, bayonet lug, sling swivel and triangle handguard cap. USGI barrel nut will accept many off the shelf handguards, making the upper future proof for upgrades. The included M16A2 style handguards feature the standard heat shield and replicate the look and feel of the original A2 handguards. The upper receiver is not just any off the shelf M4 upper. This upper receiver does not have M4 feed ramps, just like the original A4. The included bolt carrier group has a phosphate finish with chrome bore and gas key interior.
Next up is the 733. Taking its name from the legendary Colt model used in the classic crime movie Heat, the 733 has a C7 upper. If you are a student of the carry handle, you know that is an A1 upper with an added brass deflector. The 11.5-inch barrel has a 1-in-7 twist rate and a chrome lining, so you can run it hard on your NFA M-16 lower to your heart’s content. The 733 retro upper retails for $699.99.
The 733 C7 includes enough modern features to make it a viable “go to” setup, especially for those seeking a carry handle receiver. The A1 rear sight nestled in the C7 upper receiver, is known for being extremely robust and dependable. The C7 upper, originally only found on Canadian AR-15 models, is a blend of the M16A1 and M16A2, being essentially an M16A1 receiver with the “Burton bump” shell deflector found on the M16A2 receiver. This lefty friendly feature is now commonplace on modern forged uppers.
Last, but certainly not least, is the BRN-16A2. It features the objectively superior A2 upper (relax A1 fans, I love those too, but the A2 has a lot of very cool features) and the classic 20-inch barrel. That barrel is chrome lined with a 1-in-7 twist so it can shoot heavy match bullets with ease. It costs $749.99, and it it available for purchase now, along with the two other new retro uppers. All three uppers are available for purchase now directly from Brownells.
The BRN16A2 features the correct components you’re seeking in a M16A2 build.
The forged upper receiver itself is the classic M16A2 style, with the robust and incredibly adjustable A2 rear sight assembly.The elevation drum can be adjusted from 300 to 800 meters (zero at 25m for 300m). This upper receiver does not have M4 feed ramps, just like the original A2. The included bolt carrier group has a phosphate finish with chrome bore and gas key interior.
With the classic 20 inch Government profile 5.56x45mm NATO barrel, the BRN-16A2 has an instantly recognizable appearance. The 20 inch barrel has a chrome bore and chamber, with 1-7 twist, perfect for M855 62 grain or heavier bullets. The muzzle is capped by the great performing M16A2 flash hider.
The non-“F” Marked front sight base has the correct A2 square post, bayonet lug, sling swivel and triangle handguard cap. USGI barrel nut will accept many off the shelf handguards, making the upper future proof for upgrades. The included M16A2 style handguards feature the standard heat shield and replicate the look and feel of the original A2 handguards.
All images from Brownells.
We are committed to finding, researching, and recommending the best products. We earn commissions from purchases you make using the retail links in our product reviews. Learn more about how this works.
