Brownells Retro AR15/M16 Rifles at the 2018 SHOT Show

Brownells announced a new line of AR15/M16 “Retro” rifles at the 2018 SHOT Show. The new rifles replicate versions of the original M16’s used in Vietnam by the United States military. These rifles are in addition to the AR10 retros also announced at the show.

The rifles include the BRN 601, a clone of the Model 601 used by the U.S. Air Force, the XBRN16E1 a clone of the transitional M16E1, the BRN16A1 a clone of the type standardized M16A1 and the XBRN177E2, a clone of the XM177 which was also commonly called a “CAR15” at the time.

The Brownells reproductions feature good attention to detail including the no fence and partial fence lowers, 20 round waffle mags with the BRN 601, and teardrop shaped forward assist on the other models.

In the video a Brownells rep goes over the features of the 5.56mm retro AR15/M16 line.

Rob Reed

Rob Reed is a firearms instructor, collector and all around "projectile launcher enthusiast" in the Metro Detroit area. He also writes as the Michigan Firearms Examiner.