The new Czech assault rifle that can go head to head against some of the newest assault rifles our there finally gets to go to battle. According to news reports, Czech soldiers operating in Afghanistan will be using the CZ 805 BREN A1 and A2 assault rifles as part of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF). The Czech troops operating in the Afghan provinces of Wardark and Logar are from the 42nd and 72nd Mechanized Battalions. The CZ 805 Bren replaces the Sa vz. 58 which is the standard rifle for the Czechs.

At first glance, you would mistake the CZ 805 Bren as an FN SCAR-L, and you won't be blamed for that since it looks like it takes its inspiration from that assault rifle. It may not look as sleek as the SCAR-L but on paper it is more versatile than the Belgian rifle.

As mentioned by its maker, Česká Zbrojovka (CZ), it is a unified and modular weapons system. This concept allows for interchangeable barrel attachment, through exchangeable breech block and gas tube. This then allows the rifle to be easily modified to accept different types of calibres, starting from the standard NATO 5.56mm, to 7.62mm, and it can be made to accept the 6.8mm Remington SPC.

It also has an interchangeable magazine housing. When issued to Czech infantry, it will be using the magazines made by CZ, which are also at first glance, look like G36 magazine used by the German Armed Forces. The housing has accessories that it can be made to use magazines made for M4/M16 rifles.

The fire selector switch has 4 modes: Safe, Semi, 2-Round and Auto (0 – 1 – 2 – continuous burst). It is almost HK-like with the indicators in dots rather than bullet icons seen in its German counterparts. It is also ambidextrous, so you can control the firing mode on both sides, depending on your prefered handling of the rifle. The folding shoulder stock which either takes its inspiration from the G36 or LR-300 is also telescoping so you can adjust its length while the cocking handle can be adjusted too to accommodate left handed shooters, just like in the FN SCAR.

It also has a Grenade Launcher module that is eerily similar to the EGLM for the FN SCAR, even in operations that I suspect you can also mount the EGLM into the CZ 805 BREN. With a full lenght flat top rail and more rails at the front area, you can mount more attachments and turn it into a Transformer rifle. The pistol grip looks slick, which reminds me of the ICS MX5 Pro MS1 pistol grip but better looking, and it may be one of the most comfortable pistol grips ever attached to an assault rifle.

The CZ 805 BREN A1 is the standard assault rifle while the A2 is the compact version.

This story was suggested by one of our reader's PaddysPoint, as he wishes that an airsoft manufacturer to make one of these and it's highly possible that can be made. The closest company can put one fast can be G&G as they company already developed an FN SCAR-L and since they have made a stock for the LR-300, they can just make minor modifications to put a version of the CZ 805 BREN. But still it can also be Classic Army and even better if it's going to be Tokyo Marui with their recoil shock technology. However, they will need the consent of Action Sports Games (ASG) for the airsoft version given that ASG owns the Česká Zbrojovka licensing rights in airsoft.

I'm sure there will be a debate on which rifle is better looking, the SCAR-L or the CZ 805 Bren. For me, neither, but they do have the functions that I want. It's just a matter time for either an airsoft manufacturer to initiate the making of one, or if ASG will commission a manufacturer to make one for them.

To make you wait for one, here's a video of the rifle:

All photos used here are from Česká Zbrojovka (CZ).