NRA Gun of the Week: Brownells BRN-10A Rifle

by
posted on May 4, 2019
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **

It was at SHOT Show 2019 when Brownells unveiled Retro Rifles, a tribute to Eugene Stoner and the renowned rifles he created, which leads us to this review of the BRN-10A. Built with modern materials, on modern machines, the BRN-10A is an authentic recreation of the original AR-10 design featuring polymer furniture colored brown to mimic the original fiberglass used. From the bolt carrier group to the charging and carry handles, all parts included are as close to the original as possible while providing interchangeability with some modern AR-10 components. To learn more, watch American Rifleman’s Mark Keefe as he examines a faithful copy of that first AR-10 designed by Stoner in this NRA Gun of the Week video. 

Specifications:
Manufacturer: Brownells Inc.
Model: BRN-10A
Chambering: .308 Win.
Action Type: gas-operated, semi-automatic, center-fire rifle
Barrel: 20"
Receiver
: 7075 T-6 aluminum    
Magazine: 20-round detachable box
Sights: post front, A2-style adjustable rear
Trigger: single-stage; 5-lb., 1-oz. pull
Stock: fixed brown polymer  
Weight: 8 lbs., 9 ozs.
MSRP: $1,699

Additional Reading:
The AR-10 Story
Brownells At-Home Dream Rifle Build: A Lightweight AR-Style Carbine
The Case for the 20"-Barreled AR-15 Rifle
SHOT Show 2018: Brownells Retro AR-15 and AR-10 Rifles










 


  

Latest

Savage Stance XR
Savage Stance XR

Review: Savage Stance XR

Savage Arms reworked its Stance pistol in 2025 to incorporate desirable features not available in the first iteration, resulting in the new Stance XR.

Preview: Die Free Kung Fu Grip

A replacement pistol grip for AR-10/15-pattern rifles, the Kung Fu Grip from Die Free Co. utilizes a reduced (12 degree) grip angle that makes shooting a gun with a short length of pull much more comfortable on the wrist—making it an ideal choice for practitioners of modern, squared-up shooting stances.

The Elusive Finnish Mausers

In the 1920s, the Finnish Shooting Sport Federation sought to replace the military’s venerable Mosin-Nagant. Its attempts to introduce Mauser target rifles as service rifles were eventually thwarted in the 1930s by design limitations and budgets.

The Armed Citizen® Dec. 22, 2025

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

Rifleman Q&A: Point Of Hold

Q: I have always been a rifle and handgun shooter, with little shotgun experience, and I am a little confused about the “point of hold” shown in the pattern illustrations of our magazine.

Preview: MTM Case-Gard Suppressor Protector Case

Secure, rugged and inexpensive, the Suppressor Protector Case by MTM Case-Gard is a convenient way to transport or store as many as three (cooled) silencers up to 10" in length.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.