SHOT Show 2019: Brownells BRN-PROTO Retro Rifle—The Father of All AR-15s

by
posted on February 1, 2019
brownells_white_prototype.jpg
Last year Brownells shook up the AR market with the release of its Retro Series of rifles with no less that four historically significant AR-15 models and two of the early AR-10 models. For 2019, Brownells has gone all the way back to the very beginning with the new  BRN-PROTO, a rifle based as closely as possible on the prototype AR-15 Serial No. 1 as adapted from Eugene Stoner’s original AR-10 by L. James Sullivan.

This rifle sports a round, brown polymer handguard and grip designed to mimic the appearance of the protoype’s fiberglass furniture. The 20" 5.56 NATO Barrel features a 1:12" rifling twist rate, a chromed bore and a duckbill style three prong flash hider. Other features include a top-mounted charging handle, a prototype-style front sight and Brownells' reproduction of the the straight profile 25-round magazine.

I was lucky enough to get to shoot the BRN-PROTO during the SHOT Show's media day at the range. What I noticed right off the bat is how light and handy the rifle is. It also sounds a little different and I'm interested in finding out why. The BRN-PROTO is listed as #078-000-468 at Brownells.com and retails for $1,299.99.

Latest

Forehand & Wadsworth British Bull-Dog right-side view nickel-plated gun revolver with black grip
Forehand & Wadsworth British Bull-Dog right-side view nickel-plated gun revolver with black grip

I Have This Old Gun: Forehand & Wadsworth British Bull-Dog

Many eagle-eyed NRA members viewing the 1993 Western “Tombstone” no doubt recognized the Forehand & Wadsworth British Bull-Dog so deftly welded by actress Joanna Pacula, portraying Big Nose Kate, during a contemptuous card game between Doc Holliday and Ed Bailey.

Medal Of Honor Marine Receives Henry Repeating Arms Tribute

Henry Repeating Arms presented a Spirit of the Corps 250th Anniversary Tribute Edition rifle to Maj. Gen. Livingston for going above and beyond the call of duty on May 2, 1968, during the Battle of Dai Do in Vietnam.

Preview: Duramag 1911 DS Magazines

Duramag’s 1911 DS Magazines are compatible with numerous 9 mm Luger-chambered 2011-style handguns on the market.

Colt Monitor: The FBI’s “Fighting Rifle”

In the years between the World Wars, a rare variation of the Browning Automatic Rifle proved its reputation as an effective, devastating automatic rifle for combat between the country’s lawmen and its outlaws.

The Armed Citizen® May 19, 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.

Report Shows Inventory, Prices Have Dropped At Firearm Retailers

Nearly all gun and related gear inventories at retailers dropped in the last 12 months. So have most prices paid at the counter, according to the year-over-year comparison detailed in the latest RetailBI report.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.