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

by
posted on February 1, 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. **
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

Kimber 2K11
Kimber 2K11

Review: Kimber 2K11

The 2011-style pistol was designed to address the capacity limitations of the single-stack M1911 platform, and Kimber's approach to the concept is its 2K11, a competition-ready offering with several notable features.

Favorite Firearms: A High-Flying Hi-Standard “A-D”

Manufactured in New Haven, Conn., in late 1940, this Hi-Standard pistol was shipped as a Model “A,” but a heavier Model “D” barrel was installed later to replace the original, light barrel, leading one American Rifleman reader to call it a Model “A-D.”

Ruger Helps Families In Need Through The Kids & Clays Foundation

In the effort to help tens of thousands of critically ill children and their families across the nation through local Ronald McDonald Houses, Ruger is among some of the industry’s foremost Platinum-level sponsors of The Kids & Clays Foundation.

Unlocking The Future: Smith & Wesson's "No Lock" Revolvers

The future is shaping up to be a good one for fans of Smith & Wesson revolvers. The iconic American company had released 14 new models thus far in 2025 at the time this was written mid-year. And, with one exception, they have all shared a common feature—no internal lock.

The Armed Citizen® Oct. 6, 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.

FEMA Notes Decline In Disaster Preparedness

A recent report from the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) noted a decline in local government preparedness for natural disasters, putting increased pressure on individuals to prepare themselves for emergencies.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.