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

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.