Glad that Brownells finally came out with a 13.7" CHF chrome lined barrel upper and a 13.7", 14.5", & 16" chrome lined barrel replacements. My BR-4 upper now has a 13.7" barrel.
Great review. I'm issued a 416 14.5 at work. We're getting ready to phase them out soon due to parts availability. I have a MR556 and a couple HK 416 10" uppers but want to definitely want to get my hands on one of these. It's a tad bit heavy but rock solid under rapid fire. And it's way easier to clean. I think the price is fairly reasonable compared to the real deal.
Well Faxon mad the barrels so I believe that’s on them. Plus I was reading and I think only HK had the hammer forge machine to make the barrels for the 416 and 417.
@@shootintheshtpodcast Yeah only a few companies manufacture CHF barrels. It would have been though hilarious if Brownells contracted with FN to make the barrels. HK would probably not be happy. The reason we can't get actual HK chrome lined CHF barrels in the US is because of German export laws.
Nitride barrels are every bit as good as a quality CHF, though. You really don't need CHF. Nitride barrels will also give you an extra edge on accuracy.
@@seijiroukikuoka5975 Yet the top manufacturers like KAC, DD, FN, Geissele still go with CHF chrome lined barrels. Even LMT, Criterion, and Colt use a chrome lined barrels. Nitride is better than an unlined barrel, but nowhere near chrome lining in terms of longevity and durability. The only reason manufacturers go with nitride versus chrome is that's easier to apply consistently. I'll take a DD barrel over Faxon, Rosco, or BA any day.
@@jonathanwick1265 only because chrome lined fared better with fully automatic fire. Otherwise, there's no point going with chrome lining or CHF. If you plan to go full auto, I won't stop you, but if it's just semi-automatic with fast strings, you're overthinking.
I built a 16” brn-4 before they offered the complete uppers. The brownells upper had a recall so I had to send it back (still haven’t gotten it back yet 6 months later) I bought the legit HK upper and one of brownells 14.5” barrels and haven’t had a problem with it, other than having to get a heaver buffer for the suppressor.
I've been wanting to build one of these, but the short version. Still a lot for what it is, but different than the run of the mill stuff. Watched Adam's videos on this upper.
It’s a great little upper and if I built one it’s be a 10.4 version. I’ve heard of people making the 10.4 a 300BLK which would be a good short and heavy piece, but it would be cool.
I got mine in December 2022. I freaking love it. Brownells was selling build it yourself uppers in a whole kit with HK 416 surplus stripped receivers but unfortunately only offered 14.5” and 16” barrels in those kits. They sold 10.4” barrels separately which I had to have so I ended up spending more buying all the pieces separately to build the 10.4” upper. To complete it I got a HK 416 quad rail from HK parts. The whole upper ended up costing me $1792 but I couldn’t be happier with it! Anyone else not a fan of the Midwest industries mlok handguards that have the little scallops all over it? I think it would look better if they didn’t cut those scallops out and it was smooth like the Geissele rails. I know it’s for weight savings and kinda their signature look but no thanks. I love the MI quad rails though.
I like the scalloping because it allowed for better grip. Now I use a VFG so it really doesn’t apply, but still I like all the small things MI does that doesn’t cost a fortune
A lot of money was spent for something that is a subpar rifle. Any $500 AR-15 will outlast it and will outperform it. On one example the teeth on the bolt carrier broke in under 1000 rounds through it so I hope your's can outlast it.
Almost bought one of these, but I saw a post on Reddit where a guy bought one and there were mill marks all over it. Also, the weight was a big turn off. I ended up getting a BRN-180 instead. It is much lighter, and I like the folding stock aspect.
The BRN-180 is freakin amazing, the tooling marks are not bad on the ones I’ve seen. I think people just love to complain about shit on Reddit. But either way you would’ve made a good purchase
@@shootintheshtpodcast yeah you're right about that. All they do is complain over at Reddit. Really wanted one in RAL8K. Man I love that baby poop yellow 💛!
I hate Heckler and Kuck for how much they hate us, but I still want a 416 upper. Brownells did it right. Once my state returns to freedom, I'm copping the BRN4.
@@shootintheshtpodcast yeah, the piston system doesn't help. That's why the "medium" barrels are gonna be handy. Oh, and, if you're not so clone-oriented, carbon fiber handguards are a great alternative.
Due to the weight of rather run a BRN-180 over both of those options. I love the BRN-4 and the Virtus is also nice, but the BRN-180 is way lighter. But if I have to choose between your two options, I’m take a BRN-4 just due to sig making people its beta testers
H1 with 223 and steel case, H2 for 556 but H1 works with everything, doesn’t even change ejection pattern. Also my H1 and H2 are Geissele Super 42 H1 and H1 so if you’re just running normal spring use sprinco Blue spring and H buffer
The 416 does not have the problem with handguard moving forward, but it does it, when you do not set correct pressure on the set screw for the handguard. Even after heavy shooting and automatic fire usage. So can just be you are not using correct pressure on the locking screw. Be aware, field cleaning of this gun, does not require you to remove the handguard, as the gas system can handle shit loads before you need to start cleaning it. You leave the handguard in place, and just clean the BCG and oil it a little. And even then, you can shoot thousands of rounds before you start to see real gunk build up. IE caking of carbon on the BCG as you will see on the AR 15 DI systems. But the 416 is not a better "civilian" AR vs AR 15 DI. I have both the 416 and 417, and AR 15/18 and I rather take the AR 15/18(brn 180) than the 416/17. However in military service, the 416/17 every time, always! Due to running cleaner over time. Oh and 1:8 through multiple pipes, IE 1:8 18" the 69gr is really good. The 62 and 77 is just like your group at 100 meters. But maybe I just got terrible fabric loads.
Anyone tried the BRN-4 with a BRN-180M lower? Asking because of the folding stock. Otherwise, I have a couple Mil-Spec AR lowers with LAW Folders I could use.
MR556’s are absolutely not going for $6k lol I bought a second one a few months back for $3200…a lot? Yes of course but it’s the real thing..but these brn4’s are literally just as good people shit on them because they don’t say HK on them but literally the same upper get it and don’t think twice.. That’s terrible groups btw mine has better groups than my mk12..maybe I just got lucky..I’ve never used BHA 77 I exclusively use AAC 77gr SMK
Idk mine is comparable to my mk12..nobody believes me when I say this but it’s true it might actually be better precision..this should not be true but…
It’s kinda a 416/ MR556 and I think it’s got great quality. They even have chrome lined barrels for it. It’s a great option for people who don’t want to pay HK prices and all the fun of a 416
An HK 416 costs 800$ to buy in France. (yes, French civilians can own full auto HK 416's. I didn't believe it until I made my RAF friend in France show me.) I'm buying an HK, but they are sub 1000$ rifles. Sorry to burst your bubble. Unless you're paying for finish. If you care about scratches, and tool marks, the HK family is not for you in the first place, despite their perfect finish, because the HK is a battle rifle, not a safe queen. If your HK doesn't have scratches on it, you don't need an HK. I think this BRN-4 isn't bad. Still buying the HK one, but this could easily be identical. I'll likely buy both and test.
