CZ Bren 2 vs H&K SL8

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M39MosinGoose

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Which one should I get? Criteria will be that,
1. Has to be non-restricted.
2. .223/5.56.
3. Able to mount bayonet to it or configure it to mount one easily.
4. Able to configure for a 1913 picatinny stock attachment.
 
The Bren will be ready to go out of the box, while the SL8 is gonna need some pretty big upgrades to get to the same usefulness and handiness of the Bren. But it is half the cost, if you don't mind hunting for parts and accessories
 
Spo0nFED said:
The Bren will be ready to go out of the box, while the SL8 is gonna need some pretty big upgrades to get to the same usefulness and handiness of the Bren. But it is half the cost, if you don't mind hunting for parts and accessories
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Half the cost? Brens and SL8s start around $2400. Neither is half the cost of the other.
 
Blastattack said:
Half the cost? Brens and SL8s start around $2400. Neither is half the cost of the other.
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If they want a non-restricted 5.56 version they have to get it rebarrelled from a 8", 11" or 16.5" (which would add $650) or a new drop-in rebarrelling with quick change trunnion for much more, or try to find one on another second-hand gun site which gets crossed out here at CGN or on EE. I don't recall seeing any 18.7" barrel Bren 2 Ms for a little while now.
 
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Bren 2 Pros:
lightweight
AR-15 like
great ergos
takes stanag mags without upgrades
better trigger and upgradable
more aftermarket support

Bren 2 cons:
2 MOA accuracy, you might get better but dont expect it
to be NR has to be modified
factory support may be limited with Bren 3 out now
Price $$$$ NR examples are $4500 ish or more

SL8 Pros:
3/4 MOA or better accuracy with 60 gr ish projectiles
HK legendary reliability
has that cool 80s space gun look
Can be upgraded by HK, tommy gun, or Hera and get some pretty sweet ergos
Doesnt take stanag but can or buy G36 mags which are pretty good as well
Lothar Walther barrel which IMO are one of the most accurate barrels available
Used samples can be had for $2K ish which is a steal IMO

SL8 cons
Heavy
Heavy barrel makes the weight a bit off balance can be machined down, but I dont have reports or accuracy after this
Need mods to make it more field usable $$$
the trigger is absolute garbage (still super accurate despite this)
if no mag well adapter then have to source $$$ mags

I'm a G36 fanboy so I'm biased towards the SL8, I've had multiple examples of both. A restricted Bren for $2800 ish is a decent buy. But Restricted. Once I finished my gun shuffle I'm going back to the SL8 or G36 with a lighter profile barrel and no thumbhole with stanag mags. and no I'm not paying 15K for the TI parts build guns. which IMO is crazy
 
Some weird criteria

Bren
  • No out of the box NR option
  • Only bayo mount option I'm aware of is the ~14.5" model which is obviously R.
  • NR version requires re-barrel which likely won't come with bayo lug.
  • A smith could probably add a bayo lug but I imagine sourcing one would be a pain in the ass. Take off from the factory 14.5 barrel?
  • Haven't looked but I'm sure someone makes a 1913 stock attachment
SL8
  • Out of the box NR
  • There are some HK barrels you can source that have bayo lugs - $$$
  • I think you can even source one by itself but the work required would add $$$
  • Probably aren't going to find a 1913 stock attachment unless it's some kind of weird buffer tube to 1913 adapter.
    • SL8 is a heavy gun, you're going to have retarded balance if you're throwing some kind of 1913 pdw style stock on the end of it.
    • If you want a folding stock, the Hera lower w/ ACR stock is probably a better option.
 
GliderBuzz said:
If the requirement is "non-restricted out of the box", the only option is SL-8.

Bren 2 only comes from the factory with barrels smaller than 18". However, it's possible to change the barrel and that adds at least 650 buckaroos to the cost (Dlask Arms N/R conversion).
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So CZ Arms doesn't make an out of the box NR? I saw on Tesro and RDSC NR Bren 2 in 5.56 but unfortunately out of stock.

Also how good in quality are Dlask barrels?
 
mareshow said:
I'm a G36 fanboy so I'm biased towards the SL8, I've had multiple examples of both. A restricted Bren for $2800 ish is a decent buy. But Restricted. Once I finished my gun shuffle I'm going back to the SL8 or G36 with a lighter profile barrel and no thumbhole with stanag mags. and no I'm not paying 15K for the TI parts build guns. which IMO is crazy.
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Having a NR Bren 2 Dlask barrel, I still feel SL8 is better due to the barrel and service history. But unfortunately ergo is only reason why SL8 isn't well received. If you do a g36 clone build it cost about same or tad more than NR Bren. I was few fortunate Bren owner that paid about 3.4k at pre order times.

Still, I would purchase G36 clone (HK barrel) for the 3k but not something TI build and selling 5k. I have shot TI build and it great but the price is too steep for me.
 
Can't comment on Bren 2 but I have a stock SL8 - great gun. I even find the thumb hole stock very comfortable when shooting.

People get hung up on the cosmetic of turning it into a G36 - I would bet if it didn't have a thumb hole stock it would be more popular.

I put in the the Tommy Built magwell and runs 100% flawlessly with Pmags.
 
I can't comment on the Bren2, since I never owned one but I can comment on the SL8 since I did own one. In fact I waited for over 1.5 years before it became available and snagged one right away.

It's weird...I'm not a big guy and weight distribution is something for which I seem to be pretty sensitive, but I DID NOT find the SL8 (mine was a SL8-5, I think) front heavy. I would think I would notice this since I have noticed weight balance issues (ie. with my former PC Carbine with the aluminum handguard which I found very front heavy). The SL8 seemed to be fine.

I will say this about the SL8 - it was noticeably softer shooting with less noticeable felt recoil. I don't think it was just in my head - I really did notice this (compared to shooting my WK180 and X95). And the accuracy out of the box with just standard cheap PMC and Federal target FMJ ammo - it was a tack driver, compared to my other guns.

Some things I did not like about it:

1. some eyelet loop screw / bolt on the right hand side fell out while I was shooting and the front handguard thing fell off. I set it back, and tightened the bolt and nut and loctited it. I am shocked that that thing came loose when shooting - I did not expect this from HK.

2. This was my #1 beef as I am sure it is many other's number one beef - the magazines are just a dog. Double stacked in Canada, but blocked to 5, and no way to use my other standard Magpuls or LAR15s - apparently I am told there is a way with me either doing some dremel work in either the magwell or the magazines that I had. I decided to pass on that one.

For some reason the novelty on this thing wore off - could be because of the magazine thing (I bought and extra 5 rounder and it was over $100), and I sold it. Like the Kriss Vector, design and aesthetic oohs and aaaahs only last so long...
 
The magazine mod takes five minutes, to be able to use $50 g36 magpuls. Still expensive. Can understand the frustration but I'm just ticked that H&K doesn't make a range toy G36 for a reasonable price
 
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