Modified CZ Bren 2S

• Modified to take AK mags
• SureFire SOCOM762-Mini suppressed
• Chambered in 7.62x39mm

If you have read any of the articles I’ve written for UN12, you’ll know that my preference is for military clones and AK-style firearms. As such, the people I usually talk with about firearms have similar taste. My buddy Tom is no exception. His collection of AKs and C&R firearms is quite impressive. On the AK front we have a very similar collection, so I am not really used to being surprised by anything he takes out of the safe. The other day was definitely different.

We were discussing AKs that were “not AKs” and out comes a CZ Bren 2S. I was familiar with the Bren family of firearms but mostly those of the 5.56mm variety. Tom enlightened me on the differences between the Bren 2S and 2MS models, which are more readily available.

The Bren 2S was a short run of firearms that came in just before the Bren 2MS hit the market. The “S” variant is a little less modular than the “MS” version as it does not have the removable forearm. When I asked Tom why he picked up this firearm, his reply was, “I was trying to clone the French National Gendarmerie Intervention Group (GIGN) service rifle, the CZ 806 Bren 2 in 7.62x39mm. Unfortunately, the limited numbers of the 2S models that came in made finding the correct barrel length difficult, and the BE Meyers MAWL laser device that the GIGN uses was just out of my budget.”

Tom continued on to detail the unexpected relief he felt when he realized that he was not in a position to make an exact clone of the GIGN-version CZ. That was one clone that was out of reach, but it did inspire him to move on to a custom build heavily influenced by the Bren 2. He was freed up to change and adapt the firearm with parts that were actually obtainable and more affordable.

Having already acquired a Trijicon battery-powered ACOG, he stuck with that for an optic. He then paired that with a Steiner DBAL-I2 laser device and SureFire M300V Mini Scout weaponlight. “I was looking for something compact that would not be out of place on this gun,” Tom told me, referring to the SureFire Mini Scout. To tie it all together, he used a TNVC TAPS switch that allows him to activate the light and laser all with a single dual-button interface. To keep the wires from the DBAL-I2 and M300V hidden away and protected, he found that a couple of wire management rail covers made by Strike Industries were perfect for the job.

Now for the biggest change to this firearm. Tom swapped the standard CZ Bren 2 lower receiver for a Lingle Industries AK mag compatible lower. This change allows him to use standard AK-pattern magazines instead of the proprietary CZ ones. You do lose the last round bolt hold open with this lower, which isn’t a deal-breaker for seasoned AK users such as Tom. The trade-off for being able to use his large collection of AK mags made this switch a no-brainer. Tom also says there’s something damned sexy about a gun that uses AK mags, and we couldn’t agree more.

On and in the Lingle Industries lower, Tom installed an ALG ACT trigger and a Magpul MOE K grip. He also installed a Magpul RVG on the handguard for some added weapon control. To clear the way for AK mags to be able to rock out of the magwell, he custom-contoured the handstop with an angled cut using a few simple swipes from a hacksaw and sanding with a Dremel. “It’s simple and it works,” he says of his RVG.

To keep things quiet at the range, Tom chose to use a SureFire SOCOM762-Mini sound suppressor and its quick-attach WarComp suppressor adapter on the GIGN service rifle inspired build. The WarComp is actually both a flash hider and a suppressor adapter that boasts effective flash reduction and significantly reduces muzzle rise for faster follow-up shots.

Although this CZ ended up not being a clone per se, it did turn into a really nice build nonetheless. Tom’s customized rifle has the basic look of a GIGN CZ 806 Bren 2, and thanks to its use of AK mags it’s sure to be a favorite at the range. Speaking of which, we have not had a proper AK range day in a while. When we do head out next, this non-clone will be high on my list of things to convince Tom to bring out.  

Build Sheet

Modified CZ Bren 2S

Specifications
Base Rifle: CZ Bren 2S
Caliber: 7.62×39
Capacity: 30+1 
Min. Length: 31 in.
Max. Length: 34 in.
Weight Unloaded: 8 lbs, 13 oz. 
Barrel Length: 11.0 in.

Featured Accessories
Optic: Trijicon ACOG TA02
Weaponlight: SureFire M300V
Laser: Steiner DBAL-I2
Suppressor: SureFire SOCOM762-Mini

Parts & Accessories: Lingle Industries AK mag compatible lower, TNVC TAPS switch, SureFire WarComp, Preston Precision Picatinny rail set, Strike Industries Strike Multidirectional Picatinny rail covers