With the Velvet Revolution and the fall of communism in Czechoslovakia, a new Czech Republic immediately looked to NATO membership. This would require rearming the Czech Army with a rifle in 5.56mm NATO. After some unsuccessful dabbling with the Lada/CZ2000 AK platform, CZ began to develop the Bren S805, a modern AR-18 derivative designed by Ladislav Findorak. This was tested against the FN SCAR in 2009, and adopted formally in 2010. A few shortcomings of the design became apparent as rifles became widely issued, and CZ instituted an upgrade program for a second generation 805. This would eventually lead to the Bren 2, but today’s video will focus on just the differences between the first and second generations of the original 805.

Thanks to CZ in Uhersky Brod for inviting me to take a look at these and other firearms in their reference library!