SHOT Show 2023 Brownells BRN-4: The HK 416 We Can Have At Home [SHOT Show Range Day 2023] David Lane January 16, 2023 Join the Conversation At RECOIL, we review every product fairly and without bias. Making a purchase through one of our links may earn us a small commission, and helps support independent gun reviews. Read our affiliate policy. Find out more about how we test products. TOO POOR FOR A REAL H&K? BROWNELLS IS HERE TO HELPIf you didn’t know, getting a real HK 416 in the USA is hard. Really hard. And expensive. Really, really expensive.Thankfully, there is one good option out there – the Brownells BRN-4.While not new, Media Range Day at SHOT 2023 was the first time we’ve gotten our hands on the complete BRN-4 system. While the one we shot was running a German upper receiver, all of the other parts were Brownells made, and we’re told they will soon be producing the stripped upper, also. Is this a ground-breaking rifle? No. This is a piston system AR-15, basically. Made to a better standard and the same upgrades that the 416 has made famous, this is a great piston rifle – but it didn’t reinvent the wheel. And that’s a good thing.Maybe I’m wrong, but this isn’t built to be the new best thing since sliced bread. This is for the gun dorks and gun nerds among us that want something different. Because we’ve been told we can’t have an HK 416, we want one even more. And I love it.Getting hands-on with it at SHOT was great. This is a smooth shooting rifle that was dressed to impress. The price isn’t cheap, but it’s a lot less money than a German 416. Hopefully, this won’t be the last we talk about this interesting and very enjoyable rifle from Brownells. Why you can trust RECOIL Since our founding in 2012, RECOIL remains the premier firearms lifestyle publication for the modern shooting enthusiast. We deliver cutting-edge coverage of guns, gear, accessories and technology. We go beyond basic reviews, providing no B.S. buyer’s guides, hands-on testing and expert analysis on everything from firearms and survival equipment to watches and vehicles. Our reviewers are the backbone of our operation and come from diverse shooting backgrounds: Former law enforcement, military veterans, competitive shooters, seasoned hunters and plain old firearms enthusiasts. Furthermore, we’re not just gun experts, but dedicated journalists who adhere to the strictest standards of our profession. At RECOIL, editorial independence is the foundation of everything we publish and the cornerstone of reader trust. Our editors, writers and content creators make all editorial decisions independently, free from outside influence. That boils down to: advertisers don’t dictate our coverage, the outcomes of our reviews or what we recommend in our buyer’s guides. First and always, our commitment is to our audience—ensuring every review and article is accurate, unbiased, and driven by real-world experience. Whether you’re selecting your next firearm, upgrading your gear, or exploring the latest innovations in the shooting world, RECOIL provides the trusted insights you need to make informed decisions. Learn more about our Editorial Standards and how we review products. NEXT STEP: Download Your Free Target Pack from RECOILFor years, RECOIL magazine has treated its readers to a full-size (sometimes full color!) shooting target tucked into each big issue. Now we've compiled over 50 of our most popular targets into this one digital PDF download. From handgun drills to AR-15 practice, these 50+ targets have you covered. Print off as many as you like (ammo not included). Get your pack of 50 Print-at-Home targets when you subscribe to the RECOIL email newsletter. We'll send you weekly updates on guns, gear, industry news, and special offers from leading manufacturers - your guide to the firearms lifestyle.You want this. Trust Us.
