I own the 11in 556 model so not an 8in but close enough.
The firearms itself is a well built, smooth firing pistol/rifle and I throughly enjoy shooting mine. Controls are solid, action is super smooth, cleaning/breakdown is great and simple. It’s a fun firearm and it’s not an AR or AK.
Regarding Handguard. You can keep it 100% stock if you like, people change it out due to its small size and Mlok locations. Most popular option seems to be HB industries MLok handguards. I had this for awhile and they are pretty good except it makes it a tad difficult to get the gas plug out. Other option is the CZ USA Bren 2 922r Kit handguard. Basically a small OEM MLok hand guard that is similar to the one on their Carbine model, but smaller to fit the gas plug on the pistol models. Then there’s also the option just to install 1913/pictanny rails over the existing handguard, p2precision or something makes them.
Folding brace… okay the firearm in its original state has a folding buttstock that is the rear end cap/piece for the upper receiver (just like a scar), also it locks in place under the shell deflector. Due to import laws they replaced the folding buttstock with some cap piece and put in a AR buffer tube slot so you could easily mount a SB Tactical arm brace because it’s a “pistol” and not a “rifle”. It’s not part of the design, it’s a bandaid for our stupid import laws. Rifles require “X” amount of American made components, pistols don’t.
This end cap piece is wobbly and honestly just needs to go. It’s the budget solution and it feels like it, yes you can shimmy it with washers. There are some adapters out there but I have yet to try them myself such as the Dan Hagas ACR adapter, or 1913/pictanny adapter (for 1913 triangle folding brace). Or you can order the 922r kit from CZ USA webstore and get the OEM BR stock (stock on the carbine model) and Tehn you buy the Dan Hagas Tailhook adapter and install a mod1 on the OEM BR stock. The other OEM option is what is called the “waffle stock”. That’s the OG stock and you can order it from Czechia for like $275… or find it stateside for sale on places like gun broker. So several options I went the OEM route with Dan Hagas adapter and it’s honestly perfect, functions 100% like the OEM stock without the LOP adjustment since it has a Tailhook.
Personally for me other issue is the stock trigger “bow”. It’s plastic and has way too much over travel. HB industries trigger bow fixes it, plus I added the safety and charging handle from them. Trigger is needed the other 2 are just extra, stock stuff works fine. The trigger bow from HB industries has this shape to it to prevent over travel and lines up perfect with the reset.
So basically if you buy a Bren 2 MS pistol, I highly suggest you just order the 922r kit from the CZ USA web store for $275. Get the OEM BR stock and MLok handguard that fits the platform correctly in the kit. Then choose whether to SBR or go Dan Hagas Tailhook adapter to keep it a pistol. With the OEM stock and Tailhook adapter it folds and stows just like the normal.
