The BREN 805 was what I had before I owned any AR model. It has a great trigger and dead bang reliable, but heavier than most ARs I've handled. It is sweet shooting and fun, I can tell you that, with no ear SPROOIINNNGG. Of course, putting the Strike flatwire spring in the AR helped a great deal.
The biggest downfall of the BREN 805 is that it is an orphan, imported for two years, limited support ad accessories. Fantastic rifle, but what's here is what's always going to be here.
The BREN 2 I am drooling over, though I can't figure out if I want to sell blood plasma for the BREN 2 carbine, or the BREN 2 BR in 308...it's a hard toss up, really. Every report shows great, but the numbers in the US are exactly 300 of the first models, which are not going to be the US made models. I am, of course, dead set on getting one...even if I have to crawl into the blood plasma store one...last...time...
Starting with an AR can save you a ton of money - Palmetto State Armory has KILLER deals all the time now, as it is the salad days of ARs. You can buy the Freedom upper and Freedom lower together and get a rifle only needing a rear sight or optic for right about $350. Or build your own, if you dare - I had a VERY good buddy who put both of mine together for pennies on the dollar with many donated parts, and I learned more about the workings of the AR than I would have buying one pre-assembled. However, if you don't know someone with tools and know how, that could quickly spiral out of control money wise, buying tools, vise, etc. AR15s have been sold continuously in the US since 1963, and are called the Barbie Doll for men due to the insane number of aftermarket components/upgrades/options/whiz bang stuff available. Do understand, I am NOT knocking the BREN in any way shape or form - I
AM the CZ guy, after all, and I won't part with my 805 without one HECKUVA fight...but if you have never, ever had an Modern Sporting Rife, an AR is a great way to get into it on the cheap, and then move right into the BREN. You will also appreciate the excellent BREN trigger when you get it over the milspec stock AR trigger...which you can also upgrade.
Does that confuse things nicely?