Is an SBR worth it?

[wyoung]

I have a full length Bren and I'm considering applying for a stamp to SBR it and buying the barrel assembly from CZ after I get the stamp. Are the weight savings that noticable with the SBR? I can't see there being that much difference with just 5" or so of the pencil barrel chopped off. Are there any advantages other than it being more compact obviously?

[nonamehavei]

I do not have a Bren, but I have an SBRed scorpion, ARs, and AKs. And I love how they handle, if I had a Bren I would definitely SBR it, that way you can really take advantage of the folding stock for a nice small footprint.

[GeeMan]

SBR's are definitely cool and are the closest to the original OEM design for purists, however you could also choose to get the 805 pistol and install a folding brace to get about the same thing without the $200 & waiting...  just an option...    I have both the carbine and the pistol, and my pistol is my EDC PDW so in my state that prohibits transporting loaded long arms, as a papered pistol I can travel with it loaded and concealed no differently than I do my Glock 19 (meant in a LEGAL context only, for anyone who might actually think I mean carrying my 805 underneath clothing to conceal it  )...  just something to consider....

My PS1 rides inside an EDC Tri-Zip fight bag that also contains my Level II body armor, a six mag chest rig, and an IFAK...

[WaltherP99]

I have a full length Bren and I'm considering applying for a stamp to SBR it and buying the barrel assembly from CZ after I get the stamp. Are the weight savings that noticable with the SBR? I can't see there being that much difference with just 5" or so of the pencil barrel chopped off. Are there any advantages other than it being more compact obviously?

Just so you are aware...if you are OCD about matching numbers the new assembly will not match. They have their own SN#...

[das boots]

Wow GeeMan.  That is one beauty 805 pistol.

[wyoung]

Very nice GeeMan!

If I go the SBR route, where is the best location on the receiver to have it engraved? I'm not overly OCD but I'd like it to be as unnoticeable as possible in case it doesn't turn out well.

[dbequill]

SBR's are definitely cool and are the closest to the original OEM design for purists, however you could also choose to get the 805 pistol and install a folding brace to get about the same thing without the $200 & waiting...  just an option...    I have both the carbine and the pistol, and my pistol is my EDC PDW so in my state as a papered pistol I can travel with it loaded and concealed no differently than I do my Glock 19...  just something to consider....

https://scontent.bleepc1-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/22448642_10212430753782817_4198056357432833472_n.jpg?oh=6197a97d221dfbfb478214ab60a75281&oe=5A65082C

https://scontent.bleepc1-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/22365682_10212430753742816_9152719122262556159_n.jpg?oh=90a8ed582492ab2c7cfa7c4f09242ab2&oe=5A78D551

That looks awesome!

[Bret]

I have both the carbine and the pistol, and my pistol is my EDC PDW so in my state as a papered pistol I can travel with it loaded and concealed no differently than I do my Glock 19...

I'd love to see a picture of you carrying that pistol.  Seems a bit less carry friendly than a Glock 19 to me.

[GeeMan]

"I'd love to see a picture of you carrying that pistol.  Seems a bit less carry friendly than a Glock 19 to me."


Hopefully you are simply trolling, and in reality aren't as confused as your post portrays you to be...    The context of my statement was meant to convey concealed 'carrying' in only a legal sense...  certainly not physically as if concealed in a holster on my person...  My 805 rides with me EDC fully loaded in a Tri-Zip fight bag, along with my Level II body armor, a six mag chest rig, and an IFAK...  hope that clears things up for you bro...

[armoredman]

To be fair, I have seen a guy who carried an AKM with 75 round drum slung under one shoulder with a trench coat over it. Looked really uncomfortable.
I have carried rifles in covert bags, and in some areas, especially now, that would be very nice to have available, if you can avoid the risk of being stolen out of a vehicle. Some of the smaller bags, like the 5.11 Sling Pack, look just like a day pack, but carry a PDW with relative ease. Here in AZ, there is no differentiating between firearm types for carry, so carrying a rifle concealed is legal. Far more difficult than a standard pistol in most cases, but legal. I would love to have a BREN 805 pistol with folding brace in a Sling Pack, good walking around set up while hiking or such without alarming the snow birds.

[88mustang]

I filed my Form 1's after the ATF decided that shouldering a brace was verboten. I am going to build a AR pistol for HD in next few weeks, if it is ever needed would rather that was confiscated than an SBR

[Bret]

"I'd love to see a picture of you carrying that pistol.  Seems a bit less carry friendly than a Glock 19 to me."

Hopefully you are simply trolling, and in reality aren't as confused as your post portrays you to be...    The context of my statement was meant to convey concealed 'carrying' in only a legal sense...  certainly not physically as if concealed in a holster on my person...  My 805 rides with me EDC fully loaded in a Tri-Zip fight bag, along with my Level II body armor, a six mag chest rig, and an IFAK...  hope that clears things up for you bro...

Trolling?  You said "my pistol is my EDC PDW so in my state as a papered pistol I can travel with it loaded and concealed no differently than I do my Glock 19... ".  So you literally said that you carry it concealed no different than a Glock 19.  After writing that, I can't imagine how else you'd expect someone to visualize what you were trying to express.

[armoredman]

Gentlemen, please stay civil.
Maybe we should start a thread showing how people here can carry rifles all the time - I know a retired Detroit cop who has a cheap AK in a duffel bag in his van a lot...but that's just car carry.
Actually, that's not a bad idea - can you show us your carry setup, if you don't mind?

[GeeMan]

My 805-PS1 EDC PDW Fight Bag. Camelbak Tri-Zip Pack, Level II Body Armor, 6-Mag Chest Pouch, IFAK, Comtacs, Fixed Blade Knife, Multi-Tool, Eye Pro, Gloves, Shemagh, some other small items...

[John A.]

I like you GeeMan.  From what I can tell in your go bag, I appreciate what I see.

Going back to the original post and question, the advantages and disadvantages of SBR ownership can be debated and argued for the next two months.  The ultimate answer is going to be what you are comfortable with.

SBR ownership isn't for everyone.  Nor do I recommend it for everyone.  It takes a special kind of person to go through the work, the expense, and the hassles and aggravation that go along with it.

I think there are some real advantages to sbr ownership too though.  Out of my current collection of 7 tax stamps, only two of them are SBR's.

I do think that AR's are the best sbr platform due to the endless configurations and calibers and such that can be had, but after that, I don't see a problem with going with something different.  This obviously is just my opinion.  But one that has proven true over and over again.

In all fairness, my 2nd sbr was an mp5 clone.  It was "cool and all", but I hardly ever even get it out of the safe anymore and my heart just isn't into it like it used to be.  It is what it is.  A one trick pony.

If you love the bren, and you're one of the folks that don't mind the sbr route, and it's not something that the giddy isn't going to wear off in a couple of years, then yes, go for it.

Otherwise, keep searching for one that you can't live without.  You'll be much happier with it in the long run.

If that's the Bren, here's a link you are going to need: https://www.atf.gov/file/11281/download