This one's for AR-15 pistol and pistol-caliber AR fans! Caleb gives us a detailed look at the Brownells BRN-9 upper receiver. This complete upper chambered in 9mm Luger (9x19mm, 9mm Parabellum) snaps onto a standard mil-spec AR-15 or BRN-180 lower receiver fitted with one of many 9mm magwell adapters currently available. It's also a perfect match for a purpose-built pistol-caliber lower like the Aero Precision EPC-9.
The BRN-9 upper is blowback-operated, and in common with the Brownells BRN-180 upper receiver series, it does NOT need the AR-15 recoil buffer system or receiver extension (aka, buffer tube). The entire BRN-9 operating system is contained within the receiver itself. How does it work? The bolt is connected to a weight above it that reciprocates inside the receiver and works with the internal recoil springs to provide enough mass to enable blowback operation. This means you can easily fit a BRN-9 SBR (short-barreled rifle) with a folding stock, subject to NFA rules.
The charging handle is up front on the BRN-9, and it can be easily swapped between the right- and left-hand sides of the receiver. More good news: it's a non-reciprocating charging handle, so no worries about a painful impact with your support hand while firing, which could be a problem on such a compact upper.
The Nitride-coated barrel is 5½" long, perfect for 9mm ballistics, and the muzzle has ½"-28 tpi threads to accept a muzzle device or suppressor. A handy thread protector is included, if you're going deviceless. CAUTION: Make sure you install a 9mm flash hider or sound suppressor, NOT a standard .223/5.56 AR-15 muzzle device. Avoid the dangerous consequences of a large bullet trying to squeeze through a too-small hole.
The short handguard and receiver are machined out of one solid billet of aluminum, so the BRN-9 upper has a sturdy, stable, "of a piece" feel to it. There's an uninterrupted full-length M1913 Picatinny rail across the top, so you can plant a red dot sight exactly where you need it.
More good news: the BRN-9 upper will work with lower receivers set up to use 9mm Glock, Colt SMG, CZ Scorpion, Heckler & Koch MP5, and SIG P320 magazines, as well as Mean Arms EndoMags. It'll work with a lower receiver or magwell adapter that has a last-round-bolt-open mechanism. If you choose a lower that does not lock the bolt open after the last round, you easily lock back the BRN-9 bolt manually. You just won't have a locked bolt to signal when the mag is empty.
NOTE: Products in this video are to be used only for lawful purposes, including hunting, self-defense, and competitive or recreational shooting. If you purchase any of them, you are responsible for understanding and complying with all federal, state, and local laws that apply to the purchase, possession, and use of these products.
Caleb Savant
