Product Spotlight: Brownells BRN-601 Retro Upper Receiver

What's old is new again! Brownells Gun Tech™ ‪@CalebSavant‬ introduces us to the Brownells BRN-601® Retro Upper Receiver Assembly. This upper is a modern, detail-exact replica of the upper on the original Colt Model 601 rifles adopted by the U.S. Air Force in 1962. The Model 601 was the very first AR-15 / M16 platform rifle to enter service with any branch of the United States armed forces. Our replica is built using modern materials and manufacturing technology, but it is a very carefully detailed replica.
Just like the original, the BRN-601 looks a LOT different from later M16 and AR-15 variants. Up front it has the early three-pronged "duckbill" flash hider, with the correct, original split-ring crush washer. That slim barrel has the original contour, and the chrome-lined bore has the early 1-12" rifling. The non-F-marked front sight post is the correct height to work with the A1 rear sight on the carry handle. The green triangular handguard replicates the color and contour of the original. That original was made of rather fragile fiberglass, but the BRN-601's is made of far more rugged modern reinforced injection-molded polymer. The Delta ring behind the 'guard has the original slim profile, rather than the beefier modern A2 Delta. Even the dust cover matches the contour of the original.
The very even, light gray anodizing on the receiver matches that of the actual Model 601 rifles. Nestled in the rear of the carry handle is the early A1 rear sight with the vertical adjustment wheel - significantly different from the A2 rear - and it is at the correct height to regulate properly with that "non-F" front sight. The charging handle has the original small triangular grasping ears, and it sports the same gray anodizing as the receiver. The bolt-carrier group is hard chromed like the original, and you'll see there are no serrations for the forward assist.... because the BRN-601 has NO forward assist, just like the original Model 601. The upper receiver also lacks the pronounced shell deflector of later models because the Model 601 didn't have one.

[@justanothergunnerd8128]

This is fantastic - I thought y'all stopped production on the Retro line!!! Retro ARs are so much cooler than all the M-Lok overdose going on these days.

[@reciprocal9849]

I'd love to see you guys bring back the full Retro line again. I missed out on it the first time.

[@abitofapickle6255]

Retro ARs are cooler than new stuff.

[@johnnybagofdoughnuts4193]

You brought it back! Awesome. Hopefully the GAU-5 A/A next. Slick side is the best!

[@n2dadarknight]

So glad I picked mine up, I love it. Great piece of Air Force history!

[@milesmanges]

Oh no, i cant make up my mind between this or the brn180 now!

[@spacecaesar7619]

I do wish that brownels would publish the OEMs for their parts, if anything if would makes more nit picky guys like me more comfortable with buying their products.

[@ChristianGrest]

Heck yea! so glad to see these back!

[@Sglass408]

Fantastic!!

[@Dasreichviking]

I am subscribed and have dropped the like. I love this rifle, in the past certain parts of the assembly on the Retros were out of stock. Keep it up Brownells 👍

[@albertptran]

This is awesome, first time seeing that kind of charging handle

[@petesheppard1709]

Before the taper with the M16A2, the delta ring was just called the slip ring. I suppose a non-chromed bore is a bit too retro... 😎

[@LRRPFco52]

XM177E2 had the Delta ring already in the late 1960s.

[@petesheppard1709]

@@LRRPFco52 Ah! Thanks. 👌

[@LRRPFco52]

@@petesheppard1709 You are right about the slip ring on M16A1s. PITA to remove or install handguards. Brownell's used to have a handguard tool just to help lever those slip rings. A new weld spring made it really difficult due to spring tension.

[@petesheppard1709]

@@LRRPFco52 The delta rings can be a pain, too...especially as hands get older.

[@LRRPFco52]

@@petesheppard1709 I beat my Drill Sergeant during Week 1 of OSUT on disassembly and reassembly of the M16A2 because I had my handguard removal and reinstall technique well-practiced.

[@jakeoutdoors9600]

I bought one of these a while ago. I am looking for the matching lower but have not seen one in a few years.

[@h.kochdude9718]

Looks cool, but need a matching anodized lower before I can buy.

[@Catmagician99]

I would do unholy things for the trigger-type charging handle to return.

[@DerWaidmann_]

I can't wait for this to stop being made 6 months from now

[@fscottfscott5369]

Very nice!!!!

[@scotttinsley1993]

Im hopeing youll make the xm177e2 uper . I have the lower , just need the lower .

[@Gonzo4251]

Any plans to make the 601 style lower to go with it again?

[@aviatorgamer3057]

Go to PSA and pick up an H&R 601 lower and a parts kit. Might have to look around for the green furniture but I ended up building mine completely from scratch because Brownells doesn’t want to put these out in 1:7 twist for some reason.

[@camerondawe9949]

Still waiting on the BRN-4 lowers to drop again

[@DamitTucker]

What about the Proto? Where else can I get a charging handle inside the carry handle?

[@clintlautner9542]

I bought the green furniture but was disappointed in the color. They’re a very tan looking OD green. The handguard in this video is what I wanted, much darker and way better looking. Truer to the original. How do I go about exchanging mine for the darker ones?

[@joseemilioperez1]

Will brownells be selling the complete retro lowers? In that green to match the retro upper I just bought.

[@JJheadcharge]

Ya know, the old me would've gotten excited. But what happened to the other retro line? What happened to the HK416 upper? At least the BRN180 stuck around, but I'm not going to bother getting my hopes up for something that'll probably lose support in a year.

[@billcarson1627]

green furniture set going to be available?

[@IAF7]

Brownells did something spectacular to revive the beginning of the AR15 and M16 rifle family. Too bad they won't continue production of this.

[@aviatorgamer3057]

Why would they introduce this just to not continue it?

[@ASqdrnDA]

Is the BCG available with the forward assist grooves? Interested on the chrome finish.

[@oldscratch3535]

You can buy a chromed BCG from lots of places.

[@brookford1206]

Can we get one with black handguards instead of green? Also, will a matching anodized lower be available eventually to complete this upper?

[@-taz-]

I'm pretty sure I saw black handguards a few weeks ago on their site, but it was out of stock. They had the green and also a wooden sort of brown in stock. Now I can't find any...

[@MrBioniclefan1]

I thought the Colt model 601 had a 1/14 inch twist barrel

[@backcountrywarfighter9472]

I'm probably in the minority here, but I would have liked a 1:14 twist just for that little bump of authenticity. Will most likely get one regardless.

[@justanothergunnerd8128]

I love your dedication to authenticity. That would be cool.

[@MiGallagher]

Do you also offer the retro lower? Bad ass 🤘🏽

[@parkerluedtke3353]

$900 for an upper reciever. Yall got my wallet fucked up 😭

[@Sandhill1988]

I bought the same upper 4 years ago from them for less than half of that. I love Brownells but that is pie in the sky.

[@perazadaniel12]

Will they be coming back In stock? Or was it a limited run? Please let me know!

[@ryanthorne5432]

Retro guns are unquestionably cool, but it doesn’t take much experience running one to see why changes were made.

[@unitedstatesirie7431]

I agree. Why bring back the memories of murder when the mind controlled naive U.S. soldiers invaded Vietnam in the 1960's ?

[@YouTubeflakeland]

It's called evolution, sugar.

[@WaitWhatsMyName]

Nyet rifle is fine

[@ryanthorne5432]

@@KZbinflakeland indeed it is

[@LRRPFco52]

Depends on which retros you're talking about.

[@ldbeck4403]

Love the retro look,..tired of seeing All this new m- lok versions they have tlhese days,..Any chance they will ever make a version of the 603 retro version,..having the black handguard furniture and the tear style foward assist & with the later 3 prong flash suppressor,.. just not crazy about the 601 color,.it was used by mainly the special forces advisors / green berets while out in the bush helping the montagnard villagers after they began phasing out the m-14 rifle. after all it is supposed be called the black rifle according to most people who put their lives on the line to protect this country during the later years of the Vietnam conflict/ war,. God bless our troops & the men who serve, both then & now

[@orlandorodriguez4387]

Will it fit on my S&W m&p sport2 or do i have to modify something?....

[@OzarkCherokee]

What kind of feed ramps?

[@chrischiampo7647]

What’s The Price And Is It The Same as The Harrington & Richardson 1/12 Chrome Lined Barrel and Chamber 20” 601 Grey Upper That Palmetto State Armory Has & Will It Match My H&R 601 Clone Lower

[@shadowdragonmusic9419]

Tempted to purchase this…. Would this fit onto a Smith&Wesson M&P 15 Lower? Or am I better off buying a kit and doing the paperwork?

[@orlandorodriguez4387]

Did you get feedback on your question I've got the sport 2......S&W

[@shadowdragonmusic9419]

@@orlandorodriguez4387 I consulted one of my local gunsmiths. Supposedly the S&W M&P rifle series is based on the Colt 610 receiver design. The front takedown pin may be too large for a 601 upper. Otherwise he said it should fit.

[@donsal.t.1765]

They're back in stock??

[@justanothergunnerd8128]

Yeah brother - they are in stock on the website now.

[@donsal.t.1765]

@@justanothergunnerd8128 sweet tanks

[@Paladin1873]

$800? You have got to be schutzing me.

[@goosecouple]

Group size ??

[@chassoto]

Full rifles without the gates? I want to stop borrowing my daughter’s 605…

[@LRRPFco52]

I built a 605 with 1963 and earlier parts on a NoDak partial fence/602 lower. Type D stock, real Colt triangular handguards, shaved bayonet lug FSB, 3-prong FH, slickside upper, pencil barrel, real phenolic resin pistol grip, real ejection port door, real slick chrome bolt carrier, real trigger guard, and matte grey anodized slip ring. Chrome bolt I got from Smith enterprises. I have a 605B in the works as well with a custom engraved and profiled lower. Real furniture, small parts. Almost forgot about it.

[@harrmick6218]

The only thing I was thinking is. Why does the colors on the whole thing look wrong?

[@LRRPFco52]

601s had more of a grey anodizing and brown phenolic resin furniture, that was painted a more light olive green.

[@scotttinsley1993]

Upper i ment

[@jimmieburleigh9549]

Yeah nice but what's the price.

[@goosecouple]

In stock ??

[@brownells]

As of right now, yes!

[@unitedstatesirie7431]

​​@@brownells it will be difficult for many people to match that grey color AR15 upper receiver to the color of their lower receivers.

[@Cobracommander1986]

Release Date Please ?

[@brownells]

Now!

[@linkbond08]

I can see somebody going 'bUt 1 iN 9 iS bEtEr" This upper was designed to work with 55gr M193 and lighter.

[@petesheppard1709]

Then of course, there was the very first 1/14 twist!

[@LRRPFco52]

601s had 1/14" twist. That was the only twist rate barrel makers used on centerfire. 224" bored barrels in the 1950s, most of which were for .222 Remington.

[@petesheppard1709]

@@LRRPFco52 Thanks!

[@SA-xf1eb]

You lost me at the 1/12 twist. Smh. Very good reasons that was quickly changed.

[@brownells]

It was a 1/14!

[@sbirddesmo]

It wasn't "quickly changed", 1/7 didn't show up until the A2 and then just to stabilize the 62gn tracer in artic environments.

[@linksgard2]

modern steels dont have poi shift issues as the originals did

[@SA-xf1eb]

@@sbirddesmo 1/9 did.

[@SA-xf1eb]

@linksgard2 that is not going to stabilize properly a 62gr or heavier bullet.