Brownells BRN-601 PROTO AR-15 5.56/.223 20” Top Charge Semi-Auto Rifle
SOLD FOR: $1,825.00
LSB#: LSB250622BR007
Make: Brownells Inc.
Model: BRN-601 PROTO
Serial Number: B6012752
Year of Manufacture: Modern
Caliber: .223 / 5.56mm NATO
Action Type: Semi-Automatic, Direct Impingement Gas Blowback, Magazine Fed Rifle with a Trigger Style Charging Handle.
Markings: The left side of the receiver is marked, “MOD. BRN-601 / CAL. 5.56MM / SER. B6012752 / BROWNELLS INC. MONTEZUMA, IA USA / SAFE FIRE”.
Barrel Length: 20”. Pencil Profile. 21” with Tri-Prong flash hider. 1:12 Twist
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a prototype AR-15 style fixed FSB with a conical sight post. The rear sight is a dual aperture peep sight set into a fixed carry handle.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are a three piece brown polymer Prototype set. There are faint handling marks throughout. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP measures 12.75” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. Overall the stock rates in about Excellent condition.
Magazine Quantity & Condition: One x Brownells 25rd straight magazine in its original packaging.
Type of Finish: Gray Anodized, Parkerized.
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The chrome bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no visible erosion in the bore. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 10/10 and appears unfired outside of factory testing.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 99% of its metal finish. There are faint handling marks throughout. The action has faint wear. The screw heads are sharp, and the markings are clear. The pins are unmarred. Overall, this rifle rates in about Excellent to Like New condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements. Top trigger style charging handles.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: 1x Magazine, original box, paperwork.
Our Assessment: The Brownells BRN-601 PROTO is a faithful reproduction of the very earliest AR-15 rifles designed by Eugene Stoner and ArmaLite in the late 1950s. Before the platform was refined into the Colt Model 601 and later adopted as the M16, the prototype AR-15s featured experimental furniture, early charging mechanisms, and lightweight barrels that set the foundation for what would become the most iconic military rifle of the 20th century. Brownells has painstakingly recreated this historic prototype configuration, from the brown polymer furniture to the top-trigger charging handle and pencil-profile barrel. For enthusiasts of AR-pattern rifles, this model offers a rare chance to own and handle a historically accurate example of the rifle’s earliest form without the unobtainable price tag of an original prototype. This particular rifle remains in outstanding condition, showing virtually no wear and retaining 99 percent of its original finish. The chrome-lined bore is pristine, rating 10 out of 10, and appears unfired outside of factory testing. The brown polymer furniture is clean with no cracks or chips, and the anodized and parkerized finish across the rifle remains sharp and even. Mechanically, the rifle is tight and fully functional, with the unique top charging system operating as intended. It is accompanied by its original box, paperwork, and a 25-round Brownells straight magazine still in its packaging, further enhancing its collector appeal.
For AR-15 historians and modern collectors, the BRN-601 PROTO is more than just a rifle; it is a tangible connection to the origins of the Stoner design that revolutionized small arms. Its rarity, accuracy of reproduction, and near-new condition make it a standout piece for any serious collection of military-style rifles. Whether displayed alongside other early AR-pattern rifles, kept as a pristine collectible, or carefully enjoyed on the range, this BRN-601 PROTO delivers both historical value and mechanical quality. It captures the spirit of innovation from the dawn of the AR-15 platform and ensures that a key chapter of firearms history is preserved for future generations of collectors.
