I don’t get excited by very many AR-15s these days. I think much of that comes from no longer being on a SWAT team, where the search for the perfect entry or perimeter rifle is always ongoing. In addition, there are so many AR-15 variants on the market, with so many similar features, that it takes a very special example to get my attention and to fall into the category of “I’d REALLY like to own that.” The Battle Rifle Company BR4 “Paratrooper” Carbine is one of those few ARs that falls into that category.
With a name loosely taken from the original WWII Paratrooper M1A1 Carbine’s folding “wire” stock, the BRC Paratrooper is an M4 Carbine that is as short as is possible for a direct impingement carbine to be. But rather than the side folding stock of the M1A1, which is nearly impossible to mount on a standard direct impingement driven AR-15, the stock on this Paratrooper is a sliding “wire” design.
The Paratrooper’s stock is manufactured by North Eastern Arms (NEA). It looks like the buffer-tube-type stock used on AR Pistols, with the addition of the wire (actually steel rod) stock with recoil pad. The stock has only two positions: open and closed. Its open length is about as ideal as it gets in terms of length of pull (especially for folks wearing body armor). Plus, with only two positions, there is no fumbling for the correct setting as there is with four- and six-position M4 stocks. When the stock is closed, the rods extend across the lower receiver just above the bolt release, but the Paratrooper can still be fired, as the controls aren’t compromised by it. The AR-15 Compact Carbine stock (as NEA calls it) is a bit more complicated than it seems on the surface. The system (which is available as an aftermarket add-on from NEA for $299.95) consists of the stock with recoil buffer tube, replacement recoil spring, and special bolt carrier (the bolt is not included in the $299 price). However, it is solid and works very well with none of the slop you get with standard Mil-Spec adjustable stocks.
But just how much overall length is saved? I measured a standard Mil-Spec DPMS M4-style carbine with 16-inch barrel. With the stock collapsed, overall length was 32.5 inches. With the stock collapsed on the BR4 Paratrooper, overall length was four inches less—28.25 inches! While that might not seem like much of a reduction, it is in situations where conditions are tight—such as in home hallways or outbuildings. The shorter length also means additional advantages for storing the BRC Paratrooper in tight confines—compact automobile trunks, RVs (If I had an RV, I wouldn’t travel the U.S. without a rifle or shotgun aboard), or watercraft.
Other features of the BRC Paratrooper M4 include a 14.5-inch chrome-lined and cryo-treated 1×7 twist barrel, a pinned-on BRC muzzle brake, which increases the barrel length to 16 inches, a lightweight and trim 12.5-inch BRC Hexrail, FAB Defense polymer folding backup sights, an ERGO pistol grip, and a custom ALG trigger. SBR options as short as 7.5 inches are also available. Current chamberings for the Paratrooper are the 5.56 and .300 Blackout. My test rifle was chambered in 5.56.
The flattop upper and lower receivers are both made from 7075-T6 aluminum and are hard-coat anodized. The color of my sample had a subdued greenish gray hue that would blend in very well with many natural surroundings. The barrel has a manganese phosphate finish over its entire length for rust resistance. There is a limited lifetime warranty on all BRC rifles with a remarkable 24-hour warranty repair turnaround time. Judging from the quality of the Paratrooper, I believe the Battle Rifle Company can offer a 24-hour turnaround, as there is not much likelihood that warranty repair work will be needed.
I had some initial concerns about the Paratrooper when I went to the range. The sliding stock seemed like it might be a tad uncomfortable since my cheek rests against the rear of the buffer when shouldered. However, my fears would prove unfounded.
I had some HPR Black Ops 62-grain OTF ammo designed specifically for 1×7 to 1×9 twist rates on hand for testing (www.hprammo.com). This ammo has been a proven performer in the past for me and seemed an ideal match for the Paratrooper. I decided to mount a Lucid P7 4x Illuminated Combat Optic (www.mylucidgear.com) as the primary aiming device rather than using the backup sights. I had previously tested this same optic on an AR and found it to be about as ideal a match as one could find for this kind of AR and its mission.
The Paratrooper handled very well and ran flawlessly, which is what I expected for an AR that exhibits as much attention to detail as the Paratrooper does. I really liked BRC’s handguard and found its slim diameter quite comfortable. No rail covers are needed to protect the hand. I decided to test the Paratrooper from standing and kneeling positions rather than prone since the Paratrooper is set up as a compact CQB rifle and not a precision sniper rifle, even though it exhibited outstanding accuracy, aided in part by the crisp ALG trigger.
The Lucid P7 allowed me to make quick and accurate shots on the silhouette target even at the 50-yard mark. The fixed 4x magnification worked fine at close and distant ranges, and acquisition of the P7 was easy and natural from the NEA stock. The illuminated reticle helped in shot placement, as shadows were developing across the target in the late afternoon.
The BRC is an excellent choice for those looking for something a bit different than the run-of-the-mill AR-15. It would be a great property defense/predator piece that would also be at home when patrolling larger tracts of land in a Jeep or ATV where space might be at a premium. I would have liked to have carried one when I was still on SWAT. MSRP of the Battle Rifle Company BR4 Paratrooper Carbine is $1695. For more information on it and the other AR rifles (and pistols) in the BRC lineup, go to www.battleriflecompany.com.
