Designed as the first rifle built specifically for MARSEC (Maritime Security) operations, the BR4 Trident is ready to defend against the elements, Somalia pirates or any other enemy that dares to cross its path. Battle Rifle Company: The name alone stirs something deep in the pit of the stomach of every warrior. Although BRC is young by the standards of many manufacturers (founded in 2010), it makes up for its youth with decades of experience. Though there are dozens, perhaps hundreds, of AR manufacturers, you’ll only carry one AR into battle, and BRC claims to have a platform tailored to your needs. Claims are great, but a claim of quality means little on the range and nothing on the battlefield. I was interested in putting the BR4 Trident through its paces to determine whether the rifle was worthy of the name.
BR4 Platform Rifle
BRC’s rifle offerings start with BR4 Platform. The BR4 Platform is the company’s designation for rifles with lengths of 16 inches or less. From there, depending on your wants, wishes and needs, the BR4 Platform may be upgraded to one of nine different configurations. Purpose driven configurations include the BR4 Trooper, BR4 Specter, BR4 Attache, BR4 Odin, BR4 Paratrooper, BR4 SPR, BR4 Spartan, BR4 Diablo and BR4 Trident.
BR4 Trident
I served my time in the U.S. Navy, including tours in the first Gulf War in the ’90s, so the Trident has a special place in my heart. The BR4 Trident is the first rifle specifically designed for MARSEC (Maritime Security) operations and shipboard usage. Built with care to ensure long lasting life in extreme conditions, the BR4 Trident is unlike any other rifle and suited perfectly for shipboard or coastal operations.
But, I am out of the game. About the only time I step on a boat these days is to drop a line or flip a jig, or to be catered to with five course meals and free drinks. So I thought long and hard before settling on the BR4 Trident.
Careful consideration was given when creating the BR4 Trident to ensure no direct ferrous metal-to-metal contact was made throughout the entire rifle. This ensures corrosion-free operation, even after months at sea. Though I no longer require a solid set of sea legs, the Trident would be great for the younger salty dogs who still do or anyone looking for a quality rifle for defense on a pleasure craft.
Likewise, the Trident would be a great home defense weapon for anyone living Oceanside, but for me it was none of these. I have searched long and hard for a firearm suited as a truck gun. Often times, the term “truck gun” is akin to a slander. That’s because self-defense enthusiasts equate a truck gun with a beater. Something cheap that will go Bang! when it needs to.
Here is my thinking: Buy a cheap gun if you have a cheap life. I want all of the quality I paid for, and I want a gun that will perform on demand. However, I want more accuracy than an AK will typically provide, too. Just because I want something that will withstand the elements does not mean I am will to sacrifice performance.
So, to be clear, by “truck gun” I am not talking about something hanging in the back window or a padded case behind the seat. If you are going to secure a long gun in a vehicle, check out any of the quality bed safe systems or cab safes to secure it properly but allow quick access. With these systems, your rifle will not get beat to death or be less than serviceable in a pinch, but it will be subjected to more heat and moisture than it would in your home safe, so the extra element protection built into the Trident are ideal.
18-inch stainless steel and cryogenically treated 1×8 Twist – .223 Wylde Geissele SSA trigger Nickel boron BCG 15” Battle Rifle HEXRail Single point end plate Ergo pistol grip MAGPUL ACS Stock MAGPUL flip-up rear sight Muzzle brake
Range Report
Perhaps it is the excitement, maybe it is a lack of patience. When I get a new gun, I like to head straight to range. No break in; no clean and lube. So my magazines were loaded, and I ripped the BR4 from its soft case and began banging away. With a mixed bag of ammunition, the Trident ate it all. My first hiccup came at round 73 with a failure to feed. Not bad for a break in. I cleared the malfunction, but quickly had more issues. I realized I had a bad magazine and finished out 250 rounds with the remaining magazines without a hitch.
Packing up, I took the Trident home for a thorough cleaning and inspection. Fouling was minimal, so I gave it an appropriate cleaning and lube (from the included sample of Frog Lube) and headed out the next day for accuracy testing.
I’ll call it luck, but the first shot offhand at 15 yards found its mark, taking out the center of the 10-ring with the irons. The next nine follow-up shots were just about as good with a nice tight group. From there I moved back to 25 and then to 50 yards from the bench. The BR4 Trident gave good service from each with tight groups. I did not have time to fit an optic and test for MOA accuracy, but given the performance with iron sights offhand and from the bench, I have no doubt but that it will deliver sub MOA from a variety of ammunition types.
The major components of the BR4 Trident are Cerakote finished including the upper receiver, lower receiver, buffer tube, forearm quadrail and front sight base. Extras include a cryogenically treated barrel, stainless steel fire control group, Nickel boron M16-profile bolt carrier group, stainless steel pins and lower parts, nano technology coated components, stainless steel springs, quad rail narrowed with comfort grip, and F-type front sight base. The BR4 is available in semi automatic or select fire models and free float models by custom order.
It sure seems to be a nice rifle but I’m not sure it’s something I’d spend a bunch of money on . I have a bunch of “low end” AR15s that run like tops and have no problems with them . And can’t count how many times I have had to help someone at my local range clear malfunctioning “top end” rifles . Also as for the AK not being accurate all of my AK rifles shoot 2moa and my 223 saiga is 1moa . The myth that a AK can’t be accurate needs smashed. The problem with reviews like these are saying if you don’t buy top shelf stuff then don’t even bother . That’s dumb because I see it all the time with people who get that new bad ass SCAR or 2k dollar AR15 or AR10 and can’t hit a damn thing . Why ? maybe because they are a bad shot or the don’t have enough range time. Maybe they spent all there money on the rifle and can’t afford enough ammo to train properly. Point is buy something you can afford and afford to shoot offten then go and shoot the hell out of it . Never trust a rifle just because it’s the best of the best. Trust it because you KNOW it works.
The author seems to think that everyone apparently can afford a brand new truck, because he also believes that everyone can afford a top-of-the-line rifle.
News flash: there are millions upon millions of us who are driving around on the roads in 1980s and 1990’s cars and trucks!
We drive these rigs not by choice, we drive them because of financial necessity: we’re poorer than dirt!
It took me 4 years to be able to finally earn enough money to buy a plain Jane, basic AR-15. My rifle cost me $600.
It has a Wylde Barrel, and it is a side charging Style AR. These were the two key elements that guided my decision: within the scope of my budget!
When I pull trigger it does indeed go bang. It even hits the target I’m aiming at when it goes bang!
Growing up way back when, I saw oodles and oodles of Winchester 30-30 lever actions, Savage Model 99 lever actions, and much, much later on, the ubiquitous Ruger Mini-14.
Apparently, the former sailor needs to be educated pertaining to the tens of thousands of dead coyotes, coons, skunks, and yes even deer that have fallen prey to those truck guns, whilst in the hands of country bumpkins, Ranch hands, farmers, cow-punchers, and even the occasional goat roper!
Most of us these days can barely afford Light beer, much less the champagne that the former sailor stipulates we must purchase, if we desire to own a real gun.
Like the old man used to say: ” Yuh does with what yuh has. If yuh hasn’t, yuh doesn’t!”
I’m doing with what I have, and it took me long enough to earn it, and trust me, even though it’s not the former sailor’s champagne level rifle, those on the receiving end will still end up becoming worm food!
Anchors Aweigh!
A $695.00 USD Rifle “BOOST” to Over $2-Grand with a Special “Nickel-Boron Dip”, Yeah Right. I’ll Stick with Stainless Steel…
“..no direct ferrous metal-to-metal contact was made throughout the entire rifle. This ensures corrosion-free operation, ..”
Anyone who lives in a salt water environment or expects their weapons to see moisture will appreciate this.
If you’ve ever spent time aboard a Navy ship, especially an aircraft carrier, you’ll immediately understand and appreciate this. Corrosion is a concern for all; I mention aircraft carrier for the air wing guys as aircraft by necessity are made of thinner, lighter materials and require dissimilar metals are often in contact, thus creating a nature juncture for high rate of corrosion.
For those of the bug out to parts unknown persuasion, this could be of special import as they may need to spend longer periods of time in wet conditions without time or opportunity to frequently clean and oil weapons.