First Look: Brownells Retro 4X Carry Handle Optic

In a market filled with look-alike AR-15s. the Brownells Retro line of AR-15s (reviewed here by Shooting Illustrated) has become a popular option for gun owners who want an AR platform gun which stands out from the crowd. Essential to the retro looks is an A2-style carry handle on the upper receiver, rather than the Picatinny rail that is so common to today’s AR-style firearms. The new Retro 4x Carry Handle Optic from Brownells is the perfect accessory for owners of other Retro rifles from Brownells or anyone looking to add an optic to a rifle with an A2 carry handle.

The Brownells Retro 4X Carry Handle Optic is designed with fans of the Brownells Retro Rifles in mind and is now in-stock and shipping to customers. First announced in January during the 2019 SHOT Show, the Retro 4X Carry Handle Optic is now available for sale, and closely replicates the look and performance of the original Colt scope found on early models of AR-15-style rifles and carbines.

Built with high-quality Japanese glass and designed to the original factory specifications, the scope ships with the correct mounting clamp. As an added nod to a classic optic, it also includes  the correct inspection sticker on the underside of the scope. The Retro 4X Carry Handle Optic fits Brownells Retro Rifles chambered in 5.56 NATO with a mounting hole in most A2-style carry handles. The scope will not the Brownells .308 Retro Rifles (read the review of the BRN-10 here) or the 5.56 Brownells Proto rifle, as they do not have the required mounting hole in the carry handle.

The reticle on the Retro 4X Carry Handle Optic has a ballistic-drop compensating feature that is calibrated for the trajectory of modern 5.56 NATO ammunition. The scope also has elevation adjustments marked in 100-yard increments out to 500 yards.

MSRP for the Brownells Retro 4X Carry Handle Optic is $299.99. For more information, visit brownells.com.