With many of our M16/M4 rifles reaching the end of their service lives, we have to find an affordable, acceptable solution, now. Utilizing this inspiration, Heckler & Koch (HK) has been working on an enhanced carbine that would outperform all current competition grade 5.56mm carbines in effort to provide superior performance after the incredibly successful mid-life upgrades to the British SA80 (L85/L86) Weapons System. And now, HK has stepped up to the plate with their newest enhanced carbine -- the HK416.

The HK416 operates on a short-stroke piston gas system that does not introduce propellant gases back into the weapon's interior, therefore reducing carbon fouling and cleaning time. This gas system is not sensitive to barrel length or ammunition changes, and has user-removable components. The HK416 also has a free-floating fore end with an innovative 4-quadrant rail system designed by HK. This enables all current accessories to be fitted to the weapon. The fore end can be removed and reinstalled without tools, and with no loss in zero. This weapon utilizes one of HK's famous cold hammer-forged barrels, which provides a substantial increase in reliability, service life, and operator safety. These barrels are forged with the highest quality steel in a unique manufacturing process. This produces a product that provides superior accuracy for greater than 20,000 rounds with minimal degradation of accuracy and muzzle velocity.

HK has produced a new high-reliability steel magazine, which is designed to fit any of the STANAG-compatible rifles. Originally developed for the British L85 and L86 weapons, the performance of this curved, 30-round magazine was tested by select U.S., UK, and German forces in three different environments during the firing of more than half a million rounds. These tests showed a 30 to 50 percent improvement over the existing aluminum and polymer magazines currently in the U.S. inventory.

After evaluations by both German and U.S. forces, it has been determined that the HK416 is definitely a contender to become the next generation of assault carbines. There are reports that a number of U.S. forces in Iraq and Afghanistan are already using HK416 carbines. Initial reports from the field show the HK416 performs superbly.


The HK416 made its first appearance at the Armed Forces Journal's 2005 Shootout at Blackwater. Evaluators were nearly unanimous in their praise for HK's newest creation. One evaluator had this to say -- “I was amazed at the cleanliness of the bolt and chamber. It's a solid, reliable platform -- a combination of tried-and-true technology with new innovations … keeps the gun cooler, reducing prospects of an inadvertent full auto. And the new MP5 sights are adjustable for range -- a long-overdue improvement.”

It was also noted by another evaluator that after one and a half cases of ammo, there was very little heat transfer to the bolt and the bolt face was still clean. Yet another evaluator commented, "An absolute joy to shoot. More reliable, accurate, clean, cool -- what is there not to like? This upper and this magazine should be the replacement for the M-16/M-4 right now. The steel magazine, closed gas system, and short-stroke piston solve many of the current problems with the M-16/M-4 series, and represent a more effective, better and much less expensive solution to our weapons needs than the XM-8 ... At a time when many of our rifles and carbines have reached the end of their service lives, replacing the uppers and magazines with H&K's M416 components would seem to be a very logical move."

One evaluator paid the HK416 the ultimate compliment -- "Fantastic. If I could take any weapon out of here today to combat, it would be this one."

How do you think the HK416 compares with the M468 and XM-8?

HK416 Specifications

Caliber:
5.56 x 45mm NATO

Builder:
Heckler & Koch

Weight:
7.3 lbs (D10RS model)


Overall Length:
27.0" (D10RS model)

Barrel Length:
10.5" (D10RS model)"

Rate of Fire:
Cyclic: 700-900 rpm


Rate of Twist:
1 in 7 inches


Barrel Life:
20,000 rounds mininum


Trigger Pull:
4.5-6.0 lb.

Magazine Capacity:
20-30 rounds

http://www.military.com/soldiertech/0,1463...=soldiertech.nl

what do you think guys?? :armywink:

I'm not sure though if this is the same rifle being sued by I think Colt(?) with regards to the design.

saver, i think the Colt lawsuit was for trademark infringement, meaning the trouble was with the name and marketing of the product, not its internal design - the confusion is because two companies were the subject of Colt's complaint, apparently the patent violations were addressed to the other company involved, not H&K. so, nothing is stopping H&K from selling this design.

sounds good, a product derived from a live military program, not just a pr exercise. if the system does perform as advertised, very interesting. question: since a receiver kit is being offered, would it be worthwhile to upgrade the PA's existing weapons in a similar manner, or

there's supposed to be a version in 7.62, no reason why a whole family of weapons (regular AR, SAW/LMG) can't be based on this.

:thumb: ayos to, GKB.

"same look and feel" is not the same as "same design", whatever definition Colt means by "identical", i don't think it's identical to what you see in a dictionary :armywink:

Thanks Bro :armywink:

In saw spiderwebb's posted pictures of assault rifle with camera. it looks impressive and effective you can fire your rifle even without looking.

Since innovation and ingenuity is the name game, can the AFP instead use a camera cellphone with Mpeg capability mounted in our M16 rifle? it would be cheaper especially since the prices of camera cellphone are dropping.

Hello??? Why would you put a phone on a gun ? are you kidding?

cellphone cameras in a gun man what would they think next... :headbang: