H&K mod. 93

Were the 93's banned from importation after 1989, like the 91's?

If so, that may play a big part of it. The fact that they don't take STANAG mags or have a BHO is another.

I'm a fan of the platform, but a lot of the shortcomings in standardization and ergonomics conspire against it when AR's are cheaper and far more widely available.

Mind you, many of the ergonomics and operational issues are shared by my PTR, but for me they can be overlooked due to the facts that: 1. The PTR delivers a much more powerful round, accurately and reliably, and 2. there really isn't a cheaper, more modular, better standardized and more widely available .308 MBR than the G3 platform, as there is in the case of the HK93 vs the AR.

If somebody gave me a screaming deal on a 93 (even a century C93) , however, i'd snap it up, mostly due to the familiarity of the HK platform, and the much lower cost of .223 compared to .308.

I absolutely love mine. Everything about it just screams "QUALITY." My biggest complaints are how dirty they get (anyone who complains about cleaning an AR obviously has no HK experience) and the fact that they are heavy tanks (although the 16" MR556 is close to the same weight).

Price is obviously a huge factor with the HK93. At $2.7-$3k for the HK93, you can get a top quality AR15 with the combat optic of your choosing(Aimpoint/EoTech/ACOG), free float lightweight rail, Geiselle trigger, your choice of stock, flip-up sights and a flashlight solution. Said "kitted out" AR15 will be faster to operate and lighter in weight. To be completely honest, such an AR15 makes a better rifle for social occasions.

Video on my more complete thoughts on the HK93A3 vs. the AR15

With that collapsing stock, its screaming SBR!!!! But I wonder what that would entail to maintain reliability? Maybe opening the gasport?

there is no gasport. It's recoil operated.

......But I wonder what that would entail to maintain reliability? Maybe opening the gasport?

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Probably would need a piston too

Oh wow..I know very very little about HK rifles. Looking at it it looked like a gas piston tube on top of the barrel. Thanks for the info!

I have had mine since early 80s. I love it too! I have a .22lr factory kit and a factory Hensoldt scope and mount. It has eaten at least 10,000 rounds and I carried it to hell and back in the Sierras in the 80s and my kids humped it for me in early 90s on hikes. I decided to take it and it's HK91 big brother and stash it in my Oregon place,with a pile of mags and ammo, instead of registering it in Calif. in the 2000 AW ban. I keep the ARs and AKs here I registered in this stupid state nd kept those in Oregon I knew will ALLWAYS work. My HK93 fed everything and never missed a beat. It is not quite as accurate as as some ARs for some odd reason giving 2moa where a Colt HBAR shoots 1" , but I don't have to worry about it going BANG!

With that collapsing stock, its screaming SBR!!!! But I wonder what that would entail to maintain reliability? Maybe opening the gasport?

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The more Oberndorf 93s that get butchered, the more valuable a factory original 93 becomes! For semi-auto applications, there shouldn't be any parts changes required going to HK33 length. The even shorter 53 uses a different bolt carrier, shorter cocking tube, handguard, and recoil spring.

I always wondered how the HK 91 and HK 93 series rifles retained their reliability when they get so dirty. Can anyone explain this? I know from first hand experience that these rifles get very dirty yet retain their reliability.

I believe it's because of the roller-locking system. There's no major angle changes involved in achieving lock up as there would be with a rotating bolt, and no sharp edges to get fouled and hang up. Add to this that all fouling comes only from the breech-bolt junction (no gas tube) and the fact is, you can get the rollers and trunnion FILTHY and HOT and the only result will be a minor change in bolt gap.

The heavy bolt carrier and relatively long recoil stroke don't hurt either. It means recoil energy can change quite a bit and the bolt will still move far enough to spit the empty and pick up the next round. It just may hit the buffer softer.

Also, as fouling increases, bolt gap increases, reducing necessary unlocking force even as extraction/cycling drag increase, so that may act somewhat self-regulating as well.

Good information Driftertank. I always found it strange how dirty these rifles get yet maintain reliability and accuracy. As much as I like these rifles I have to say they are a PITA to clean. There are pros and cons to all rifle designs.

A .45 barrel brush (which i have for my 1911 anyway) does a great job of cleaning the chamber in my .308, i reckon a .38 or .40 barrel brush would be just the ticket for a .223

The only part i find difficult to clean is the trunnion, a good receiver brush or even a toothbrush helps with that. The rest of the receiver group is relatively large, simple parts. Heck, the only autoloading rifle i've found easier to fieldstrip is the FAL.

I usually wipe all my BCG parts down with Hoppe's, Q-tips and a cotton rag, run a few patches down the bore, then wipe a little CLP onto the BCG and throw her back together.

It's the price

I went with a C93 cause I can't afford the HK price tag... I'm very happy measured bolt gap etc. to make sure it was good. It's a tack driver. Only downside is that HK accessories and parts still have the heavy price take even though a C93 can be gotten cheap... feels odd shopping for a precision scope mount that is almost a half the cost of the gun.. but yeah... if I had several K to drop on a gun of course I'd get a real HK. Until then it's a century knock off.

there is no gasport. It's recoil operated.

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There is no gas port, but it's a delayed blowback operated rifle. Recoil doesn't enter into it.

Technically, the bolt head isn't locked to the barrel extension, it just sits there. As soon as the bullet starts moving forward, the case starts moving back, which is why the chamber has to be fluted to keep the case from being ripped apart.

The bolt head has mechanical disadvantage compared to a straight blowback operated weapon, which is how HK gets away with a light bolt and bolt carrier compared to a simple blowback design.

BSW

Love them EXCEPT:

They chow brass
They don't have last shot bolt hold open
Mags, mounts, etc. are pricey

Big fan of delayed roller systems, accuracy is very acceptable. Tend to shoot cheap, steel-case ammo, save my brass for ARs. The one lying around here has gone bang every time I've pulled the trigger, unless the mag was empty.

From what I've heard the HK 93's and C93's will run just fine with the steel cased 556 whereas some AR-15 owners shy away from running the stuff.