Bartholomew Roberts
Member
I'm not even sure that I would agree that the HK416 is a higher quality rifle than the SR556. From what I understand, they both use piston systems and cold-hammer forged barrels. Ruger apparently even managed to build their version without raising the height of the upper receiver or changing the receiver pins. I'm not sure what the HK416 offers that the Ruger doesn't at this point.
The only reason the HK416 ever got traction to begin with is because 10.5" direct impingement carbines don't run well, especially if you need to run them unsuppressed and suppressed or with lots of full-auto. As far as large numbers go, even larger numbers of police, special forces, militaries, etc. continue to use regular old AR15s with great success. Were they duped as well?
As for whether the HK is a rip-off, I guess time will tell. I seem to remember everyone being keen to purchase the H&K High Reliability Magazines at $60 a pop because of their supposed superior engineering. Now that TACOM has cancelled H&K's contract and Naval Special Warfare cancelled their contract as well as issuing warnings about the magazines, it looks like a lot of people bought a $60 magazine that starts out nice; but has a usable service life shorter than a mayfly.
Just to throw fuel on the fire though, the HK416 was just selected as the IAR winner for the USMC, beating out the other entries (including Colt, FN, Ultimax, and LWRC). Although from what I understand, the Colt (an old-fashioned direct impingement version no less) was actually the best performer in the trials. From what I understand, the Colt was negatively impacted by several negligent discharges during trials that were facilitated by its open-bolt design. The concern was that while you might be able to train the Automatic Rifleman so that it wasn't a problem, you wouldn't be able to train the people who would be using it after he became a casualty. The Colt also came in about 4lbs heavier than the 416.
One more point on piston systems - how many firearms have been designed around a tubular upper receiver with no frame rails for the bolt carrier group and a gas piston? I can't think of a single design off the top of my head (except for AR conversions). I wonder why that is?
At $3,000 to $,4000 for an upper (or roughly the price of an entire SCAR rifle, plus an additional $300-$1,800 of accessories), I can't see how you can classify the H&K upper as anything but a ripoff unless you think it will have some future collectable value; because from a practical use standpoint, you are not getting your money's worth.
I'll point out this irrefutable fact once again, there are large numbers of militaries, special forces, government agencies and police around the world using H&K piston driven weapons. Ever think there might be a reason or do you think they have all just been duped?
The only reason the HK416 ever got traction to begin with is because 10.5" direct impingement carbines don't run well, especially if you need to run them unsuppressed and suppressed or with lots of full-auto. As far as large numbers go, even larger numbers of police, special forces, militaries, etc. continue to use regular old AR15s with great success. Were they duped as well?
As for whether the HK is a rip-off, I guess time will tell. I seem to remember everyone being keen to purchase the H&K High Reliability Magazines at $60 a pop because of their supposed superior engineering. Now that TACOM has cancelled H&K's contract and Naval Special Warfare cancelled their contract as well as issuing warnings about the magazines, it looks like a lot of people bought a $60 magazine that starts out nice; but has a usable service life shorter than a mayfly.
Just to throw fuel on the fire though, the HK416 was just selected as the IAR winner for the USMC, beating out the other entries (including Colt, FN, Ultimax, and LWRC). Although from what I understand, the Colt (an old-fashioned direct impingement version no less) was actually the best performer in the trials. From what I understand, the Colt was negatively impacted by several negligent discharges during trials that were facilitated by its open-bolt design. The concern was that while you might be able to train the Automatic Rifleman so that it wasn't a problem, you wouldn't be able to train the people who would be using it after he became a casualty. The Colt also came in about 4lbs heavier than the 416.
One more point on piston systems - how many firearms have been designed around a tubular upper receiver with no frame rails for the bolt carrier group and a gas piston? I can't think of a single design off the top of my head (except for AR conversions). I wonder why that is?
At $3,000 to $,4000 for an upper (or roughly the price of an entire SCAR rifle, plus an additional $300-$1,800 of accessories), I can't see how you can classify the H&K upper as anything but a ripoff unless you think it will have some future collectable value; because from a practical use standpoint, you are not getting your money's worth.
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