HK rifles - .308, .223, or 9mm?

[KW]

For my next project I'm planning on getting a clone reciever and parts and having them built by someplace like IGF. But I can't decide what caliber, or whether to go long or short barrel. I already use .223 and 9mm so hk93/53 or hk94/mp5 style guns would keep me from having to start collecting a new caliber. On the other hand, maybe it would be worth it to have a full-size rifle caliber, and the .308 mags are a lot cheaper. If I go for a 9mm I'm definitely going to file the SBR paperwork - not sure with the others. If you were going to build an HK pattern semi-auto rifle which would you build? Which caliber do you think works the best in an HK style rifle?

 

[Chipperman]

What do you want to do with it? I have HK's in all 3 of those calibers, and they are all fun.

If you do not already own a battle rifle, I'd go with the .308

 

[4v50 Gary]

Go with the one you can get magazines for.

 

[doctorhumbert]

I owned both long HK rifles. They are reliable, but heavy and not very ergonomic. You can have just as fun rifle by buying cheaper AR15 in .223 or FAL in .308. On the other hand HK94 (clone, original is too expensive) in 9mm is in class of it's own, especially if you short barrel it.

 

[blades67]

Get the .308 since you already have a .223 and a 9mm.

 

[clown714]

another vote for the .308

clown

 

[Destructo6]

Go with the .308 and have Jayson cut it down to G3k length. To avoid SBR paperwork, he can also add a long flashhider/brake or a couple extra inches of barrel.

 

[Wamag]

Have a SAR8 greek and thats the bomb baby, RF93 going to get rid of it next year and get a Victors, but next stop is a MP5 clone but by Jayson with POF parts.

 

[KW]

Ok, so the 93 isn't going to do anything my AR doesn't do already. So I'm thinking either a short barrel G3 style carbine (but with a muzzle device to keep it over 16" of barrel) like this one done by Investment Grade Firearms:

Or an SBRed HK94 like this:

I'm leaning towards the 94 because of it's "tacticool" appeal, and because it's generally thought of as being the best weapon in it's class (subguns). Then again that G3K clone looks awfully mean and would give me a full caliber rifle thump(albeit out of a short barrel).

 

[Destructo6]

I didn't know Jayson was doing the baby poop cammo. Here's a non-sbr G3k style (done by IGF):

 

[artherd]

While not trying to start any flames, I don't regard the 9mm as a 'rifle' caliber, though it is a fine pistol cartridge.

350ft/lbs (9mm para) != 1200ft/lbs (.223), or 3,000ft/lbs! (.308)

I would go for a .308 if you don't already have one.

 

[Wamag]

Let's look at how hard they each are to get.
.308 clones are everywhere as are contract rifles.
.223 victors and RF only game in town.
9mm nobody is making the rifle, maybe hesse and bobcat??? and I just purchased the last SW5 receiver from Special Weapons, for a IGF built rifle.
So IMHO try to get a 9mm then move up in caliber. Trust me the 9mm receivers are very hard to find.

 

[Destructo6]

9mm nobody is making the rifle, maybe hesse and bobcat??? and I just purchased the last SW5 receiver from Special Weapons, for a IGF built rifle.

POF-USA has been making noises that seem to imply that semi MP5 (ie HK-94) receivers are in the works. Of course, they would be made under contract from HK in Pakistan. POF-USA already sells brand new MP5 (and G3!) barrels and other HK contract parts.

 

[another48hrs]

If you want a .308 I would go and find and SAR8 or XG3S made on HK contracted machinery. Sometimes you can find a used one for about or above the price (just by a little) of any quality HK91 clone.

If I was going to get one built by IGF it would be an HK94 clone. From all the praise on HKPRO he can make a great clone out of Special Weapon parts and receivers.

I didn't hear anything about POF-USA getting receivers from Pakistan. I wonder how that would affect the number of US parts? If it is true I should've of waited instead of rushing to get an SW5 receiver before they stopped making them.

 

[Wamag]

If you want HK german without the price go for a greek SAR-8. Love that rifle, smooth and very little recoil. Use to think not much difference between HK and clone. I was wrong. As for the HK in .223 there is only going to be one game in town and thats Victors, because as soon as they finish selling the last 100 receivers on hand no more are going to be sold without purchasing the rifle. SW makes victors 93/53 receiver and I think Todd said no more sales to screw Rapid Fire out of the HK business. I do have a RF 93 but the receiver is a century cutdown of a 91. Looks ok, it was my first clone and the sites are crap, going to get rid of it in the Fall. RF customer service is great but I dont think they tested the rifle before they shipped it, couldnt get the bolt to close had to cycle it 50 times to get it going. As for the 94, I'm going with Jayson because right now that is the only game in town. There is talk of Victors and POF-USA making a receiver, but when??? I assume Victors would just use SW5 receiver and POF would make their own. POF might be better but you would still have to get parts and that you need to get some SW- topnotch USA parts. What I'm going to do is SW5 receiver with a POF parts set and a couple US parts for good measure. Jayson does a great job. Here is one hebuilt.
http://www.hkweaponsystems.com/cgi-bin/forums/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=2&t=004512

In the end I will give you the advise I always hear on Gunboards, "Get them all".