HK-USA: No new post-AWB rifles

[Nightfall]

There's a news post on the official HK-USA civilian site, mostly about the 2005 SHOT show. But it also reads, in part:

Many expressed concerns over the lack of new products, especially long guns, since the sunset of the Assault Rifle ban. There has been considerable hue and cry for bringing back the HK91, HK93, etc. There was tremendous expectation and assumption that HK would immediately begin entry into the marketplace.

The fact is, the engineering prowess and the machinery for HK long gun product sold 20+ years ago no longer exist, or represent considerable investment and risk in an increasingly uncertain and competitive firearms market. Couple this with costly legal challenges from competitors, and a dollar worth 30% less than the Euro and it is plain that HKI would face considerable challenges to re-enter the centerfire semi auto market.

One of the things that excited me most about the AWB sunset was dreams of new HK rifles. I guess that isn't going to be happening. No HK91, and I would guess no semi G36. If the XM8 becomes the M8, this may be the first time in American history that the civilian public will have no legal opportunity to own the same service rifle that the military uses, even a neutered version. *sigh* Depressing.

 

[jobu07]

If it's true, I think we all share your pain.

 

[El Tejon]

You heard it here first at THR when HK announced the Joejuh plant.

 

[Harry Tuttle]

wait until FN USA announces their 2005 Xmas $ales numbers on semi auto p90s & p2000s

 

[HKrazy]

A disastrous Shot Show display followed by a bunch of lies and lame excuses.

They had a MSG90 and a HK53 in their booth but they haven't had the tooling for 20 years??????

Thats a bold face lie and they must think we are stupid enough to believe it.

My confidence in HK management is between zero and none.

 

[BlkHawk73]

Now I like HK; my 4th model of thier handguns is coming in April. I'm just curious about how many people that complain about no new HK rifles would actually pay the price they'd commmand. The l;ast models were commanding $1000+ prices and they didn't sell to awfully well (SL8, USC). The 91's and 93's and their family command $2000+ prices and the clones go for $1000+. With people wanting everything for nothing nowadays, how many are they gonna sell, especially when dealer get greedy and try to price gouge because of expected demand? You know HK-USA will keep the prices up there, they're HK's after all. Just wait, everyone all hot and bothered about the FN's will complain about he $1000 prices anyways.
Now I'd like to see them have new rifles just as much as the next person but I can see their hesitation in doing so.

this may be the first time in American history that the civilian public will have no legal opportunity to own the same service rifle that the military uses, even a neutered version.

Wonder how popular the AR would be if it weren't adopted by the military...

 

[NMshooter]

FN's SCAR entry will probably be well worth $1200.

The HK-91 etc. are nice $800 rifles.

They can't compete and they know it.

Great engineering team, the rest of the company however...

 

[pete f]

but i can find pakistani g3's for 400 bucks
they are positioning them selves for post bush era.

 

[Dionysusigma]

Yeesh, you people are depressing...

Keep in mind those local companies that have picked up the slack from Hk. J. L. D. Enterprises makes the PTR-91, which is essentially the same thing as an Hk-91--but at a reasonable price and (from what I've heard) slightly better quality.

And then there's Vector Arms. If you want Hk-93/Hk-53s, look here. They even come with the "new" Navy lowers.

Don't forget about Ohio Rapid Fire and their selection of Hk-type stuff ranging from MP-10 copies to Hk-21 MG repros.

Hk pistols are obviously doing just fine. Aside from the G36, the UMP, and the MP7, we're really not doing too badly.

 

[4v50 Gary]

What Harry Tuttle says. When FN makes it big, HK will trail along. Mind you, we need tort reform to protect mfgs from junk lawsuits.

 

[LoadedDrum]

If any one from HK happens to read this, know that I will not buy any HK pistols until I can buy an HK rifle, new.

 

[PMDW]

ranging from MP-10 copies

MP5/10.


The MP-10 is a U.S. made MP5 clone. That is, some guy designed a new looking receiver (looks like of like the UMP) and crammed MP5 guns into it. Don't remember what company it was.

 

[iamkris]

No problem for me. I've always thought HK rifles are highly overrated anyway. Better stuff for less money out there. <flamesuitonagainstHKgroupies>

 

[KurtC]

Remember, the AWB only pertained to domestic firearms. Anything that looks like an assault rifle (non-sporting characteristics) is still banned from importation. That is what gave us the likes of the SL-8 and the USC in the first place. HK would have to assemble the rifle in the US, on US made parts. They could still import the receivers.

 

[ny32182]

Everything I've heard indicates that an 800 dollar PTR91 is at least as good as a 2500 dollar HK91, so I personally have no plans to ever buy an HK manufactured rifle in the current market.

The SL8? Give me a break.

I would like a PTR91 though.

 

[Chris Rhines]

Highly overrated is the understatement of the year.

I recently had an HK93 come through the shop. I can only conclude that the rifle was designed and built by a group of people who have never fired a rifle, know nothing about shooting, and do not ever want to.

- Chris

 

[iamkris]

Hear hear, Chris. HK rifle's ergonomics and maintenance procedures are abysmal. The MP5 is the only weapon worth its salt. My opinion only, of course.

 

[greg531mi]

I guess you don't remember the 770/630 and SL7/6 sporting rifles.
On my wish list is a updated sporting rifle like those....

 

[chevrofreak]

Repeat it with me.

HK is stupid

HK is stupid

HK is stupid

HK is stupid

HK is stupid


I have yet to see anything that makes me think otherwise.

 

[geekWithA.45]

I'm not going to bother lamenting a foriegn company that can't/won't compete in the one civilian market that is happy to plunk down cash en masse for quality EBRs, especially when our guys are cleaning their clocks and eating their lunch.

Onwards and upwards, time to make tracks and leave the dinosaurs in the dust.

What was that Sean Connery quote from The Rock?

"Losers whine, while winners go home and do the prom queen"?

 

[30 cal slob]

HK is now owned by Royal Ordnance, right? No?

Blame the Brits for everything.

 

[HKrazy]

HK is now owned by Royal Ordnance, right? No?

No. It was sold several years ago to a group of private investors.

 

[jeff-10]

I am with Blkhawk74 on this. If there were a bunch of people willing to pay 2k for the rifles, HK would sell them. The fact is that most people complain an AR is $800 so I really doubt the same people would be willing to spend a couple of grand on a rifle. For whatever reason gun buyers tend to be some of the cheapest consumers out there. They just don't like to pay for the high end stuff.

 

[RWMC]

The HK product I miss the most

I wish HK would bring back the P9S in both the original 9mm and .45acp. I owned both calibers once. They shot grreat and were super easy to field strip and clean; even after shooting lead round-nose reloads. Ah for the good ole days to return!

 

[NMshooter]

But would anyone pay the $1200-$1500 H&K would likely charge for a P9S?