Hk416 Special Forces - The latest version, the HK416A7, includes a 45 degree selector that simply moves 45 degrees and half a degree 90 degrees.

The rifle of choice for many elite teams just keeps getting better: how about an upgrade to the HK416, the favorite of many Special Forces?

Hk416 Special Forces

Hk416 Special Forces

The HK416 is one of the newest infantry weapons in the world. Special operations forces from the US to Europe use the HK416. It was even issued to regular soldiers in the U.S. Navy, French Army, and Norwegian Armed Forces.

Heckler & Koch Supplies More Hk416 Assault Rifles To The Norwegian Armed Forces The Firearm Blog

The gun has been around since the 2000s, but H&K hasn't been sitting idly by. The latest HK416A7 includes several ergonomic improvements that take the HK416 to the next level. But what about the upgraded HK416A7 M4? Is it as widely used as previous versions?

The HK416 had the same original controls as the M4 rifle it was based on (the project was originally named the HK M4). An extinguisher that requires a 90-degree rotation to be semi-automatic and a 180-degree rotation to be fully automatic, has only a standard charging handle with a small left-hand trigger and a fairly sweeping "gun". -angle" remains.

The trigger guard is a flat type that goes directly into the magazine from the top of the vertical grip. The magazine itself isn't great, it's a little less than the M4 it's based on. The first HK416s used the standard 6 position M4 stock.

Rounding out the package is a heavy free-floating square rail and a standard H&K diopter drum sight mounted on a Picatinny rail above the receiver. Unlike the M4 model, there is no front sight. The air dam sits below the free-floating track.

Special Forces Soldier In Camouflage Uniform Holding Hk 416 Rifle. Stock Foto

Many variants were developed from the original HK416 design. First up is a new pair of gloves with curved straps and wide bands for a better fit. There's also a new integrated front sight, which is part of the air block and folds away. A flatter pistol grip with smaller fingertips was also added.

In general, these modifications apply to most HK416s sold worldwide. Smaller variants of the type define individual variants adopted by states, usually based on the requirements of the adopted service.

The M27 IAR used by the US Navy retains the rail-mounted front sight and has a longer arm. HK416N uses folding front sight/air block module and short rail. The newest HK416F has a rail sight and a straight guard with no finger vibration. The standard length version of this barrel has a special profile for use as a gas ring for rifle grenades.

Hk416 Special Forces

However, the biggest update came on the HK416A5 in 2008, which included many ergonomic improvements similar to the custom civilian AR. The traditional single-sided charging handle has been replaced with a larger, larger charging handle that makes it easy to charge the gun with a simple flick of the right or left index finger.

Hk416 Assault Rifle Block 3 Set E Tora Bora Mint In Box

The trigger guard has also been extended, and the magazine has been reduced to fit almost any AR magazine, from the famous H&K cutout. A nice repeating magazine and enlarged trigger can be seen on the HK416F.

The bolt-on is also completely opaque, and you can speed it up by flicking the rifle's bolt-on to the left after you're done emptying it. The shorter version of the HK416A5 has an iron sight integrated into the iron, eliminating the need for a separate sight. H&K also ditched the old Diplomat rear bumper for simple lighting.

But H&K didn't stop there. The latest version, the HK416A7, includes a 45 degree selector that simply moves 45 degrees and half a degree 90 degrees. Since the Bundeswehr's HK416A7 contract was intended to replace the G36 in the hands of the KSK and KSM special forces, reducing the option switch to a similar option on the G36 was a logical conclusion to reduce retraining time and simplify the weapons manual. Reduced-angle selector throw switches are popular among American civilians who put them on the AR for faster, more ergonomic action.

H&K also replaced the heavy duty quad rails with a proprietary H&K accessory system similar to the Keymod. This was a questionable decision as it required the customer to purchase custom H&K rails to add fittings to the side of the rifle.

Seal Team Special Forces

Other companies have made M-LOK attachment system rails for the 416 platform. These M-LOK rails have been used by the military. H&K was even ordered to produce the M-LOK rail for the HK417/G28 when it was adopted by the US Army as CSASS.

Despite its general reputation, the HK416 has one major problem. It weighs a ton. According to media reports, the HK416A7 weighs 3.7 kg. It's heavier than most of its competitors, weighing between 2.6 and 3.2kg. The extra weight quickly fatigues soldiers during long patrols.

The HK416 and other short-barreled piston rifles are considered to have slightly stiffer recoil than a properly tuned M4 Carbine. The latest version of the M4 used by elite US military units has a medium length gas tube in the upper receiver. This makes these rifles softer than the HK416. New Zealand's latest infantry rifle uses the same configuration, using a traditional medium length direct gas system for minimal recoil.

Hk416 Special Forces

Finally, while the HK416A7 is another "official" improvement on the HK416 platform, most of its improvements are not entirely new, but are based on similar modifications already introduced in the civilian market. All of these are minor improvements to the gun's ergonomics, and while welcome, don't address the main areas where the HK416 is inferior to some of its competitors. Existing HK416 users may not purchase a new HK416A7 from H&K, but rather a single component or similar that can be installed on their existing rifle.

Hk416 Cqc Sopmod By Psycosid09 On Deviantart

Charlie Gow studied politics and computer science at Grinnell College and is a frequent commentator on defense and national security issues.

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