Firearms / Assault rifles / HK 416
HK 416
General Facts
- TYPE
Assault rifle - ORIGIN
Germany - NICKNAMES
HK M4 (early designation) - DESIGNED
Late 1990's - DESIGNER
Heckler & Koch - PRODUCTION
2004 - present - PRODUCERS Germany - Heckler & Koch
- QUANTITY
Unknown - UNIT COST
Unknown - CHARACTERISTICS
Rugged and reliable
Easy to mount accessories
Very ergonomic
Expensive
Heavier than M4
Introduction
The HK 416 is an assault rifle of German origin. It was developed by Heckler & Koch in the 1990's as an upgrade package for the M4, but is also offered as a complete weapon. It combines the succesful design and modularity of the M4 with the more reliable gas piston design. The HK 416 is also more ergonomic than the standard M4, although it is much heavier.
Design
The HK 416 can be considered a product improved M4 carbine. The most notable improvement is the change from a direct impingement system to a short stroke gas piston, with improved reliability as a result. Other improvements over the standard M4 are a more ergonomic retractable shoulder stock and pistol grip, quad accessory rails and more reliable steel magazines. The HK 417 is a modified version of the HK 416 that fires the more powerful 7.62x51mm NATO round.
Firepower
The HK 416 fires the 5.56x45mm NATO round from a 30 round magazine. It is a select fire weapon with a cyclic rate of fire of about 850 rpm. The new gas piston design slightly lowers accuracy compared to the M4, but this is compensated by a thick cold hammer forged barrel. The effective range is about 200 meters for the ultra short models, 300 meters for the intermediate models and 400 meters for the full length model. The HK 417 fires the powerful 7.62x51mm round from 20 round translucent magazines. The HK 417 has a better effective range and may be used as a designated marksman rifle. An AG36, XM320 or M203 under barrel grenade launcher can be added to both models.
Users
The HK 416 is in use with various law enforcement and special forces units worldwide and has been adopted by Norway as it standard issue rifle. The IAR variant has been adopted by the US Marine Corps. The HK 417 is also in use with various forces in small quantities as a battle rifle or designated marksman rifle.
HK 416C
The HK 416C is the most compact version of the HK 416 series. It was developed as a personnel defense weapon for a US requirement. The HK 416C has a very short barrel for a 5.56mm weapon and a different buttstock to reduce the length even more. Compared to the other HK 416 models it has a lower rate of fire and different flash hider.
- Specifications:
- HK 416C
| Type | Assault rifle |
|---|---|
| Caliber | 5.56x45mm NATO |
| Magazine | 20, 30, 100 rounds |
| Operation | Gas operated, short stroke gas piston, rotating bolt |
| Fire selector | 0-1-F |
| Rate of fire | 700 rpm |
| Barrel length | 228 mm |
|---|---|
| Rifling | 6 grooves, 178 mm right hand twist |
| Muzzle velocity | 730 m/s |
| Stock | Retractable |
| Length | 690 mm / 560 mm |
| Width | 78 mm |
| Height | 236 mm |
|---|---|
| Weight | 2.95 kg empty, 3.57 kg loaded |
| Sights | Iron sights, post front and diopter rear, optional optical sights |
| Remarks | - |
HK 416
The most popular models of the HK 416 are the short barrel models. The HK 416 D10 has a very short barrel that does not extend beyond the forearm. The HK 416 D14.5 has a slightly longer barrel while remaining effective close quarter combat.
- Specifications:
- HK 416 D10
- HK 416 D14.5
| Type | Assault rifle |
|---|---|
| Caliber | 5.56x45mm NATO |
| Magazine | 20, 30, 100 rounds |
| Operation | Gas operated, short stroke gas piston, rotating bolt |
| Fire selector | 0-1-F |
| Rate of fire | 850 rpm |
| Barrel length | 264 mm |
|---|---|
| Rifling | 6 grooves, 178 mm right hand twist |
| Muzzle velocity | 788 m/s |
| Stock | Retractable |
| Length | 797 mm / 701 mm |
| Width | 78 mm |
| Height | 240 mm |
|---|---|
| Weight | 3.02 kg empty, 3.64 kg loaded |
| Sights | Iron sights, post front and diopter rear, 371 mm sight radius, optional optical sights |
| Remarks | - |
| Type | Assault rifle |
|---|---|
| Caliber | 5.56x45mm NATO |
| Magazine | 20, 30, 100 rounds |
| Operation | Gas operated, short stroke gas piston, rotating bolt |
| Fire selector | 0-1-F |
| Rate of fire | 850 rpm |
| Barrel length | 368 mm |
|---|---|
| Rifling | 6 grooves, 178 mm right hand twist |
| Muzzle velocity | 882 m/s |
| Stock | Retractable |
| Length | 900 mm / 804 mm |
| Width | 78 mm |
| Height | 240 mm |
|---|---|
| Weight | 3.49 kg empty, 4.11 kg loaded |
| Sights | Iron sights, post front and diopter rear, 371 mm sight radius, optional optical sights |
| Remarks | - |
HK 416
The HK 416 is also available as a full size assault rifle. The HK 416 D16.5 has the longest barrel of the three short handguard models. The HK 416 D20 has the longest barrel of all HK 416 models. The barrel has the same length as the full size M16A4. Therefore the HK 416 D20 also has a longer handguard and sight radius.
- Specifications:
- HK 416 D16.5
- HK 416 D20
| Type | Assault rifle |
|---|---|
| Caliber | 5.56x45mm NATO |
| Magazine | 20, 30, 100 rounds |
| Operation | Gas operated, short stroke gas piston, rotating bolt |
| Fire selector | 0-1-F |
| Rate of fire | 850 rpm |
| Barrel length | 419 mm |
|---|---|
| Rifling | 6 grooves, 178 mm right hand twist |
| Muzzle velocity | 890 m/s |
| Stock | Retractable |
| Length | 915 mm / 855 mm |
| Width | 78 mm |
| Height | 240 mm |
|---|---|
| Weight | 3.56 kg empty, 4.18 kg loaded |
| Sights | Iron sights, post front and diopter rear, 371 mm sight radius, optional optical sights |
| Remarks | - |
| Type | Assault rifle |
|---|---|
| Caliber | 5.56x45mm NATO |
| Magazine | 20, 30, 100 rounds |
| Operation | Gas operated, short stroke gas piston, rotating bolt |
| Fire selector | 0-1-F |
| Rate of fire | 850 rpm |
| Barrel length | 505 mm |
|---|---|
| Rifling | 6 grooves, 178 mm right hand twist |
| Muzzle velocity | 917 m/s |
| Stock | Retractable |
| Length | 1.037 mm / 941 mm |
| Width | 78 mm |
| Height | 240 mm |
|---|---|
| Weight | 3.86 kg empty, 4.48 kg loaded |
| Sights | Iron sights, post front and diopter rear, 528 mm sight radius, optional optical sights |
| Remarks | - |
HK 417
The HK 417 is a version of the HK 416 that fires the 7.62x51mm NATO round. It uses proprietary transparent 10 and 20 round magazines. As with the HK 416 the HK 417 is available in a variety of barrel lengths. The HK 417 D12 has the shortest barrel and is suitable as an entry weapon or battle rifle.
- Specifications:
- HK 417 D12
| Type | Battle rifle |
|---|---|
| Caliber | 7.62x51mm NATO |
| Magazine | 10, 20 rounds |
| Operation | Gas operated, short stroke gas piston, rotating bolt |
| Fire selector | 0-1-F |
| Rate of fire | 500 - 600 rpm |
| Barrel length | 305 mm |
|---|---|
| Rifling | 4 grooves, 280 mm right hand twist |
| Muzzle velocity | 709 m/s |
| Stock | Retractable |
| Length | 884 mm / 804 mm |
| Width | 82 mm |
| Height | 196 mm |
|---|---|
| Weight | 3.99 kg empty |
| Sights | Iron sights, post front and diopter rear, optional optical sights |
| Remarks | - |
HK 417
The HK 417 may also serve as a designated marksman weapon in the medium length HK 417 D16 variant and the full size HK 417 D20 variant. In the marksman role the HK 417 is offered with a bipod and magnifying optics.
- Specifications:
- HK 417 D16
- HK 417 D20
| Type | Battle rifle |
|---|---|
| Caliber | 7.62x51mm NATO |
| Magazine | 10, 20 rounds |
| Operation | Gas operated, short stroke gas piston, rotating bolt |
| Fire selector | 0-1-F |
| Rate of fire | 500 - 600 rpm |
| Barrel length | 406 mm |
|---|---|
| Rifling | 4 grooves, 280 mm right hand twist |
| Muzzle velocity | 750 m/s |
| Stock | Retractable |
| Length | 985 mm / 905 mm |
| Width | 82 mm |
| Height | 196 mm |
|---|---|
| Weight | 4.15 kg empty |
| Sights | Iron sights, post front and diopter rear, optional optical sights |
| Remarks | - |
| Type | Battle rifle |
|---|---|
| Caliber | 7.62x51mm NATO |
| Magazine | 10, 20 rounds |
| Operation | Gas operated, short stroke gas piston, rotating bolt |
| Fire selector | 0-1-F |
| Rate of fire | 500 - 600 rpm |
| Barrel length | 508 mm |
|---|---|
| Rifling | 4 grooves, 280 mm right hand twist |
| Muzzle velocity | 789 m/s |
| Stock | Retractable |
| Length | 1.087 mm / 1.007 mm |
| Width | 82 mm |
| Height | 196 mm |
|---|---|
| Weight | 4.60 kg empty |
| Sights | Iron sights, post front and diopter rear, optional optical sights |
| Remarks | - |
M27 IAR
The M27 Infantry Automatic Rifle was developed by H&K for the US Marine Corps. The IAR program was setup to find a lighter and more compact replacement for the Minimi light machine gun. The M27 IAR essentially is a HK 416 D16.5 with longer forearm, heavier barrel and lower rate of fire. It may use standard M16 magazine or 100 or 150 drum magazines. The M27 IAR cannot be considered a true replacement for the Minimi in terms of firepower, but is able to provide more accurate automatic fire from a less cumbersome package.
- Specifications:
- M27 IAR
| Type | Light support weapon |
|---|---|
| Caliber | 5.56x45mm NATO |
| Magazine | 20, 30, 100, 150 rounds |
| Operation | Gas operated, short stroke gas piston, rotating bolt |
| Fire selector | 0-1-F |
| Rate of fire | 560 - 640 rpm |
| Barrel length | 419 mm |
|---|---|
| Rifling | 6 grooves, 178 mm right hand twist |
| Muzzle velocity | 890 m/s |
| Stock | Retractable |
| Length | 937 mm / 838 mm |
| Width | 78 mm |
| Height | 240 mm |
|---|---|
| Weight | 3.6 kg empty |
| Sights | Iron sights, post front and diopter rear, optional optical sights |
| Remarks | - |
