Well some people will allready know that this exists...
The 417 series looks set to dominate the Market.
HK417
HK417 Full ViewHK417 CloseupHK417 Polymer MagHK417 PDFQUOTE
Basic HK417 Facts/Info (as claimed by Heckler & Koch Defense, Inc.):
According to the fact sheet, the HK 417 will be available with 12, 16, and 20-inch cold-hammer-forged, chrome-lined barrels, and all barrels will feature a 1:11-inch twist rate. All barrels will be threaded for silencers/sound suppressors, flash hiders (flash suppressors) and muzzle compensators. HK Defense Inc. claims that barrel life will "easily exceed 15,000-20,000 rounds with little or no accuracy degredation."
The HK417 will take 20-round G3-style lightweight aluminum and steel box mags with dual-reinforced feed lips. The weapon also features a 4-sided free-floating rail system/forend rail tube (a.k.a. "quad rail" system) wich whill accept the same quick-detachable HK AG-416 underbarrel-mounted 40mm (40x46mm) GLM (Grenade Launcher Module).
The HK417 fact sheet states that during a desert firing test, an HK417 prototype (2nd design stage) fired more than 15,000 rounds of assorted 7.62x51mm/.308 Win. ammo, including M118LR, M80 ball, M993 AP and a variety of commercial ammo with bullet weights ranging from 125 grains to over 175 grains "without a single parts failure or stoppage. The document also claims that during an accuracy test, an HK417 carbine in "assaulter" configuration (12" barrel) averaged 1.3 MOA between four shooters firing multiple 5-shot groups at ranges between 100-500 yards.
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The HK416 System
Inspired by the resounding success of the mid-life improvement program of the British SA80 (L85/L86) Weapons System, Heckler & Koch began a development program to create the HK416 Enhanced Carbine. Working with current users from around the globe, HK set out to produce an Enhanced Carbine that would outperform competing 5.56mm carbines and provide the high degree of performance required by the user community, particularly those within the special operations arena who demand more and expect no compromise when lives are at stake.
High-speed video assessment and extensive live-fire testing in extreme operational environments such as the U.S. Army Desert Proving Ground in Yuma, Arizona revealed multiple areas for improvement of the 5.56 mm carbine. Improvements were made to the internal operating system and miscellaneous component parts to improve reliability in best and worse case scenarios, with all types of ammunition, with all barrel lengths and with and without sound suppressors attached.
An innovative free-floating 4-quadrant rail system designed by HK allows all current standard accessories and sights to be fitted to the HK416 and can be removed without tools. The HK-proprietary gas system does not introduce propellant gases and the associated carbon fouling back into the weapon’s interior. This reduces operator cleaning time, increases the reliability of the weapon and extends the interval between stoppages.
To improve reliability, service life, and operator safety during obstructed bore occurrences or after extreme extended firing sessions, HK has produced its famous cold hammer forged barrel for the HK416 in various lengths to include 10, 14.5, 16.5, and 20 inches.
The highest quality steel is used in this unique manufacturing process producing a barrel that provides superior accuracy for greater than 20,000 rounds with minimal degradation of accuracy and muzzle velocity.
In addition to the improvements in the baseline weapon, HK has produced a high reliability magazine and a proprietary buffer to improve functional reliability.
An add-on single shot 40 x 46mm AG416 enhanced grenade launcher module can be quickly attached to the rail system of all models without tools.
Heckler & Koch has applied its proven and fielded Safety Blank Firing Attachment and Live Round Excluder Magazine technology to the HK416 Carbine, eliminating the possibility of live rounds being loaded into and fired through a standard issue weapon outfitted for blank firing only.
A “drop-in” HK416 upper receiver module and a complete carbine are both
being offered with deliveries beginning in February 2005. The full potential of the 5.56mm carbine has now been realized with the introduction of the HK416.
Unique Features:
• Short-stroke piston gas system--
--Improved reliability
--100% function
--No fouling directed into weapon
--Less cleaning
--User removable/exchangeable components
--Insensitive to barrel length or ammunition changes
• Improved buffer system
• Improved steel magazine:
--Improved feeding reliability, durability, service life
• Refined barrel/bolt locking recesses/lugs:
--Improved function
• Improved extractor and spring, buffer:
--Improved function
• Enhanced AG-C add-on 40mm grenade launcher
• HK cold-hammer forged barrel
--Extended service life
--Improved accuracy and user safety
• HK free-floating modular rail system
Additional ongoing work:
• Improved surface finish, ambidextrous controls
• Safety Blank Firing Adapter and live round excluder magazine
• Integrated reflex sight with nested IR laser aimer and illuminator"
Regards H_H