Heckler & Koch HK416

The Norwegian Armed Forces had adopted the HK416N as their standard issue rifle in 2008. The United States Marine Corps has adopted a modified variant, designated as the M27 Infantry Automatic Rifle to replace the M249 SAW, and eventually also the M16A4, M4 and M4A1. The HK416F has been selected by the French Armed Forces to replace the FAMAS in 2017. The HK416 A5 is in service with the Irish Army Ranger Wing. The German Army had adopted a variant of the HK416, designated as the G95A1 to replace the G36 as their standard issue service rifle.

• Name — Heckler & Koch HK416 • Origin — Germany • Type — * Assault rifle • Carbine • Is Ranged — Yes • Service — 2004–present • Used By — See Users • Manufacturer — Heckler & Koch • Production Date — 2004–present • Variants — See Variants • Length — 709 - (A5, retractable stock) • Width — 74 - • Height — 236 - • Cartridge — 5.56×45mm NATO • Action — Gas-operated short-stroke piston, rotating bolt • Rate — 850 rounds/min • Feed — STANAG magazine • Sights — Picatinny rail–mounted front and rear iron sights, optional removable gas block-mounted flip-up front sight post • Part Length — 11 - HK416C: 9 in

The United States Army's Delta Force, at the request of R&D NCO Larry Vickers, collaborated with Heckler & Koch to develop a new carbine in the 1990s for use in close quarters combat. At this point, they were equipped with the Heckler & Koch MP5, whose 9 mm bullet was considered too weak, and the M4 carbine, which was considered too large, especially when fitted with a suppressor. During development, Heckler & Koch capitalized on experience gained developing the Bundeswehrs Heckler & Koch G36 assault rifle, the U.S. Army's XM8 project (cancelled in 2005) and the British Armed Forces SA80 A2 upgrade programme. The project was originally called the Heckler & Koch M4, but this was changed in response to a trademark infringement suit filed by Colt Defense. The final designation, HK416 is derived from the M4 and M16. The HK416 has been tested by the United States military and is in use with some law enforcement agencies. Delta Force replaced its M4s with the HK416Ds in March 2005, after tests revealed that the piston operating system significantly reduces malfunctions while increasing the life of parts. The HK416D was used by the US Navy's SEAL Team Six to kill Osama bin Laden in 2011. A modified variant underwent testing by the United States Marine Corps as the M27 Infantry Automatic Rifle (IAR). After the Marine Corps Operational Test & Evaluation Activity supervised a round of testing at MCAGCC Twentynine Palms, Fort McCoy, and Camp Shelby (for dust, cold-weather, and hot-weather conditions, respectively). As of March 2012, fielding of 452 IARs had been completed of 4,748 ordered. Five infantry battalions: 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion and 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines, out of Camp Pendleton; 1st Battalion, 3rd Marines, out of Marine Corps Base Hawaii; 1st Battalion, 9th Marines, out of Camp Lejeune; and 1st Battalion, 25th Marines, out of Fort Devens, have deployed the M27 IAR. In December 2017, the Marine Corps revealed a decision to equip every Marine in an infantry squad with the M27 IAR. The HK416 was one of the rifles displayed to U.S. Army officials during an invitation-only Industry Day on 13 November 2008. The goal of the Industry Day was to review current carbine technology prior to writing formal requirements for a future replacement for the M4 carbine. The HK416 A5 was then an entry in the Individual Carbine competition to replace the M4 carbine. The Individual Carbine competition was cancelled before a winning carbine was chosen.

• Illustration — Map with users of the Heckler & Koch HK416 in blue In July 2007, the U.S. Army announced a limited competition between the M4 carbine, FN SCAR-L, Heckler & Koch HK416, and the previously shelved Heckler & Koch XM8. Ten examples of each of the four competitors were involved. Each rifle fired 60,000 rounds in an extreme dust environment. The shoot-off was for assessing future needs, not to select a replacement for the M4. The XM8 scored the best, with only 127 stoppages in 60,000 total rounds, the FN SCAR Light had 226 stoppages, while the HK416 had 233 stoppages. The M4 carbine scored "significantly worse" than the rest of the field with 882 stoppages. However, magazine failures caused 239 of the M4's 882 failures. Army officials said, in December 2007, that the new magazines could be combat-ready by spring of 2008 if testing went well. In December 2009, a modified version of the HK416 was selected for the final testing in the Infantry Automatic Rifle program, designed to partially replace the M249 light machine gun at the squad level for the United States Marine Corps. It beat the three other finalists by FN Herstal and Colt Defense. In July 2010, the HK416 IAR was designated as the M27 IAR and 450 were procured for additional testing. • Illustration — French Armed Forces 2 e REP legionnaires with the HK416F with EOTech holographic sight (Opération Sentinelle. France, 2018) The French Armed Forces conducted a rifle evaluation and trial to replace the FAMAS, and selected the HK416F as its primary firearm in 2016. Of the 93,080 rifles, 54,575 will be a "short" version with a 280 mm barrel weighing 3.7 kg without the ability to use a grenade launcher, and 38,505 will be a "standard" version with a 368 mm barrel weighing 4 kg, of which 14,915 will take FÉLIN attachments; standard rifles will be supplied with 10,767 HK269F grenade launchers. 5,000 units are supposed to be delivered in 2017, half of the order delivered by 2022, and the order fulfilled by 2028. The first batch of 400 rifles was delivered on 3 May 2017. In 2017, the Bundeswehr began the System Sturmgewehr Bundeswehr (Bundeswehr Assault Rifle System) effort to replace the G36, spurred in part by accuracy issues from thermal expansion of the barrel. Weapons put forth were the Heckler & Koch HK416, HK433, and Haenel MK 556. Initially, C.G. Haenel won the competition in September 2020 with their MK 556. However, German authorities cancelled the contract the next month, amid allegations that the MK 556 infringed on Heckler & Koch patents, and the HK416A8 was selected in early 2021. Haenel sued to attempt to reverse the decision, but a German court dismissed the lawsuit in June 2022. The 419 mm barrel G95A1 and the shorter 355 mm barrel G95KA1, based on the HK416A8, were adopted by the Bundeswehr in 2025 as the standard issue service rifles for the German Army (Heer), replacing the G36.

• Illustration — Short-stroke gas piston The HK416 uses a proprietary short-stroke gas piston system that derives from the Heckler & Koch G36. The HK system uses a short-stroke piston driving an operating rod to force the bolt carrier to the rear. This design prevents combustion gases from entering the HK416's interior—a shortcoming with direct impingement systems. The reduction in heat and fouling of the bolt carrier group increases the reliability of the HK416 and extends the interval between stoppages. During factory tests the HK416 fired 10,000 rounds in full-auto without malfunctioning. The HK416's piston system was originally self-regulating in theory, but in the default position tends to give increased recoil over an adjustable gas system. A user adjustable gas regulator was added in later variants. The HK416 is equipped with a proprietary accessory rail forearm with MIL-STD-1913 rails on all four sides. This allows the HK416 to fit most modern accessories. The HK416 rail forearm can be installed and removed without tools by using the bolt locking lug as the screwdriver. The rail forearm is "free-floating" and does not contact the barrel, improving accuracy. The HK416 has an adjustable multi-position telescopic butt stock, offering six different lengths of pull. The shoulder pad can be either convex or concave and the stock features a storage space for maintenance accessories, spare electrical batteries or other small kit items. It can also be switched out for other variations like Magpul stocks. The trigger pull is 34 N. The empty weight of a HK416 box magazine is 250 g. The HK416's barrel is cold hammer-forged with a 20,000-round service life and features a 6-groove right hand twist. The cold hammer-forging process provides a stronger barrel for greater safety in case of an obstructed bore or for extended firing sessions. Modifications for an over-the-beach (OTB) capability such as drainage holes in the bolt carrier and buffer system are available to let the HK416 fire safely as quickly as possible after being submerged in liquids like water. To reduce the risk of slam-firing, the HK416 features a proprietary firing pin safety in the bolt. This firing pin safety limits the HK416 upper to working with standard AR-15 type full height hammers in the fire control group of the lower.

• Illustration — A Norwegian soldier fires the HK416N towards a simulated target at Al Asad Air Base, Iraq, June 13, 2020. The HK416 chambered for 5.56×45mm NATO is offered in multiple barrel lengths available to the military and law enforcement market only. • D10RS: sub-compact with a 264 mm (10.4 in) barrel • D14.5RS (D145RS): carbine 368 mm (14.5 in) barrel • D16.5RS (D165RS): rifle with 419 mm (16.5 in) barrel • D20RS: full-sized rifle 508 mm (20 in) barrel

The HK416C "C" for Compact is an ultra-compact variant that only remained as a prototype and never went into full production. It has a 228 mm barrel and is expected to produce muzzle velocities of approximately 730 m/s. It was submitted for the Ultra Compact Individual Weapon contract but lost to the LWRC M6A2.

The M27 Infantry Automatic Rifle is a squad automatic weapon variant developed from the D16.5RS, adopted in 2011 by the United States Marine Corps. In 2018 the USMC decided to adopt the M27 IAR as their infantry standard service rifle.

The HK416A5 is an improved variant with ambidextrous controls that was first seen in the Individual Carbine competition. It features a stock similar to that of the G28 designated marksman rifle, except slimmer and non-adjustable. The rifle features an improved tool-less adjustable gas regulator for suppressor use, which can accommodate barrel lengths down to 267 mm without modifications. It also features a redesigned lower receiver with ambidextrous fire controls, optimised magazine and ammunition compatibility, a repair kit housed inside the pistol grip, and a Flat Dark Earth colour scheme. The stock has a fixed buttplate and no longer has a storage space, as well as the sling loops removed from it. The V2 HK Battle grip is incorporated, which has the V2 grip profile with the storage compartment of the V1 grip for tools. The handguard uses a new hexagonal-shaped cross bolt that cannot be removed by the bolt locking lugs but instead by the takedown tool housed inside the grip. It has a "heavy duty castle nut", which is more robust than the previous version, therefore making that weak spot more resistant to impact. As of 2013, Heckler & Koch replaced the original HK416 with the A5 variant. • HK416 A5 – 11": sub-compact with a 279 mm (11.0 in) barrel • HK416 A5 – 14.5": carbine 368 mm (14.5 in) barrel • HK416 A5 – 16.5": rifle with 419 mm (16.5 in) barrel • HK416 A5 – 20": full-sized rifle 508 mm (20 in) barrel

In 2014, The HK416A5 has been type classified by the German federal government as the G38, according to Strategie-Technik. Heckler & Koch offers the G38 in two barrel lengths, an 11- and 14.5-inch barrel.

• Illustration — A close-up image of a G95's fire selector with tan color EOTech EXPS3-0 holographic weapon sight and G33 magnifier on the receiver rail The G95 is designed for the German KSK and KSM special forces units. During field testing of the rifle it was known as the HK416 A7. This variant weighs 3.67 kg and has a 368 mm barrel. It is similar to the HK416A5 variant but with a 45-degree safety selector, that rotates 45 degrees rather than 90 degrees as on the A5 variant safety selector. The new configuration of the selector is comparable to those of aftermarket 45-degree safety selectors. The G95 also features a HKey rail system, which is more lightweight than the traditional Picatinny rail systems. The HKey rail system is also compatible with the HK416A5 variant.

In March 2021, the German Federal Ministry of Defence announced the adoption of the G95A1 to supersede the Heckler & Koch G36 as the standard issue rifle of the German Armed Forces, accompanied by the Specter DR 1-4× as the standard aiming optical sight. The G95A1 is similar to the G95, but features a height-adjustable shoulder support on the stock, a steeper grip angle as well as a shorter hand guard and thinner barrel profile to comply with the required ≤ 3.5 kg weight limit according to the tender. During field trials, the rifle was known as the HK416 A8. According to the Federal Procurement Office (BAAINBw – Federal Office for Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support of the Bundeswehr), when the Bundeswehr officially adopted the rifle, it was designated as the G95A1. The Kurz or short barrelled version for "specialized forces" will be designated as G95KA1. After evaluations and trials, the G95A1 and G95KA1 reverted to the original more vertical grip angle as well as a slimmer buttstock and longer handguard with a cutout for accessing the gas regulator; the handguard's "HKey" interface was also replaced with M-LOK for direct accessory attachment onto the "negative space" (hollow slot) mounting points. • Specification — G95KA1 — G95A1 • Length — Maximum (weapon) — 878 mm — 942 mm • Minimum (weapon) — 796 mm — 860 mm • Barrel length — 355 mm — 419 mm • Weight — Without attachments — 3.3 kg — 3.4 kg • With optics, laser light module and full magazine — 4.3 kg — 4.4 kg • Effective combat range — 450 m — —

The HK417 is a battle rifle variant of the HK416 chambered in 7.62×51mm NATO cartridge.

Civilian variants of the HK416 and HK417 introduced in 2007 were known as MR223 and MR308 (as they remain known in Europe). Both are semi-automatic rifles with several sporterized features. At the 2009 SHOT Show, these two firearms were introduced to the U.S. civilian market renamed respectively MR556 and MR762. There is another variant of the MR556 called the MR556A1, which is an improved version of the former. It was created with input from American special forces units. The MR556A1 lets the upper receiver attach to any M16/M4/AR-15 family lower receiver, as the receiver take-down pins are in the same standard location. The original concept for the MR556 did not allow for this, as the take-down pins were located in a "non-standard" location. The MR223 maintains the "non-standard" location of the pins, disallowing attachment of the upper receiver to the lower receivers with a high shelf. It will attach and function with AR15 lower receivers with a low shelf. As of 2012, the MR556A1 upper receiver group fits standard AR-15 lower receivers without modification, and functions reliably with standard STANAG magazines. HK-USA sells a variant under the MR556A1 Competition Model nomenclature; it comes with a 14.5" free-float Modular Rail System (MRS), 16.5" barrel, OSS compensator and Magpul CTR buttstock. The firearm's precision is specified as 1 MOA by Heckler & Koch. In Europe, the MR223A3 variant is sold with the same cosmetic and ergonomic improvements of the HK416A5. The French importer of Heckler & Koch in France, RUAG Defence, have announced that they are going to sell two civilian versions of the HK416F, named the MR223 F-S (14.5" Standard version) and MR223 F-C (11" Short version). In 2024, Heckler & Koch launched the MR556A4, which incorporates the updates found in the HK416A7/A8.

• Country — Organization name — Model — data-sort-type="number" | Quantity — Date • Special Operations Battalion (Batalioni i Forcave Speciale, BFS) — HK416A5 — — — 2024 • Australian Defence Force, Australian Federal Police, Queensland Police Service — D10RS HK416 — — — 2010 • Command of Tactical Operations (Comando de Operações Táticas, COT) of the Brazilian Federal Police — HK416A3 — — — 2012 • Tactical Intervention Groups (Grupos de Intervenção Tática, GPI) of the Brazilian Federal Police — HK416A5 — — — 2014 • Combat Divers Groupment of the Brazilian Navy — HK416A3 — — — — • Amphibious Commandos of the Brazilian Marine Corps — — — — — — • Special Operations Command (Comando de Operações Especiais, C Op Esp) of the Brazilian Army — HK416A3 — — — — • Special Operations Command of the Croatian Armed Forces — HK416 — 550 — 2012–2015 • Estonian Special Operations Force — HK416 — — — 2021 • French Armed Forces — HK416F HK416A5 — 117,000 ordered — 2017 • German Army — G95A1 / G95KA1 — 250,000 (intended) — 2025 • German Special Forces Command (Kommando Spezialkräfte, KSK) of the German Army — G95 — 1,705 — — • Kommando Spezialkräfte Marine of the German Navy — — — — • Hessen State Police — G38 semi-automatic 14.5" — 2,005 rifles ordered — — • Counter Terrorism Center — HK416A5 — — — — • Kopassus (Special Forces Command) of the Indonesian Army — HK416 — — — — • Tontaipur (Combat Reconnaissance Platoon) of the Indonesian Army — HK416 — — — — • Denjaka (naval anti-terrorism unit) of the Indonesian Navy — HK416 — — — — • Kopaska (Frogman Forces Command) of the Indonesian Navy — HK416 — — — — • Taifib (Amphibious Reconnaissance Battalion) of the Indonesian Navy — HK416A5 — — — — • Detachment 88, counter-terrorism unit of the Indonesian National Police — HK416 — — — — • Bakamla (Indonesian Maritime Security Agency). — HK416 — — — — • Army Ranger Wing (ARW) of the Defence Forces — HK416A5 — — — 2010 • Emergency Response Unit (ERU) of the Garda Síochána — HK416A5 • COMSUBIN (Comando Raggruppamento Subacquei e Incursori Teseo Tesei, COMSUBIN) of the Italian Navy — — — — — — • 9th Parachute Assault Regiment — — — — — — • GIS (Gruppo di Intervento Speciale, GIS) of the Carabinieri — — — — — — • Special Boarding Unit (Tokubetsukeibitai, SBU) of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force — — — — • Special Forces Group (Tokushusakusengun, SFG), of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force — HK416 — — — — • Special Assault Team (Tokushukyushubutai, SAT) of the National Police Agency — - — - — • Joint Special Operations Command (Jordan) — HK416 — — — — • Lithuanian Special Operations Force — HK416A5 — — — — • Luxembourg Armed Forces — HK416A7 - 14.5 in. barrel — — — — • HK416A7 - 11 in. barrel — — — — • HK269 (Grenade launcher) — — — — • HK417A2 DMR — — — — • Pasukan Khas Laut (PASKAL) special operations warfare unit of the Royal Malaysian Navy — D16.5RS — 180 — 2010 • Pasukan Gerakan Khas counter-terrorism divisions of the Royal Malaysia Police — D10RS, D14.5RS — — — 2006 • Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency — HK416A5 — — — — • Armed Forces of Montenegro — HK416 D14.5RS, HK416 D16.5RS, HK416 D10RS — — — — • Korps Commandotroepen of the Royal Netherlands Army — HK416A5 D10RS, D14.5RS — — — 2010 • M-Squadron of the Netherlands Marine Corps (Maritime Special Operations Forces) — — • Brigade Speciale Beveiligingsopdrachten of the Royal Marechaussee — — • Dienst Speciale Interventies of the Dutch National Police — — • Norwegian Armed Forces Norwegian Home Guard — HK416N (N - normal), HK416K (K- kort, short), HK416S (S - skarpskytter, sharpshooter) specialized DMR version of HK416N, modified in Norway) — 40,000 + 11,000 — 2008 • Philippine Army Light Reaction Regiment — HK416 — — — 2012 • Philippine National Police — HK416 — — — 2017 • HK416 — — — 2022 • Wojska Specjalne — Different barrel lengths — — — 2008 • Policja — HK416 D10RS — — — 2006–2011 • Special Operations Troops (CTOE) of the Portuguese Army — HK416A5 — — — 2013 • Special Actions Detachment and the Fuzileiros Portuguese Marine Corps — — — 2018–2024 • Joint Terminal Attack Controller of the Portuguese Air Force — — — — • Special Operations Intervention Group (GIOE) of the National Republican Guard — — — 2019 • Tactical Actions Group (GAT) of the Maritime Police — — — 2015 • 72nd Brigade for Special Operations — HK416 — — — 2010 • Republic of Singapore Navy Special Operations Force (Singapore) — HK416 — — — — • 5th Special Forces Regiment — HK416 — — — 2010 • Korea National Police SWAT — HK416 — 364 — 2017 • Republic of Korea Navy Special Warfare Flotilla — HK416 — — — — • Spanish Marine Infantry — HK416A5 — — — 2018 • Special Forces — HK416A5 — — — — • Armed Forces of Ukraine — Majority are HK416A2s supplied by the Netherlands — — — — • Joint Special Operations Command (units include Delta Force, SEAL Team Six, 24th STS) — HK416 — — — 2005 • United States Army Asymmetric Warfare Group — — — — — — • NASA Emergency Response Teams — — — — — — • FBI Hostage Rescue Team — — — — — — • Los Angeles Police Department Metropolitan Division — — — — — — • United States Marine Corps — M27 IAR — 14,100 — 2011–2019