HK416
Country: 
GermanyManufacturer: Heckler & Koch
M4 evolution developed by HK: short-stroke piston system instead of direct impingement for greater reliability.
HK416
Community
Data trust
- Reliability
- Unverified
- Sources
- Sources pending review
Identity
- Designation
- HK416
- Manufacturer
- Heckler & Koch
- Country
- Germany
- Year
- 2004
- Category
- Assault rifle
- Status
- In service
Ballistics
- Caliber
- 5.56×45 mm NATO
- Muzzle velocity
- 880 m/s
- Rate of fire
- ~850 rpm
- Effective range
- 500 m
- Maximum range
- 3600 m
Dimensions
- Barrel length
- 368 mm
- Overall length
- 770 / 851 mm
- Empty weight
- 3.49 kg
Mechanics
- Operating system
- Gas-operated, short-stroke piston
- Bolt / action
- Rotating bolt
Feed
- System
- STANAG magazine
- Standard capacity
- 30 rounds
Fire modes
Historical profile
Development
The project began in the early 2000s following a request from 1st SFOD-D (Delta Force) for a more reliable version of the M4 in harsh environments. Heckler & Koch drew on its experience with the British HK53 program and the G36 operating system.
The prototype was initially called HKM4, but a lawsuit by Colt forced H&K to rename it HK416 in 2004.
Design
The key innovation is replacing direct impingement with a short-stroke piston system above the barrel, derived from the G36. Gases no longer enter the receiver: temperature and carbon fouling in the bolt group are drastically reduced, increasing maintenance intervals.
It retains M4 ergonomic compatibility: STANAG magazines, identical controls, telescoping stock. The H&K cold-hammer-forged barrel is rated for over 20,000 rounds of service life.
Operational service
The HK416 was adopted by the Norwegian Armed Forces (HK416N) in 2008 as the first standard-issue rifle of a Western army. The US Marine Corps adopted the heavy-barrel version as the M27 IAR in 2010, replacing the M249 at squad level.
In 2017 the French Armée de Terre selected it as the HK416F to replace the FAMAS, with a multi-year contract for 117,000 units. It is known as the weapon used by DEVGRU (SEAL Team Six) in Operation Neptune Spear (2011, the killing of Osama bin Laden).
Variants
Main users
France · Norway · Germany (KSK) · USMC · Delta Force
Key components
- ●Stock — Shoulder rest.
- ●Receiver — Weapon body with internal mechanisms.
- ●Grip — Primary grip.
- ●Magazine — Cartridge feed.
- ●Barrel — Guides the projectile.
Community
Recent reviews
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