Got close to $3000 finally saved up for an AR15 rifle after selling my last one for a Tavor. Have a trust set up so my AR15 will definitely be a SBR of some type with a suppressor in the future. But I’m completely split on which rifle to get and I’m looking for sage advice/opinions.
The 16" HK MR556 is deemed a pig by many weighing in at 8.6 pounds while the 11.5" SR15 is roughly 6.4 pounds.
But wait! Looked up a popular idea floated around HKPro about having the barrel cut down to 10.4" and reprofiled to the HK416 style with the gas block fixed for a 1.3 pound weight reduction which brings the HK down to 7.5 pounds or roughly a pound heavier than the SR15. Granted… this does cost about $350 to get it done by one of their HK gun smiths who’s done a bunch of these. In my stupid OCD mind, the price of these two ends up being about equal since I’d have to get a more expensive KAC suppressor eventually if I were to get the SR15. Both rifles in stock configurations is gonna cost me about $2500ish.
Pros for the KAC is I won’t have to modify it in any way and it’s ready to go with about a pound less on her bones. Cons is I’d have to get the pricey KAC suppressor since I’m OCD like that.
Pros for HK is the piston system for 99% suppressed usage and I’d probably be going with a cheaper suppressor like the AAC M4-2K. Cons is having to get it sent to a gun smith for a month and having to engrave it.
But the main issue is I’ve never even shot them before so I have no idea how they feel in hand or how they recoil or just the general quality. Seems tons of people are happy with KAC so my brain says that the KAC is the smarter/easier choice. This will probably be my sole AR15 and it’s quite a pricey setup for me. I think it’ll be my only AR for quite a while so I’m abnormally hesitant about this gun purchase. Haven’t seen any in the gun stores or ranges where I live so it’s all online research and youtube videos so far. Would really appreciate your honest opinions/advice. Thanks for even reading all this fellas.
Get the KAC, I have a few . The new Mod 2 14.5" will not come with dimpled barrel tho. I do have a few Colt factory SBR too and they are kinda nice and somewhat on the cheaper side.
I’m biased towards the KAC because I own one, but I considered the MR556 initially. For my needs the HK is heavy, really expensive and doesn’t do a whole lot that the KAC won’t. It may have a slight advantage when it comes to a suppressor, but that’s about it from my perspective. Weight really adds up when you take a rifle class. If the HK is 8.6lbs dry, it’ll be more when you add an optic, suppressor, loaded mag, light, foregrip, etc.
As far as “I’ll have to get a KAC suppressor”, well it’s your money, but I don’t see the point of spending money to play dress up with my gun. If you can get a can that’s cheaper, lighter and works as well or better than a KAC, I see no reason to pay for having a KAC logo on my suppressor. Having a “complete set” of branded accessories just places a mental block in the way of considering better gear that might help you be a better shooter.
Either is a good rifle. Pretty much comes down to piston vs. DI and whether or not you have a preference.
The HK has some proprietary parts but is accurate as hell and the build quality is astounding. It is a bit heavy, but that heavy barrel is what makes it so accurate.
I don’t have experience with the KAC or I would contrast the two…
If you want an SBR, there are plenty of good SBR options on the market. I would not chop a $3000 rifle down to SBR length. -That is just me.
***ETA: Please don’t start the tired old Piston vs. DI debate.
Personally, I wouldn’t even consider the HK. The KAC SR15, on the other hand, would be very high on my list. If the money isn’t an issue, pull the trigger on the KAC and be glad you have one of the best AR platform rifles money can buy.
Woah, seems you guys are strongly in favor of the KAC over the HK. Rather fascinating actually. I figured it’d be closer to 50/50, but there seems to be only one vote in favor of the HK.
The SR-15 has all of the upgrade that are typically done to a rifle post purchase. 2-stage trigger, fully ambi, LMT SOPMOD, QD mounts, keymod rail, KAC 200-600m sights.
The only downside to the KAC is is the proprietary parts. But the HK has those too… I’d go SR-15 all the way.
Aren’t they nitrided/melonited? Meloniting/nitriding case hardens the bore steel similar to that of chrome lining, yet does not alter the bore dimensions. I have a DD salt bath nitride barrel and it is scary accurate for a non-match grade barrel.
After owning both platform for several years now, my KAC collection grew from 1 to 7 (3 ea. MK11, 3 ea. 14.5" 5.56, and 1 ea. SR30 - all complete KAC builds); while my MR556 and MR762 remained 1.
I don’t own either, but I have shot both. Even though I am an H&K fan in general, the MR556 left me feeling pretty underwhelmed. It was heavy and didn’t have much else going for it, though I do like having the ability to remove the rail so easily. The SR-15 was very pleasing to shoot. It just handled very well and was very soft shooting, also the ambidextrous controls are nifty. Has a lot going for it.
It convinced me to put a Mod 2 on the “To Get” list for this year. I feel the MR556 is too expensive for what it offers, or rather doesn’t.
Question: While I was able to shoot an SR-15, I didn’t have the option to set one up or anything. Are the QD sockets on the lower receiver and URX4 rotation limited?
Unless you’re being sponsored by HK, there is no reason to get a 556 unless you just really wanted one.
Name brands aside, there isn’t much to compare:
HK is a piston rifle, whether or not you view that as a plus or minus is up to you. Myself, I’m skeptical of the perceived advantage vs the perceived flaws.
Otherwise, the magwell is inhospitable to a lot of Pmags and the barrel is a bit fatter than it needs to be. Some like heft. Some don’t. A bit of weight is good provided it is centered.
Without the name, it becomes less appealing.
The KAC however has a very refined ambi system. Either iteration of the URX will be lightweight and well fitted. You’ll have arm space and real estate.
I don’t see chrome lining as an issue as a lot of the more accurate rifles tend to be unlined and most if not all commercial ammo in 5.56 is non-corrosive.
Then as was mentioned, there is the third option of using a quality receiver and quality barrel and putting on a Geissele or URX rail.
Personally speaking, the only current HK rifle that interests me is the 762. It has a bit of heft and recoil felt not so bad. The SR-25 is overall better but of the 21st century HK rifles, it’s pretty good.
