Tactical Wire claims that significant problems with the HK416 have been uncovered and production has been halted:
The Tactical Wire has learned from very reliable sources that the US military has encountered significant problems with H&K Model 416s in combat conditions. HK has suspended production pending an internal investigation and inspection of that weapon system.
Very interesting if true. I previously reported that Norwegian soldiers were having problems with their HK416s.
My outfit has 4 now and 10 more on order. The initial ones have issues running on the “perfect” HK mag…The guys use USGI mags. They are waiting for the Emags to try. I cannot speak for guys behind the lines for long period in A’stan, but in my experience, these piston M16s are a solution in search of a problem. I never had a stoppage (other than that shitty Winchester or International frangible ammo) in my Commando as long as it was lubed. There were many days in training when it had 500-1000 rounds fired. I have one of mine personal guns to 2500 rds without a drop of lube or cleaning with a NP3ed BCG.
I am curious if this is true and will come out of it. For LEO purposes, I think the money can be much better spent…
I was on an agency’s range today and the FI brought out a 416 for some shooting. Afterwards, he had a severe sneezing attack. He said something about allergies and the high pollen count but I think it was the 416 fumes!
Yeah you bring it into the warmth and condensation happens in all the nooks and crannies. When I was in the army (finland) we’d leave our guns (Valmet/Sakos) outside in the cold and not bring them into the tent when out in the field.
Rust is ofcourse less an issue with the alu-based AR/HK models than our steel AK deriviatives but the condensation can freeze again when you bring it out if it hasn’t had time to evaporate entierly, which means it can freeze your action and cause cycling problems. Our RK’s where quite resiliant against the latter though, just give them a whack, bang them into the ground or whack it against a tree or just rack the bolt.
Tell us about your personal experience with this weapon then. I suppose you realize that the IAR was designed to supplant the M249 SAW, not the 416 rifle?
I kind of doubt it. I don’t really think the Secret Service is subjecting their rifles to the kind of environments the end users in Norway, Iraq, and Afghanistan are. They may not be seeing the same types of failures.
Stan check out the link to the thread on TOS (ar15.com). Be ready to deal with some stupidity, but the posts from the Norwegian Soldier in that thread are telling.
