Larry Vickers does a deep dive into the HK416. Well worth the hour if you’re interested in piston gun development and/or newer M16 history:
HK certainly has some serious engineering talent.
good video but I’m not a Vickers fan. I think he’s a shill to be honest
I wouldn’t say he’s a shill: He’s not going to start inserting ads for Simpli-Safe or Raid: Shadow Legends in his videos.
But he was also silent on pistol red dots until Aimpoint (who pays him) released their own pistol red dot.
This. God bless him. The Lord knows he has done more than most for this country. But it’s widely known that he is what he is…
I would like to get a copy of the Vickers guide for AK and AR. I’ve seen them, they’re freaking awesome if you’re into that kinda thing
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I once took a class from LAV. He was anything but humble and loved to toot his own horn about the 416 development and his part in it. He told the class the piston system was really for suppressed use and this was where it was better than DI.
Years latter after hearing and reading numerous reports it turns out it sucked suppressed because of bolt carrier velocity. You can see HK acknowledged this by releasing later variants with adjustable gas blocks and modified gas blocks. Sure seems after being out in the field for a while the 416 is not the super uber bestest gun ever Larry touts it to be. But also it seems to keep getting adopted by foreign countries and JSOC still uses it.
Back in the day I thought it was really that cool, now I have a different view.
Edit: after watching I’ll give LAV some credit for changing his tone since 2011.
This is outstanding. I have heard bits and pieces of the story from classes but for him to put it all together in one hour, along with showing you the guns and their differences is just awesome. This type of stuff is needed for posterity and we need others to do more of it.
He is totally a shill but in a way that all involved are happy with. He only pushes excellent products that he uses all the time and he NEVER misses an opportunity to tell you all about them. Most trainers I know, unless they are jealous bastards have very little bad things to say about Larry.
I’m surprised anyone listens to him honestly. He’s like a walking commercial for his paycheck signer and hardly objective. Take that and include the holier than thou, smug, and looking like he’s been smelling $hit all day and it’s simple; just turn around and ignore
I take it you didn’t order up the latest and greatest T2 Vickers logo aimpoint eh?
In any case I want real 416 soooo bad. I’ve had a couple clone iterations over the last few years and I really enjoyed them.
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hahahaha, well played!
416 is nice, no doubt! I’m a Colt and LMT guy but would not mind a 416 at all.
After watching the video he has tamed down. I took a class from him in 2012 and he is a hard type A personality. I have learned from him after removing his persona from the equation. He knows his stuff and he is paid to sell the products he represents and he does a good job.
I do agree with him when shooting suppressed. Our SWAT team is moving from suppressed Colt 6944’s to a piston configuration due to the amount of gas buildup and some failures. They are looking at either LMT or LWRC. My input was LMT if they were not going to go the HK route.
Dan
My thoughts on Larry Vickers are that when you’ve finished a career in Delta Force, much of it in harm’s way, then you may criticize if you must. But otherwise, This man has done more to serve his country than most of us can imagine. If he is a “shill” now, then good for him. I for one am glad he has found a way to make a living using the unique skills his country taught him.
double post
Dan
After the 416 pod cast I watched the Delta 1911 and the SR25 podcasts. I have to say they were very interesting and informative. Goodstuff.
The early 416’s had some anodizing issues with the lowers.
“Germans don’t make aluminum guns” 
The HK M110A1 has an aluminum lower (IIRC). The German counterpart (G28?) has a steel lower. To each their own, I guess.
I believe it’s the upper that is steel, not the lower. Upper makes sense. The lower would only serve to make it super heavy and do nothing for accuracy.
So what is the civilian legal version for the USA
Doesn’t the barrel have to be 16 inches
It was an interesting video
I didn’t see his demonstration as a shill
More like an old timer trying to bring the new guy up to speed QUICK
YMMV
I found those episodes to be the most informative so far. I’m a sucker for podcast length videos- out them on in the background and go about your day.
Make sure to check out the Sturmgewehr episode too
Personally i loved the podcasts. It reminds me of the old TACTV days. I haven’t liked his short form content for the last few years. I’d love to have more podcasts from him.
For people calling him shill i will say this: he may pimp his products but it saves me from the mountains of garbage aftermarket “just as good” mods. I know if his name is on it, it’s good to go.