Hey guys,
I’m torn between a PWS MK114 Mod1 or an HK MR556. I know the PWS is cheaper( by a lot) but I’m a big HK fan. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks as always
The H&K is considered to be the best of the Piston variants, but the price difference is a quality optic and a bunch of ammo and training. I feel the PWS is the 2nd best piston offering out there and I would not hesitate to get one.
PWS, is an American company run by some solid people, who make a very solid gun. Highly recommended.
Really? this is very high praise for PWS, and it’s the first real positive thing I have heard on this site, and no I’m not being sarcastic.
The HK MR556 is a fantastic rifle. Hold one and examine it carefully and the word “QUALITY” will scream at you.
However…
It is heavy.
It is expensive.
It has irksome takedown features.
But … again … it is a great rifle.
Do you really need it? I mean, sure, it is nice to have, but …do you actually NEED it.
Could you put the money you will save spending far less toward: optics, accessories, do-dads, ammo, and … anything else?
You may well buy it and have buyer’s remorse in a few weeks.
I know I did.
The good news is that the HK retains its value, but if you are set on buying one, at least try to get one used so you can get back what you put into it if you decide to sell it.
Full disclosure: I have a friend who does some t&e for them from time to time and has a dozen rifles that get abused like range-beaters at a police academy. They function amazingly, literally zero issues and they beat the crap out of them.
The company itself, if you care to research, is all American and does a lot of their work in house. So you have a very well machined AR when you get it. Their piston system is awesome.
I have no stake in the company, nor do I do anything for them in any capacity.
+1 for PWS. HK is too expensive and too heavy.
I really tried to come off as genuine as possible there with my question. You know how people can be with most things that aren’t BCM and Colt on this site. I live in Idaho, and I have heard of PWS but never directly dealt with them, they manufacture about 6 hours away from where I live. I am just glad to hear some positive information about them, as like I’ve said it’s been primarily negative on here from what I’ve seen. That means Idaho has two quality manufacturers, PWS and Seekins precision.
I hear they are pretty friendly to customers, might be worth a road trip, especially if you decide to buy one direct.
I am all for supporting American gun companies and furthering our culture through our people.
I wouldn’t buy a MR556 but I would buy a HK416. The MR556 has been to nerfed from the factory for me to ever consider it. Things I don’t like about it are the FA carrier rejection feature and mainly the heavy unlined barrel.
I don’t know much about the PWS except it has a long stroke piston system that is different from most piston AR manufactures. Also that the carrier is slightly redesigned and has rails towards the back to help reduce carrier tilt associated with a piston equipped AR.
I can vouch for that. I just received my MK216 back in the mail today from a warranty repair. The process was easy, friendly, and quick. I was surprised that they shipped the rifle in a new hard case, and while nothing fancy, it’s better than the original case the gun came in.
Pws is nice. I’d buy again. Mk116 mod 1.
Got it to be a dedicated suppressed rig.
No exposure to hk at all, but I imagine it’s a sweet unit. Get the pws and use the extra money for optics and other parts would be me.
There are police swat teams, with members here, that had to dump their hk rifles because they wouldn’t work… Surprising and disappointing
+1. If you can get an HK416 upper, then yes.
I have had both the PWS Mk114 Mod0 and now the Mod1. The company does as much as they currently can in-house in Boise, Idaho. They are a great company with a very solid product. I’ve been able to shoot one of their press loaners that had been rode hard and put away wet. It ran great, even dry. CS has been great, I sent my upper in to have muzzle devices swapped out and they were fantastic to work with. I highly recommend them and their product. They don’t get enough recognition for the product they put out.
Anecdotal comment on PWS as a company.
I bought a 14.5" middy upper from BCM with a perm’d FSC556 (also done by BCM). After several thousand rounds, it began to crater REALLY bad on the blast face of the comp. I sent pictures to PWS.
They immediately sent a call tag out for my ENTIRE UPPER. I told them that it was purchased from BCM as a complete upper, but they wouldn’t hear of it. They replaced my perm’d FSC556 with a new generation FSC556, blind pin welded it perfectly onto my upper, test fired it, and sent it back on their dime. … With an apology note.
I’ve also found that they have the smoothest shooting pistons on the planet. They feel very nearly like a properly ported DI gun.
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I noticed the same thing on the running dry comment. doesn’t seem to care it it’s lubed our not( bcg was clean though, not full of mud or trash.). ran a mag of xtac and wolf. ran the same as lubed.
I don’t think it’s a good idea, but it does still run fine.
Mine is over gassed if you set the gas block to their recommended settings. where I should be able to run in 1-2 I’m usually in 3-4 (the suppressed settings) which isn’t really Bad thing. But once I get a suppressor mounted, I’m going to have to tune it. setting 1 with 556 full power throws shells about 10+ feet.
I guess in an end of the world situation with no lube avalible, that would be a plus.
I hear good things about PWS rifles, as well, but I have no experience with them and am definitely interested.
With this in mind, for you guys who own PWS rifles, how do your buffer tubes look inside? Any signs of carrier tilt?
None. It can’t tilt. The buffer tube they use had the lower lip extend in beyond where the carrier stops.
But however, their ebt will pull out a whisker once in a while with my ctr depending on check weld. (It’s happened twice) and it effing hurts…lol.
Does PWS sell spare parts to their proprietary parts? Also what kind of barrel life do they expect out of those barrels?