THE ARMOURY
Originally the 416 programme was
developed to be a ‘drop in’ upper receiver
assembly that would fit any M16/M4 type
lower receiver. Customers do indeed
have the option of buying the new upper
receiver, buffer and drive spring to refurbish
their existing M4s. H&K also started
manufacturing its own lower receivers
(made of high grade aluminium alloy),
allowing the end user to buy a complete
system off the shelf. These lower receivers
retain all the familiar M16 style controls:
last round bolt hold open device, rear-based
charging handle, magazine release button
on right-hand side of the mag well and the
combination safety/fire selector. This is
ambidextrous so the weapon can be used by
both right-handed and left-handed operators.
In true H&K fashion, the selector options are
pictorial rather than wordy.
At this time the complete H&K 416 is
available in four barrel lengths: 10.5in, 14.5in
and a 16.5in carbine, as well as a 20in
barrelled rifle. As of October 2010 the 416C,
an Ultra-Compact (9in barrel) version became
available. Designed for CQB situations or
use as personal defence weapon or close
protection operators, this sub carbine shares
a lot of the components used in its bigger
brothers, although it does have a new
retractable stock and buffer system.
In 2004, Delta Force replaced its M4s
with H&K 416s after testing. It has also been
tested by other parts of the US military and is
in use with some law enforcement agencies
and special operations units, including NASA
Emergency Response Team. The Norwegian
Army, after extensive testing, has adopted
the 416 as its standard rifle too. It is in
service with 15 countries including Australia
(Special Operations Command), Germany
(KSK), Japan (Maritime Defence Force) and
Slovakia (5th Special Forces Regiment) to
name a few.
In December 2009, a modified variant
underwent testing by the United States
Marine Corps as the M27 Infantry Automatic
Rifle. After testing at the Marine Corps
Fort McCoy and Camp Shelby for dust,
cold and hot weather conditions, an order
for 458 IARs was placed to equip the four
Infantry Battalions and one Light Armoured
Reconnaissance Battalion deployed to
Afghanistan in 2011.
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