The HK416 is a firearm manufactured by Heckler & Koch, based on the M4 Carbine design. Although Heckler & Koch initially intended to name the weapon HKM4, Colt, the original M4 manufacturer, filed a lawsuit, leading to the weapon being renamed HK416—a direct nod to its competition: the M4 and M16.
While the HK416 can be purchased as a complete rifle, it is also available as an upper receiver kit, compatible with any AR-15 type lower receiver.
Development Background
Following the OICW (Objective Individual Combat Weapon) program, Heckler & Koch aimed to offer the U.S. military an alternative to the XM8 by improving the existing M4 rather than designing a new rifle from scratch.
Key Improvements Over the M4
Compared to the M4, the HK416 features:
- A longer barrel life.
- A short-stroke gas piston system that vents gases through the barrel instead of the stock, resolving overheating issues present in the M4A1.
- This system keeps the rifle cool enough to handle even after fully automatic fire of a full 30-round magazine.
- Improved sights and four interchangeable barrel lengths: 267 mm, 368 mm, 419 mm, and 508 mm.
The HK416 is capable of firing even after exposure to water, sand, or mud, as demonstrated by tests conducted by Heckler & Koch.
Thanks to MIL-STD-1913 Picatinny rails, the rifle supports a wide array of under-barrel attachments including grenade launchers.
Variants and Caliber
There is also a 7.62×51mm NATO variant called the HK417, designed for heavier firepower. The HK416 and HK417 are considered major competitors to FN SCAR-H, which won the SOCOM Modular Assault Rifle competition.
Users and Deployment
The HK416 has been adopted by numerous elite units worldwide, including:
- Delta Force
- DEVGRU (SEAL Team 6)
- U.S. Army Asymmetric Warfare Group
- Pasukan Gerakan Khas (Malaysia’s Special Operations)
- Turkish Special Forces
However, the U.S. Army has stated that they do not plan to replace the M4 Carbine with the HK416 in the near future.
User Countries
Countries using the HK416 include (but are not limited to):
- United States
- Germany
- Albania
- Australia
- Bulgaria
- Brazil
- Czech Republic
- Indonesia
- Estonia
- France
- Georgia
- India
- Netherlands
- Spain
- Hungary
- Malaysia
- Norway
- Poland
- Turkey
- Portugal
- Croatia
- Slovenia
- United Kingdom
Rifle Classification
- Type: Infantry Rifle / Squad Automatic Weapon / Carbine
- Origin: Germany
- Designer: Ernst Mauch
- Manufacturer: Heckler & Koch
- Variants: D10RS, D14.5RS, D16.5RS, D20RS, HK416C, MR223, HK417, M27 IAR
Technical Specifications
| Variant | Weight | Overall Length | Barrel Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| HK416C | 2.95 kg | 690 mm / 560 mm | 228 mm (9.0 in) |
| D10RS | 3.02 kg | 797 mm / 701 mm | 264 mm (10.4 in) |
| D14.5RS | 3.49 kg | 900 mm / 804 mm | 368 mm (14.5 in) |
| D16.5RS | 3.56 kg | 951 mm / 855 mm | 419 mm (16.5 in) |
| D20RS | 3.85 kg | 1,037 mm / 941 mm | 505 mm (19.9 in) |
| M27 IAR | 3.60 kg | 940 mm / 840 mm | – |
- Width: 78 mm
- Height: 236–240 mm
- Ammunition: 5.56×45mm NATO
- Caliber: 5.56 mm (.223 in)
- Rifling: Right-handed
- Rate of Fire: 700–900 rounds/min (HK416A5: 850 rounds/min)
- Effective Range: ~300 m (for 11″ barrel)
- Max Range: ~400 m
- Sights: Adjustable front and rear, Picatinny-mounted
The HK416 represents a significant technological upgrade over the M4 Carbine, offering enhanced reliability, cooler operation, and greater modularity. It has become the weapon of choice for many elite forces around the globe, and its influence continues to shape modern assault rifle design.
