Assault rifles gained their place in the public market after World War II. An assault rifle uses an interposed cartridge and a magazine that can be detached. Therefore, it is also known as a Fire rifle.
With brilliant features and power, assault rifles can replace fully-powered rifles and machine guns. They have a relationship with Adolf Hitler, who used the term โassault rifleโ for publicity purposes.
Selective fire is a feature of these rifles, which means that the rifle can be adjusted to various firing modes. It also comes with a cartridge with muzzle energy somewhere less than battle rifles but more than pistols.
The go-to assault rifles for most people are the AR15 and the M16. Although they are quite affordable, they fail to stand at par in satisfying their needs.
Two precise, powerful, reliable assault rifles that cost a lot more are the HK416 and the MR556. The features they have and the output they provide are all worth the price point.
Key Takeaways
- HK416 is a gas-operated assault rifle designed for military use, while MR556 is a semi-automatic rifle designed for civilians.
- HK416 is known for its accuracy, reliability, and durability, with a high rate of fire and low recoil, while MR556 is designed for precision shooting, with improved ergonomics and adjustable parts.
- HK416 has been used by various military and law enforcement agencies worldwide, while MR556 is mainly used for recreational shooting and hunting.
HK416 vs MR556
The HK416 is designed primarily for military and law enforcement use, using a piston-driven gas system. It has a piston system known for being more reliable and durable, particularly in harsh environments. The MR556 is aimed at civilian and law enforcement markets, using a gas impingement system.
Comparison Table
| Parameter of Comparison | HK416 | MR556 |
|---|---|---|
| Launch | HK416 was first launched in 2004. | MR556 was launched as the Civilian variant of the HK416 in 2009. |
| Fore-end | It has a free-float quad rail system and an integrated folding at the fore-end. | While it comes with a free-float rail system and a keyhole at the fore-end. |
| Weight | It weighs about 6.5 pounds. | It is heavier and weighs about 8.6 pounds. |
| Barrel Length | It comes with either a 10.4-inch, 14.5-inch, 16.5-inch or 20-inch barrel. | Whereas it only has a 16.5-inch barrel. |
| Barrel Profile | The barrel is chrome-lined and weighs less. | The barrel here is heavier and is differently aligned. |
| Gas Block System | It has an automatic Gas block system. | While it has no automatic system, it has a traditional Gas system. |
| Bolt Group | It does not have a newer version of the bolt group. | It comes with a newer bolt group. |
| Fire Control System | It has a fully-automated Fire control system. | Whereas it is not capable of firing automatically. |
What is HK416?
The HK416 is a German-based assault rifle developed and manufactured by Heckler and Koch. It has a design based on the AR15 rifle.
The rifle is equipped with some extremely remarkable features. It weighs about 6.5 pounds and comes with four-barrel variants having lengths of 10.4-inch, 14.5-inch, 16.5-inch or 20-inch.
Along with all these features, HK416 is also equipped with an automatic Gas system. The gas system is a short-stroke system acquired from the HK G36.
Several countries, including Australia, Brazil, Croatia, Estonia, France, Germany and many others, have accepted the variants of HK426 as their primary weapon.
In addition, the high-quality build and the free-float quadrant rail offer an option to use common accessories like sites, scopes and lights with the rifle. HK416 is highly reliable and is perfect for meeting your needs.
What is MR556?
The MR556 is a Civilian variant of the HK416. It is also an assault rifle built by Heckler and Koch, introduced at the SHOT Show in 2009.
The rifle weighs about 8.6 pounds; the increase in its weight is due to its traditional Gas system, which is quite heavy. Also, the barrels are heavier and have a length of 16.5 inches.
A modular free-float rail system is present in the MR556, along with an OSS compensator. The system requires no extra tools for its installation or removal.
The barrel in MR556 is not profiled in a chrome line, unlike the HK416. This is a plus point as it frees the rifleโs accuracy from any effect.
The MR556 is designed for delivering high-range performance in arduous conditions too. It is equipped with a two-stage trigger and an extended charging handle, which makes it easier to handle altogether.
Main Differences Between HK416 and MR556
- MR556 is a Civilian variant of the HK416.
- MR556 weighs more.
- The barrel of HK416 is chrome-lined, while not in MR556.
- HK416 has an automatic Gas system, while MR556 has a traditional one.
- Only the HK416 can fire automatically.
References
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Piyush Yadav has spent the past 25 years working as a physicist in the local community. He is a physicist passionate about making science more accessible to our readers. He holds a BSc in Natural Sciences and Post Graduate Diploma in Environmental Science. You can read more about him on his bio page.
