HK416A5 - newest evolution of famous assault rifle

During my recent wisit at HK factory in Oberndorf I had opportunity to see and shoot newest installment of HK416 assault rifle, designated HK416A5. While HK has something more in works, this version is to become new standard for some time.

While every year some manufacturer comes up with "HK416 killer", this child of M4 and G36 seems to still be alive and kicking. HK416 is in worldwide use by military (including or mostly by special forces units) and law enforcement. Those users give HK feedback or request some features. What HK want to accomplish is to put most of this requirements in one, standard package, called HK416A5. Most of this features come from M27 IAR, HK416"Norway", G28 or IC candidate, but of course has all previous features like firing pin safety and Over The Beach capability. In next paragraphs I will try to describe this features.

Shooting HK rifles, machine guns and sub machine guns.

Last week, thanks to HK and Cenrex companies and my friend Leer, I had opportunity to visit HK factory in Oberndorf am Neckar, Germany.

Among different interesting things was short trip to the range. I had opportunity to shoot numerous of different firearms there. Strongest impression was made by shooting long handguard HK417 in full auto. Not overly heavy and very controllable. Also MP7A1 put a big smile on my ugly face ;)

But mostly I wanted to try new German Army DMR rifle - G28. This is great package, but if you think other HK rifles are heavy, after trying this one, other feel like kids toys.

Unfortunatelly shooting G36 and G36C with new IdZ stocks did not get recored well. Also new HK416A5 is only briefly recorded. Other weapons shot include two machine guns - MG4 and HK121, MP5SD and two configurations of MP7A1, HK417 in DMR configuration, PSG1 and of course G28 in DMR configuration (there is also Patrol configuration).

I will review my findings on HK416A5, new HK417, G28 and other HK small arms I tried later this week.

Montrala @ Oberndorf am Neckar

I packed my MR223, took it in my car and 14 hours later I arrived to Oberndorf am Neckar in Germany. I wanted guys at HK to have a look at some issue that developed in my MR223. I was assured that issue is of purely cosmetic kind and will not affect rifle function (I will cover that later). By the way, I had opportunity to see and fondle some cool stuff. Tomorrow I will be able also to shoot some more cool stuff. As a teaser, photo of my MR223 from family reunion - with newest (that the can show) HK416A5 and HK417. Enjoy!

2nd 3Gun Liga Sportera Championship of Poland

Sorry for late report, but I spent almost whole week training ITIL, then had family weekend. But here it goes.

At 15th and 16th of September, at shooting range in Podstolice near Września in Poland, took place 2nd 3Gun Liga Sportera Championship of Poland. Competition was held over 8 stages with over 200 shots to make. It is not big competition by US standards, but we are limited with size of available shooting ranges here in Poland. Very limited access to firearms make shooting a niche sport and any form of so called "dynamic" or "practical" shooting even more. But despite this problems sport is developing and we gain more and more shooters on Liga Sportera matches.

MSPO 2012

This week in Kielce, Poland, there were MSPO 2012 (21st International Defence Industry Exhibition). Some interesting things were presented. I will prepare separate review on new Etronika themal vision monocular. But here some other stuff:

MSBS-5.56 New assault rifle for Polish Army

Fabryka Broni from Radom, Poland (FB Radom) presented yesterday latest prototypes of MSBS assault rifle. This rifle, designed together with Military Technical Academy in Warsaw is proposition of next generation assault rifle for Polish Army.

Warsaw Rising 1944

Today is 68th anniversary of Warsaw Rising 1944. Polish Resistance fought Nazi Germany for control over capital city of Poland. At same time Soviet Russia prevented US and British airforce from providing aid, by refusing them landing and refuel, but even at edge of range British, US and Polish pilots tried to help Warsaw, paying ultimate price. Also Polish soldiers from Red Army, that came to help Resistance was cut off from supply and support. When II World War started on 1st of September 1939, there were 1,300,000 inhabitants in Warsaw, after fall of Warsaw Uprising there was less than 1,000 people living in City of Ruins. Today, as every 1st of August city of Warsaw will stop for 1 minute at 5 p.m. UTC+1.

When in Warsaw, please visit Warsaw Rising Museum (http://www.1944.pl/en/). If you want to know more about those terrible events, watch this BBC movie below (after page break) on one of biggest atrocities in WWII: