Improving the AR-15: The HK416 A5 with firearms expert Jonathan Ferguson.

[@elbarto8282]

We should celebrate how lucky we are to have this channel and it's awesome content. Jonathan is THE MAN.

[@julianpedersen9167]

The man. The myth. The keeper of firearms and artillery at the Royal Armouries in the UK, which houses a collection of thousands of iconic weapons from throughout history.

[@gilgamecha]

It's not just beige. It's TACTI-beige.

[@jamjew]

@@gilgamecha Its FDE flat dark earth .

[@Badwurst68]

Having used the HK416 A5 in the french army, I can assure you that the magazine release button on the left side is a pain in the ass. If you hold the rifle against your plate carrier, it will press the button and you'll unintentionally drop the mag. As it happens often, we just block this button with anything we find.

[@kloohn]

Ambi mag release is indeed a pain in the ass. Same with the sig mcx

[@bryanmcdermott4204]

Thank you for sharing your insight.

[@johndaniels1197]

The irony here is that the standard AR15 family right-side-only magazine release basically is ambidextrous, because right-handed magazine changes have for decades been executed by hitting the release with the right hand thumb during the magazine swap. Out of all the controls on a rifle like that that are good to have ambidextrous, the magazine release is weirdly the least important. Bolt lock/release, and charging handle are both way more important. Thanks for your firsthand observations.

[@ivant5054]

​​​@@johndaniels1197still, having it as a button doesn't make much sense, I know I'll get much hate for this, but it literally is worse than an AK type lever in almost every aspect you could think of, guns like the galil and the g3 perform much better in this aspect, heck, even modified ARs like the KS47 both the fire select and the mag drop are less reliable in the AR platform for no apparent reason (the FAL places it right under the lower, behind the mag, same with the HCAR which is a modernized BAR)

[@johndaniels1197]

@@ivant5054 Not only is not objectively true, there isn't a place to put a lever like that on an AR and it isn't compatible with anything except a nose in rock back magazine with lugs front and rear. The fact that it just isn't compatible at all means the idea isn't worth discussing. I don't find any of what you said particularly compelling, and your reasoning is bizarre.

[@nicholasvaultonburg9152]

I love Jonathan saying "it'll save you some burbling from me," as if Jonathan's burbling isn't the express reason we're all here.

[@jamesmatthews291]

Perun for firearms* without PowerPoint, but with easy access to pretty much every firearm ever made... *and Artillery, obviously.

[@williestyle35]

verballing * Jonathan was saying it would be easier to see the differences in place of him talking about something you weren't looking at.

[@BananaRama1312]

what a cringe ahh bootlicker comment

[@locus7106]

This!!!

[@gazzy9136]

@@williestyle35mate you tried correcting someone with a word that isnt even a word

[@strikerE92]

I hope we get a video on the Glock Rifle for Project Hunter since that was the most mysterious submission since Glock usually doesn't make rifles.

[@mrkeogh]

I'd imagine it was Glock designed and spec'd, but someone else manufactured it? 🤔

[@AmicusAmici1125]

@@mrkeoghwhy would someone else manufacture it? Glock has its own research and development and machine shops, the whole point was to win a contract not contract out a contract

[@kendallfreeman5558]

British David Spade knows his stuff

[@baronfriday989]

What do you mean usually? Has Glock ever made other rifles?

[@stevensko9153]

​@@baronfriday989never

[@bigredinthewild]

Very neat seeing HK try to improve durability. If I remember correctly, the 416 was, at the same time highly regarded, but also gained a reputation for breaking down faster than the older M4 models used by US SOF units. Thus, a lot of folks referred to the 416 and MR556 as "an overgassed AR18 that will eventually beat itself to death". But, I guess if you're a tier 1 unit receiving an unlimited from the DOD, that isn't much of an issue. Well done, Johnathan!

[@Echo_Charlie]

The 416 was definitely wildly overgassed, which is why they needed stuff like the firing pin safety to prevent slam fires. It is normal for military rifles to be a bit overgassed to help in adverse conditions, but it is mystifying why HK has left the 416 with such a dramatic level of overgassing.

[@zhufortheimpaler4041]

@@Echo_Charlie it was due to customer requirements etc that the gun can chew through heavy internal dirt and also can feed every ammunition you get your hands on without problems. If you expect dusty environments where you have to conduct high volume firefights overgassing helps to keep the gun feeding.

[@Echo_Charlie]

@@zhufortheimpaler4041 I explicitly mentioned that it is normal for military weapons to be a bit overgassed to aid in adverse conditions. That said, that is not an excuse for how absurdly overgassed the 416 is. The 416's overgassing issue is so dramatic that it would slam fire without a firing pin safety, something that is not necessary on other military service rifles including other piston operated systems. There is no justification for HK to have left the 416 so violently overgassed like this for as long as they have, it just increases parts wear.

[@zhufortheimpaler4041]

@@Echo_Charlie as said above, its basicly a hold over from the design process and a customer requirement. look at the MK23. completely overdesigned and massive, to fulfill the ludicrous US SOCOM requirements.

[@thejoseonone]

It might be without an adjustable gas system, you really can't control how much gas is pushing the piston back. But yes it's absurdly over gassed and I can't imagine what the maintenance schedule would be like if it's issued to a sf operator.

[@shakie6074]

not mentioned enough how serious Jonathan takes muzzle safety. like obviously the gun is safe and clear, but he tries his best to never muzzle sweep even the camera crew.

[@neiloflongbeck5705]

Probably because the channel got bored with responding to the experts mentioning poor handling of guns they know are empty.

[@flatlander4527]

@@neiloflongbeck5705it’s in near every gun video, no matter if everything’s done right some armchair professional has to get their piece in about how they’d do it better-er.

[@neiloflongbeck5705]

@flatlander4527 I've always assumed that when it comes to museums, the guns they have in their collections are always empty, and that before filming, on any channel, they have been visually checked. But then I'm no expert.

[@peterclarke7240]

He's essentially modelling correct barrel safety for everyone at home, while reinforcing his own behaviour, muscle-memory and awareness. He does exactly the same when he's delivering lectures at the Museum. It's called "best practice," and it's something you encounter a LOT when you spend time with professionals in ANY field, but particularly if they're working with members of the public and/or potentially dangerous items, because it's the best way of minimising sudden lapses in memory or judgement that could result in something awful happening. I guess the best way to think about it is like this: How many times have you closed your front door, got two steps down the road, and checked for your keys, even though you're certain you picked them up and put them in your pocket?

[@goodgameproductions3039]

I was actually thinking the opposite. I was not very contempt with his flagging as I have seen in multiple videos over the past few years. But he probably has improved, since it takes some getting used to, to see and treat a camera as a human.

[@patrickleitzen9752]

12 year infantryman here, that machined and retained firing pin retainer may be one of my favorite minor details of this. Awesome video!

[@shanehall6081]

With a comment like that you genuinely are from the infantry.

[@patrickleitzen9752]

@@shanehall6081 Voice text did make me sound a little unhinged there, didn't it? Lol

[@j.robertsergertson4513]

Johnathan you're a man of excellent character! Your disdain for beige proves that beyond a doubt.

[@ChrisHipkiss]

Nice lighting, much easier to see stuff, real help. Thanks.

[@schtum1]

You really hit the spot with this backdrop

[@einsteineinstein7782]

The original sizes for the barrel were 10.4, 14.5, 16.5, and 20! The new ones are 11, 12.5, 14.5, 16.5, and 20!

[@ea5yliver]

A good change. 5.56 really shouldn't be pressed below the 11.5 mark in my opinion. Any shorter should be only in the hands of a unit who's job requires such short guns and has the funding/logistics priority to offset any ammo mismatch issues.

[@chippyjohn1]

Barrel lengths are correctly listed in cm, not inches.

[@evanacey1414]

The RAL 8000 is actually the color given to the furniture on the A5. The aluminum parts probably are FDE or something similar. Additionally, while the handguard does use Magpul’s MLOK accessory attachment system, it is, in fact, made in house by HK for their 416 and the MLOK logo is just there as a Magpul trademark since they invented the system.

[@Kaltwasser45]

The other color is RAL 7008 and sometimes RAL 7006.

[@ADadasadasdadw]

HK416 and Jonathan. Two of my favorite things in one video.

[@TheSpookiestSkeleton]

Yo, Jonathan cam went hard

[@arthurdirindinjr1792]

Absolutely outstanding muzzle discipline This should be shown and used as a firearms handling instructional video Hats off to you good sir Think about this fact There are more AR-15s in civilian possession in America than in in army in the world A fact as an American I am immensely and immeasurably proud of

[@christianfournier6862]

@arthurdrindinjr1792= What you imply is that America is proudly armed to the teeth, all set if a new civil war gets started! A more sensible policy would be to keep all these weapons in Armories, for periodic training of the "well-regulated Militia".

[@andrzejwitowiak1353]

It is worth mentioning that with HK fire selector you can put it on safe regardless of bolt position or if its charged or not. Not saying if its good or bad, just the case of training.

[@JonathanFergusonRoyalArmouries]

Yes, thank you - I did forget to mention this. Although that was introduced on the 416A3, not the A5.

[@andrzejwitowiak1353]

@@JonathanFergusonRoyalArmouries You're most welcome. I know that only because I own MR 223 A3 and was very surprised to discover that feature :)

[@biblesbulletsandbuicks6002]

Also a simple but revelatory improvement on as early as the LMT euro trigger maybe been done earlier

[@chrisstrawn4108]

Back in the mid Nineties Gene Stoner told several people he believed the AR had run its course. I want to say I saw or read an interview with him to this effect when he sold off his patents to Knights Armament. Here we are 30 years later and his design is being adapted and adopted still.

[@chrisjosekuehl]

The last rifle he designed was the ar18, a short stroke gas piston operating system with a recoil system contained in the upper. Pretty much every short stroke rifle is a copy or variation of his design.

[@williestyle35]

Eugene Stoner did not "sell off" his AR 15 patents to Knights Armaments Co. Stoner (and ArmaLite) had already transferred all the relevant parents to Colt (Colt's *Patent* Manufacturing Company, at the time). While Stoner *did advise* C. Reed Knight on how to "improve" the AR 15 design (and on his design for an automatic cannon), they only share three patents' related to making a safer trigger and moveable barrel safety for semi-automatic firearms (mainly pistols). As I just hinted, the majority of Stoner's final patents' were for an automatic cannon that would fire telescoped ammunition, it's mechanisms and feed systems, and the telescoped large "caliber" ammunition - these parents are all still held by Ares, Inc. Stoner's actual past patent was for a lightweight grenade launcher, that he sold to Saco Defense, Inc. sometime after 1994.

[@huitzplochit]

The HK416A5 was never adopted by the German Bundeswehr. Only the HK416A7 and A8. Dont get confused. The A5 as the G38 was only adopted by the German Customs SWAT Team (ZUZ) and a few other Police Forces.

[@der_picard3370]

No... The Hk416A5 is the New (2020) stsndard Rifle of the KSK (German army SOF)... So in fact it IS in german army Service!

[@VideoSpectator1223]

Why did hk copy our ar15?

[@hansmeyer7225]

Because you didn't want to buy our G36. Therefore we had to squeeze it in an AR-15 shape for you. 😅 ​@@VideoSpectator1223

[@Mex_the_Fox]

@@hansmeyer7225 😁

[@DamonRagnar]

​@hansmeyer7225 and the G36 is still supreme

[@ExplorinInTheWoods]

The VCOG is an amazing optic and doesn’t get enough credit. The 1-8 mode is way better than the 1-6 model.

[@Y-Y-Y-Y-Y-Y-Y-Y]

Great series, loving the new 4K quality. I regret I can only like and subscribe once.

[@kristofferekman4974]

Well, you could unsubscribe and then subscribe again. 🤔

[@socmonki]

It's really awesome how the original AR-15 design is still chugging along, 70+ years after inception. And how others are using Stoner's AR-18 designs to mesh the two rifles. I personally love my AR's, and I have no issues with the DI gas system. It works. It blows junk out of the port and keeps it clean and operable. You get mud in an op rod gun? You have to wash it out. Personal preference in practice though. The AR will live on for a long time I believe. Simple, effective, easy to work on. You can put Stoner's name up there with JMB and the 1911. Amazing that the 1911 is still soldiering on after more than 100 years. The engineering on it is just awe inspiring. Love my polymer guns, but my DS 1911's are in a league of their own.

[@PrograError]

Good design live on, don't fix what works... improve

[@luislongoria6621]

Hmm, where do I put my 9mm STI while I'm looking for .30 Super Carry? If your Plastic Fantasic isn't full auto, what's the point? Any gun with a hammer won't shoot your balls off but your shouldn't be pointing it there in the 1st place. The only way mud is getting in the piston is if you dropped it while cleaning it with the cover off. At which point you should surrender because you got caught with your pants down

[@socmonki]

@@luislongoria6621 usually it's not an issue. otherwise, rod op guns wouldn't be chosen for use. that's why I said personal preference in practice. you get mud in the chamber on even a DI gun and it won't chamber. choose your poison. However, if you get mud or dirt on the bolt carrier, di will blow it out. piston gun wont. which will run in that condition? probably both? maybe one or the other? who cares. im not out in the jungle anyway. and neither are you.

[@Veritas925]

One could argue that Browning Hi-Powers that look like 1911s aka 2011s are still soldiering on. No professional carries a single stack, grip safety pistol by choice.

[@socmonki]

@@Veritas925 2011s aren't hi-powers. They are double stack 1911s, most have grip safeties including Stacattos which are marketed as duty guns. Hi-powers are a different design altogether, especially considering the hinged rather than straight pull trigger.

[@timmytwodogs]

Ironically, the AR 15 platform as designed by Stoner and Sullivan was to produce a simple, lightweight, select fire rifle using modern industrial materials and production methods. The CAR 15 weighed under 6 lbs and was favored by special forces units during the Vietnam conflict. When I see these modern renditions of the M-16/15 I am reminded of the old Russian addage; "better is the enemy of good enough".

[@nijoe70]

It amazes me that my hungarian AK with prism and magnifier weighs less than 416 without any accessories.

[@jwsystems]

16.5" barrel is common for USA sales since 16" is the legal minimum for common civilian sales.

[@Lumnuon]

In the US the more common barrel length is 16". Germany has/had a similar rule at 16.5" which is why the HKs are 16.5" instead of 16".

[@geezerp1982]

uk is 12 inch barrels

[@dmaynor]

@@geezerp1982Really? For some reason that is really surprising to me.

[@timewave02012]

​@@dmaynor For another example, Canada allows much shorter barrels on pump shotguns than the US.

[@chairmanbrando]

I rarely see 16.5" in the US. Most common are 16" and 14.5" with a pinned and welded 1.5" muzzle device.

[@lesflynn4455]

I'm happy you guys have reached 300k subs. It is thoroughly deserved. Great Channel.

[@jamesjr9791]

Royal Armouries is definitely on my bucket list. Will love to visit one day. And as usual, great video from Jonathan.

[@065Tim]

The Netherlands MoD has had the 416A5 since 2020. It does not has all the features this 416A5 has. For instance, it still has the AR-15 pattern charging handle.

[@JonathanFergusonRoyalArmouries]

Ah, thank you. I will keep an eye out for that.

[@aBoogivogi]

Was so sad when Norway adopted the HK416. Not because the rifle was bad or anything, but because they decided to scrap all the AG3 rifles we had in inventory. Initially 253 497 AG3 rifles was made domestically. A lot of them obviously deteriorated over time, but still we probably turned several thousands if not tens of thousands of rifles into nails. While the active units did receive HK416 rifles to replace the losses the reality is we have far fewer rifles in stock than we did. If a genuine war ever erupts the vast majority of draftees in Norway are no forced to bring their bolt action hunting rifle to the battlefield. Having put the best AG3 rifles in storage would have been a nice backup solution for this eventuality.

[@patta8388]

That's a really stupid decision. Even Germany did keep a large stock of G3's, and now we're going to keep *all* the G36's.

[@M8Military]

Norway has the USA to keep them safe in the event of war. Must be nice

[@patta8388]

@@M8Military how about you keep posting shitty lets plays and listen to K-Pop instead of posting about stuff you don't understand

[@longuecarabine8103]

EXCELLENT! KNOWLEDGEABLE! TECH INFO IS HARD ON US WHOSE KNUCKLES DRAG THE GROUND WHEN DEALING WITH TECHNOLOGY! BUT BETTER TO HAVE IT EVEN IN A MENTAL FOG, THAN NOT HAVING IT AND POSSIBLY NEED IT . THANK YOU MUCH!

[@c.j.1089]

For those who do not have a lot of experience with the 416 platform vs. standard M4/M16 platform the most important thing I think that needs to be mentioned is the weight difference. The 416 platform is _extremely_ heavy for it's size. For that reason I never used the platform for very long, it's just too damn heavy and the potential gains in reliability I never saw in real life. The truth is the standard M4 platform is as reliable as it needs to be. In my opinion, it's not worth the increased weight. My 416C 10.5" rifle is 2lbs heavier than a 16" rifle with optics.

[@rustys.1070]

2 pounds? Simply untrue.

[@Teampegleg]

It is also way over gassed. The first time I fired a 416, I had to check the magazine thinking that I accidentally picked up the 417 that was there as well. Because it didn't feel like a 5.56 rifle at all. I thought it might have been a fluke and had a few other opportunities to fire the 416 and they were all similar. A stock M-4 with M885 is a very controllable rifle, even on three round burst you can easily fire ti and keep it inside man sized targets at reasonable distances. And people more experienced with the full auto versions can empty entire magazines into a single target. While the 416 it took a lot more work to do in semiauto you had to put a lot more muscle into keeping it on target. IMO 416 god a weird hype train mostly because it was unobtainium. For years outside of some small circles it was impossible to get your hands on one to test fire it. Until the MR223 someone having hands on experience with the rifles were rare. And once that happens it was similar to the SCAR where people were saying "Eh that it, just slightly more reliable." Between at the M-4 replacements I would take an M-4, Pmags, and can of quality lube over all the competitors.

[@rustys.1070]

@@Teampegleg you know very little about weapon design or operation, but that's to be expected

[@Teampegleg]

@@rustys.1070 Funny because I was an certified Colt M-4/AR-15 armorer. Along with various handguns including Glock and SIG.

[@rustys.1070]

@Teampegleg the easiest guns on the world to work on. You know how to replace parts

[@pingwong117]

Holy moly I have just discovered this channel and it's instantly one of the best gun channels on KZbin

[@petepan5656]

Don't know if I've just never noticed this before or if something's changed about the setup, but the lighting and general image quality on this video are really sexy.

[@gooner72]

Jonathan, what an absolutely fantastic job you have and what an absolutely phenomenal job that you do on this channel......... Sir, I salute you!!!

[@ROBERTNABORNEY]

1)The US adopted the name Ranger because it was felt that Commando was something that was distinctly British (I know, I know, about the South Africans) and it was desired that an American name be adopted. In the 1930's Kenneth Roberts wrote a best seller called Northwest Passage, the first half of which is about Robert's Rangers raid on the Indian town of Saint Francis from which many raids had been launched against the English colonies. "Kenneth Roberts' historical novel Northwest Passage (1937) portrays the events of Rogers' Rangers' raid on the Abenaki town of St. Francis. The first half of the novel was adapted as the film Northwest Passage (1940), starring Spencer Tracy as Rogers." So the name "was in the air" and was adopted. 2) "Rogers' Rangers began in 1755 as a company in the provincial forces of the colony of New Hampshire in British North America. It was the latest in a long line of New England ranger companies dating back to the 1670s. The immediate precursor and model for the unit was Gorham's Rangers, formed in 1744. Both were initially organized by William Shirley. Gorham's Rangers are always depicted as precursors of Rogers' Rangers; however, they were also active throughout the French and Indian War, which makes them contemporaries of Rogers' Rangers."

[@TheHorzabora]

I’ve not researched if this is true, but it seems pretty accurate and deserves promotion if it does!

[@alusineconteh2965]

It’s true.

[@crimsoncrusader4829]

"it was felt that Commando was something that was distinctly British" now that you mention it, are there any American units using the name "commando"? It seems like it's always terms like "green beret" or "force recon" instead of "commandos".

[@ballagh]

While the current use of “Rangers” seems to align to the US use the name has a parallel history within the British army. The Connaught Rangers were principally recruited in the west of Ireland and could trace back to the napoleonic era, formed in its first form in 1793. The history is fairly dramatic, either as shock troops or cannon fodder for the empire. While there are no obvious links it’s a pity there seems to be no acknowledgment of the recycling of an old army name for a current unit.

[@ph5832]

I believe the Ranger companies were also loyal to the crown during the revolution … just saying. It’s a fascinating history

[@FinsburyPhil]

Much better background and lighting in this set-up Jonathan - easier to see detail now.

[@mrkeogh]

Just a bit of user info on the HK Adaptive Battle Grip. It's ridiculously expensive (€70 for the basic grip without too, another €60-odd for the additional sets of interchangeable side panels and backstraps, IF you aren't scalped by resellers). HK pricing for sure 🤷🏻‍♂️ The grip is a clever bit of kit; the overall geometry and clearances (the scalloped bits) for your knuckles when manipulating controls are well thought-out and very comfortable. The undercut and gap filler where the grip meets the trigger guard & receiver is *light years* ahead of other grips. It's the first thing I noticed after trying a half dozen other AR grips from Gunfighter Mod3 to Magpul K2 to B5 Systems P23, etc. Other manufacturers should take note: *this* is how you blend that notorious problem area on the AR and improve ergonomics. As far as I can tell you can have any combination of side panels and backstraps. I've tried the small sides with large backstrap which gives you a nice bladed grip to aid pointability, whereas the small backstrap makes carbine/modern CQB stances easy. Apparently, some of the interchangeable parts are compatible with those from the VP9/SFP9 pistol. I've small-medium hands and I've no issue with any combination. Large sides and large back feels a biy silly but it's still usable by midget mitts over here 👋 Unfortunately, there is an issue with the bottom of the backstraps slipping side-to-side very slightly. When it first started happening, I thought the grip screw was loose and the entire thing was twisting on the receiver grip boss. It's disconcerting and seems to affect the medium and small backstraps the most (small is particularly bad). I could see people resoring to gluing the backstrap into place to stop it moving but this would defeat the entire purpose of having a modular, adaptable grip so hopefully HK will revise the design and avoid this rather disappointing design flaw in the future 🤨

[@iamscoutstfu]

Its crazy how long lived the AR platform is. Eugene Stoner was a genius

[@dreddfan01]

Very true, if it ain't broke......

[@BestRNever]

Question for experts: Can you be grazed by an ar15 bullet and be okay after ??

[@StellarGale]

​@@BestRNeverif it grazes your ear

[@BestRNever]

@@StellarGale okay. Just checking

[@deebee4575]

@@StellarGaleYep, if it grazes your ear, you win the election 🇺🇸

[@williestyle35]

10:22 dang, that viewfinder graffic is supper slick! hehe Thank you for another informative and entertaining video, Jonathan Ferguson and all at Royal Armouries !

[@Sideshowbobx]

Ambi AR-15 style controls are a mixed blessing - need on the training range but a nightmare in daily operation. These mag release buttons activate on anything they hit on your platte carrier. The old G3/AK47 style ambi paddle release on the G36 been actually more reliable in daily operations.

[@zenki_fn2s14]

The t shirt with a suit jacket is gonna be my new attire. Business with a hustle.

[@DDLYVNM]

Get this man an overhead camera!

[@pieshka4509]

I always smile whenever I see Jonathan wearing a C&Rsenal shirt

[@gregralph616]

Did we find out WHY the 4-16 was rejected by the Rangers?

[@davidnunez3523]

more complicated, less reliable, more maintenance than a standard DI rifle with zero discernable benefits is my guess.

[@therealjohnsmith4811]

@@davidnunez3523 Absolutely untrue in all cases. Had to do with funding; just like going from MK48 to 240L.

[@IceColdChannelSports]

​@@therealjohnsmith4811Correct. The "URGI" rifle is nothing more than refurbished rifles from existing inventory with a new barrel, charging handle and handguard. Geiselle is trying to claim they "make the URGI" in their marketing, but in reality, the only parts on the rifle made by Geiselle is the charging handle and handguard. The barrel is made by Daniel Defense and gives the rifle better accuracy than the mil-spec barrels they are replacing.

[@pieshka4509]

I like the A5 comes with an ambi bolt catch, I have a "chunkier" one that the dust cover leans on so if you press or "hk slap" the dust cover it drops the bolt, and that it's at purchase fully ambidextrous including the mag release when I had to get each part and use a Dremel in one spot. The handguard is neat with it's quick detach feature but strike industries has one where it's tucked away inline on the bottom so it isn't in the way

[@honzabalak3462]

Last year I have visited the presentation booth of the polish GROM. They had all sorts of ARs and especially HK416s on the display. I asked them about the Wz.96 and MSBS. They told me that they don't use the 96 because it's too old and obsolete (unsurprising) and that they prefer the 416 to the MSBS. I didn't expect that but I wouldn't dare question it - after all, what do I know about the matter, compared to GROM operators, right? They are no doubt the experts with a lot of experience.

[@F1ghteR41]

I vaguely recall some photos showing various quality control issues MSBS was having several years ago, those might have played a part in GROM's decision as well.

[@fernandoferraz3527]

For special forces the 416 will always be favourite. For conventional forces the m4 is king. When u have 20000 advancing with cheap m4s, if one fails it is not a problem. When you have 8 spec ops if one gun fails it is a big issue.

[@honzabalak3462]

@@fernandoferraz3527 I don't think you quite understand the assortment of rifles in polish use and the massive technological differences between them. Firstly, M4 isn't really a part of the big picture here, because the polish army wasn't and isn't using it in any appreciably big numbers. Secondly, there isn't really such a big difference between a classic AR and a HK416. Aside of the gas system they are the same gun. However, Wz.96 is as detached from ARs as a rifle can be. It's an AK and it's difficult to beat an AK in simplicity and reliability. On the other hand, they already did about everything they could do to the Wz.96. There's still a lot of room for improvement (namely in the ergonomics and feature layout departments) but they basically can't do anything about it anymore. The rifle has reached its maximum limit. Meanwhile, MSBS is one of many modern AR18 derivatives. There's a reason why so many countries are using versions of that system. The G36, SCAR or Bren 2 are all widely used rifles. The system has a potential for a great blend of reliability, accuracy and ergonomics. Far more than the aging AR15. The problem is that the rifle has to be designed right in the first place. Unfortunately there are reports of the MSBS having issues, especially the early batches. The potentially self-disassembling gas plug of the early rifles is a good example. A big oversight they had to fix (and apparently not the only one).

[@JonathanFergusonRoyalArmouries]

Interesting, thanks.

[@pwa8453]

Wikipedia says MSBS is beating all rifles mentioned above (Bren, Scar. HK416) in competition - I assume the author is Polish.😂

[@johnpush4585]

The real appreciation of the external gas piston is the Over The Beach capability but I especially like the cleaning aspect. Cleaning Di M4s is going to be my purgatory. Cleaning piston guns is soooo much cleaner and quicker.

[@daemonharper3928]

I hope that KZbin aren't going to force changes here too, hopefully the Royal Armouries are immune to their meddling?

[@R17759]

What changes?

[@johnsmith-jq1uc]

NO-ONE IS SAFE

[@User-gd5un]

@@R17759They’ve made a few strange changes to their rules and regulations regarding firearms and specifically fully automatic ones. It’s a whole list of things but the one I know about is them age restricting videos of machine guns getting fired in full auto. I don’t believe any of the major changes would affect this channel though.

[@TheFirstCurse1]

Didn't this happen a while ago? Are they enforcing it again or increasing the restrictions? I understand not allowing videos of people saying "Here's how to get a gun" or "Here's how to illegally modify this gun" but I've only seen the former as ads and I've never seen the latter.

[@daemonharper3928]

@@R17759 Hickock 45 posted earlier today, essentially KZbin are making his channel untenable.

[@Cdr_Mansfield_Cumming]

We are issued the HK416C in our firearms team for a Midlands Constabulary. The C variant was too long for use in buildings. Everyone was used to the MP5 until we had these swapped out. Because its not the ambidextrous version, I have to purposely make a second movement as a leftie. It is an enjoyable rifle to shoot, the ease of trigger pressure is purposeful.

[@milspecmoehring]

Funny sidenote about proof marks: Due to them having a squeeze bore, the barrels on civilian 416a5s (MR223a3) have Birmingham proof marks, while all other major parts have german proof marks. Does yours have these 2 different proof marks aswell?

[@aeropostale101nw]

If it's a true 416, probably not. Mine is a civilian version bought in the US and only has parts with different proof marks as a result of German import laws.

[@sashazulualpha]

The optic system 1-8 x 24 seem to have no elevation marks in the reticle which is strange regarding the 8x zoom factor. 556 can effectively be used up to 500 m and this distance will require elevation marks as the bullet drop will be over 55 inches.

[@killagamez4619]

Can easily tell its a HK with the fire selector

[@F1ghteR41]

THe angle between the positions is not the traditional HK 45 degrees, though.

[@ismarwinkelman5648]

@@F1ghteR41 The pictograms in red make it quite recognizable

[@rayansandid6609]

LMT Defense also uses those pictograms so that's not a good clue at all.

[@ismarwinkelman5648]

@@rayansandid6609 Well, at least to me it was. Besides, if this was a LMT the receiver would also have LEWIS MACHINE & TOOL CO on the side

[@SenseiFamilyJedi]

my absolute favorite gun in BF3....🤠wish I could afford one. love your videos mate. good info. nice and chill. I don't have to constantly rewind to catch things I miss. Cheers!

[@colp9492]

Are you able to a comparison of all 5 Guns that were in the Hunter trial ?

[@JonathanFergusonRoyalArmouries]

Sadly we did not receive all of them.

[@colp9492]

@@JonathanFergusonRoyalArmouries I think the weapons collection only got 4 out them aswell

[@ForgottenRebel77]

"improve" is an interesting word to use.

[@MrKronikDeception]

Jonathan has the C&R Arsenal Martini shirt as a matter of course.

[@EldritchMadness]

It’s just C&Rsenal.

[@johngalt2506]

The M mark on the left side of the hand guard is for Midwest Industries i think. Could be wrong though.

[@markhlavinka2835]

You are correct Sir

[@kevburke]

The Irish Army Ranger Wing use the HK416A5, if that makes anyone feel any better...

[@rowaystarco]

Pretty much all of the Norwegian armed forces use 416 as well. I received mine during my service back in 2008. One of the first battalions that received it in Norway. That was the 416 N version.

[@reubenleal7098]

Their versions seem to be slightly older models with quad rails instead of mlok

[@clean04si]

the standard gassing of the 416, is more than enough to power past water or adverse weather conditions according to HK. its actually over-gassed from a technical perspective. but the internals are strong enough to sustain it. Cheers!

[@andrewpease3688]

But,why wasn’t it selected?

[@JonathanFergusonRoyalArmouries]

Simple answer - it didn't perform the best in the trials. Long answer - that's privileged information unfortunately. Suffice to say it would have been a fine choice just as the KS-1 was, just as the DD would have been.

[@KrazyWorldWars]

Great breakdown review of both systems and the comparison. 👌

[@jackal2484]

The LMT MARS series of rifles are seemingly better then HK offerings. It can changing barrel and gas system pretty quickly which makes maintenance easy and it can change gas system from internal piston to an external piston.

[@korybeckwith834]

I'd like to know why the New Zealand Army is having problems with theirs.

[@jackal2484]

@@korybeckwith834 it was a heat treating issue. The problem has already been fixed.

[@korybeckwith834]

@@jackal2484 Cool, Thanks! Ive been a fan of them.

[@NoHomo1776]

@@korybeckwith834 Chris Bartocci of Small Arms Solutions has made some extensive videos on LMT.

[@korybeckwith834]

@@NoHomo1776 I'll have to watch them. I have great respect for him.

[@PureBullFit]

Deployed with the HK 416 back in 2010/2011 with 2nd MSOB for SOTF 82, never had a single issue with it and I loved the damn thing. If Rangers found something better, I’m happyfor them, but my opinion there’s not a damn thing wrong with it.

[@tmmccormick86]

I’m watching out of pure shock- the 416 was a great system and was favored by USSOF throughout the GWOT, especially CAG and Special Forces. I’m a little surprised that anyone would turn it down.

[@TexasTeaHTX]

Too fucking heavy tbh. On paper it’s great and it’s an extremely reliable gun but I prefer the weight of a DI M4/AR15. Less recoil and it’s arguably more reliable than the 416. Check out inrangetv’s test on the regular AR15 system test.

[@tmmccormick86]

@@TexasTeaHTX fair criticisms- by the time I had handled a 416, I had progressed through an M249/Mk46 (we got kits to add Mk46 external features), and an M4/203- both of which had optics, PEQs, lights, etc and were heavy af to begin with, so I didn’t really pay much attention to the base weight of the 416.

[@patta8388]

@@TexasTeaHTX Anyone saying the M4 is more reliable doesn't know his front from his behind...

[@stillmanfischer7978]

@@patta8388 Disagree. The standard AR15 with quality parts and comparable gassing is just as reliable as piston rifles. The only reason the 416 is so reliable is because it is overgassed to hell and back. You can make any weapon reliable when it is getting so much gas that it is beating itself to death.

[@MADMAX353]

Outstanding review....well done sir!

[@lefunnyN1]

damn HK finally making an mlok handguard

[@korybeckwith834]

Or do they?

[@rustys.1070]

This gun is 10 years old

[@lefunnyN1]

@@rustys.1070 so? its not the original a5 config, this one was made specifically for british trail with a qd mlok handguard while the a5 standard is a quad rail

[@rustys.1070]

@@lefunnyN1 handguards are interchangeable. They mean nothing for generational changes

[@JamesCopeland-i1j]

In short, the 416 was designed with the intent of increasing reliability, and entending service interval and duty cycle. It was successful in those marks... but lacked comparable repeatable accuracy, and was fairly heavy.

[@nicholasdenn4052]

What were the other rifles in the trial?

[@thewayofbiutze3899]

There is a rifle closely related with this which is Turkish Army MPT - 76 and 55

[@SimsZan]

Idk what it is but i really love the look of quad rails more than mloks .

[@JohnHughesChampigny]

mlocks look like a cheese grater, quad rails are cheese graters.

[@QueOndaWhey]

Fascinating, cheers from the USSA.

[@superfamilyallosauridae6505]

The customers don't buy HK416s for their piston, they buy it for being made in Europe, and HK doesn't change it because they're used to doing this and it wouldn't make any real difference to them to change at this point. It'd just be a cost. They used to buy it because it worked when really short DI ARs did not so well.

[@bradborgelt60]

Great content!!!!!!! As a dude that served in 75th Regt Regt. You are seriously hard pressed to convince me that the URGI is not the best.

[@peternicol3439]

No squeaky Silencer?

[@mtnbound2764]

that lever on the Handguard is really cool

[@Jrichards30]

Marines never want to be left out !

[@TomDog5812]

I own a Sig MCX II, (Virtus). It's a very good rifle. The barrel can be swapped out in well under 5 minutes with a single Torx wrench and a 60 ft/lb limiter. Quite ingenious, actually.

[@chillguy381]

nice vid

[@lynx-alpha2073]

I love videos such as this really going into clear detail so i dont have to take it from forum hearsay. Not that i can afford a HK but its kind of like watching super cars

[@wittsullivan8130]

The US military has two shades of beige, Flat Dark Earth and Coyote. They can easily match colors in molded polymers and by using paint, but anodized aluminum limits the amount of shade. It's exactly like decorating Easter eggs, but with electricity added to the process. :) Using two shades of color break the visual profile of the rifle at a distance, just like having different shades on camo clothing. I think it looks cool, but I think AR's look cool in any color other than "baby poop" Rhodesian. :)

[@killer3000ad]

Turns out the reason so many other rifles had failed to replace the M16/M4 was because they were trying to reinvent the wheel. All they really needed to do was to improve the wheel and it seems like the HK 416 has achieved that. The USMC liked the M27 IAR (which itself based on the HK416) so much that they replaced all their M16s and M4s with the M27.

[@heroicdog2824]

The Hk-416 is an abomination.

[@arclight8479]

DI/Internal Piston for small framed AR-15s-Short stroke piston for AR-10/SR25 pattern guns. In my experience this has been the optimal arrangement.

[@ivaniii9707]

I don't think there is a point to make a 30 caliber gun heavier through the addition of an unnecessary gas piston. The only advantage I can see for the gas piston is very specialized cases such as supressed weapons and very long sustained fire. I suppose if for some reason you also don't want to clean your gun ever the gas piston does offer marginal benefits.

[@tier1_shenanigans]

I really enjoyed this video, thank you Jonathan

[@Alemikkola]

I'd love to hear from Jonathan what all of the HK416 variants are. From A0 to A8.

[@JonathanFergusonRoyalArmouries]

If you email us, I will share my notes :)

[@Matze-c1j]

I'd call that colour a bug, not a feature.

[@lakepostell6912]

Proper info, well done.

[@Lord_Ralph]

Hello there, Jonathon Ferguson, keeper of Firearms and Artillery at the Royal Armouries Museum, which houses a collection of thousands of iconic weapons from throughout history!

[@Katsu_ragi]

That's probably his full legal name.

[@Safetytrousers]

So that's why the first paint colour for my gun in Once Human was the finest brown.

[@geezerp1982]

now talk about why the lantac battle raven rifle lost in the trials

[@jjtomecek1623]

Will we get a video on the HK433? There's not really a whole lotta information on it, so the best i can figure it out as is HK's version of a SCAR/ACR. so I'm curious if there's anything else that makes it more worthwhile.

[@Just.Pauls.Journey]

the g38 is not in the service with the bundeswehr but with the german police

[@JonathanFergusonRoyalArmouries]

Apologies - quite right. I took too much of a shortcut there :)

[@HumanoidEntertainment]

Mr. Ferguson saying Heckler & KOCH instead of COKE is really music to my ears.

[@pyeitme508]

YES!

[@sergarlantyrell7847]

Are there any direct gas impingement rifles which can reliably use short barrels and folding stocks? Only I thought that was the main selling point of the short-stroke gas piston system?

[@MythicMagus]

The 416 is easily the AR I like the most from a cosmetic standpoint. The entire thing is just so clean. That's probably why I like all of H&K's designs tbh. All of them just have great lines.

[@dragon12234]

Combined with the classic H&K Black with red highlights (the fire selector)

[@georgskleinewerkstatt8678]

The background is awesome 🎉

[@animefanwasd9436]

I really hope the german army takes the furniture (excluding scope) from this 416. The HKey currently used would ruin modularity, the adjustable cheek riser makes no sense with the Elcan (which is also in the old bundeswehr crosshair instead of a modern one for some reason) and the 45 degree pistolgrip like we were still living in the 1970's is terrible and should be switched with the one in the video. It'd be so much better that way

[@jonny2954]

Why would HKey ruin modularity? Equipment is mounted with picatinny rail pieces anyways, not direct mount to HKey. Cheek riser absolutely makes sense with the Elcan, i use it too with the G36A3 and the Zeiss ZO 4x30. Everything else you mentioned is currently being taken care of in the field trials. Final weapon will look quite a bit different from the current spec, including a longer handguard.

[@kenb.1096]

Apparently it’s because mlok at the time the program was started fell under itar so it wasn’t allowed. It since has become itar free so perhaps after the user trial they’ll change it

[@animefanwasd9436]

@@jonny2954 the difference height of the pic rails on top of the g36 and 416 is quite a bit, yes on a g36 it makes sense to use a cheek riser. The 416 however has like 7mm in height difference to the top pic rail from the stock. Any higher than that and you'd have to tilt your head to an uncomfortable level. Also, at least with the g95k, the tac-light is directly mounted onto HKey. But I can still very much see your point and I'm no expert, never even held a gun before, closest i've been to one was like a meter and it actually was a g95k 😅

[@jonny2954]

@@animefanwasd9436 G36A3 is the picatinny rail version, height difference between top rail and stock isn't that different to a HK416 on that one. Shot a G27/HK417 with ZO 4x30i and i actually would've wanted a cheek riser on that one. G28 had one and was more comfortable and the optic height is similar to a Specter. Conventional forces use the VarioRay which attaches via pic rail.

[@JonathanFergusonRoyalArmouries]

The G38 (police) and the G95 and G95K have this furniture, but the G95A1 and G95KA1 now being adopted by the Bundeswehr have different furniture - a sand colour with stock cheekpiece and a G36-style angled pistol grip. The 416A8 selector on the A1 models is also redesigned to replicate G36 ergonomics.

[@Qeseriju]

you have a great sense of humor!

[@fyrebreakmusic7394]

So it only camouflages well in clay-colored battlefields?

[@nextechsolutions5955]

The Black outline of any firearm is easily recognizable without even focusing on it during the day. A dull earth color of either Sand or Olive will be harder to distinguish depending upon background.

[@fyrebreakmusic7394]

@@nextechsolutions5955That’s fair, yeah. Might depend on the color of kit too

[@Echo_Charlie]

There is a lot of brownish colors in the outdoors. You'd be surprised how effective simply changing the rifle color from black to a brown hue is in making it stand out less in nature.

[@bravozero6]

FDE rifles are awesome. The black rifles shine, black sticks out in nature, fde is super convenient to spray paint

[@hololightful]

Ive thought the 416 was an overpriced complete waste of money since I first saw it (as compared to pretty much any commercially available standard DI AR), but this A5 kind of changed my mind... Too bad HK wont sell these to the US civilian market. I especially like how theyve put that slot into the lower receiver for the bolt catch, to make it ambi, without the silly 'work arounds' everyone else does. I also really like the way the handguard comes off. I can see many uses for that in a military setting with special forces wanting to quickly reconfigure accessories on their firearm.... Though i then need to ask if that hand guard retains zero after detach/reattach?

[@jeffshriber6120]

Also FYI there's a big difference between the bolt retaning cotter pin milspec and the same diameter cotter pin commercial off the shelf hardware store purchase. Don't use any cotter pin otter than GI issue OEM. I've tried the cots version, we took extras, guess what they break.🎉