The Haenel CR Series of German Piston-Operated AR Carbines

In this episode of TFBTV, ‪@JamesReeves‬ is at EnforceTac 2023 to get a rundown of the CR-series of short stroke piston operated AR-type carbines made in Germany. Check today's video for more details.
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[@AKS-74U]

As an American, what I truly appreciate most about these international gun shows is the English speaking abilities of the reps.

[@louisbabycos106]

They probably have Spanish speaking and French speaking reps as well .

[@mghegotagun]

Considering our 2nd amendment they know they're mostly marketing to us.

[@peepopalaber]

@@mghegotagun you just learn english in school here in germany.

[@jerome6314]

@@mghegotagun they also all simply had English throughout the entire time they spent in school and probably use English constantly both for their jobs and private lives.

[@maledetto1221]

@@mghegotagun It's a professional fair, in this case enforcetac is specifically to military/LE, so US it's not their target

[@chrissewell1608]

I appreciate how TFBTV is one of the only Y.T. channels I watch, who actually go to these European gun shows. The E.U. has many awesome guns we never see, here in the U.S.A. and they have awesome ideas and designs. Thanks James Reeves for all your hard work, and travel, to bring this to us poor minions!

[@moparbryan]

In a sea of “oh look another AR” this thing is pretty cool and actually has a lot of innovative changes that make sense!

[@MF-Rell]

Facts.

[@bavarianshooter]

@@MF-Rell Well... the Haenel rifles arent bad, but nothing special either. They copy the hell out of companys like HK, what ultimately cost them the german contract with the Bundeswehr.

[@MF-Rell]

@bavarian shooter Bro, I don't think you know who you're talking to right now, lol. Do you know what HK was so butt hurt about? The drain holes in the buffer tube. The guy behind Sig 416s, Mcx, and Caracal 816 is behind Haenal's variant of the Ar15. HK is mad bc their design is better and simpler.

[@bavarianshooter]

@@MF-Rell nah i dont have any clue about what im talking. Im a german gun journalist and KZbinr, so not knowing shit is my daily business. The main guy behind the CR series was a former HK employee, guess what. It wasnt just the over the beach thing, you have a one to one copy of the whole piston system and bcg. Same goes for their RS9 sniper rifle, it is a wild bunch of copied stuff from all over the World, combined with strange and often not very fair marketing strategies. But what do i know right?

[@MF-Rell]

@bavarian shooter I read the article. I've read a lot of material about it. I apologize, but if what you're is true, then why are they still able to offer their product? The piston system isn't the same it's a lighter platform.

[@flubdreload2818]

I love the feature that it can have the safety engaged without it being cocked.

[@mattnw42]

The HK can do that,vas well as commercial triiger such the KE Arms SLTs

[@ericmckinley7985]

LMT sells 2 versions of their AR trigger, one of which has this feature. It's becoming known as the "Euro safety"

[@farmerbrown84]

I was never brought up with the AR, so I'm not welded onto either version. But it just makes so much more sense to have a safety that can be engaged at any time.

[@robertpettus6037]

​@J.bar3.0 multiple redundancies in storage. Only thing that I can think of.

[@robertpettus6037]

KE Arms cassette style triggers have been doing this for years. They're not the only ones but I have had experience with the slt1 I bought in either 2017 or 2018. Very nice trigger

[@devereuxbirdzell]

My god these are beautiful rifles. This show is so fun to watch. Thanks a ton for bringing these to us James!

[@MrSmith-zy2bp]

James: "I was never good at Math." Felix: [Awkwardly laughs in Superior Germanic Math skills]

[@AJohnSmith]

Kentucky Windage vs two lost World Wars.

[@JarlBSoD]

@@AJohnSmithBut they did have cooler overenginered equipment :p

[@MrSmith-zy2bp]

@JarlBSoD image thinking this clown world we now live in was a win. I think if our grandfathers knew what the outcome of WWII would be 🤡🌎 they'd have stayed home.

[@jeffreybrooks8643]

Some very thoughtful user interface and ergonomic enhancements over a standard G.I. AR rifle. The QR handguard is a great feature to aid routine cleaning and maintenance.

[@maximusjoseppi5904]

"it's just an AR, there's not much I can explain about it." Yup, that's pretty much how the spear XM7 pitch probably went

[@hoppinggnomethe4154]

AR here is AR-18 style

[@g0ddamnitjeremy]

Damn!!!🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@MF-Rell]

Talking about beating a 💀 🐎.

[@chrissewell1608]

They really have amazing products, and improvements for the AR Platform! I hope they can bring that tech to the USA?

[@tinncan]

How do they do the safety on decocked thing... Also the steel charging handle latch insert is the most German engineering thing I have ever seen...

[@Mockturtlesoup1]

I assume the internal geometry of the safety is just different.

[@Samos900]

I like the time spent reviewing on this one

[@89sirmonk]

Most of these features need to be standard on the AR platform. The charging handle, small cheek riser, ambi controls, 60 or 45 safety, suppressor setting, and bufferless (DI or Piston).

[@mumblety96]

so MCX basically 😂

[@Larmagauche]

I love my CR223. If CR300 uppers were available for countries where we can own only a limited number of lowers, that would be fantastic !

[@bobborlog1677]

Where are you only allowed to own limited amount of lowers and how many is max?

[@Larmagauche]

@@bobborlog1677 France, only 12 B-category weapons (mainly semi-auto rifles with more than fixed 2+1 capacity and pistols). This should go up to 15 when the new digital licence system will be deployed this summer. But we have no limit for upper receivers or barrel conversions so modular platforms are very interesting for us.

[@newerest1]

​@@bobborlog1677 Germany also has rules on how many frames/lowers you can have

[@Sharky762]

Holland too, 5 serial number devices

[@jeremiah29777]

I hope It'll be a good one to replace the G36

[@victorpereira225]

Ambi controls should be standard on all ARs now.

[@trenttaylor3838]

That Q.D hand guard is pretty cool !!

[@JarlBSoD]

Wow! The M-lock handguard is real? Started to think it was just folklore at this point.. :D Love my Cr308 though but i wish they had dilivered it with M-lock instead of Keymod.

[@sofloflow]

Sick, if they add a quick swap barrel, this will be near perfect. Want!

[@jimyeats]

Bro, it’s an AR, the whole upper is a quick change barrel, or, if you’re really feeling frisky you can take the 15 minutes it takes to put a different barrel on the upper.

[@TexanApollyon]

We need these in the US civilian market

[@richardgou9505]

Hope HK is not gonna sue other ars since it has a piston in it😆😆

[@MrWeirdoh]

Already did and won

[@curly_]

Hahahaha hot take 😁😅

[@karanvarma4843]

These guys are underrated. H&k is always trying to screw them over. Hope they get a successful sale somewhere. Would love to have them in India

[@leodoingthings1706]

you guys in india have guns for civilians?

[@karanvarma4843]

@@leodoingthings1706 not military rounds anything apart from 9mm,5.56,7.62x39 and 7.62x51. 30.06 springfield is allowed though. This was more from a security forces point of view. H&k doesn't sell guns here these guys could do. Atleast caracal does. Them coming in would be interesting

[@leodoingthings1706]

@@karanvarma4843 could i own 9x17/380acp pistol for self defense in india? as permament resident?

[@justinspringstun5836]

Is that QD mount on the hand guard some kind of modern three point sling mount? I have a PTR-91 so I am one of those nuts that love the old three point sling system from HK. I wonder if someone makes a three point QD system. Probably sounds silly to most. Very cool rifles over 3k from what I can see. But it’s probably worth it. I used to be a machinist and I can tell you it takes a lot! Of work to make such a good product. Anyway love the coverage James!

[@Libertarian_Neighbor]

The stock seemed really cool.

[@ronsmith9251]

These look pretty cool. Hopefully coming to the US?

[@TexasShotz]

Always wanted a CR man they know what they doin

[@alexanderryan1176]

very busy looking. Reminds me of an m5 with like 1000 different go fast bits on it.

[@DevonReclaimed]

It's the evolution of the 416, 516, 816 the refinement of the piston AR-15 that started it all. Too bad we can't get them

[@4hp605]

Don't worry I would say. I'm from germany and could get one, but decided to go with a Daniel Defense...

[@HawaiiFoodAndFun]

If you've ever bought something that was "only meant for the military", go ahead and hit that Like button.

[@chrisliddle7049]

I love mine it’s everything HK wishes they did for the US civilian market

[@whomagoose6897]

Could anybody describe how Haenel made the bolt carrier group so there is no bolt tilt? Bolt tilt has been the number one problem for piston AR's. The sales rep did say Haenel rifle has a short stroke piston design. Would like to see how Haenel solved the problem.

[@sonnygunz9207]

I’ve run a factory Adams Arms 11.5” piston upper suppressed since they were first released (over a dozen years) with zero carrier tilt issues through 10k+++ rounds. The add on kits had issues. These guys seem to know what’s up.

[@spetcnaz83]

These guys nearly won the German military rifle competition. However HK didn't give up so easily, and the court sided with HK that Haenel has infringed on their patent, and ordered all the rifles for that contract destroyed.

[@MF-Rell]

It was only a few of them.

[@FDCNC]

HK really sued Haenel for the position and size of the drainage holes in the buffertube and another feature in the rifle that makes it OTB capable.

[@nunyabeeswax2575]

​@@FDCNC OTB?

[@FDCNC]

@@nunyabeeswax2575 Over The Beach. Its basically a standard that rifles have to meet that makes them suitable for waterborne and aphibious uses. Its basically can the weapon resist the harsh environments whether it be sea water or fresh water and can the rifle operate immediately after being submurged in either conditions reliably without blowing up due to pressure.

[@nunyabeeswax2575]

@@FDCNC ah ok, I had heard that term in full before but verbally so I didn't immediately associate the written acronym with that.

[@ninjagold9244]

I just want that stock with the adjustable cheek riser

[@skookapalooza2016]

That's a NICE AR! Is the Bundeswehr going to be replacing the G36 with these?

[@rossg4788]

Correct

[@SpicyAl3000]

Like a kid in a candy store :)) great stuff :)

[@pushkinchakraborty665]

Its a amazing system 👏

[@calebclark6739]

Looks really nice

[@mrshort2379]

great content: the one thing I will say though is the U.S. is I think the only place where you can buy AR's all day long under $500. besides modularity, in my opinion is why the AR will always be King & Rule Supreme when it comes to Modern Sporting Rifle's/Firearms. no other complete platform is as low of a cost, as the AR platform.

[@MbisonBalrog]

How is it a sporting rifle?

[@kutter_ttl6786]

​@@MbisonBalrog You need to look up some of the AR pattern rifles set up for deer hunting in the US.

[@MbisonBalrog]

@@kutter_ttl6786 in Europe I mean.

[@maledetto1221]

@@MbisonBalrog Same

[@MbisonBalrog]

@@maledetto1221 I pretty sure at least France and Spain you can’t have that unless heavily modified to point it’s no longer an AR

[@rickypickles2219]

very cool...possibly something Id buy in the near future! Only possible issue id see is lasers and other things mounted to a handguard that would need to stay solid having issues...wish he wouldve asked about that!

[@Andeddu76]

I have the CR223 for about 4 years right now. After reattaching the handguard the accuracy change is less than 1 MOA. It has a little knob on the top to ensure the return to zero. There are many more great features on this gun which weren't explained due to the short amount of time in this video. I have about 6000 rounds through mine and don't see any wear or drop in accuracy. Great rifle. Would buy it again and again. Best greetings from Germany.

[@rickypickles2219]

@@Andeddu76 right on man! Appreciate that!

[@uglybastard4810]

​@@Andeddu76Hi, would you be so kind to tell, please, if civilian version has chrome lined barrel? also what about the chamber? Is it 223 Wylde or strictly .223 Rem?

[@Jrob992]

It’s neat how these government or police contract firearms companies are still catching up with the American civilian market. Not a dig at these companies it just shows how innovative the American gun industry is.

[@georgiafan6618]

I was told that two screws on each side of the hand guard where it mounts to the upper keeps hand guard rigid, helps optics accuracy. The swiveling arm is convenient but how rigid is this feature? This rifle looks really cool. Is it as capable as an HK?

[@Gunbird416]

I have one of these as well as a 416. Its just as capable however the locking lever on the Haenel cracked after about a 6 months and only removing the rail maybe twice in that time.

[@wilsoncombat1341]

@@Gunbird416 Must have been user error, I have several of them as well as the 416 and these are better guns honestly. If you cracked it you must have done something stupid with it

[@Gunbird416]

@@wilsoncombat1341 if you count being tossed in a truck or smacking into a vtac as abuse sure, otherwise that's just regular use in my book.

[@SpanishGrows]

now thats a nice ar

[@chasewalden3644]

Neat

[@BenRivered]

Pardon my ignorance, but what is the difference between piston driven like the SCAR & piston - operated? I did see a typical AR charging handle...Thanks. Great content. 👍

[@roberthutchinson2856]

Theyre bout the same all things considered

[@thecocooreo]

There is no difference, it's the same shitty system that should have never been made

[@colinlewis4637]

No real difference in how they operate but there is a difference between a long stroke and a short stroke system. Long stroke systems tend to have the bcg attached to the piston which goes all the way to the gas block/piston block. Longer piston=long stroke. Whereas a short stroke piston system has a standard bolt carrier group but the gas key has a flat face instead of a cup and the Piston itself when fired hits the bolt carrier group with the op rod. If you want to get a good understanding look at a breakdown of a primary weapon system long-stroke system versus say POF Short stroke system you should be able to find cut out schematics online and it will help you understand a little better.

[@BenRivered]

@colinlewis4637 thanks for taking the time. I'll definitely search for the schematics.

[@bminturn]

That dude reminds me of my cousin. Short and good sales person.

[@sampsonlll1825]

Why oh why aren't these available here stateside???

[@morecarstuff]

I just want suppressors bro. lol these wait times going brazy right now.

[@tonyc4669]

Hey James. How about a comparison test between Haenel CR, Perun X16 and B&T versions?

[@oddduck9798]

Can you take one of these uppers and put them on an mr556a1 lower?

[@theblackcock6607]

All my rifles are piston. We need to import these.

[@thenotoriousvlog5986]

This AR to me looks like a tank. Durable looking. Idk maybe I was smoking a lot of weed lol

[@PatrickBergensen-kali-yuga2005]

Sheeesh looks nice

[@bigfishlittleboat4069]

These are better than hk. I said it

[@dimgl19]

What did HAENEL change in terms of HK patent violation? As of Dec. 30th 2022 it was ruled by court, that ALL CR 223 rifle in commercial circulation shall be DESTROYED for violation of HK patent rights in the over-the-beach capability. Are the rifles shown in the video any different?

[@MaxB00M]

AFAIK the court ruling is only relevant to the earlier models, the current cr223 has some minor changes that makes it different enough to not be a patent violation

[@dimgl19]

@@MaxB00M Danke. Cooler Name übrigens.

[@woahdude3853]

That dust cover lookin noice

[@jik294]

If you look closely, you can see the H&K rep. hiding in the background just seething while stalking James.

[@armyman1986]

While in Nürnberg, did you check out "The Wall" (Die Mauer auf Deutsch)?

[@peervangeldrop9160]

Full review video????

[@zedhiro6131]

Ah, Germany were over engineering is a way of life.

[@jasonarmstrong5750]

Now if only it had a folding stock

[@colinlewis4637]

I don't know why all companies aren't producing piston drivin ar15s. Yes it has added weight but with metallurgical technologies advancing more every day this shouldn't be a problem. My friends tell me I'm a gun snob because I only buy piston systems. Then when we're cleaning guns after a range session and I only spend 15 minutes cleaning mine and they're spending an hour or better to get their rifles clean they started to understand. Especially when shooting suppressed. Either way the haenel rifles are absolutely gorgeous and if I can find one I'll be getting one. I especially appreciate the bolt catch assembly that they have. Very intuitive.

[@jimyeats]

Why are you spending even 15 minutes cleaning your rifle after every range session? Wipe your bolt and carrier off, add some more lube, run a patch down your barrel, at most, if you’re feeling frisky. Couple times a year do a slightly more thorough cleaning. You’re making unnecessary work for yourself.

[@RevolverOcelot79]

Because a piston in an AR is an answer to a question no one ever asked. DI ARs are equally as reliable as any piston system and then some. Especially in mid tests..

[@BullsMahunny]

Ewww law enforcement/Military focused.

[@lucamorakx8134]

CR223 N1 Il migliore!!!

[@Clangokkuner]

This is similar to the MK556 that they submitted to the Bundeswehr right?

[@Cacklingkameltoe]

Bought a Haenel from bereli when they were in the $2200 range. Beautiful firearm. Now just wating for the AFT tax stamp so I can throw a stock on it. 😠

[@tuberaider]

They must be fans of @AdministrativeResults - look at the poster in the back.

[@DUKEisALIVE]

GSG9 Operator!

[@arnowinchester591]

With the way things are going in Germany right now, Americans will be the only ones permitted to own this awesome German rifle.

[@martincolvill5453]

Unless you live with in Washington State.

[@TNCombatMedic]

Didn’t the Haenel .223 by B&T have a lot of issues? And I don’t mean the mlok quad rails.

[@wilsoncombat1341]

Issues? As in quality or functionality? Absolutely none at all. Getting one was the issue and some had keymod rails which people bitched about but now are the most valuable

[@Peter421]

God I want one

[@MrKingArthurhk]

I don’t see the SBR’s going United States side.

[@ericbergfield6451]

"It's actually 45 degrees"

[@LinusIslamTips]

Weren't the Bundeswehr supposed to adopt these? Or did I got a wrong version.

[@viktordragovich94]

Because it is guys from East Germany. HK is old partner of Bundeswehr. Maybe corruption, but i don't know.

[@LinusIslamTips]

@Viktor Dragovich most likely. But what a tradegy, oh my. From what I've heard, soldiers were taking a liking to these rifles.

[@curly_]

Na they violated a patent from HK during trials and got dismissed, HK then got the contract. Realy sad, Haenel is the same level of Quality

[@viktordragovich94]

@@curly_ There was some little thing like letting water out or something else from the bolt, if I remember correctly. Western intellectual property law simply hinders development and competition. Why do they not lay claim to the very principle of the gas piston, which was invented in the first half of the 20th century, or to the ap15 ​​platform itself? All this is an attempt to destroy a competitor without trying to make a better product. Therefore, capitalism in the current phase does not work. Although Germany in the 1860s and the US after the Civil War did not care at all about the patents of England and each other.

[@AlexanderEddy]

That handguard looks pretty girthy, and I've had plenty of disappointed women tell me that that's an important dimension

[@AndrewDasilvaPLT]

Are these the ARs that were recently denied to be the German Army's?

[@WithinandThroughout]

Danes made great weapons, and they still do.

[@marriottdavis5739]

Pissed I didn't hear about this convention until the day after it ended.... also stinks it was only during the week.

[@Sharky762]

Unless you're press, leo or military you wouldn't get in anyway

[@marriottdavis5739]

@@Sharky762 military 😎⚡️⚡️⚡️

[@Sharky762]

@@marriottdavis5739 then put the one for next year in your calendar 👍add IWA too while your at it as that's mostly the days after.. gives you more time to see all the goodies

[@MrSchnyderli]

They are built well but are heavy af. The 16" 5.56 comes in at almost 8 pounds. Add a LPVO, Suppressor etc. and you will be carrying a brick. Furthermore they are owned by the Saudi Arabian "Caracal International" which is part of the Arabian "Edge Group". Big big nope for me.

[@monk729]

😂😂😂😂

[@hardiansyahnotosaputro5408]

the solutions of after mr556/mr223/hk416 and obsolete sig516

[@factsoftheconfederacy7151]

Looks like Administrative Results snuck himself in on the advertising. Sneaky sneaky

[@trentvlak]

why would you carry an AR with the bolt locked back?

[@smptactical259]

So this is a comment about KZbin. To me its strange that advertisers like Saint an have an ad play and link to their site but content creators can't put links in the content they create to those same sites.

[@Clockwork0nions]

Would be Germany’s next military rifle if it wasn’t for HK’s government cronies.

[@TheLazyLabrador]

Heckle my Coke

[@jacksin3323]

I want one in 300blk so bad. Damn. I like the swappable handguards... you could run a short one w a vertical foregrip and light/laser combo, then a second that you could run OVER a can and make more streamlined. Therrs always cooler shit in other countries. Im sick of that. GIVE US COOL STUFF TOO.

[@Wade-1]

Wth are they carrying a rifle with the bolt held open for?

[@vito1907]

😱

[@notyoaveragejosay1577]

🙌🙌🙌🇺🇸🇺🇸💎💎💎🙌🙌💎💎💎🇺🇸🇺🇸🐐🐐🐐🐐🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🎥🎥🎥🦍🦍🚀🚀🚀🚀🦍🦍🦍🎥🎥🎥🦍🦍🚀

[@1nfamyX]

Not associated to the politician 😂

[@davidg2143]

Who charges an AR from one side with one finger.

[@6122-e1y]

Damn it, ze Germans are cleaver.

[@126theman]

Mud go click

[@lucusallen42]

60 degrees haha

[@darprdun8968]

Shut up and take my money

[@grasunmajjurach5568]

👍👍😊😊🔥🇨🇷⚡🔥🔥⚡⚡พัดลุง

[@Bob_Lennart]

If it has a piston it's not an AR-15

[@Jordan-nc3zy]

They’re imported by B&T and the price is so shit that nobody buys them

[@SomeGuy1234X]

Innovative comes from the civilian market. I wouldn’t put too much stock in these guys. I would like to have that lower though.

[@boomerisadog3899]

Haenel has always sold to the civilian market, just not the full auto versions.

[@iamnotacriminal]

Was that a Steiner mounted on a AR 🤢😷

[@NavYblu99]

Ah, a German gun designed to put less gas into the chamber. Interesting.

[@MbisonBalrog]

Is this even legal in most Euro countries?

[@sergejfahrlich6403]

Wrong

[@Kesssuli]

In most eu countries it is classified as rifle if it have least 11.8 inch barrel. If want to have shorter then you must attach somekind of muzzle device which is not removable by wrench and screwdriver to meet that min length. Usually that means muzzlebreak/flashider with threads for supressor. But yes it is perfectly legal to own. permit for this kind of weapon is usually requires sporting license if want get it with unrestricted magazines. As B-class or similiar depending on country max 10 round mags can get as hunting rifle. I have Proarms Par mk3 piston AR. Lower is 100% standard lower but upper is pretty similiar with quick removable handguard and easy acces to piston and gasport settings (1-4 positions)

[@younggun454]

H&K is overrated and the customer service sucks do not buy H&K product.

[@cliff4695]

I lose interests real fast when they say only available to police and military. How do you combat a tyrannical government when only the government has access to such tools. Because after all, these are just tools. Pisses me off when they are referred to as weapons/guns/rifles. They are tools!

[@vasilije94]

When did you ever fought your government in recent times? USA is basically tyrannical government, you just think you have democracy. On another note, you need only handgun to defend yourself. We don't need kids buying these in wallmart for reasons you are already experiencing in USA every month.

[@gert-janvangelderen7169]

My granddad were in the resistens undergound fighters group in ww 2 here in the Nederlands ,we had a talk about it a copple of years before he past away ...in that talk he say to me ,the stupid thing they did after war were giving back this Englich tommy gun and his 1911 pistol to the goverment .he dont wanted to say why only now whats going on to in todays world i know what he ment. it,s hard to fight fore your freedom if you dont can fight back . dont give up yours guns ..greetings from Ned/EU

[@lieutenantcoloneltanyavond8273]

Exactly! How dare people refer to items by their proper names!

[@xxxm981]

Well, in Europe you don´t have the 2nd Amendment. So making LE only stuff makes sense there.

[@lieutenantcoloneltanyavond8273]

@@xxxm981 Except Czechs, who have constitutional right to firearms. But yeah, Europe is a monolith with 100% uniform laws despite having 44 countries.