NEW updated H&K MR223A3 and MR308A3 (G28) rifles

elektrobug

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At the IWA 2014 Expo new versions of the MR223A3 and MR308A3 were shown. They now feature the upgrades first shown in HK416A5 and HK417A2 including winter trigger guards, new "Slim line" stock with enlarged nut that will pass stringent German drop test, enlarged Bolt catch lever and protective barrier against accidental discharge, fire selector lever can be set to safe when the hammer is in the cocked or uncocked position, recontoured MR223A3 lower receiver mag well that will be compatible with more STANAG mags, fully ambidextrous controls. The ambi bolt release is my favourite parts as its not a push in button like other peoples version, its a push down lever that different in manipulation then the mag release that is so close. There will be two MR308A3 G28 style configurations, a DMR version with long rail (to reduce mirage from a hot barrel) and adjustable stock with sliding cheekrest that automatically moves away when you manipulate the charging handle, and a Patrol lightweight version with keymod rail. Rifles will be available in RAL8000 sand color.


MR223A3:

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MR308A3 (G28) Patrol lightweight version with keymod rail:

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This MR308A3 (G28) DMR version:

http://3.bp.########.com/-uaZRd2JNDBI/Uxn1Lxi9hHI/AAAAAAAAAZk/Yucj7QUhJF4/s1600/IWA2014_291.jpg



Here is a good photo of the ambi bolt release, its on an HK416A5. As you can see its much harder to release it by mistake then you are dropping the mag in a stressful situation and is a vastly superior design to the button type ambi bolt releasee that are common on other ambi lower receivers on the market today.

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I'm wondering how how these will fair in the market, especially considering how the current MR223/556 isn't the hottest selling item.

Not to start anything but try and look at this objectively.

H&K has probably got the best piston system bar none, they are also high quality. So you got a high quality piston AR. A few years ago that was pretty distinguishing but with manufactures like Colt now making their own in-house high quality piston ARs with sub 3k price tags, where does this fit other then to the H&K crowd?

It's an impressive rifle nevertheless.
 
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The MR556 is not very hot in the US because HK "civilianized" the rifle with a 1" thick barrel that is not chromelined.

If they put a mililitary barrel on it to make it the same weight as the HK416, people will eat it.

It is more of a psychological barrier. People don't like to get a "perceived" "watered down" version that is not "as good as" the military version. If they ask for 3K, people want to get something as close to the 416 as possible.

Everyone know the "match" barrel and the "precision take down pins" that need tool for disassembling have nothing to do with "precision" and "match" quality of the rifle. They are superficial measures to make the rifle not ready as a "defensive carbine". This is a big problem in the US, where people buy carbines as defensive weapons. This buttheads with the intention of German law makers that they don't want weapons of war in the hands of civilians.

HK USA is not able to or willing to deliver what the US market wants, because the HK Germany needs to keep the German Government at bay.
 
The MR556 isn't a hot seller in the US because the market is saturated with piston ARs for alot less than the 3k HK is asking for. The MR556 is very nice, but for most people its not as good value as its competitors. 3k is a big price difference when most pistons are under $2300 so the HK is for guys with big money or fans.

However the MR308 is doing fairly well since its priced similar to high end 308 ARs like Larue, LWRC, or LMT.
 
The MR556 isn't a hot seller in the US because the market is saturated with piston ARs for alot less than the 3k HK is asking for. The MR556 is very nice, but for most people its not as good value as its competitors. 3k is a big price difference when most pistons are under $2300 so the HK is for guys with big money or fans.

However the MR308 is doing fairly well since its priced similar to high end 308 ARs like Larue, LWRC, or LMT.
Quote for truth. If HK sells Civilian at prices much closer to what they sell to military, it would sell a lot easier.
If I recall correctly, back in 2008 or 2010 when a Congressman visited Colt, H&K, and FN on individual weapon system (HK416, FN SCAR, XM8, M4) the price point of HK system for the US military was only $50 more than what the Colt was demanding. Keep in mind this is when you buy 1/4 million guns, but my point is that Colt sells their 6920 at much lower price than HK's MR556
 
Quote for truth. If HK sells Civilian at prices much closer to what they sell to military, it would sell a lot easier.
If I recall correctly, back in 2008 or 2010 when a Congressman visited Colt, H&K, and FN on individual weapon system (HK416, FN SCAR, XM8, M4) the price point of HK system for the US military was only $50 more than what the Colt was demanding. Keep in mind this is when you buy 1/4 million guns, but my point is that Colt sells their 6920 at much lower price than HK's MR556

Keep in mind H&K is a premium AR with a PISTON system. A straight 6920 comparison isn't correct.

Colt is what most would consider a "premium" AR, their 6940 Piston, identical in concept/function to the MR223/556, retails for more then a grand less.

It's not like were comparing it to a Bushmaster or a Ruger piston AR. It would simply be a mud dishing contest to try and say H&K or Colt is better then the other, they are both high quality. Colt guys will go Colt and H&K guys will go H&K.

The real distinguishing factor here is how are you going to justify the $1000 difference. Unless your getting a basically mil-spec semi-auto H&K 416, the new MR223/556 will probably do as well as the last generation.
 
I don't know how much HK sells their rifles to the military for, but its alot higher than $50 difference. Colt quotes for the m4 is anywhere from 600 to 800 depending on contracts. The price is low because Colt's have been producing the rifles since the 1960's. For all intents and purposes the HK416 is a totally different rifle from the M4 and they don't have the sales or manufacturing volume. I betting the HK416 cost at least twice as much as a M4.
 
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