Update on HK's release of civilian 416/417
- Thread starter ADK
- Start date
ATF is an American agency. Koalorka is talking about sales restrictions imposed by the German government. Koalorka is talking about sales restrictions imposed by the German government. Even if HK had ATF approval, they would still be breaching German regulations. German law states that you cannot sell German-made "military-style" firearms to civilians. This includes civilians in foreign markets. That's why HK had to come up with the SL8 abortion – they couldn't sell the semi-auto G36 to the civilian market because it's too "military" in appearance. That is also why HK was so pissed about a dozen or so G36s making it into civilian hands in Canada; they could have been in serious legal trouble with the German government because of that.
I also don't believe that ATF approved the 416/417 for civilian sales. The article mentions the U.S. barrel ban that prohibits the importation of barrels and uppers that can be installed on full-auto guns. Seeing how HK's barrels and uppers are made outside of the U.S. and can be used in conjunction with full-auto lowers, I don't see how they could have possibly been approved.
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Guys Hk made the HK91,93,94 then the MSG90 etc for CIVILIAN SALE in the US. They got raped in the 89 Semi Auto import ban (and then the 94 AWB - and Canada's ghey laws at the same time too)
True Hk makes some VERY poor marketing decisions,
also before everyone starts crowing - I wonder what the MR223 will look like, as to quote Larry Vickers "Hk could not market free ###"
True Hk makes some VERY poor marketing decisions,
also before everyone starts crowing - I wonder what the MR223 will look like, as to quote Larry Vickers "Hk could not market free ###"
I know that I will probably get sh*# on for saying this but the reality is when it comes to HK they make the decision who they sell to. R Nicholls only sell there products to certified end uses that qualify as per there instructions. That said the civi weapons are purchased no problem. HK is in the LE/MIL market, that is there "bread and butter". Sure they have a huge following in the civi side but the reality is that the LE/MIL side want the new technology like the 416/417 and the MP7 for there initial use. HK doesn't see the need for civi"s to have a 416/417 or a MP7 right away. They made certain rifles for the American market and I'm sure that we may see that again.
I thought HK could not sell the 416 in the USofA becuase of some 'law' about having a certain % of the firearm manufactured in America for it to be allowed to be imported......
...then you had P.o.F and other copy the HK rifle and offer it to the masses..
...then you had P.o.F and other copy the HK rifle and offer it to the masses..
The U.S. military is in no rush to buy the 416/417. So far, the only military sales were a couple of hundred rifles that went to SOCOM. And somehow I doubt that the gun will be a huge hit with law enforcement either. They could make WAY more money selling to civilians. Again, I don't buy the "doesn't see the need for civi"s to have a 416/417" theory. It would be an extremely odd business practice to deliberately turning down paying customers.
mebiuspower
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Morontario
Did you know that Ferrari won't sell you an Enzo even if you got the money for it? It's called marketing.
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Okay, but that's different. Ferrari is limiting their production runs to keep the price high. I don't think that's HK’s motivation. They are not selling there rifles in limited numbers – they are not selling them at all. Don't see how that can be attributed to marketing.
On second thought, perhaps you're on to something. At first, HK made it seem like the 416 would never be sold to civilians. As we all know, people desire things that they cannot have the most. Now every mall ninja in North America secretly wants one. They may be posting online about how much they hate HK and how they would never buy anything HK because the company hates civilians, has bad customer service, etc etc, but when the gun is finally released you can bet they'd be first in line, cash in hand. Perhaps it is a genius marketing ploy after all
Nah. A lot of resentment directed at HK as a result of their marketing and sales policies (which contrary to popular belief is NOT completely due to German law) is genuine.
I think HK makes a good product. I just don't believe they're worth anywhere near the expense they command, nor do I agree with their corporate attitude.
I think HK makes a good product. I just don't believe they're worth anywhere near the expense they command, nor do I agree with their corporate attitude.
mebiuspower
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Morontario
On second thought, perhaps you're on to something. At first, HK made it seem like the 416 would never be sold to civilians. As we all know, people desire things that they cannot have the most. Now every mall ninja in North America secretly wants one. They may be posting online about how much they hate HK and how they would never buy anything HK because the company hates civilians, has bad customer service, etc etc, but when the gun is finally released you can bet they'd be first in line, cash in hand. Perhaps it is a genius marketing ploy after all
Just like Sony in the gaming/electronic world, HK needs their fanboys in order to support their products. And just like HK, Sony makes everything proprietory (ie. MemoryStick, etc), and people are still lurging to buy Sony products because they think Sony stuff are cool/unique/awesome/whatever.
HK pistols = Sony snapshot cameras = POS.
HK MP5 = Sony professional camcorder = the cat's ass.
Take a look at this Sony article written for the same reason:
http://www.thebestpageintheuniverse.net/c.cgi?u=sony_bull####
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- Location
- Calgary, Alberta
The MSG90 was intended as a lower-cost alternative to the PSG1. It was introduced after the import ban in 1989 as the name implies, and was never legal for sale to civilians in the US and still isn't because of the push pin lower which makes it into a machinegun, according to ATF.
- Location
- Calgary, Alberta
If they're going to do this, the only reason why is $$$ because they need to keep that fancy new plant of theirs going. The UK contract for SA80 conversions is over now, and so are the G36 contracts they had for Spain and a few other places. What are they cranking out at the moment?
I dunno, but it sounds as though income overcame their "LEO" philsophy. Yes that was partly imposed by German law, but they've always been iffy about supplying certain things to the civilian market.
I dunno, but it sounds as though income overcame their "LEO" philsophy. Yes that was partly imposed by German law, but they've always been iffy about supplying certain things to the civilian market.
