HKPRO: The MR223 German Civilian Version of the HK416

The new MR223 rifle made its debut at the IWA Show in Nuremburg, Germany, March 14, 2008. IWA is German for Internationale Waffen Ausstellung, or International Weapon Exhibition. It is the German equivalent to the SHOT Show. HK Germany is always present and debuted the civilian piston drive rifle for the German gun owning public, or should I say the wealthy German gun owning public. The suggested retail price is €2849 or roughly $4200 USD, including a rather stiff Value Added Tax of 19 percent.

A significant development in this case and its implications for the American gun buyer is the fact that in order to obtain German Government approval, the rear takedown pin had to be moved 6 mm forward to prevent installation of either a 416 upper on the civilian lower, or the installation of the MR223 upper on a 416 lower.

Since the current plan for American manufactured MR223 equivalents likely won't call for that, it should be of little concern. It's too early at this point to know what exact specifications will be for the American produced rifles. The MR223 is Oberndorf manufactured and will be available in a 16.5 inch variant only.

Interestingly, though an MR308 variant was submitted for German govt approval, (See HKPRO breaking news here) the .308 variant of the platform is said not to be under consideration for manufacture in Germany.

Click here for a pdf of the one page MR223 cut sheet as handed out at the IWA show. Its quality seems to be lacking and not of usual HK promotional department caliber.

Photos courtesy of Armin S. and R.F. Vielen Dank!