[bermise]

Can a HK 416 upper use standard charging handles from here in the states or will only the HK charging handle work?

 

[saboteur7271]

Any AR15 handle will work.
I use a BCM Gunfighter on mine.

Have also used a Gasbuster too.

 

[Grumpy]

I've tried the PRI Gasbuster, a BCM Gunfighter, the HK, and a standard Colt charging handle.

All work just fine.

The Gasbuster stays in it though.

 

[dwillHK]

What's the advantage on a Gasbuster on piston rifle? It's selling point is that it claims to stop gas from getting into the shooter's face (is this a massive problem for ARs - never heard of it), but there isn't any gas going into the receiver on the HK (or any other piston AR). Looks like just a big handle that doesn't really offer any improvement over the HK handle.

 

[bordercop]

What's the advantage on a Gasbuster on piston rifle?

It's still an extended latch compared to the basic OEM model. The difference between it and the other handles with extended latches is no more/less than the different makes and styles of rail covers. Different people just have different tastes in what they want.

 

[bermise]

I need a HK 416/MR556 new in box buffer spring and buffer. Where can you buy these besides HKparts.net??

Thanks

 

[planman]

I need a HK 416/MR556 new in box buffer spring and buffer. Where can you buy these besides HKparts.net??

Thanks

Keep an eye on Sturmgewehr Assault Rifle and NFA Forums - 24/7 Online Gunshow and Firearm Community HK stuff pops on that site everyday.

 

[bermise]

Keep an eye on Sturmgewehr Assault Rifle and NFA Forums - 24/7 Online Gunshow and Firearm Community HK stuff pops on that site everyday.

Thanks for the heads up, I posted a WTB ad just now. I will keep an eye on that site.

I heard from another member that Center Mass Firearms sells HK buffers but I could not find one for sale on their website. They do have some HK parts.

 

[planman]

Center Mass Firearms post ALOT of HK parts on Sturm so like me, check that site as much as you do this one.

 

[Jay_in_NC]

I sure wish there was a way to lighten up the buffer spring on my 416. It's nearly impossible to rack left handed with a half grab on the charging handle. This is the only gun that I can't rack that way, I gotta do the goofy two finger wrap around to get a good grip.

 

[Grumpy]

What's the advantage on a Gasbuster on piston rifle? It's selling point is that it claims to stop gas from getting into the shooter's face (is this a massive problem for ARs - never heard of it), but there isn't any gas going into the receiver on the HK (or any other piston AR). Looks like just a big handle that doesn't really offer any improvement over the HK handle.

Yes, there is a fair amount of hot gasses that get sent through the receiver and get on the face of or in the eyes of the shooter when shooting suppressed. Take a look at a person who has been shooting a DI AR suppressed for an hour and you'll see black smudge all over their face and shooting glasses. Not cool.

BUT, the cause of this isn't from the gasses coming back though the gas tube, otherwise this would be an issue with all ARs, not just ones running suppressed. The issue is that when shooting suppressed, the suppressor catches a fair amount of expanding propellant gasses, and then after the bullet has exited, those gasses continue to expand and go both directions, out the front of the supressor and right back through the bore into the action as the rifle is cycling.

This happens on ALL semi-automatic rifles when running suppressed, piston guns included. Of course it is worse on AR series rifles as it has the rear mounted charging handle which provides more escape routes for the gasses, but it still happens on all rifles. If you have a change to observe two piston rifles of the exact same type, one running suppressed and one running non-suppressed for the exact same number of rounds, you'll notice that the suppressed gun is far, far dirtier then the unsuppressed. Even dirtier then an AR15 (unsuppressed). Ar15's suppressed look like the devils ******* after shooting a few hundred rounds suppressed.

The Gas-Buster provides side vents to direct the gasses away from the face and a larger handle to "catch" the gasses that don't re-direct. It doesn't work 100%, but then again, nothing like this does. There wil still be a little bit that escapes, but it is far more pleasant to shoot a suppressed rifle with a Gas-Buster then it is without.

I speak from personal experience.

 

[Grumpy]

I sure wish there was a way to lighten up the buffer spring on my 416. It's nearly impossible to rack left handed with a half grab on the charging handle. This is the only gun that I can't rack that way, I gotta do the goofy two finger wrap around to get a good grip.

Only way to lighten the spring without adversly effecting the operating system is to tune the operating system first and then change out to a lighter spring.

Of course my advise would be to "grow stronger"......

Of course you could also sell the 416 and get an MR556 where you can swap the handle from the left to the right side so you can palm it with your right hand and make it easier on yourself.

 

[Montrala]

I sure wish there was a way to lighten up the buffer spring on my 416. It's nearly impossible to rack left handed with a half grab on the charging handle. This is the only gun that I can't rack that way, I gotta do the goofy two finger wrap around to get a good grip.

Get BCM Gunfighter charging handle (medium size will do), it will make left hand charging much easier - gives more and better purchase on charging handle that makes it lot easier to operate even with strong HK buffer spring. Or get lighter buffer spring (for competition purposes I use lighter buffer spring, for other purposes I would keep original one).

 

[Americanel]

I have Vltor BCM Gunfighter, i feel much better then genuine, more strong and when charge i don't have problem of twist.

 

[bermise]

I have Vltor BCM Gunfighter, i feel much better then genuine, more strong and when charge i don't have problem of twist.

Are you still using the BCM Americanel? How did it hold up?

 

[Jmacken37]

I swapped out the HK spring on a 10.4" 416 for a standard carbine buffer spring and the gun worked fine with XM193 ammo on semi and full. I never tried it with heavier grain ammo.

 

[freebug2day]

I swapped the charging handle for the RAPTOR. Better overall ergo. I use a HK buffer + AR standard carbine spring. Works great. I was having issues with the HK spring.

 

[bermise]

HK springs are stiff for a reason

 

[freebug2day]

I can see for a HK416 extra stiff to compensate for increase pressure from a can. But for MR556, no reason, esp if you have your barrel shortened and overall pressure is lighter causing issues.

What reason is there? The HK buffer has a rubber pad built into it to provide stopping if it ever backed into the buffer tube.