I have not been on here in a long time so I apologize if you all already know this but I confirmed today at AUSA that the MR556A4 will be announced next month as one of the three new HKs.
They made a formal announcement to introduce 3 major new and/or enhanced platforms withing the next 4 months here:or they made a formal announcement?
There have been several statements about the MR556A4:Are they going to offer mr556a4 to le/mil and civilian alike with modification based on customer base?
If they aren’t going to chrome line the bbl of the A4 then they will have pretty much lost me as a customer after 30 years.
if there is a MR556A4 it most likely won't be chrome lined like most recent HK offerings. I don't think that's a major factor unless HK goes out of business or HK plans to upgrade the MR556A4 to newer iteration in a few years "very unlikely". There is going to be a lot of spare parts to go around so a non chrome lined barrel isn't going to be a issue. You are buying MR556A4 not because its going to perform better than a DI AR design you are buying it cause its made by HK.if the new MR223/556 variant doesn’t not include a chrome lined barrel, it will be hard to justify a purchase
As BarnOwnLover says, HK is known for their CHF chrome lined barrels on the 416/417. It is a selling point of the weapons system. The nitrided MR556A1 barrels they are selling do not match up to what Daniel Defense or Geissele can put out in terms of accuracy and durability. Of course, I am comparing short stroke vs DI uppers. However, I buy HK products to shoot, not be safe queens. I run my UMP conversion, Sp5, P30, VP9 because they meet or exceed other comparable offerings. I did not buy a MR556A1 or MR762A1 because neither platform does anything better, and in some cases not equivalent to, a well US made AR DI variant (DD, Geissele, KAC, LMT).if I wanted a side charging handle ill buy a roller lock HK or a Scar
if there is a MR556A4 it most likely won't be chrome lined like most recent HK offerings. I don't think that's a major factor unless HK goes out of business or HK plans to upgrade the MR556A4 to newer iteration in a few years "very unlikely". There is going to be a lot of spare parts to go around so a non chrome lined barrel isn't going to be a issue. You are buying MR556A4 not because its going to perform better than a DI AR design you are buying it cause its made by HK.