[nightscape]

before I start anything, I'm using the word clone because its not a full hk416.

Hey everyone,
Just figured I would ask some questions. I have HK416 upper/date code:BA/length 10.4/never been fired

So I figured I would ask a few questions:

1) Should complete my build and use it?

2) if there a reason I shouldn't use it/fire it/what have you?

3) Should I just get a used hk416 upper and use that instead?

4) Does it do me any good of keeping it as a "safe gun"?

I plan on buying a MR556 lower, my full build would look like this.

credit of image goes to a user here named Dooler.

 

[MichaelVain]

I'm not sure I would call what you're intending to do a "clone". You're using a MR556 lower, which aside from the full auto, is going to be pretty close. Aside from some OTB features in the tube, that's pretty much a SA 416, plus it's HK made. It's not like you're using POF, or what have you.

I would use it and shoot it. I think there's a good chance that HK will be making replacement barrels in the future and you'll be able to re-barrel if you ever shoot it to the point where it will need a new barrel. I think Kyle DeFoor put like 67,000 rounds into his before retiring it.

Also for anyone who has not read DeFoor's comments about his 416, here's a link...

http://soldiersystems.net/2013/03/page/2/

 

[nightscape]

If I can find a MR556 lower that is, I have a hard time finding them for sale. I am skeptical of HKs offerings and there's no doubt there that the barrel is gonna last a while.

 

[CharlieDeltaJuliet]

There are barrels available to replace the OEM if needed. I bought a Turnerfab barrel from a user on here. He offered them in 14.5" and 10.4" if I recall. I bought the 14.5". I have yet to shoot it, I just put it in the safe to have. So fear not, parts are available.

 

[LCSO264]

I'm not sure I would call what you're intending to do a "clone". You're using a MR556 lower, which aside from the full auto, is going to be pretty close. Aside from some OTB features in the tube, that's pretty much a SA 416, plus it's HK made. It's not like you're using POF, or what have you.

I would use it and shoot it. I think there's a good chance that HK will be making replacement barrels in the future and you'll be able to re-barrel if you ever shoot it to the point where it will need a new barrel. I think Kyle DeFoor put like 67,000 rounds into his before retiring it.

Also for anyone who has not read Defoor's comments about his 416, here's a link...

March 2013 Archives - 2/28 - Soldier Systems Daily

I believe MichaelVain is correct, I suspect we will have a barrel source of some fashion in the near future. Regardless of what lower you put your upper on, I'd use it.

and Canipe's write up is definitely worth reading, a true un-biased, hard use review.

 

[Hammer27]

I'm not sure I would call what you're intending to do a "clone". You're using a MR556 lower, which aside from the full auto, is going to be pretty close. Aside from some OTB features in the tube, that's pretty much a SA 416, plus it's HK made. It's not like you're using POF, or what have you.

I would use it and shoot it. I think there's a good chance that HK will be making replacement barrels in the future and you'll be able to re-barrel if you ever shoot it to the point where it will need a new barrel. I think Kyle DeFoor put like 67,000 rounds into his before retiring it.

Also for anyone who has not read DeFoor's comments about his 416, here's a link...

March 2013 Archives - 2/28 - Soldier Systems Daily

That article is not by Kyle Defoor. It's by John Canipe.

Defoor has no love for the HK416 or any HK products for that matter.

 

[MichaelVain]

I first read that on DeFoor's blog, I'm pretty sure DeFoor wrote it. I just tried to pull it up and it seems alot of those posts are gone. I also looked for his post where he was giving the thumbs up to the Eotech XPS, and that link is gone as well.

http://www.kyledefoor.com/2010/01/return-of-eotech.html

I apologize if I'm wrong, but I read that article many times on his blog.

Edit: Eotech XPS, not 522, added link that is now gone.

 

[Brad4065]

If I can find a MR556 lower that is, I have a hard time finding them for sale. I am skeptical of HKs offerings and there's no doubt there that the barrel is gonna last a while.

OP....it depends on your long term intent. If your intent is the upper as an investment.....put it away, and don't touch it, because these are increasingly harder to find in pristine condition. Go out and buy an AI, AH, AF, or AG upper and have at it. Just know....once you start putting rounds down the tube, you'll most likely take a financial hit.

 

[nightscape]

I haven't decided yet, but I'm thinking of doing just that, storing it away and buying a AI, AH, AF, or AG upper and shooting that away. How should I store it?

 

[sweersa]

Store it in a consistently cool, dry place. Keep a light coat of oil in the bore, which is probably overkill for a chrome lined barrel, but can't hurt. Bags can keep moisture in, so I'd keep it in a cardboard box, maybe with a few micro fiber towels in it as further protective padding. I do that with my rare AK mags and they have been fine for years when I check them periodically. Even ones with in the white rubbed or worn steel stay rust free.

 

[nightscape]

what kind of oil?

 

[scottinthegrove]

Since I'm not a 416 aficionado, so I don't know as my opinion has much weight. But it seems to me saving stuff in "like new" condition is like not being intimate with your girlfriend so she will be more "virginal" for the next guy. There is a demand for 416 uppers. I'm not sure how HK Parts is making these replacement barrels and staying clear of HK patents. But sadly they are using stainless steel instead of a chrome lined barrel. I'd like to think HK will set up barrel production here in the US. But until that actually happens we will hope. I'd think with the popularity, once the HK patents expire, especially if HK doesn't produce 416 barrels/uppers, someone will make "clones" of the 416 with chrome lined barrels.

If HK actually starts selling 10" replacement barrels/uppers, what would that do to the price of this barrel? It will always have some value, but if I can buy a new one from HK for $500, I'm not going to pay a couple thousand for one from a private collector. To me, life is short. If something will give me enjoyment, why not use it? In 2007 I bought a registered Fleming sear for $11,500. Today the market value is over $30,000. If the Hews Amendment goes away, market value could drop to a couple of hundred dollars. Even if the value of my sear made that drop tomorrow, it would hurt, but I still would have done it. I have had so much fun with it. If it is something you want to use, use it. I'm very well aware that my collection is just passing through my life. 100 years from now, I'm not going to be around. But I bet most all of my collection will be owned by someone. It is still early to tell if my kids will want them. I'd like to think that like my Johnson rifle, that came from my wife's grandfather, will still be in the family? It is only stuff. Once I'm gone, who's to say what will happen to it.

Scott

 

[baljar]

HK will not sell 10inch replacement uppers. Simply because 11inch is the shortest barrel lenght they offer in the current spec guns, and thats whats sold in europe these days.

I certainly hope that this webpage that is entirely built on pretending to sell legimitate hk stuff (hkparts) will be shut down soon, or at least that HK will start enforcing that no legitimate HK stuff can appear on there.

 

[LCSO264]

HK will not sell 10inch replacement uppers. Simply because 11inch is the shortest barrel lenght they offer in the current spec guns, and thats whats sold in europe these days.

I certainly hope that this webpage that is entirely built on pretending to sell legimitate hk stuff (hkparts) will be shut down soon, or at least that HK will start enforcing that no legitimate HK stuff can appear on there.

I'm sure the 10inch barrel comments were in regard to the original 10.5 inch barrels offered on the 416, which are now 11+ inch barrels on the A5 (current production) guns. I think it is fair to say, we can freely interchange the two barrel lengths in discussion and get the gist of the posts.

Last time I checked, HKParts had a pretty good relationship with HK-USA. Although HKParts does sell some non OEM German HK items, they also sell a large amount of true OEM parts. they are often times the only place that does have said parts available. I've purchase many, many parts/items from HKParts, and I've always been satisfied. Particularly with their delivery, the time from order placed to parts arriving at my door has always been incredibly short.

 

[baljar]

I'm sure the 10inch barrel comments were in regard to the original 10.5 inch barrels offered on the 416, which are now 11+ inch barrels on the A5 (current production) guns. I think it is fair to say, we can freely interchange the two barrel lengths in discussion and get the gist of the posts.

Last time I checked, HKParts had a pretty good relationship with HK-USA. Although HKParts does sell some non OEM German HK items, they also sell a large amount of true OEM parts. they are often times the only place that does have said parts available. I've purchase many, many parts/items from HKParts, and I've always been satisfied. Particularly with their delivery, the time from order placed to parts arriving at my door has always been incredibly short.

I understand, I just believe that the mere existence of such a vendor is damaging to the image of HK USA and ultimately HK.
To me, the failed strategy of HK catering to the extremely sizeable civilian US market is about the only reason such a vendor can exist, after all the market demand is there and someone will fill that demand.
And as we see, with HK being stuck in the loop of 80ies government procurement go2market, its not YET better, maybe it will get better, but these changes have not hit the streets in the US yet. It is a bit different in Europe, but still subpar to competitors.

 

[JRaven]

I think the dude who said "...like not being intimate with your girlfriend so she will be more 'virginal' for the next guy" hit right on the head.

I scored my unfired AI upper in a trade. Bought a CNC 80% lower, machined it out, anodized it, created the markings with the help of a guy on here and got it lasered. I put it together with a Geissele 416 trigger. Bought an extra gas block and swapped out the stock rail for a Geissele rail. Set it up as a pistol till the tax stamp came back.

Not sure it shoots better than my piston LMT suppressed, but I shoot it every chance i get.

Truth be told, I have been shooting a lot of 300 BLK lately; now if HKParts came out with a 416 upper barreled in 300 BLK, I would have it tomorrow with some decent glass.

To give some perspective, I hung with Tommy Lee from Motley Crew in Vegas years ago and he made a great comment in passing. He said, "Everything time you see a hot girl, somewhere there is a dude tired of f**king her."

My advice - find one CNC's 80% lowers and Form 1 it and try to shoot out the barrel.

13

 

[nightscape]

before this moves off topic, what oil should I use?

 

[tomketchum]

before this moves off topic, what oil should I use?

Any oil that prevents rust. Some companies even sell vegetable oil as gun lube and market it as something else. What ever is oil.