[ABNAK]

Bought a 416 upper from HKParts.net back in January. Advertised as "new". A little carbon on the piston but I'll ASSume that they are test-fired at the factory (?). Bolt face didn't look used so I have no reason to doubt the "newness" of it.

Nonetheless, it is an AF code which makes it a 2005 vintage model I'm told. Barrel is 0.875" behind the gas block so it's definitely not one of the newer M4 profile ones. My question is this: with the popularity and lucrativeness of these things how does one sit unfired for almost 7 years? Do they languish in Customs that long? Again, I have no reason to doubt that it's not as advertised but I can't imagine sitting on one for that long!

 

[Grumpy]

Probably from PD's who make an order, then don't use them and then sell off either the uppers or the whole gun to dealers. It's weird what some PD's do with their stuff.

In the small town I spent most of my childhood in, they had several brand new in box tommy guns from the 20's or 30's that were in the registry even. In the late 80's, they sold off one or two of them and outfitted the departments new tactical team with all new HK goodies including at least one PSG1 (if I remember correctly).

My parents were both LE at the time and I got to go play with the toys when I was a kid. I was an HK fan back then as well so it' was like walking into my own private version of heaven when Ed (the head of the tac-team) let me in the armory for the first time.

 

[lineback911]

plenty of those kits came in around 2005 (AF date code) before HK figured out they were going into civilian hands. Back then especially, dealers could order just the "upper kit only." HK has gotten stricter and stricter every year with these and now there dropped shipped directly to LE/Military only. I remember when the kits were $2000-2500 brand new. People or dealers probably put them away and now are selling due to economy and/or being able to double their money. And like Grumpy stated some are probably left overs from LE departments etc. Kits are around, it just depends on how much you want to pay to get one.

 

[bermise]

Are AF date codes more common than AH?

I kind of want to buy another if the value will keep going up and no more new uppers for civilians.

 

[lineback911]

ref 10.4" kits--AF is most common I have ever seen (especially when it comes to ones in civilian hands)....wasnt till last year or so when AH's would pop up here are there...have seen (1) AI date code

Ref 14.5" kits seen alot of AG's for whatever reason

im sure there is newer (date code wise) kits on the LE/Military side since they come right from Germany and dont probably sit in customs etc as long

 

[saboteur7271]

HK brought in a lot of the 14.5" models before LE Agencies started going with the shorter barrels.
As such, most of the "new" HK416's in 14.5" sitting in bond are from 2005-2006 as they have been sitting since then and HK didn't really bring in any newer ones because of the overstock.

I spoke to the HK warehouse manager briefly when my new HK416's showed up last year with AG date codes, and the above was explained to me.

With the last of these in bond being sold off to dealers and the dealers parting them out, the AF and AG guns are showing up now.

 

[ABNAK]

HK brought in a lot of the 14.5" models before LE Agencies started going with the shorter barrels.
As such, most of the "new" HK416's in 14.5" sitting in bond are from 2005-2006 as they have been sitting since then and HK didn't really bring in any newer ones because of the overstock.

I spoke to the HK warehouse manager briefly when my new HK416's showed up last year with AG date codes, and the above was explained to me.

With the last of these in bond being sold off to dealers and the dealers parting them out, the AF and AG guns are showing up now.

Makes sense.

Would I be correct in assuming that a little carbon on the piston is indicative of test-firing at the factory?

 

[saboteur7271]

Yes.

They probably put a 30rnd mag through them like Colt does to check them out.
Mine had dried packing grease all over the inside from sitting so long, I had to work to get it all off.
They had carbon on the piston and inside of the hand guard from being fired so I know they put more than a few rounds through it.

 

[SPECR]

So is there a source for 416 uppers as we speak other than GB? Thanks.

 

[Chopstix Kid]

So is there a source for 416 uppers as we speak other than GB? Thanks.

HKParts.net