H&K HK416 A5.

New two stage gas system that can be adjusted without tools. Using the HK-proprietary gas piston system found on the G36, the A5, like all HK416 models, does not introduce propellant gases and carbon fouling back into the weapon’s interior. This makes it much more reliable than conventional M4/M16 type weapons using a direct gas impingement operating system. Modest design changes in the A5 lower receiver increase overall reliability and ambidextrous handling. Dual safety/selectors, magazine releases, and bolt catch release controls are found on both sides of the HK416A5’s lower receiver. The HK416A5 departs from the traditional black color found on many weapons using a green-brown RAL8000 color scheme. Similar to the American “flat dark earth” color, RAL8000 has special low IR observable properties and is camouflaged for many environments. The new A5 adjustable gas system can be manipulated without tools and has two settings, “N” for normal use and “S” for use with sound suppressors. The HK416A5 is well-suited for use with high quality sound suppressors and was extensively tested with the B&T Rotex V, including a 15,000 round durability test followed by firing 5,000 rounds with the Rotex V suppressor. The A5 successfully fired the full 20,000 rounds without any parts breakage. The barrel-to-gas block fit has been modified for reduced gas slip and the barrel interface into the upper receiver has also been redesigned along the lines of the Heckler & Koch 7.62 mm HK417, leading to increased overall durability. The strengthened upper receiver of the HK416A5 includes a shortened, radiused threaded surface area where the upper receiver is attached to the barrel and a protective shoulder to shield the bolt release button from inadvertent activation. The upper receiver’s Picatinny (MIL-SPEC-1913) rail has been extended slightly to enable sights to be mounted further to the rear. Changes in the upper receiver takedown pin locking surface minimizes play between the upper and lower receiver. The interface between the A5 upper receiver and the free floating rail system/handguard has also been changed with an additional assembly reference slot being added to ensure more precise alignment in the Picatinny rail surfaces. The most prominent and obvious changes are found on the A5’s redesigned lower receiver. Innovative and unique ambidextrous magazine releases and bolt catch release controls are present on both sides of the lower receiver. This feature is found on few M4/M16 type weapons and makes the HK416 A5 truly ergonomic and ambidexterous in all of its controls. An enlarged Winter trigger guard has a rounded trigger guard bar added for use with heavy gloves and the extended HK417-style castle nut on the receiver extension means greater strength and reliability. On the 14.5, 16.5, and 20 inch barrel models, a front sight adaptor allows a flip-up front sight to be attached directly to the barrel for greater accuracy. To accommodate the new, adjustable gas system, the short length A5 carbine model is equipped with an 11 inch barrel. All of the A5 variants still have the highly regarded, existing features of found on earlier, combat-proven models of the HK416. The HK416 uses a barrel produced by Heckler & Koch’s famous cold hammer forging process; further improving reliability, service life, and operator safety during obstructed bore occurrences or in extreme extended firing sessions. The highest quality steel is used in this unique manufacturing process producing a barrel that provides superior accuracy after firing thousands of rounds with minimal degradation of accuracy and muzzle velocity. The A5 has HK’s famous “OTB” (over-the-beach) capability and can be safely fired after being submerged in water and not completely drained. As the leading AR-based weapon system, the HK416 is unsurpassed in durability, safety, and accuracy. It is also the most cost-effective AR type weapon when viewed through total life cycle analysis.