German AR15 MR556A1

Well Heckler and Koch has finally started selling the civilian offspring of the HK416 which is a piston driven M4 carbine.  The US Navy SEALs and Delta have both selected this weapon as their carbine of choice usually with a 14.5" or shorter barrel.  It seems the SEALs have something for a 10" rifle and it was one of these the did in OBL so I guess they work. 

Here is what H&K has to say about it:  "A direct descendant of the HK416, the MR556A1 is a semi-automatic rifle developed by Heckler & Koch as a premium level commercial/civilian firearm with match rifle capability. Like the HK416, the MR556A1 is a major product improvement over conventional AR-type carbines and rifles."

Anyway on to the civilian MR556A1 granted I have not handled one and at around $3000 retail I doubt I will, yes I said $3000 for a AR15 carbine.  From the reviews I have read it is piece of beautiful German engineering.

Here are the specs
16.5" Moly cold hammer forged barrel with no chrome lining (unless you refuse to clean your rifle you do not need this anyway).
Free float rail system
Iron back up sights
Six Position collapsible stock
So basically everything we expect from an M4 clone.

Here is what is also has:
It weighs 8.5lbs EMPTY!!! The full sized M16A4 weigh 7.18 lbs empty tack on 1lbs for loaded magazine tack on a pound for an ACOG scope and you are only at 9 lbs. Put basic accessories on the MR556A1 and you are looking at a 10lbs carbine.  I thought we wanted a carbine here.  Also the take down pins are captive and require a special tool that is supplied in the butt stock.  So if you do not like the stock and swap it you have to have a different place to keep this special tool.  However these pins are removable and can be replaced with normal take down pins.  With the gas piston system it raises the profile of the rifle therefore requiring special optics mounts to attain the ideal 2" above bore level.  LaRue Tactical makes mounts that account for.

However all the reviews I have read say this thing is like shooting a tank as in solid, it has a match grade barrel, and is utterly reliable.  That says a lot right there.  I wonder though if the Germans left in the crazy detent and spring for the take down pin?

If you want an utterly reliable AR platform weapon and you have $3000 for the rifle plus accessories this is the rifle for you.  This weapon more expensive than the Remington/Bushmaster ACR and the FN SCAR series of rifles.  Folks there are very reliable ARs out there and you could build/buy two of them for the cost of one of these rifles but you are buying a Rolex not a Timex.