The handguard does not come in contact with the barrel, which is 'free-floating' to improve the rifle's accuracy by reducing the impact of the handguard's movements on the barrel. The rails are compatible with various accessories such as optical sights, lasers, and flashlights. The rifle features Picatinny rail placements along the top of the upper receiver, as well as on the top, bottom, and sides of the RIS handguard. It has an adjustable telescopic buttstock. This piston system enhances the rifle's reliability once it is dipped in water or sand. It features a proprietary short-stroke piston mechanism developed by H&K for the G36 as opposed to the direct gas impingement system used by most AR-15 derivatives. The rifle's foldable iron sights provide accurate fire out to 300 meters. Feeding from NATO STANAG magazines, the rifle has a rate of fire of 700-900 rounds per minute.

The project took inspiration from the HK50, XM8, and L85A2 endeavours of H&K.Ĭhambered in 5.56x45mm NATO, the HK416 is a short-stroke gas piston operated, rotating bolt, selective fire automatic carbine. The rifle was originally named the HKM4, but was later changed to HK416 after a law suit was filed by Colt Defense over the trademark for the M4 name.

The goal was to make a M4 variant that has a shorter profile and lacks the AR-15's direct impingement system. The Heckler & Koch HK416 is a collaboration project between the US Army Delta Force R&D department and the German firearms company Heckler & Koch, at the request of US Army combat veteran Larry Vickers.

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