Heckler & Koch HK416D 10RS (SS Tested April 2011)

The HK 416D 10RS, in reality a Colt M4 OPS but with a few internal and external refinements that make it just that bit better Seen it, handled it, not shot it, the latest HK the MP5 SD6 it should do well in the UK Though the same mechanism as Walther’s Colt M16 Tactical series the HK 416 is different. Options include the 12.1” carbine with 4-way forend, Crane-type butt and new pistol grip. There’s an identical 16” version too, which is special order only. Iron sights are standard HK and the finish and trigger pull is much improved.  The barrel is a rifled steel liner inside a dummy, alloy outer, which is tensioned by the screw-off flash hider. Feed is from identical Colt magazines though in black, which are easy to fill. The bolt spring is adjustable to suit your ammunition!

Bolt removal is not quick or simple, but a squirt of brake cleaner or similar drives the clag out of the mech well enough and reliability is pretty good. Though the 12.1” is not that keen on sub-sonics!  Walther are now in production of the HK MP5 SD6, we can expect examples shortly. I have handled this rifle and I can categorically state this is not a GSG5! Inside it’s identical to the 416 with the same functions, with dedicated 10 or 25-round magazines. The barrel is 16” with a dummy moderator and the rounded, SD handguard. This is done to keep the rifle UK legal as it uses a telescopic stock. It does not have a Picatinny rail but the standard HK QD scope base, so not sure about optics yet!

•Barrel 12.1 and 16”

•Capacity 10, 20 & 30

•Automatic last round hold open Y

•Adjustable bolt spring Y

•Manual hold open N

•Price: £780 (expected average)

•Spare mags 10 £35, 20 £55

•Contacts: John Rothery Wholesale, 01730 268011 (trade only) www.bisley-uk.com Suffolk Rifle (retail), 01473 730035 Riflecraft Ltd, 01379 853745 (8mm-1/2x20 UNF moderator adaptor) £35

•For: Interesting alternative M4

•Against: More expensive than a comparable Colt Tactical M4-type

•Verdict: Nice rifle but the 16” version needs to be more available