Heckler & Koch HK416
A computer image of the Heckler & Koch HK416
Type	Assault rifle
Place of origin	Germany  United States
Service history
In service	2005-present
Used by	See users section
Wars	War in Iraq, War in Afghanistan
Production history
Manufacturer	Heckler & Koch
Variants	D10RS, D145RS, D165RS, D20RS
Specifications
Weight	3.02 kg (6.7 lb) (D10RS) 3.48 kg (7.7 lb) (D145RS) 3.56 kg (7.8 lb) (D165RS) 3.85 kg (8.5 lb) (D20RS)
Length	796 mm (31.3 in) / 701 mm (27.6 in) stock collapsed (D10RS) 900 mm (35.4 in) stock extended / 804 mm (31.7 in) stock collapsed (D145RS) 951 mm (37.4 in) stock extended / 855 mm (33.7 in) stock collapsed (D165RS) 1,037 mm (40.8 in) stock extended / 941 mm (37 in) stock collapsed (D20RS)
Barrel length	267 mm (10.5 in) (D10RS) 368 mm (14.5 in) (D145RS) 419 mm (16.5 in) (D165RS) 508 mm (20 in) (D20RS)
Cartridge	5.56x45mm NATO
Action	Gas-operated, rotating bolt
Rate of fire	700-900 rounds/min
Feed system	Various STANAG magazines

The HK416 is an assault rifle designed and manufactured by Heckler & Koch to be an improved version of the M4 Carbine pattern firearm. It is available as a complete firearm, or as an upper receiver kit that fits on any AR-15 type lower receiver.

The US Army’s Delta Force collaborated with the German arms maker to develop the new carbine. It replaced its M4s with the H&K 416 in 2004 after tests revealed that the piston operating system significantly reduces malfunctions while increasing the life of parts.^[1]

The project was originally called the HKM4, but this was changed in response to a trademark infringement suit filed by Colt Defense. It is speculated that '416' is a reference to the M4 and M16 it's designed to compete with. So far the weapon has reportedly been tested by the United States military as well as some law enforcement agencies. It is only available to government and military organizations currently, but there are plans for a semi-automatic civilian version, the MR223, to be released in 2008.