Marines train with the new M27 IAR Infantry Automatic Rifle

By LCpl Scott Whiting

CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. - The United States Marine Corps explored many options to replace the currently employed M249 Squad Automatic Weapon, and found an upgrade with the M27 Infantry Automatic Rifle. The IAR has been extensively tested by the Marine Corps since 2010. They examined the pros and cons of the rifle, and after confirming the benefits of issuing it, some battalions were recently outfitted with the weapon in Afghanistan.

 Infantry Training Battalion - East also implemented training with the weapon in the last few months. Company D’s basic riflemen, who will use the weapon most with their job responsibilities, familiarized themselves with the IAR Jan. 9 aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune.

 “We went to the IAR because it is more precise when aiming, and it also has the ability to fire at a semi-automatic rate,” said Staff Sgt. Scott Bare, infantry course chief for ITB – East. “The SAW was fully automatic at all times, which can limit its uses. The simple change of it going from a light machine gun to an automatic rifle offers more mobility and maneuverability within a rifle squad.”

 Switching from an approximately 17-pound light machine gun to an approximately 8-pound rifle will make moving with the weapon easier, since it weighs close to the same as a standard M16A4 rifle. 

The option to fire the IAR as a semi-automatic will give riflemen the ability to engage farther targets with more accuracy than firing on fully automatic does.

The IAR uses a 30-round magazine, reloads and fires the same way an M16 does, but a big difference is the safety switch on both sides of the IAR. The M16 has a safety switch only on the left side of the rifle, beneficial only to right-handed shooters. The IAR also does not have a three-round burst option. Instead, Marines can switch between the semi-automatic and fully automatic rates of fire.

Even though the IAR is similar to the M16 on the outside, the inner-workings vary drastically. “There’s a lot of internal difference between the two,” said Bare. “As much as (the IAR) looks like an M16, the rifle itself has many changes to it. Once you actually break it down to the different parts and operating systems, you notice some distinct differences. The M16 itself uses gas tubes, and the IAR uses a short piston. The bolts and buffers are different as well. The (IAR) is truly meant for an individual to employ precise fire at a high volume when necessary.”

Bare said the goal is to eventually replace SAWs within squads and fire teams with the IAR, but the SAW is still a useful weapon in certain situations and still has a purpose overseas.

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HK MR762A1 LRP (Long Rifle Package) New for 2013

Taking an essentially standard MR762A1 (caliber 7.62 x 51 mm NATO) semi-automatic rifle, Heckler & Koch USA turns it into a more effective precision rifle by an astute addition of the right optics and accessories. A Leupold 3-9VX-R Patrol 3-9 x 40 mm scope and mount, HK G28 adjustable cheekpiece buttstock, and LaRue Tactical BRM-S bipod are the primary add-ons that make the MR762A1 Long Rifle Package (LRP) more than a sum of parts.

A semi-automatic rifle originally developed from the fully automatic HK417, the MR762A1 LRP employs the same HK proprietary gas piston operating system found on current HK rifles and carbines, using a "pusher" rod in place of the gas tube normally found in AR15/M16/M4-style firearms.

This method of operation virtually eliminates malfunctions that are common to direct impingement gas systems since hot carbon fouling and waste gases do not enter the receiver area. This is the same key feature critical to the success of the current generation of HK rifles used by leading military and law enforcement customers.

The MR762A1 LRP uses a barrel produced by Heckler & Koch's famous cold hammer forging process. The highest quality steel is used in this manufacturing

process, producing a long-life barrel that provides superior performance with minimal degradation of accuracy and muzzle velocity after prolonged use. The barrels are manufactured in Germany and finished in the USA.

The MR762A1 used in the "Long Rifle Package" is being produced with the same commitment to quality as German-made HK firearms. By using joint U.S./ German manufacturing, Heckler & Koch leverages the relative strengths of two continents to make the preeminent AR-type firearms, combining the design innovations of the USA and Germany into superior products.

Additional accessories and add-ons for the LRP variant of the MR762A1 include an ERGO Pistol Grip from Falcon Industries, the same Blue Force Gear sling used on the HK M27 IAR supplied to the USMC, and an OTIS cleaning kit. The rifle package, complete with one 20 and one 10-round magazine is shipped ready to use with the scope attached in a compact 42-inch Model 1720 Pelican case.

The MR762A1 LRP has all the features sought by civilian precision shooters as well as law enforcement organizations seeking a basic and lighter weight alternative to the HK G28 series of designated marksman rifles.

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HK45T (Tactical) New Pistol for 2013 by Heckler & Koch

  Originally developed for the U.S. military's next generation handgun competition, the new HK45 "Tactical" comes standard with a threaded barrel and three-dot tritium night sights. 

  

With a choice of three frame colors (black, tan, or green), the full-size HK45 Tactical  (HK45T) model uses an ergonomic grip design that includes changeable backstraps together with molded finger grooves for optimum shooting. And like all HK45 pistols (compact, full-size, Tactical models), they're made at HK's American manufacturing facility using American and German components.

  

The HK45 Tactical has a proprietary internal mechanical recoil reduction system that employs a flat recoil spring in tandem with a polymer bushing sleeve to reduce the recoil forces effecting the operator and the weapon, improving shooter control during rapid firing and prolonging component service life. An "O-ring" on the threaded barrel means better slide-to-barrel lockup and enhanced accuracy. 

  

The HK45T can be converted to nine different kinds of trigger firing modes including HK's enhanced double action only "LEM" (Law Enforcement Modification) mode. The HK45T is well suited for military, law enforcement, security use, and civilian sport shooting. 

Marines in Afghanistan on patrol with the M27 IAR

Look for the Marine K9 handler @ 02:13, he's issued the H&K M27 IAR during a patrol


3/13/2012 U.S. Marines and Sailors with Alpha Company, 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion conduct a dismounted patrol through Sre Kala village. Alpha Co. Marines and Sailors conduct daily patrols to disrupt enemy activity and search for enemy weapons caches, clearing the area as Afghan national security forces prepare to take the lead in counter insurgency operations within Khan-Neshin district.

SHOT Show 2012 Preview: Heckler and Koch M27 IAR, G28 Marksman Rifle, MR556A1, MR762A1, HK45 CT

H&K Press Release      USMC Awards Infantry Automatic Rifle Contract to HK    Heckler & Koch was awarded a competitive contract to produce the U.S. Marine Corps' new Infantry Automatic Rifle (IAR). The formal "Full Rate Production" announcement by the Marines caps a competition that began more than three years ago. Designated the M27 Infantry Automatic Rifle, the lightweight, 11.62 pounds weapon with ancillary equipment, is a variant of the highly successful Heckler & Koch HK416 used by military, law enforcement, and special operations units in the U.S. and throughout the world. The M27 IAR replaces the heavier, M249 SAW (Squad Automatic Weapon) which has been used by the Marines in Infantry Squads since the mid-1980s in the automatic rifle role. Both weapons fire the 5.56 mm NATO cartridge. The five-year, indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract calls for possible delivery orders up to $23,600,000 for the production, delivery, and associated support of the Marines' Infantry Automatic Rifle program. The Marine Corps approved the full rate production and fielding of the M27 Infantry Automatic Rifle during the summer of 2011. There will be one M27 IAR per four-man fire team, with three M27 IARs per squad, 28 per company and more than 4,000 across the entire Marine Corps. "After a rigorous testing process, both in garrison and deployed environments, and in-depth consultation with weapons experts through the Corps, the commandant approved the fielding of the M27 Infantry Automatic Rifle," said Marine spokesman Major Joseph Plenzler in a press statement in June.  "The fielding of the IAR will significantly enhance the ability of our infantrymen to gain and maintain fire superiority, reduce their fighting load and provide them a more ergonomic and accurate weapons system that can keep up during the assault." "Winning the Marine's IAR competition is another milestone for our HK416," said Wayne Weber, President of Heckler & Koch USA. "Developed at no cost to the U.S. taxpayer and with U.S. military input in the aftermath of the September 11th attacks on America, the HK416 competed against-and beat many worthy challengers. This contract award is a direct testament to the superior performance of the HK416 and it is an honor for Heckler & Koch to equip the Marines with such a fine rifle."         MR762A1 Heckler & Koch's long anticipated MR762A1 rifle (in caliber 7.62 x 51 mm) debuts at SHOT Show 2012, joining the 5.56 mm model (MR556A1) released in 2011. The new MR762A1 rifle is inspired and influenced by recent Heckler & Koch piston driven rifles, including the new HK G28 designated marksman rifle developed for the German military.    A semi-automatic rifle originally developed from the fully automatic HK417, the MR762A1 uses the same HK proprietary gas piston operating system found on current HK rifles and carbines, using a "pusher" rod in place of the gas tube normally found in AR15/M16/M4-style firearms. This method of operation virtually eliminates malfunctions that are common to direct impingement gas systems since hot carbon fouling and waste gases do not enter the receiver area. This is the same key feature critical to the success of the HK416/HK417 rifles used by leading military and law enforcement customers.    The MR762A1 uses many of the same assemblies and accessories that originated on the HK417 including the HK free-floating four-quadrant rail system. This handguard system allows all current accessories, sights, lights, and aimers used on M4/M16-type weapons to be fitted to the MR Series.    The HK rail system can be installed and removed without tools and returns to zero when reinstalled. Like their HK military counterparts, the MR (for Match Rifle) series rifles use barrels produced by Heckler & Koch's famous cold hammer forging process. The highest quality steel is used in this manufacturing process, producing a long-life barrel that provides superior performance with minimal degradation of accuracy and muzzle velocity after prolonged use.    The barrels are manufactured in Germany and finished in the USA. MR762A1 rifles are produced in the USA from a combination of American and German-made components. Suggested retail price on the MR762A1 is $3,995.               HK45 Compact Tactical The HK45 Compact Tactical builds on the tough, military lineage of the Heckler & Koch HK45 series of handguns to devise the ultimate operator's pistol. The HK45 pistol series (compact and full-size models) were chosen as the first firearms made at HK's American manufacturing facility so it is only fitting that a modified variant would be adopted as the new pistol of a major U.S. special operations unit.    The HK45 Compact Tactical (CT) is the closest a civilian can get to that military pistol. The HK45 CT comes standard with a threaded barrel, 10-round magazine with extended floorplate, and replaceable grip panels to adjust the feel and grip circumference of the pistol to suit individual hand size and shooting preferences.    The HK45 pistol series were originally developed as candidates for the U.S. military's next generation handgun competition so there is little wonder that the HK45 CT is so well-suited for military, law enforcement, and security use. An HK proprietary internal mechanical recoil reduction system reduces the recoil forces effecting the weapon and shooter by as much as 30%, improving shooter control during rapid firing and prolonging component service life. An "O-ring" barrel means better slide-to-barrel lockup and enhanced accuracy.    The HK45 Compact Tactical uses all HK45 magazines, from 10-rounders to the smaller 8-round magazine. A Picatinny MIL-STD-1913 rail for mounting lights and accessories is molded into the polymer frame of the HK45 Compact Tactical.    The HK45CT can also be converted to nine different kinds of trigger firing modes including HK's enhanced double action only "LEM" (Law Enforcement Modification) mode and the "decock only" mode found on its special operations counterpart. Suggested retail price ranges from $1,392 to $1,461 (depending on trigger firing mode selected).    MR556A1 Upper Receiver Kit The MR556A1 Upper Receiver Kit allows high quality AR-style rifles to be retrofitted to HK's famous pusher rod operating system. An MR556A1 Upper Receiver Kit includes a complete barrel assembly, HK Free Floating Rail System handguard, complete bolt carrier assembly, HK buffer, and HK buffer spring. The same operating system is used in the combat-proven 5.56 mm HK416 as well as the G36, XM8, HK417, and a variety of other Heckler & Koch arms. The Upper Receiver Kit is designed to be fully interchangeable with all high quality AR-style firearms that use retractable buttstocks and MIL-SPEC buffer tubes. Installation is accomplished by inserting the HK buffer and buffer spring and attaching the HK upper to an AR lower receiver using the standard takedown pins. The Upper Receiver Kit is the core of the HK 5.56 mm proprietary gas piston operating system. It employs a piston and a solid operating "pusher" rod in place of the gas tube normally found in AR15/M16/M4-style firearms. The HK piston driven operating system virtually eliminates malfunctions that are common to the direct gas impingement system since hot carbon fouling and waste gases do not enter the receiver area. This is the same key feature critical to the success of the HK416 rifles used by leading military and law enforcement customers. Like the MR556A1 rifle, the Upper Receiver Kit is made in the USA using German and American made components. The MR556A1 Upper Receiver Kit is classified as a part and can be purchased without a Federal Firearms License ( FFL). Suggested Retail Price is $2,195.    G28 Marksman Rifles The G28 is the new designated marksman rifle for the German army. Based on the MR308 civilian competition rifle (the European variant of the new MR762A1), the G28 uses the HK417 "envelope" as its design foundation but with several significant differences. The G28 employs a steel upper receiver, is semi-automatic only, and has a new, high-precision Picatinny-type rail handguard. A new two-stage gas regulator is designed for both suppressed and unsuppressed use. The G28 is equipped with a free-floating, chromed-lined barrel manufactured using HK's legendary cold-hammer forging technology. Despite its differences from the HK417, the G28 still retains approximately 75% parts compatibility with HK417 models. Available in Standard Configuration and Patrol Configuration (3.5 lb/1.6 kg lighter with a shorter handguard and less powerful 1-8x scope), both G28 variants come standard with adjustable buttstocks. The Standard Configuration buttstock has a movable cheekpiece. Both G28 configurations and special low IR observable green/brown (RAL8000) color finish. Lighter and shorter conversion kits will also be available to suit different missions and scenarios. Standard and recommended accessories include Schmidt & Bender telescopic sights (3-20x50 or 1-8x24), red dot sight (Aimpoint Micro T1), a laser light module (Rheinmetall Soldier Electronics LLM01-RAL8000), night sight (Qioptiq Merlin LR), a thermal sight (Insight CNVD-T35), and laser range finders (Jenoptik HLR15 or Vectronix PLRF15). A special Peli (Pelican) transportation case and noiseless carrying sling is also available. Notable performance features include warranted and repeatable accuracy of 1.5 MOA, high first round hit probability on chest size targets up to 600 meters, and precise suppression fire against man-size targets up to 800 meters. Currently in operational use in Afghanistan, the G28 is designated as a military/law enforcement firearm and is not available for civilian/commercial sales. Interested agencies should contact HK staff for pricing and availability.

German Army's new H&K G28 rifle

The Bundeswehr's new rifle is the Heckler & Koch G28 which ordered several hundred rifles this past August.  Originally designated as the DMR762 (Designated Marksman Rifle, 7.62mm NATO), it is the product of the civilian version of the MR308 (Match Rifle .308 win).  It will be used in the DMR (Designated Marksman Rifle) role and capable of 1.5 MOA accuracy with match-grade ammo and accurately engage targets at 600 meters.

The G28 is packaged with the new Schmidt & Bender 3-20x 56mm Scope and the Aimpoint Micro T1 as a back-up sight and will come with a free-float full size rails to mount a night vision scope, laser/illuminator/lights and other mission specific accessories.  It will come standard with a 420mm chrome lined barrel (about 16.5"), with an overall length of 980mm (about 38.6"), and weight about 7.9 kg (17.4 lbs) empty.

The G28 for the Bundeswehr comes standard with a telescopic buttstock and has a GREEN BROWN (RAL8000) finish.  Lighter and shorter conversion kits will also be available to suit different missions and scenarios.


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Marines swap firepower for accuracy with M27 IAR

For at least a decade, factions of the Marine Corps have pushed for replacement of the legendary 5.56mm M249 Squad Automatic Weapon in infantry fire teams.

Weighing more than 22 pounds with a 200-round drum, the belt-fed light machine gun slows down Marines while patrolling and maneuvering under fire, critics said. It isn’t accurate, it’s temperamental and takes too long to get working after jams, they added.

Beginning this year, the critics will get their way.

Read more...

Heckler & Koch Issues Bond, Plans Restructure

By ALBRECHT MÜLLER
Published: 13 May 2011 10:40

BONN - Small-arms manufacturer Heckler & Koch Group has issued a bond worth 295 million euros ($419.2 million) that is part of a restructuring and an effort to reduce debt.

The bond's interest rate is 9.5 percent, and it will be due in 2018.

The net proceeds will be used to refinance Heckler & Koch's outstanding notes, purchase all payment-in-kind loans of Heckler & Koch Beteiligungs held by third parties, and pay related transaction fees and expenses. The notes were rated Caa1/CCC+ by Moody's and S&P, respectively.

The company, headquartered in Oberndorf, Germany, plans to improve the group's structure and capital flow while reducing debt.

Heckler & Koch also plans a flotation on the Frankfurt and London stock markets in the medium term.

In 2010, the company increased its sales by 5 percent to 247 million euros and achieved earnings before interest and taxes of 51.8 million euros, an increase of about 30 percent compared with 2009. The net result was 30 million euros.