Posted on 06/11/2011 11:49:12 PM PDT by STARWISE
PM got to spend some time recently with the world's newest celebrity weapon: the HK416, the U.S. Special Forces assault rifle that (we're pretty sure) killed Osama bin Laden
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The World's Newest Celebrity WeaponHeads turn eagerly as painfully bright sunlight pours through an opening door of a dark New York City warehouse. Smiles mix with the winces; a celebrity has arrived.
Two men in black T-shirts step into the shadowy building, carrying opposite ends of a large green case; they place it carefully on a table. One unlocks the clasps and cracks open the case, revealing two disassembled Heckler & Koch 416 carbine rifles.
The HK416 is, as of May 2011, the world's newest celebrity weapon. Enough off-the-record sources have told reporters that it is the gun that killed Osama bin Laden that this detail has become accepted history, even though the Pentagon and HK won't admit it.
It is undoubtedly true that U.S. special forces helped create and use this weapon, making it a logical choice for the Naval Special Warfare Development Group operators who swept bin Laden's compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan.
(Excerpt) Read more at popularmechanics.com ...
"Look at me, fellas! And I'm NOT gay!"
Excellent. Get the gas and fouling out of the action.
The writer was no doubt attempting to maintain a light touch, but it bears repeating: firearms don’t kill people. People kill people. And, in this case, it was the brilliance and courage of our Navy SEALs who did the deed, and NOT their hardware.
I agree
Too bad the author revealed himself to be totally incompetent to write about firearms!
“The M16 and M4 both use gas tubes to launch their projectiles, and keep these gases (along with burned carbon particles) inside the gun, fouling the receiver. The HK416 uses a gas piston instead of a gas tube to launch projectiles”.
WRONG, very very wrong!
The gas tube or piston converts gas pressure to mechanical action, they cause the bolt carrier to retract rearward after each shot, the only thing they “launch” are empty cartridge casings.
Burning propellent inside the cartridge launches bullets down the gun’s BARREL!
I guess PM no longer has an editor who knows anything about basic firearm mechanics!
I’m still waiting for the “writer” to tell me what caliber the weapon is.
At first glance it looks like a video camera.
The HK416 is also in the running to replace the M4 as the standard issue Army carbine, and to replace the M16 as the standard issue Army rifle.
I’m not sure if PM’s source is correct. The 5.56 makes a crappy entry weapon....prone to passing through walls and killing your team-mates or, heaven forbid, innocents.
For CQB, SEALs typically use SMGs, like the H&K MP5, chambered in pistol calibers like 9mm.
Smile wait for flash
4.6 x 30mm
Remember when Americans made the state of the art weapons?
I am convinced however (from inside sources) that the cartridge used was the 4.6x30mm of which the Navy purchases by contract from U.S. suppliers. The weapon used, therefor is most probably the HK MP7.
.... and not their hardware and NOT the Muslim playing President.
Yep.
M-1 Carbine principle.
“The HK416 uses a gas piston instead of a gas tube to launch projectiles.”
Oh, geez.
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