[I don't get HK. Rumor has it the German overlords are liability skittish.]
You're not alone- nobody gets H&K. Superb quality firearms backed up by crappy management and the worst customer service in the industry.
[Good news is both SIG and FN are producing, and selling, brand new, made in the USA scary black rifles, for sale to civilians.]
The new Sig rifle is a civvie version of the 551 or 552, right? If it is, then there's mixed opinions. Sig fans love the rifle and tout it above all others. Those who don't like Sigs just view this rifle as the highest quality AK ever built.
It'll be a long time before I buy any Sig. Despite pressure from the US, Sig sold several high quality sniper rifles to Iran within the last few months. Think those rifles will /not/ be used to kill American troops at some point in the future? Sig can kiss my butt!
The new FN rifle... are you talking about the P-90, P-99 or whatever it is? STAY AWAY!!! This rifle is an answer in search of a question. Unless you're planning to shoot through body armor, this rifle (and its caliber) is too bulky to be a pistol and very underpowered for a rifle. Having said that, it will probably be purchased by the same folks who bought Desert Eagles in .50ae. I was not one of those folks. The P-90 does have a high CDI factor, though. (CDI = Chicks Dig It)
[With the - at least for now -cancellation of the XM8, from a business perspective, not selling what would be popular guns - the 416 and G36 - is looking increasingly stupid.]
Agreed totally! Take out the "fun button" and H&K could sell the 416 by the tens of thousands every year, if they could keep the price below $2k with a decent Picatinny rail system. That's enough to fill up that brand new factory in Tennesee or Georgia or wherever it is.
BTW, it looks like H&K will not import any G36s in the future.
I give them credit for selling a bonafide "military style" rifle to the general public, although I didn't know of the Iranian deal. Don't think I blame SiGArms though, but the parent Sig-Sauer.
New FN is FS2000, PS90-ish looking 556mm bullpup carbine.
Don't need one, but I always like to see new military style carbines offered for commercial sale.
Sterling, VA