Indians For Guns

Designated Marksman Rifles (DMRs) fill an important operational niche. Chambered in 7.62 or greater, they lob more firepower than a 5.62 close-quarters carbine, but unlike the surgical precision of a one-shot bolt gun, they are semi-automatic so you can put multiple rounds on target. And fast. Out to 800 yards or more, if you like.

Indeed, these things give new meaning to the expression “sniper fire.”

And just in the nick of time for the annual Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade (SHOT) Show in Las Vegas, Heckler & Koch (HK) is highlighting a trio of new 7.62 NATO (.308 Win.) semi-automatic rifles built around this very concept.

The news comes after the German company was awarded a contract to produce the M27 Infantry Automatic Rifle (IAR) for the United States Marine Corps.

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. According to HK, this key feature is deemed critical by leading military and law enforcement customers.

Currently in operational use in Afghanistan, the G28 is designated as a military/law enforcement firearm and is not available for civilian/commercial sales at this time.