Well, as long as we're on the topic of rumors, a long standing small arms rumor was confirmed last night. Heckler & Koch, makers of such wonderful products as the MP5 and G36, publicly announced the introduction of a product long awaited; the HK M4.
Now it might seem odd that H&K would seek to enter into an arena with longstanding and established giants as FN, Colt, Bushmaster, but they do have something to offer besides the name.
Current manufacturers are still closely following the recipe for the M16 system, which has remained virtually the same for the better part of half a century. There's a good reason for this; the M16 design is pretty good. Though its flaws have pretty much been ironed out in combat, there is that one that everyone knows about. Talk to anyone, your grandma even, and you'll doubtlessly hear that the M16 system is less reliable than its foe, the AK-47.
It's been known that the M16 family's dirty secret lies in the fact that sooty combustion gasses are routed through the operating mechanism. In time, this forms deposits that can cause malfunctions.
The venerable AK-47 and G36 systems avoid this issue by making the gas piston external to the firearm's action, allowing for a much cleaner system. What HK has done is to integrate the G36's externalized short stroke gas piston design into the M16 rifle, so as to achieve a cleaner action.
From the details at the HKM4 website, the major modifications are present mostly in the upper receiver assembly. Buffer modifications are claimed, but that's a minor point. The lower receiver remains mostly mil-spec M16. What this indicates, then, is that this is not so much a full rifle system, as much as it is a retrofit to current rifles. This mirrors in a way the HK contract to improve to the maligned British SA80A1. It might be a new, but limited business model; HK designs retrofits to adopted systems, assuring lower R&D costs, and an eager customer.
Downside? HK's distinctly leftist European politics make them less than eager to sell to the citizen. Actually, this isn't definitely true; they're very eager to sell their "mitary" Mk23 pistol. One wonders if their reluctance to sell to the civilian sector is politics-based or sales based. Their SL8-1 (neutered g36) was a major flop, as was their USC (neutered UMP). Nobody even hears about their shotguns or bolt rifles.
Arguments can be made that the pricing on HK items is outrageous, but I think another aspect to consider is that the USC and SL8-1 were stripped of their military styling and ability to accept military magazines. Maybe they'll be smarter with the HKM4; there are probably millions of AR15s in civilian hands in the US; most of which belong to dedicated firearms enthusiasts willing to shell out the big bucks for something new and improved.
Keep it under $1k, and I might buy. (dreams on)