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Posted: 4/7/2026 9:36:13 AM EDT
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I know the BRn-4 with a piston assembly replaced with a real HK one is a solid, cost effective way to go, but being that Brownells seems to be having a difficult time producing and keeping anything in stock, are there any other options for HK 416 upper clones? Preference would be for the 11" barrel. I vaguely remember one or two other companies offering them, but the names don't come to mind right now. Sven Manticore Arms |
Your best source for bullpup upgrades including the Hellion, Tavor, and AUG! www.manticorearms.com
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Originally Posted By Manticore_Arms: I know the BRn-4 with a piston assembly replaced with a real HK one is a solid, cost effective way to go, but being that Brownells seems to be having a difficult time producing and keeping anything in stock, are there any other options for HK 416 upper clones? Preference would be for the 11" barrel. I vaguely remember one or two other companies offering them, but the names don't come to mind right now. Sven Manticore Arms Is this for a personal gun or for a test bed for an accessory? No guarantees but you can try and email this guy and tell him who you are and he may give you a discount? He is very good to work with. You can even tell him chargerdude70 from HKPRO sent you. I don't get anything from doing this other than help others and help keep him in business. https://hkpartspro.com/hk-416-upper-rec-wo-barrel |
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Haus Tool used to have some complete 416A5 uppers they would build on top of a variety of parts. Not what you’d call inexpensive though. https://haustool.com/ |
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The opinions expressed here are my own and do not necessarily reflect the views of my current or former employers.
The opinions expressed here are my own and do not necessarily reflect the views of my current or former employers.
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Originally Posted By Copper: You may be thinking of Titan Arms. They made a HK416 clone but I think they went out of business. John Wick used one in the first movie. @Copper Ah, I think that was them. Bummer to hear they went under. Seeing the price of a genuine HK 416 upper receiver (just the receiver!) and reading about the machining quality of the BRN-4 uppers, I am tempted to make our own copy of the upper receivers. There looks to be space in the market for a lower cost than the OEM, but better quality that some of the other options out there. Sven Manticore Arms |
Your best source for bullpup upgrades including the Hellion, Tavor, and AUG! www.manticorearms.com
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Originally Posted By Manticore_Arms: Seeing the price of a genuine HK 416 upper receiver (just the receiver!) and reading about the machining quality of the BRN-4 uppers, I am tempted to make our own copy of the upper receivers. There looks to be space in the market for a lower cost than the OEM, but better quality that some of the other options out there. Sven Manticore Arms Make A3 and A5 clones with chrome lined barrels, and they’ll sell. (Maybe offer the OTB parts too.) Last time I was in the market for a piston AR, I bought a Caracal 816 A2, but it doesn’t have a chrome lined barrel. (It’s basically a SIG 516). |
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Originally Posted By KitBuilder: Do it. Make A3 and A5 clones with chrome lined barrels, and they’ll sell. (Maybe offer the OTB parts too.) Last time I was in the market for a piston AR, I bought a Caracal 816 A2, but it doesn’t have a chrome lined barrel. (It’s basically a SIG 516). Originally Posted By KitBuilder: Originally Posted By Manticore_Arms: Seeing the price of a genuine HK 416 upper receiver (just the receiver!) and reading about the machining quality of the BRN-4 uppers, I am tempted to make our own copy of the upper receivers. There looks to be space in the market for a lower cost than the OEM, but better quality that some of the other options out there. Sven Manticore Arms Make A3 and A5 clones with chrome lined barrels, and they’ll sell. (Maybe offer the OTB parts too.) Last time I was in the market for a piston AR, I bought a Caracal 816 A2, but it doesn’t have a chrome lined barrel. (It’s basically a SIG 516). I will see what we can do. We need a good piston upper out there than is good quality and isn't stupid expensive! Sven Manticore Arms |
Your best source for bullpup upgrades including the Hellion, Tavor, and AUG! www.manticorearms.com
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Originally Posted By Manticore_Arms: @Copper Ah, I think that was them. Bummer to hear they went under. Seeing the price of a genuine HK 416 upper receiver (just the receiver!) and reading about the machining quality of the BRN-4 uppers, I am tempted to make our own copy of the upper receivers. There looks to be space in the market for a lower cost than the OEM, but better quality that some of the other options out there. Sven Manticore Arms Originally Posted By Manticore_Arms: Originally Posted By Copper: You may be thinking of Titan Arms. They made a HK416 clone but I think they went out of business. John Wick used one in the first movie. @Copper Ah, I think that was them. Bummer to hear they went under. Seeing the price of a genuine HK 416 upper receiver (just the receiver!) and reading about the machining quality of the BRN-4 uppers, I am tempted to make our own copy of the upper receivers. There looks to be space in the market for a lower cost than the OEM, but better quality that some of the other options out there. Sven Manticore Arms Do it! |
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If you're going to do a custom 416-style upper, make it (or a version of it) compatible with AR barrels/gas tubes and 416 rails. Maxim's upper receivers are like this, but they don't sell stripped uppers. One of the guys around here has build a 416-"clone" on this upper, which looks like a 416 but is just a DI AR15. |
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Originally Posted By Daggertt: If you're going to do a custom 416-style upper, make it (or a version of it) compatible with AR barrels/gas tubes and 416 rails. Maxim's upper receivers are like this, but they don't sell stripped uppers. One of the guys around here has build a 416-"clone" on this upper, which looks like a 416 but is just a DI AR15. @Daggert So they just drill the gas hole for a gas tube below (or instead of) the piston hole in the upper? Sven Manticore Arms |
Your best source for bullpup upgrades including the Hellion, Tavor, and AUG! www.manticorearms.com
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If we’re cloning 416 uppers, clone the 416. Creating some DI lookalike just to use the handguard is insane. We could argue the 516 or 816 are “better” in some way but the 416 has become the global standard with the logistics tail behind it. I have two BRN-4 uppers I’ve built out and I’d love to build more if I had a reliable source for reasonably priced parts. Was planning on getting two MR556 A4 uppers later this year but I could go for other domestic clones, especially if they were on the 416A5 standard. So call it a Manti-4? 
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Support the Firearms Policy Coalition and help save the Second Amendment: https://www.firearmspolicy.org
The opinions expressed here are my own and do not necessarily reflect the views of my current or former employers.
The opinions expressed here are my own and do not necessarily reflect the views of my current or former employers.
| I got a new BRN-4 from Brownells a month ago. They are shipping, but demand is high. It's been accurate and reliable, only gripe is I thought the notch for the handguard tab would be a little tighter fit. I contacted Brownells and they didn't have an ETA on replacement uppers and suggested Quick set RTV removable later, and it is a perfect fit. It was like $1k with coupons and active junky, so I shouldn't complain too much. |
If you are putting a lot of effort into arguing with me, you are probably really just wasting your time, sorry.
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PSA has direct gas 416 height uppers coming soon. I wouldn’t be surprised if they have a piston conversion in the works, but no word on that. Attached File They also have HK pattern rails coming for both HK height receivers and standard height DI guns. Attached File |
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Originally Posted By -OdieGreen-: PSA has direct gas 416 height uppers coming soon. I wouldn’t be surprised if they have a piston conversion in the works, but no word on that. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/337946/179-3733143.jpg They also have HK pattern rails coming for both HK height receivers and standard height DI guns. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/337946/199-3733142.jpg Is that a 416 height URX 3.1, or a PSA repro 3.1? I love that rail! |
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Originally Posted By -OdieGreen-: PSA has direct gas 416 height uppers coming soon. I wouldn’t be surprised if they have a piston conversion in the works, but no word on that. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/337946/179-3733143.jpg Whats the plastic rail cover handguard on this? Looking for something better than a manta tac wrapfor all the damn mlok aluminum handguards that feel like a broomstick |
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Originally Posted By monotremata: Whats the plastic rail cover handguard on this? Looking for something better than a manta tac wrapfor all the damn mlok aluminum handguards that feel like a broomstick It’s their suppressor tuck system. They said that’s the big reason they went 416 height. |
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Originally Posted By -OdieGreen-: It’s their suppressor tuck system. They said that’s the big reason they went 416 height. Originally Posted By -OdieGreen-: Originally Posted By monotremata: Whats the plastic rail cover handguard on this? Looking for something better than a manta tac wrapfor all the damn mlok aluminum handguards that feel like a broomstick It’s their suppressor tuck system. They said that’s the big reason they went 416 height. Looking forward to seeing what that weighs, there aren’t many options for tucking a can on a 416, let alone lightweight ones. Really wish Troy hadn’t discontinued their solid carbon fiber rail, that sucker was perfect for a gun that isn’t getting a laser, it’s half the weight of any other handguard. |
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Originally Posted By -OdieGreen-: PSA has direct gas 416 height uppers coming soon. I wouldn’t be surprised if they have a piston conversion in the works, but no word on that. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/337946/179-3733143.jpg They also have HK pattern rails coming for both HK height receivers and standard height DI guns. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/337946/199-3733142.jpg I was actually thinking we could just do HK416 height receivers and make the compatible with the existing piston rod assemblies, or do a piston system and gas block so you could have an HK416 style piston system but use standard AR-15 barrels, but seems like PSA might have already gone down that route and we aren't going to be able to compete with them on price point due to the crazy volumes of parts they run. I guess we will see what they turn out and if there is room in the market for what I am thinking at this point. Sven Manticore Arms |
Your best source for bullpup upgrades including the Hellion, Tavor, and AUG! www.manticorearms.com
Joined:
Sep 2025
Posts:
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EE: 100% (1)
GA, USA
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Originally Posted By Manticore_Arms: I was actually thinking we could just do HK416 height receivers and make the compatible with the existing piston rod assemblies, or do a piston system and gas block so you could have an HK416 style piston system but use standard AR-15 barrels, but seems like PSA might have already gone down that route and we aren't going to be able to compete with them on price point due to the crazy volumes of parts they run. I guess we will see what they turn out and if there is room in the market for what I am thinking at this point. Sven Manticore Arms Adjustable gas block for 10.4" barrels would be excellent. |
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