HK 93 or AR15 -Info to offer

F

Firefour

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Nov 13, 2005
166
14
Tulsa, Oklahoma
#1
A guy I know has a like new HK 93 he'll sell me if I want it. Anyone out there run both HK93's and AR15's? What would be the advantage of one
over the other? I've shot AR15's near 30 years now so I have a good idea
on those, but know very little on the HK's other than heavier, more expensive, and I think it has a 1/12 twist.
Thanks for any info.
 
#2
Re: HK 93 or AR15 -Info to offer

The HKs are great guns for collectors.

ARs are great guns for shooters.

The HK-91/G3s were great battle rifles, the HK-94/MP5s were great subguns. The HK-93s are cool but it never found a military application because there were a lot of better alternatives.

...still I wouldn't turn down an HK-93 if the price was right.
 
#3
Re: HK 93 or AR15 -Info to offer

I have owned a couple of HK91s, but not a 93. My friend has at least 1 93. The 2 are nearly identical in construction, and I know HKs very well. The 91 kicks like a bastard. I even got bit pretty hard by the Hensoldt scope a few times and drew some blood. The rifle is not only heavy, but does not feel balanced; it is heavy up front and light in the rear. You won't get anywhere near that recoil with the 93, and it is kind of fun to shoot. However, it is not a practical rifle IMO. The rifle is a bit archaic, fairly accurate at best and you are limited as to the types of goodies you can mount on it. In addition, the mags are kind of junky. My advice would be to grab it if you are looking at it from a collector's standpoint, and if you can spare the dough. If you are looking to just shoot something, I wouldn't bother with it. That rifle is fairly rare, and shooting it just whittles the value away. I could see if it were able to punch holes in holes, but it is a 3rd world design rifle that can shoot 1 MOA on a good day. Stick to the AR for shooting.
 
#4
Re: HK 93 or AR15 -Info to offer

HK are great guns for collectors as Starvin mentioned. I like HK guns alot. However, their rifle can be a bitch to field strip comparing to the AR15. Also, parts are harder to come by or if you want to "pimp it up".
 
#6
Re: HK 93 or AR15 -Info to offer

I disagree somewhat with the above. I feel that they can both be a bit of a pain to clean. I started with a 93, so going to the AR platform......I thought the AR was a bitch to clean comparatively. It's all relative.

If you want to do some customizing, go with the AR, as everyone and their dog is making AR accessories. HK accessories are insanely priced, but once you figure out how to interchange between calibers, it becomes easier and more fun....especially if you are a "purist"

The AR also has the edge in accuracy as well. But I have shot my 93A3 out to 400m with much success.

The HK feels smoother when fired (I think), and gets the nod on the fun and rarity factor. Plus, the HK has way better resale and value retention.

If you were just going with say a Colt 9620/LMT defender vs. the HK. HK93 all the way. If you don't like it, i'll buy it
smile.gif
 
#7
Re: HK 93 or AR15 -Info to offer

I've owned an HK91, SR9TC, HK94, HK SP89 & still own my HK93 & SP89 & have owned several AR's over the years. I think the HK's & AR's are just as difficult to clean. The receiver on the Hk seems to get more dirt but they keep firing anyway. There are several HK tools to clean the receiver & action that make it easier to clean, i own them. The HK seems to like 55gr or lighter bullets, probably because i think it is a 1 in 12 twist. Mine likes hot loaded 52gr match. They are more collectable than AR's. Mine is basically a safe queen. Parts are more expensive but are not that difficult to get. If you have the money get the HK. Ar parts are everywhere & you can build a very accurate one for much less but the resale value isn't as high as the HK.

HK93.jpg
 
#8
Re: HK 93 or AR15 -Info to offer

HK 93
Pros:
Accurate
Good sights
Smooth
Good resale and collector value
Cool

Cons:
Clumsy charging system(plus no bolt hold open)
Ditto on the mag release unless its a paddle mag
Difficult for optics mounting
Heavy
Expensive
 
#9
Re: HK 93 or AR15 -Info to offer

Dang, tough choice, but with a 1/12 twist I don't think it would work well with my 69gr, 77gr's I have loaded. Several K of them.
Have a Class III HK man that lives by me so parts,etc. would be no problem on that point. There is a coolness factor with an HK.
There are thousands of them out there, but you don't see many people at the ranges shooting them. Everyone shoots the AR15 platform.
My AR 1.7 twist, optics easy, light, accurate to 600+, cheaper parts wise
HK 1/12 twist, optics limited, heavier, light bullets wont carry as far accurately,
Parts more expensive
Looks like the AR15 is the way to stay for shooting, cost, optics, etc.
I'm not a collector, I'm a shooter, but, the HK is cool.
 
#10
Re: HK 93 or AR15 -Info to offer

I have had both. I liked the HK93; however, I did not like the fact that I was limited to 55 grain projectiles, it didn't lock back after the last shot, it was a real pain to clean, and adjusting the rear sight for elevation requires a special tool that requires some degree of dexterity to use. It requires a claw style attachment, in order to mount optics. The claws will rub off the finish at the mounting points, which lowers the value of the rifle. They are allot of fun to shoot and they shoot well. I personally think you are better served with an AR platform, since they are just as well made (typically), there are tons of accessories for them. They there is an endless supply of support for them from a configuration standpoint and gunsmithing standpoint. A really nice M4 would cost much less than an HK93. I sold my HK93 for almost 3K and was able to afford my M40A3 from Texas Brigade Armory.
 
#12
Re: HK 93 or AR15 -Info to offer

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: CavSoldier3ACR</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> I sold my HK93 for almost 3K </div></div>

Damn, that seems like alot!
 
#13
Re: HK 93 or AR15 -Info to offer

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Phil1</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: CavSoldier3ACR</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> I sold my HK93 for almost 3K </div></div>

Damn, that seems like alot!</div></div>

3Gs for a 93 is about fair value today, and might even be a scoop, depending on the condition. 93s are harder to find than 91s, especially these days. I bot a 91 back in 2002 for almost 3Gs from what I can remember, but the rifle was pristine. I recently sold it to my boy in the gun shop for 2Gs cash, plus a bunch of accessories like a Microtech Ultratech, a Harris bipod on an A.R.M.S. #17, a Surefire Scout light and some small stuff, so it came out to about even.
 
#14
Re: HK 93 or AR15 -Info to offer

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Firefour</div><div class="ubbcode-body">A guy I know has a like new HK 93 he'll sell me if I want it. Anyone out there run both HK93's and AR15's? What would be the advantage of one
over the other? I've shot AR15's near 30 years now so I have a good idea
on those, but know very little on the HK's other than heavier, more expensive, and I think it has a 1/12 twist.
Thanks for any info.
</div></div>

There really is no reason to grab an HK91, 93, 94, or SP89, other than the cool factor or collecting as you mentioned. I have an SP89 also, but I really don't enjoy shooting it. It is a cool ass gun though, and I don't have any plans of selling it.

If you insist on shooting HK rifle, I suggest trying one of the clones out there. I used to own a Special Weapons 91 clone, along with a 94 clone. They shoot just as well IMO, and you don't have to stress out about depreciating the value of a rather expensive rifle. In addition, check out the GSG in .22 LR. An MP5 style rifle is so much fun to shoot, and handles much better than the G3 style rifles.
 
#15
Re: HK 93 or AR15 -Info to offer

I'm pretty much with everyone else here - I love my HK's for what they are, and don't plan to sell them...ever if possible. However, from a user/operator standpoint, I would go with a quality AR platform rifle in a heartbeat these days.
 
#16
Re: HK 93 or AR15 -Info to offer

Love my HK91. I personally love the factory iron sight. The ring of light method with this sight is very accurate. They are expensive. Bought mine in 83' or 84' for about $300 when you could get Russian AK for $70 new in cosmoline. Pimped it out with all HK stuff (HK QD scope mount, bipod, A2 and A3 stocks, carry handle etc.) was offered $4,500 and still wouldn't sell it. It will destroy brass with one firing that also happens to land in a small pile about a mile and a half away. It will never jam, or fail to feed no matter what you feed it. I have never had a single failure, ever. Agree with others that if you want neat grips and lights and lasers and stuff an AR is more up your alley. If you want something you may never clean for a decade at a time with a round in the chamber and have it fire when you take it out of a wet closet get the HK
 
#17
Re: HK 93 or AR15 -Info to offer

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: The Mechanic</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Love my HK91. .......... It will destroy brass with one firing that also happens to land in a small pile about a mile and a half away. .</div></div>

So true! Never stand at the 4:00 position of someone firing a delayed roller blowback 308 (I've had my forehead cut from the HK91 grandpa, the CETME)!!
 
#18
Re: HK 93 or AR15 -Info to offer

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: sobrbiker883</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: The Mechanic</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Love my HK91. .......... It will destroy brass with one firing that also happens to land in a small pile about a mile and a half away. .</div></div>

So true! Never stand at the 4:00 position of someone firing a delayed roller blowback 308 (I've had my forehead cut from the HK91 grandpa, the CETME)!! </div></div>


Every HK 91 an 93 Semi or F/A G-3 I've ever owned would spread the brass in a arc between 1300 an 1700 hrs. I was told they were built that way and if it ever pilled brass something was wrong.
 
#19
Re: HK 93 or AR15 -Info to offer

mine has always made a pretty nice pile. I would think due to the ejection of the round being the same each time as long as you don't move the gun it should have the same launch. When I put the ejection port buffer on (to keep the ding out of the side of the brass as HK says) it would bounce out and not go as far. Since the flutes it left on the brass were so bad I just decided to take it off and let em' fly.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Gunfighter14e2</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: sobrbiker883</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: The Mechanic</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Love my HK91. .......... It will destroy brass with one firing that also happens to land in a small pile about a mile and a half away. .</div></div>

So true! Never stand at the 4:00 position of someone firing a delayed roller blowback 308 (I've had my forehead cut from the HK91 grandpa, the CETME)!! </div></div>


Every HK 91 an 93 Semi or F/A G-3 I've ever owned would spread the brass in a arc between 1300 an 1700 hrs. I was told they were built that way and if it ever pilled brass something was wrong. </div></div>
 
#20
Re: HK 93 or AR15 -Info to offer

I've owned a few of them an none have ever pilled the brass. Now if it were a M14, yes it's supposed to at 1245-1300 hrs. Then as that weapon gets dirty it starts moving to 1400-1430,...Past that it's either a ammo issue or been mod'ed or something is starting to go wrong. My old XM21 would put them all in a 8"x8" box at 1245-1300hrs depending ammo lot number. BTDT
 
#21
Re: HK 93 or AR15 -Info to offer

Well, decided to stick with the AR15 platform since already set
up for it. To many cons with the HK, and I'm not a collector.
Forgot about the HK chewing up brass, I reload.

Thanks to everyone for their input. There's still the HK coolness
factor though.
 
#22
Re: HK 93 or AR15 -Info to offer

About 10 degrees off my topic but,
Reading an after action report recently, of a bad battle in Afgan
several of the troops stated their M16's quit, malfunctioned, and
jammed, barrels turning red and white hot, causing several WIA, KIA
on our side. I was just wondering if an HK93 would have quit, or is there another weapon platform superior to the AR/M16?
Anyone have an idea?
Thanks
 
#23
Re: HK 93 or AR15 -Info to offer

Firefour,

I can't give you an exact answer as to whether or not an HK 93 would have solved the issue.

I have seen the original HK torture test videos many years ago. Torture tests included being soaked it in water, buried in sand, mud, ice & immediatly pulled it out & ran several hundred rounds w/o any malfunctions.

With that said they have performed similar tests on the newer HK 416's & 417's w/o any issues.

Also many other manufacturers use the same torture testing methods, all newer/updated designs than the M4's or M16's.

The real answer will only come from our guys in the field who have firsthand knowledge. I haven't read/heard about any of them using HK93's these days but they do use MP5's which as you know have a good reputation.

In the end it all depends upon which platform you want.
 
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