Welcome back to the 56th installment of my blog, in which I don’t claim to be an expert, in fact, the opposite. I’m a new user of the AR platform and want to share my findings and experiences as I go through and build rifles as well as being the Operations Manager at Tyrant Designs.

This week marks a significant event in America's history. On May 2nd 2011, just 7 short years ago, SEAL Team Six radioed to a team of government officials and President Barrack Obama, the words “Geronimo Geronimo. Geronimo E-KIA.” Osama Bin Laden was code-named Geronimo and these words confirmed that SEAL Team Six had killed their intended target. Ending one of the most extensive worldwide manhunts in American history.

SEAL Team Six raided a small compound located in Abbottabad, Pakistan. Reports confirm that the most wanted man in the world was killed by a fatal gunshot to the head, which was administered by SEAL Team member Rob O’Neill.

The rifle that was used to kill Osama Bin Laden was the HK416 chambered in 5.56 and a 10-inch barrel. The rifle had an extensive list of expensive accessories like an ACC suppressor, Geissele trigger, Surefire light, EOTech 3X magnifier, and Advanced Target Pointer Illuminator Aiming Laser. Totaling to around $10,000!

The HK416 is a carbine based on the AR-15 platform. It was developed in the early 90’s as an improvement to the previous Colt M4 carbine. One of the reasons for the switch from the M4 was that U.S. Army’s Delta Force requested for an upgrade. Larry Vickers is credited with helping to develop the 416 through a collaboration with HK.

The carbine was thoroughly tested and they ran 10,000 rounds through the rifle with no malfunctions. One difference between the rifles is the M4 used direct impingement gas system, while the 416 uses a short-stroke gas piston. Because the gas never enters the guns internal components, it keeps the action cleaner. Because of this, the life of the internal components in the rifle had a longer lifespan.

Today, the HK416 is known as an effective and reliable rifle, used by various military personnel as well as law enforcement in the U.S. and abroad. I hope you learned something today that you can talk about tonight at the dinner table! You're Welcome! What rifle would you have used to take down a known terrorist?!