Quote Originally Posted by eodinert View Post
Fact.

But Belgian guns and German guns have the same issues to deal with when it comes to getting into the US, and are the answer to the question 'is it possible for Europe to sell the guns we want in the us?'. Yes, it is possible, says Belgium (and Switzerland, and lots of other places).

As to the question about export, we can look to the other guns HK exports to other countries to see what's possible (or even to the US). If they can make a 416 (call it MR556 if you will), and a 417, why not a G36? Call it a 243, call it 'Bob' for all I care. Send a mold to the US for the receiver, and have Wilcox or DD or whoever make a barrel.

Answer: For the MR556, they put in the effort to sell them here (US made bits, required US manufacture, etc). For the other guns, including later generations for the 416, they have chosen not to. Chosen. That's the operative word.
The difference though is the MR556 is not really a 416 and the 243 is not really a G36. HK has even been blasted for that. Why they chose not to sell the 243, I couldn't tell you and don't care to research the real reason why either. But to make a different variant of their military weapons is expensive to do and the juice has to be worth the squeeze. Obviously HK thinks it isn't. They could be wrong, who knows.