SHOT Show 2025 | Day 2 Part 1

SHOT Show 2025 Day 2 kickoff

Day two of SHOT Show 2025 in Las Vegas opens with the crew outlining their plans on the show floor. One heads to the Heckler & Koch booth, another to B&T, and another to explore CF Clips and whatever stands out first. The segment quickly transitions to the HK booth, setting up a focus on new rifles and pistols being introduced for the US market.

HK MR556 A4 overview and 416 lineage

At the Heckler & Koch booth, Tommy from HK USA introduces the MR556 A4 series as the closest civilian-available counterpart to the HK416 in the United States. He explains that features such as the buffer tube, elongated castle nut, ambidextrous controls, gas block, and other components are directly derived from HK416 variants from the 416 A5 through the 416 A9 offered in Germany. The rifle includes 45-degree selector throws and fully ambidextrous controls. Tommy notes that feedback on earlier MR556 A1 models highlighted the lack of ambidextrous controls and overall weight, which guided the redesign for the A4 series.

Weight reduction, ambidextrous controls, and adjustable gas block

Tommy details how HK removed roughly a pound from the MR556 platform by using a new handguard and a slimline barrel profile. The MR556 A4 now includes ambidextrous controls and a winter trigger guard. A key change is the adjustable gas block, allowing the rifle to be tuned for suppressed or unsuppressed use. HK provides multiple small “wormhole” screws that thread into the gas vent so users can fine-tune gas flow for specific suppressors, aiming for consistent function and a clean ejection pattern without over- or under-gassing.

Barrel accuracy, durability testing, and lifetime guarantee

Addressing questions about the lack of chrome lining, Tommy compares the MR556 A4 barrel to a competing chrome-lined barrel from another manufacturer. According to HK’s testing, the competitor’s barrel held about 2.5 MOA out of the box and degraded to roughly 6.5 MOA after around 10,000 rounds, with chrome stripping from the bore. HK guarantees 1 MOA accuracy from the MR556 A4 barrel and backs it with a lifetime barrel guarantee, promising replacement if the barrel is shot out, whether after one year or ten. Internal testing has reached approximately 15,000 rounds, with accuracy reportedly improving around 12,000 rounds and remaining stable through 15,000. HK plans to continue testing to determine the ultimate round count, but commits to replacing barrels that exceed the guaranteed accuracy threshold, even at higher round counts such as 25,000.

MR556 A4 and MR762 barrel lengths and upper receiver kits

The MR556 A4 lineup expands to multiple barrel lengths, including a pistol configuration with an 11-inch barrel and rifle versions with 16.5-inch barrels. Tommy also mentions updates to the MR762, noting that the complete rifle lineup has been overhauled from top to bottom, with a 16.5-inch rifle option referenced. HK is offering MR556 upper receiver kits for the first time, launched during SHOT Show. These uppers, including the 11-inch and 16.5-inch options, can be mounted on any mil-spec lower receiver, allowing users to assemble their own 416-style builds with various barrel lengths purchased directly from HK’s web store.

Introduction to the HK CC9 micro-compact pistol

The segment shifts to HK’s new CC9, described as the first US-designed and manufactured product from HK USA and the company’s first micro-compact pistol. The CC9 is chambered in 9mm and features fully ambidextrous controls, which Tommy notes are rare in micro-compact handguns. It includes an adjustable backstrap system, also uncommon in this size of handgun. The pistol ships with a pinky-extended 12-round magazine and a flush-fit 10-round magazine for a smaller, more concealable footprint. The 2025 launch model is optics-equipped from the factory with a Holosun 407K mounted on a 407K/RMSC footprint, paired with blacked-out serrated front and rear sights for a clear sight picture.

CC9 ergonomics, backstrap system, and shootability

Tommy explains that the CC9’s adjustable backstrap does more than change grip circumference; it alters the overall length of pull by extending up into the “saddle” area of the frame. With the larger backstrap installed, the length of pull matches that of a full-size VP9, measured from the back of the saddle to the front of the trigger shoe. This design aims to make the small pistol feel and shoot like a larger handgun, helping the trigger finger fall naturally on the trigger shoe and reducing the need to readjust grip during firing. A high undercut beneath the trigger guard and a natural point of aim are emphasized as contributors to perceived accuracy and control, addressing common issues with very small, thin micro-compacts that tend to shift in the hand under recoil.

Trigger, chassis system, and HK’s development approach

Internally, the CC9 differs from the VP9 by using a chassis system for the fire control unit, a first for HK. While the VP9 does not use a chassis, the CC9’s trigger feel is described as similar, with Tommy suggesting the CC9 trigger may be slightly better for a micro-compact defensive pistol. He notes that HK took additional time to bring a micro-compact to market, rejecting the idea of rushing a small pistol just to compete. HK’s stated goal is to avoid “beta testing” on customers and to release only products considered fully ready for defensive use. The discussion frames the CC9 as intended for everyday carry scenarios where reliability on a critical day matters more than being first to market. The segment closes as the hosts move on toward the Beretta booth, briefly acknowledging Beretta’s long history as a firearms manufacturer.