Featured Wednesday Weirdness: AR-HK33K Dave Merrill August 19, 2020 Join the Conversation At RECOIL, we review every product fairly and without bias. Making a purchase through one of our links may earn us a small commission, and helps support independent gun reviews. Learn More Every so often we come across a build so weird and cool we just absolutely have to share it. Remember the V36C? At first glance this gun looks like the HK53, but further inspection shows that no, indeed we're looking at an AR-15 playing dress-up. If you're not familiar with the HK53, don't feel too bad. Forgotten Weapons referred to it as HK's “Middle Child”. The man behind this madness is named Jamison, a wedding photographer. He put it together because “I have always wanted an MP5, but couldn't really justify spending that kind of cash for the set up I really wanted. So instead, I decided to see what I could do with the AR-15 platform.” What you see here is an Aero Precision receiver set mixed in with some genuine HK parts. The front sight tower comes from a G3 and is held in place with the thread protector and a set screw. The faux gas tube is over the AR gas tube and was fabricated from copper pipe and painted. A genuine HK cocking tube hanger holds the wide HK forearm in place. What immediately draws the eye is the Dead Foot Arms SCW brace, which collapses and extends like the HK but with a single arm. We first tried these out at TriggrCon 2019 and used their folding model on our Gemtech Integra. What's particularly nice about these is that they only add a mere 2.5-inches to the overall length. We're told that the MP5 sights are a scootch low–but we're sure a little red dot action will fix it up just fine. Shall we call it the AR-53? HK-15? You can check out Jamison's other work at Jamison's IG–it's mostly wedding photos now, but we hope he gets weird with guns again soon. Build Details: –Grid Defense 556 7.5 inch barrel with 1:7 twist –Aero Precision Enhanced Lower -Aero Precision Upper -No-Name Lower Parts Kit -Sig Sauer Grip -HK Front Sight Tower -HK Wide Forearm (handguard) -HK Cocking Tube Hanger –Dead Foot Arms SCW Tailhook Pistol Brace and Modified Cycling System Why you can trust RECOIL Since our founding in 2012, RECOIL remains the premier firearms lifestyle publication for the modern shooting enthusiast. We deliver cutting-edge coverage of guns, gear, accessories and technology. We go beyond basic reviews, providing no B.S. buyer’s guides, hands-on testing and expert analysis on everything from firearms and survival equipment to watches and vehicles. Our reviewers are the backbone of our operation and come from diverse shooting backgrounds: Former law enforcement, military veterans, competitive shooters, seasoned hunters and plain old firearms enthusiasts. Furthermore, we’re not just gun experts, but dedicated journalists who adhere to the strictest standards of our profession. At RECOIL, editorial independence is the foundation of everything we publish and the cornerstone of reader trust. Our editors, writers and content creators make all editorial decisions independently, free from outside influence. That boils down to: advertisers don’t dictate our coverage, the outcomes of our reviews or what we recommend in our buyer’s guides. First and always, our commitment is to our audience—ensuring every review and article is accurate, unbiased, and driven by real-world experience. Whether you’re selecting your next firearm, upgrading your gear, or exploring the latest innovations in the shooting world, RECOIL provides the trusted insights you need to make informed decisions. Learn more about our Editorial Standards and how we review products. NEXT STEP: Download Your Free Target Pack from RECOILFor years, RECOIL magazine has treated its readers to a full-size (sometimes full color!) shooting target tucked into each big issue. Now we've compiled over 50 of our most popular targets into this one digital PDF download. From handgun drills to AR-15 practice, these 50+ targets have you covered. Print off as many as you like (ammo not included). Get your pack of 50 Print-at-Home targets when you subscribe to the RECOIL email newsletter. We'll send you weekly updates on guns, gear, industry news, and special offers from leading manufacturers - your guide to the firearms lifestyle.You want this. Trust Us.
