2022年3月号

2025/08/03

A distinctive, high-quality AR-15 clone from Germany「HERA ARMS SRB16 & 7SIX2」【English article】

 

Live Firing

 

Mr. Yoji working in his workshop. If you want to ask him for some minor modifications, just bring a beer—he'll gladly take on the task with a smile like this.

 

The shooting test was conducted only with the HERA SRB chambered in .223 Rem, and ideally, it would have taken place at an outdoor range of 100 meters or more to fully utilize the built-in match trigger. Unfortunately, that wasn't possible. Since this was a short-distance indoor range, it should be noted in advance that the test was limited to evaluating the shooting feel of HERA ARMS rifles.

 

Being knowledgeable about firearms doesn't necessarily mean you're experienced in shooting. When Mr. Yoji fired the HERA SRB, he instinctively closed his eyes at the moment of discharge. But that’s nothing unusual—he’s an excellent gunsmith, not a special forces operator or competitive shooter.

 

Loading rounds into a HERA magazine. For hands accustomed to MAGPUL's PMAGs, the feel of HERA's magazine is refreshingly different. HERA offers no fewer than five different types of polymer magazines for .223 alone.

 

Pulling back the wide charging handle—although this part is not made by HERA. In the case of a finely tuned semi-automatic pistol, the slide offers a silky-smooth pull, but the feel of this rifle's charging handle is somewhat different. Even so, the sensation is quite high-quality.

 

 

The trigger pull on this rifle is exceptionally light. While aiming, simply resting your finger on the trigger is enough to release the sear. It demands full concentration when using such a match trigger. However, once you get used to it, the light and crisp trigger becomes a joy. Shooting becomes so enjoyable that you can’t help but fire in quick succession—that’s the kind of feeling it delivers.

 

When the trigger is pulled, you can see the muzzle flash, and a straight-line recoil follows almost immediately. The installed compensator is HERA’s LC Gen.2. LC stands for Linear Compensator, which features twelve expansion chambers inside. It directs the muzzle flash forward, preventing it from enveloping the shooter. As a result, the flash is noticeably large. This is clearly a sport-shooting-oriented AR.

 

 

His weapon handling is flawless—loading the magazine and pulling the charging handle are performed with smooth, fluid motions. The 16-inch barrel looks quite long by today’s standards, where modern battle rifles are generally more compact. But the SRB is a civilian-oriented sport rifle. Naturally, shorter barrel options are also available, down to 7.5 inches.

 

Originally, the HERA SRB comes standard with a muzzle compensator called the CC, but Mr. Yoji replaced it with the LC Gen.2. While the LC Gen.2 does not include features to suppress muzzle rise, its linear recoil makes it easy to manage.


The high-quality finish, characteristic of German engineering, makes the AR-15 even more appealing. While also German-made, the HK416 has a very different personality. Its performance remains to be seen through extended use, but in terms of design, HERA takes the win. The AR-15 from HERA Arms exudes a sense of elegance.

 

This shot clearly shows the characteristics of the LC Gen.2 muzzle compensator. Rather than suppressing the muzzle flash, it directs it all straight forward in a tight plume. The flash is visible to the shooter but doesn’t spread excessively to obstruct vision. Shooters standing nearby will appreciate the minimal side blast.

 

The futuristic design of the CCS stock is also appealing, with none of the toy-like feel some modern designs suffer from. It’s not just about looks—materials like glass fiber give it a high-quality texture. HERA Arms also offers other original stocks with unique appeal, such as the CQR stock and HRS LIGHT stock.

 

The CQR stock and CQR foregrip were previously introduced by Mr. Akita in our November 2021 issue as firearms featured in the movie The Tomorrow War. These components were installed on the main weapon of the film, the CQB-length Carbine MK.III.

 

Thanks to the flared magwell, magazine insertion is effortless. This is a HERA H3L magazine—it has the profile of a 30-rounder, but only holds 10 rounds. It’s designed for markets where magazine capacity is legally restricted.

 

The market is now flooded with countless AR-15 clones. Among them, HERA Arms stands out with its distinctive design language. In recent years, the company has expanded its offerings beyond AR-15s and AR-10s to include bolt-action rifles and pistol-caliber carbines. HERA Arms is a brand that deserves continued attention going forward.

 

A match-grade trigger paired with a high-quality rifle creates a truly exceptional shooting experience. Sounds too good to be true? The answer is: yes, it really does. Try shooting a rifle with a gritty trigger and a loose bolt—common in rough-made AKs or bargain shotguns—and you'll quickly realize how unpleasant it can be. The mechanical grinding echoes within the receiver, ruining the feel. In life-or-death combat, you can’t afford to be picky. But fortunately, we’re not in that world. Shooting should be enjoyable, and a well-made firearm makes all the difference.

 

 

Photo&Text：Tomonari SAKURAI
Filming cooperation: : Farkas Arms Kft./József Farkas GIS Technologies

 

Published in the March 2022 issue of Gun Professionals

 

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