Hodge Defense AU-2 Mod2 - 5.56 NATO Rifle 16″ Barrel – NiR Gen II FDE Cerakote (HIR-265)

Hodge Defense AU-2 Mod2 - 5.56 NATO Rifle 16″ Barrel – NiR Gen II FDE Cerakote (HIR-265)

Own one of the most sought-after and rigorously engineered fighting rifles in modern small arms history with the Hodge Defense Systems Mod 2 16″ Complete Rifle. Revered by elite military personnel, discerning duty professionals, and hardcore firearms purists, complete factory Hodge rifles are renowned for their uncompromising structural rigidity, ultra-tight machining tolerances, and bulletproof reliability under extreme operational stress. Built around Hodge’s proprietary C405 aluminum alloy receiver set, the Mod 2 provides superior tensile strength, thermal expansion management, and structural longevity compared to standard 7075-T6 platforms, delivering an apex-tier carbine engineered to endure sustained firing schedules without degradation.

This factory-assembled configuration features a match-grade 16-inch cold hammer-forged, chrome-lined barrel pinned to a dedicated Hodge Defense low-profile gas block and tuned with a smooth-cycling mid-length gas system. Free-floating the barrel is the ultra-rigid 13.65-inch Pinch Lock M-LOK handguard, designed to eliminate rail deflection when utilizing forward-mounted laser aiming modules and night vision equipment. Finished in a signature NiR Gen II Flat Dark Earth (FDE) Cerakote designed to reduce near-infrared thermal and optical signature, and outfitted with an elite suite of curated components from Forward Controls Design (FCD), Badger Ordnance, and LaRue Tactical, the Mod 2 represents the pinnacle of American combat rifle design.

Features

Proprietary C405 Alloy Receiver Architecture:
Precision-machined from Hodge Defense’s exclusive C405 high-strength aluminum alloy, yielding vastly superior tensile strength, surface hardness, and cyclic wear resistance compared to standard mil-spec forged receivers.

16″ Cold Hammer-Forged Chrome-Lined Barrel:
Engineered for severe duty cycles and maximum velocity with a 1:7 twist rate, a smooth mid-length gas system, and a factory-pinned Hodge Defense low-profile gas block for bombproof zero and gas integrity.

13.65″ Hodge Pinch Lock Handguard:
Features Hodge’s legendary Pinch Lock mounting system that clamps around the barrel nut with extreme torque and rigidity, completely eliminating deflection, shift, or rotational torque under heavy barricade use and laser aiming loads.

NiR Gen II FDE Cerakote Finish:
Treated in an advanced Near-Infrared (NiR) reflective Gen II Flat Dark Earth Cerakote coating, engineered to mitigate detection under night-vision spectral devices while offering elite resistance to abrasions and harsh solvents.

HDSI 158C Bolt Carrier Group & FCD ACF-L Handle:
Driven by Hodge's heavy-duty 158C bolt carrier group and paired with the Forward Controls Design ACF-L ambidextrous charging handle and FCD LSFA low-snag forward assist for effortless manipulations.

Ambidextrous Lower with Curated Controls:
Factory-equipped with a dual-sided bolt release and magazine catch, Badger Ordnance Condition 1 modular safety selector, Badger enhanced AR10 bolt catch, FCD serrated EMR-H button, and FCD takedown pins.

LaRue Tactical MBT-2S Two-Stage Trigger:
Includes the precision-machined LaRue Tactical MBT-2S trigger, providing an ultra-crisp, predictable two-stage break and lightning-fast reset for surgical shot placement at speed.

Specifications