Heckler & Koch G3
The Heckler & Koch G3 is a battle rifle developed by Heckler & Koch and the Spanish state-owned design and development agency CETME. It has a 20 rounds magazine, that holds 7.62mm NATO ammunition.
| Heckler & Koch G3 | |
|---|---|
 The Heckler & Koch G3A4 (top) and G3A3 (bottom) | |
| Type | Battle rifle |
| Place of origin | West Germany |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1959–present |
| Wars | Portuguese Colonial War[1] Rhodesian Bush War Six-Day War Nigerian Civil War Turkish invasion of Cyprus South African Border War Carnation Revolution The Troubles Iranian Revolution Iran–Iraq War Lebanese Civil War Nicaraguan Revolution Salvadoran Civil War Turkey–PKK conflict Ethiopian Civil War Gulf War Yugoslav Wars Sierra Leone Civil War War in North-West Pakistan Operation Enduring Freedom/ISAF—Afghanistan Iraq War War in Afghanistan Colombian conflict Mexican Drug War[2] Syrian Civil War[3] Somali Civil War Iraqi Insurgency Yemeni Civil War (2015)[4] |
| Production history | |
| Designed | 1956 |
| Manufacturer | Heckler & Koch |
| Produced | 1958–present |
| No. built | 7,000,000[5] |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 4.1 kg (9.04 lb) (G3A3) 4.7 kg (10 lb) (G3A4) 5.54 kg (12.2 lb) with optic (G3SG/1) 4.1 kg (9.0 lb) (G3K) |
| Length | 1,025 mm (40.4 in) (G3A3) 1,025 mm (40.4 in) stock extended / 840 mm (33.1 in) stock collapsed (G3A4) 1,025 mm (40.4 in) (G3SG/1) 895 mm (35.2 in) stock extended / 711 mm (28.0 in) stock collapsed (G3K) |
| Barrel length | 450 mm (17.7 in) 315 mm (12.4 in) (G3K) |
| Cartridge | 7.62×51mm NATO |
| Action | Roller-delayed blowback |
| Rate of fire | 500–600 rounds/min |
| Muzzle velocity | 800 m/s (2,625 ft/s) |
| Effective firing range | 500 metres (550 yd), 100–400 m sight adjustments |
| Feed system | 20-round detachable box 30-round detachable box and 50-round drum magazine |
| Sights | Rear: rotary diopter; front: hooded post |
It was invented in the 1950s, and was the main weapon of the German army (Bundeswehr). Now the main weapon is the G36. Many German soldiers want the old G3 back. The G3 is still in service as a sniper rifle, but they changed to the G28 for "designated marksmen".
The deign of the G3 was so influential that it was the base for making the MP5 and the PSG-1.
Heckler & Koch G3 Media
CETME A2b 7.92×40mm CETME M53 developmental prototype
A schematic of the G3 roller-delayed blowback mechanism
Cutaway model of the chamber with gas relief flutes (left) and roller-delayed action of the G3 battle rifle
Disassembled G3A3 rifle showing its modular design
Drehvisier rotating drum sight pictures
HK G3 Bayonet with scabbard
4-Seiten Ansicht des Manöverpatronengerät G3/G36. (Ausführung von 1984) Beim Düsenbolzen ist deutlich, die truppenseitig vorgenommene Abfräsung zu erkennen, die verhindern sollte, daß das MPG individuell von Einzelfeuer auf Feuerstoß umgestellt werden kann.
Original G3 variant with older style flip up sights and wooden furniture
G3A2 Freischwinger (FS)
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References
- ↑ d'aéroplanes, L'amateur (25 May 2009). "Portuguese Equipment in the Colonial War". Steven's Balagan.
- ↑ http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/world/2010-07/30/c_13422479.htm
- ↑ VICE (12 June 2013). "Ground Zero: Syria (Part 7) - Snipers of Aleppo" – via YouTube.
- ↑ WarLeaks - Military Archive (10 June 2015). "Yemen War 2015 - Heavy Clashes On The Saudi Border As Houthi Rebels Attack Saudi Military Outposts" – via YouTube.
- ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20090902181924/http://www.controlarms.org/en/documents%20and%20files/reports/english-reports/shattered-lives-report
