Second G11 prototype (circa early 1970s) (HKpro.com)
HK G11 rifle chambered for caseless cartridges, pre-production version (1989)
The rifle is distinguished by the ability to mount two spare magazines on the sides of the main one, above the barrel.
HK G11 rifle chambered for a caseless cartridge, pre-production version (1989). Incomplete disassembly.
HK G11 rifle chambered for a caseless cartridge, a version tested in the USA in 1990 as part of the ACR program
HK G11 rifle chambered for caseless cartridges, ACR variant; view of the partially open mechanisms of the weapon.
Due to the complexity of the device, this rifle received the informal nickname “rapid-firing cuckoo clock.”
Caseless cartridges - early development on the left, final version of the DM11 cartridge on the right (sectional view)
The development of the G11 rifle was started by Heckler and Koch (Germany) at the very end of the 1960s, when the German government decided to create a new, more effective rifle to replace the G3 rifles.
Based on the results of the research, it was decided that the Bundeswehr needed a light, small-caliber rifle with high shooting accuracy. To ensure reliable destruction of the enemy, it was necessary to ensure that several bullets hit the target, so the decision was made to create a rifle chambered for a caseless cartridge of 4.3 mm caliber (later switched to 4.7 mm caliber) with the ability to fire in single, long bursts and with a cut-off bursts of 3 shots. The Heckler-Koch company was supposed to create such a rifle, with the participation of the Dynamite-Nobel company, responsible for the development of a new caseless cartridge.
G11 design.
The rifle's automation operates using the energy of powder gases removed from the barrel. The cartridges are placed in the magazine above the barrel with the bullets facing down. The G11 rifle has a unique rotating breech chamber into which the cartridge is fed vertically downward before firing. Then, the chamber rotates 90 degrees, and when the cartridge aligns with the barrel line, a shot occurs, but the cartridge itself is not fed into the barrel. Since the cartridge is caseless (with a combustible primer), the automatic operation cycle is simplified by eliminating the extraction of the spent cartridge case. In the event of a misfire, the faulty cartridge is pushed down when the next cartridge is fed. The mechanism is cocked using a rotary handle on the left side of the weapon. When shooting, this handle remains motionless.
The barrel, firing mechanism (except for the safety/translator and trigger), rotating breech with mechanics and magazine are mounted on a single base that can move back and forth inside the rifle body. When firing in single or long bursts, the entire mechanism performs a full recoil-recoil cycle after each shot, which ensures reduced recoil (similar to artillery systems). When firing in bursts of three shots, the cartridge is fed and fired immediately after the previous one, at a rate of up to 2000 rounds per minute. In this case, the entire mobile system comes to the extremely rear position already AFTER the third shot, while the recoil begins to affect the weapon and the shooter again after the end of the burst, which ensures extremely high accuracy of fire (a similar solution was used in the Russian AN-94 “Abakan” assault rifle ).
Early G11 prototypes were equipped with a fixed 1X optical sight. The magazines had a capacity of 50 rounds and could be loaded from special clips.
Initially, cartridges for the G11 were a block of compressed special gunpowder, with a primer composition sprayed on it and a glued bullet, coated with a burnable varnish to protect it from damage and moisture. The final version of the cartridge, designated DM11 4.7x33 mm, had a telescopic design in which the bullet was completely recessed into the powder charge block. Development of the DM11 was completed by the mid-1980s, more or less successfully solving the problem of self-ignition of cartridges in the chamber under intense fire that had plagued early prototypes.
The DM11 cartridge accelerated a bullet weighing 3.25 grams to a speed of 930-960 m/s at the muzzle.
In 1988, the first G11 samples were sent to the Bundeswehr for testing. Based on the testing results, a number of changes were made to the G11 design, in particular: the sight was made removable, with the possibility of replacing it with other types of sights; The magazine capacity was reduced from 50 to 45 rounds, but it became possible to attach two spare magazines to the rifle on both sides of the barrel; a mount for a bayonet or bipod appeared under the barrel. A new version of the rifle, designated G11K2, was provided to the German military for testing at the end of 1989. Based on the test results, a decision was made to put the G11 into service with the Bundeswehr in 1990, but deliveries were limited to a batch of only a few dozen units, after which the program was closed by decision of the German authorities. The main reasons for the closure of this seemingly technically successful program are most likely, firstly, a lack of money in connection with the unification of the two Germanys, and, secondly, NATO requirements for the unification of ammunition, which resulted in the adoption of the rifle by the Bundeswehr G36.
But in fact, sleeveless systems have several inherent defects that have not been overcome to this day. One of the main problems is the fragility of the propellant block, which is not protected by a sleeve, making the cartridge much less resistant to rough handling and mechanical damage. This, in turn, can give rise to a variety of problems when operating weapons with damaged cartridges.
In 1990, the G11 was also tested in the United States as part of the ACR (Advanced Cobat Rifle) program. The purpose of this program was to test new concepts (caseless ammunition, arrow-shaped sabot bullets, etc.) for further analysis and development of requirements for a potential successor for the M16A2 rifle. During these tests, the G11 proved to be a relatively reliable and easy-to-handle weapon, with good firing accuracy in all modes. However, neither the G11 rifle nor its competitors managed to achieve the target hit probability characteristics set in the ACR program.
By the end of the 1990s it became completely clear that in existing form the G11 rifle has no prospects. Attempts by the Americans to revive developments in caseless ammunition within the framework of the LSAT program also led to the conclusion that at present systems for caseless cartridges do not have serious prospects in army weapons.
The Heckler&Koch company is still a fairly young weapons manufacturer, but almost every one of its developments became widely known and spread throughout the world. The G3 automatic rifle was produced in Mexico and Iran. The MP5 submachine gun surpassed its competitors so much that it became a kind of “standard” for such weapons. But H&K pistols, despite their high quality and unusual design, could not achieve world fame for some time.
The situation changed in the 1990s. Universelle Selbstladepistole, a USP, entered the scene and proved that Heckler & Koch can achieve leadership in this area as well.
History of creation
The Heckler and Koch company was founded after the Second World War by former engineers from the Mauser plant. Using the equipment that they managed to salvage from the destroyed workshops, they opened their own workshop.
Heckler & Koch began developing and producing weapons in the 50s, and the first pistol, designated P4, appeared in 1967. It was a small pocket pistol, similar in design to the pre-war Mauser HSc. His interesting feature it was possible to easily change the caliber (to one of four) by replacing the barrel and magazine.
In the seventies, H&K released the original VP70 pistol with a polymer frame and the ability to fire automatically.
It was followed by the H&KP7, designed specifically for police and adopted in a dozen countries. But the real popularity of Heckler & Koch personal weapons came from the USP that appeared in the nineties.
It is not surprising that the “universal self-loading” weapon should become such a famous weapon. Unlike its ancestors, H&K created it specifically for the American market.
This weapon, first of all, had to satisfy the desires of the huge mass of US civilian shooters. For the same reason, options were immediately developed not only for the standard 9x19 mm cartridge for Europe, but also for the traditional American .45 ACP, and the new (and promising at that time) .40 S&W.
In the late 80s, a version of the pistol took part in a competition to create a new weapon for American special operations forces. This project eventually gave rise to the famous Mk 23 for special forces, but the experience gained was also useful in fine-tuning the USP. It went into production in .40 caliber in 1993, followed by a nine-millimeter version. Finally, in 1995, the USP 45 model went on sale.
Gun device
Previous USP Heckler & Koch pistols were distinguished by the use of various unconventional design solutions. For example, the P9 used a semi-blowback action, a system similar to that used in the design of the G3 rifle. But the “Heckler&Koch” USP is basically a fairly traditional design, almost like the Browning M1911 and Hi-Power. Automation uses the recoil of the barrel during its short stroke. The trigger mechanism is double action. And here we cannot do without innovations.
A remarkable feature of the USM is the variety of its operating modes.
In a workshop, you can change the position of the safety (or remove it altogether), add or eliminate a safe trigger release, or make the mechanism self-cocking only. The recoil spring buffer mechanism is built into the recoil spring assembly. According to the developers, it reduces perceived recoil by 30%.
At the bottom of the frame there is a device for mounting flashlights or laser designators. However, this is not a universal Picatinny rail mount, and therefore the USP cannot be equipped with every additional equipment. Thus, only InsightIndustries flashlights distributed through the Heckler & Koch dealer network are allowed. To get around this inconvenience, some companies have launched the production of adapters that allow you to install a standard Picatinny rail.
Options
A wide variety of USP models are available - from compact ones for concealed carry to long-barreled target ones:
- CustomSport is a target modification for sports and practical shooting.
- Compact is a variant with a smaller frame and a different recoil mitigation system. Only this pistol is available in .357 SIG caliber.
- USP Tactical is a pistol equipped with a silencer and an adjustable sight. A kind of “poor man's Mk 23”.
- Compact Tactical is a small-sized model of a “tactical pistol”. Unlike the full-size one, it is available in only one caliber – .45 ACP.
- Expert is a pistol similar to a “tactical” one, but is not intended for use with a silencer. But it has an elongated frame and can use increased-capacity magazines.
- Match is a competition version that uses a special weight to reduce barrel bounce. Currently not produced.
- USP Elite is the “ultimate” version of the target pistol with a barrel extended to 153 mm.
Characteristics in comparison with analogues from other manufacturers
To compare the characteristics, let's take the USP 45 in standard version and European pistols of the same caliber, which appeared around the same time.
In terms of weight and dimensions, the pistol in question is generally similar to its competitors, reducing the decisive factor of choice to a matter of personal preference. For example, someone may think that the ammunition of the Swiss SIG-Sauer is insufficient. But Glock does not produce long-barreled models in .45ACP caliber. It is worth mentioning that although the production of the P220 series began in the seventies, the production of the large-caliber P227 started only in 2014.
It is interesting that American gunsmiths mainly concentrated on producing revolvers and variations on the classic M1911, rarely pampering the market with new designs.
Application and trace in popular culture
In 1994, the USP nine-millimeter pistol was adopted by the Bundeswehr (under the name P8). USP Compact (also 9mm caliber) became a weapon of the German police, receiving the designation P10. The spread was not limited to this - it was subsequently adopted by the military and police of various countries.
It can be found all over the world - in Serbia and Spain, Thailand and Singapore, Australia and South Africa.
In most cases, nine-millimeter versions were adopted, much less often - .45 caliber. Only the US Immigration Service and the US Air Marshals expressed the need to have .40 caliber weapons.
USP has gained significant popularity in the media. With its help, gamers destroyed terrorists in games of the Rainbow 6 series, survived the zombie apocalypse in Resident Evil, and shot back at mutants in STALKER. A “tactical” model with a silencer was present in the arsenal of the most popular online shooter of its time - Counter-Strike.
On the big screen, Heckler and Koch pistols were wielded by vampires from the Underworld film series, Blade played by Wesley Snipes, Jason Bourne and Lara Croft from 2001. On television, USP received a significant role in the series “24”.
The USP pistol turned out to be a successful example, combining proven traditional solutions with innovative proposals.
High reliability and a variety of options have allowed us to firmly establish ourselves in the market and earn popularity. The USP pistol can hardly be called the “best” type of weapon.
The Mk 23 weapon remains unsurpassed in its combat performance. Among the Heckler & Koch products there are also newer pistols (HK45, VP9). But the “universal self-loading” remains in production, and its popularity has no intention of decreasing. The USP model not only brought H&K pistols to the world level - it allows you to hold on to it.
Video
Description
Hunting and sports semi-automatic carbine, built on the basis of the army model HK416. A special feature of the carbine is its modular design, similar to that of the M16 automatic rifle, but differing in the automatic gas system with a short stroke of the gas piston.
The barrel is made by cold forging and has threads for installing a muzzle brake. The receiver is made of aluminum alloy. The stock is a sliding telescopic one. Single-shot shooting accuracy is on the order of one arc minute when using appropriate cartridges.
Characteristics:
1. Caliber: .223Rem
2. Length, mm: 830-930 mm
3. Barrel length, mm: 420 mm
4. Rifling: 6 right-hand rifling
5. Rifling pitch: 7" (178 mm)
6. Weight, kg: 3.7 kg
7. Operating principle: removal of powder gases, rotary bolt
8. Telescopic five-position buttstock
9. Handguard RIS
10. Magazine capacity: 10 rounds
Bought new in Kolchuga at the end of 2013. Only fired 10 shots. The optics have not been installed, the carbine has not been used at all, it is in new condition. Not even the slightest scratch. Call us and we'll negotiate a price.
The official version says that with the birth of the company Heckler Koch obliged... to the French army, which destroyed the Mauser arms factory in the town of Oberndorf am Neckar in 1945. Three talented weapons engineers, upset by this fact, Edmund Heckler, Theodor Koch and Alex Sidel, “rescued what they could from the rubble and laid the foundation for a new weapons company...” Probably, the official history was written by the French in order to at least sideways, but get closer to the success of the most prolific enterprise of our time producing small arms. Buy Heckler Koch weapons in the online store>
However, despite the fact that the company Heckler und Koch (um... probably “und” was the nickname of Mr. A. Sidel) was registered already in 1949, it initially produced peaceful products. For development and release small arms Messrs. Heckler und Koch returned only in 1956, when the newly created German Army needed to arm itself. Using previous developments from Mauser times, the company very quickly produces the Heckler Koch G3 automatic rifle with a semi-blowback. The weapon turned out to be extremely successful - it remained in service with the Bundeswehr for almost 40 years.
An even more successful example was the Heckler Koch MP5 submachine gun developed on the basis of the G3. The semi-blowback bolt used in it in combination with the 9x19 cartridge and firing from the front sear (closed bolt) provided the new PP with very good accuracy at a high rate of fire. The compact, lightweight, convenient MP5 is used by the police, border guards and counter-terrorism units of the Federal Republic of Germany. PP is available in a large number of modifications, incl. in the version with an awkward Heckler Koch MP5 K PDW stock, and is still in service not only with police and special forces in more than forty countries around the world, but also with a large army of airsoft players. Pneumatic MP5 are produced by UMAREX under the Umarex Heckler Koch brand. Buy Heckler Koch weapons in the Okhotnik online store>
In the 60s, the company began a truly revolutionary project - the development of a promising caseless rifle system, the Heckler Koch G11. It is both a new rifle and a completely new cartridge that places the bullet directly into a solid, fully-burning propellant charge. For what? And in order to gain in cartridge case weight and increase the ammunition carried by a fighter five times compared to the 7.62x51 cartridge, and two times compared to the 5.56x45. A huge number of radical innovative developments were used in the rifle itself - a bullpup design, the arrangement of cartridges in the magazine perpendicular to the axis of the barrel bore, a breech chamber rotating 90 degrees, into which the next cartridge was fed before firing... The rifle could fire in series of 3 shots in the mode recoil accumulation - the movable barrel-box-magazine-trigger system came to the rear position only after the third bullet left the barrel, which ensured accuracy of fire unattainable for other assault rifles and submachine guns. But... caseless ammunition itself has given rise to a considerable number of qualitatively new problems. In the end, after military tests a batch of 1000 rifles, the G11 program was curtailed, the company itself changed owners, and the Heckler Koch G36 automatic rifles began to arrive in the Bundeswehr to replace the G3.
In its new automatic rifle chambered for a low-pulse cartridge, the company has moved away from the proprietary semi-blowback design; the G36 has a gas-operated automatic system with the bolt locked by rotating 7 lugs. Today, this rifle is in service in more than forty countries around the world and is available in various modifications, including the Heckler Koch SL8 sports and hunting version. Here it must be said that all the main products of the H&K company are for military purposes, but some samples, nevertheless, are quite successfully used in sports shooting and as hunting semi-automatic carbines. The latter include the Heckler Koch MR308 and Heckler Koch MR223 - “civilian” versions of the Heckler Koch 416 assault rifle, also sold in Russia. From my " older sister» semi-automatic MR carbines differ only in the absence of an automatic fire mode and standard army sights.
The Heckler Koch SLB 2000 semi-automatic carbine is a “purely hunting” model. It was developed “from scratch” and is not a clone of any military model. The gas release mechanism is located under the barrel, and the Heckler Koch SLB 2000 carbine itself is made according to a modular design and is available in various calibers. This weapon appeared in Russia relatively recently, there is little information on it. One of the clear advantages of the SLB over other semi-automatic carbines is the ability to be equipped with a 10-place double-row magazine, which in itself is a rarity for hunting carbines.
Heckler Koch's weapons are not limited to machine guns alone - the company also successfully produces machine guns and, what is more interesting to us, pistols. One of the most famous models was the Heckler Koch P30, launched in 2006. Today, many consider this pistol to be one of the best combat pistols in the world. It is produced in two calibers - 9x19 and .40 S&W, and its main “zest” besides large quantity Lightweight polymer parts include replaceable grip pads, allowing the P30 to fit the hand of any shooter. Due to its low muzzle flip, low recoil and safety to carry, the P30 pistol is very popular not only among law enforcement units, but also among IPSC athletes, incl. Russian. The pneumatic version of the Umarex Heckler Koch P30 is also in wide demand due to its “omnivorous” nature - it works reliably with both balls and lead bullets.
But that’s not all. The prolific company Heckler Koch produces not only firearms, but also bladed weapons. And not just any, but including one of the best “tactical” knives of our time, Heckler Koch 14205: very comfortable both in the hand and when worn, with excellent balance and blade shape, this knife was developed with the direct participation of the famous knifemaker Alex Sidel . In general, no matter what direction Heckler Koch works in, it always tries to attract the best specialists and use the best practices that already exist.
Heckler und Koch HK G28 sniper rifle (Germany)
Heckler und Koch HK G28 sniper rifle in standard version
Heckler und Koch HK G28 sniper rifle in a lightweight Patrol version
The Heckler und Koch HK G28 sniper rifle was designed and manufactured by order of the Bundeswehr by the German company Heckler-Koch. This weapon appeared as a result of the requirements German troops fighting in Afghanistan. This rifle performs the function of supporting small infantry units. The HK G28 sniper rifle was developed on the basis of the HK MR308 sports and hunting self-loading rifle, which in turn is a civilian version of the HK417 automatic rifle. The Heckler und Koch HK G28 sniper rifle in its concept is an analogue of the Soviet Dragunov SVD sniper rifle.
The automation of the Heckler und Koch HK G28 sniper rifle operates using gas-operated automatics with a short stroke of the gas piston and a rotating bolt. Reliable operation of the weapon both in conventional and with the use of a shot silencer is ensured by a two-position gas regulator. The trigger mechanism allows you to fire only single shots. The barrel is cantilevered inside the forend. The rifle receiver consists of two halves. The upper one is made of steel, and the lower one is made of aluminum alloy. Cartridges are fed from detachable box magazines with a capacity of 10 or 20 rounds.
The Heckler-Koch XK G28 rifle allows infantry to fire effectively at distances of about 400 meters and beyond that are inaccessible to standard 5.56 mm assault rifles. Especially if the application is more powerful weapons support such as machine guns, mortars, artillery is impossible for some reason or unavailable. For the Heckler-Koch XK G28 sniper rifle, the accuracy of groups of 10 firing shots is guaranteed by the manufacturer to be at least 1.5 MOA (minutes of angle). When conducting aimed shooting at a chest target, the declared effective range is up to 600 meters, and when shooting at a height target, up to 800 meters.
The Heckler und Koch HK G28 sniper rifle can be used in two versions, which can be changed at the army base. This is the standard version and the lightweight Patrol. Standard version The HK G28 rifle has an elongated forend, a folding bipod, a telescopic adjustable buttstock with a cheekpiece, as well as a Schmidt & Bender RMP 3-20x50 optical sight, plus a laser rangefinder mounted on it. The Patrol variant is used in foot raids. In it, the rifle is equipped with a shortened and lightweight forend, a lightweight adjustable buttstock without a cheekpiece and a Schmidt & Bender RMP 1-8x24 sight. In addition, the Heckler und Koch HK G28 sniper rifle can be equipped with various night sights and laser designators.
The US Department of Defense was dissatisfied with the American M110 sniper rifles and is purchasing a new batch of “long-range” weapons – this time made in Germany. The portal guns.com reported the signing of a contract between the American military department and Heckler & Koch for the supply of compact semi-automatic sniper systems (Compact Semi-Automatic Sniper System, CSASS). The contract does not specify which rifles will be supplied to the American armed forces, however, it is known that only one weapon model produced by Heckler & Koch meets the requirements of the US Department of Defense - the G28 rifle.
According to the agreement, the first “trial” delivery will consist of 30 rifles and a set of accessories for them. During testing, representatives of the US Department of Defense will determine the optimal configuration and set of additional options for the new weapon. In the future, 3,643 rifles will be purchased for the American army in the amount of $44.5 million (about $12,000 per unit). The contract amount includes the supply of additional accessories (to be selected during testing) and replacement parts, warranty service, as well as basic training for soldiers to work with the new weapon system.
M110 rifles produced by Knight's Armament Company arrived in mass production in 2005, and into service with the American army in 2008. The US Department of Defense purchased 4,492 rifles, which were actively used by US Army units in Afghanistan and Iraq. Soldiers who used the M110 in combat complained about the low accuracy, unreliability and fragility of the M110 (after 500 rounds, the accuracy of fire sharply decreased). Therefore, in 2014, the US Department of Defense announced a new tender for the purchase of compact semi-automatic sniper rifles caliber .308 Win (7.62×51 NATO), which can be effectively used for shooting from distances up to 1000 m, and will also be lighter and more compact than the M110.
Specifications HK G28 rifles
Caliber: 7.62×51 (.308 Winchester)
Weapon length: 1082/965 mm
Barrel length: 420 mm
Weapon width: 78 mm
Weapon height: 340 mm
Weight without cartridges: 5.8 (standard) / 5.3 (Patrol) kg.
Magazine capacity: 10 or 20 rounds
Sniper rifles
