Heckler & Koch HK G11 assault rifle. Heckler & Koch HK433: new modular assault rifle Heckler und koch rifled weapon

Characteristics Caliber, mm Cartridge 4.7x33 HE DE11 Length, mm Barrel length, mm Weight, kg Magazine capacity, cartridges 45 or 50 Rate of fire, rounds/min 600 or 2000 Initial bullet speed, m/s: 930-960 Sighting range, m:

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 7.62 mm 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. (In parentheses, I note that the Heckler-Koch company was not the only West German company that developed weapons for a caseless cartridge - it simply achieved the greatest success in this matter.

For example, the Vollmer Maschinenfabrik company in the early 1980s also developed a number of assault rifles of a very original design chambered for a caseless cartridge, but never brought them to mass production. Similar developments were also carried out in the USA in the 1980s by the AAI corporation in the early stages of the Advanced Combat Rifle program, as well as in France by the GIAT concern).

The main development of the layout and mechanisms of the new weapon was carried out by Heckler-Koch engineers Dieter Ketterer and Thilo Moller, with the participation of Günther Kastner and Ernst Wossner. Army testing of prototypes of the new rifle began in 1981 at the Meppen training ground. In 1983, 25 experimental rifles were tested at the Hammelburg army training ground. These tests continued for about a year.
In 1988, the first pre-production G11 samples were sent to the Bundeswehr for testing. Based on the results of these tests, 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 mount two spare magazines on the rifle on either side of the main (working) magazine; a mount for a bayonet or bipod appeared under the barrel on the body of the weapon. A new version of the rifle, designated G11K2, in the amount of 50 copies, was provided to the German military for military testing at the end of 1989. As part of these tests, 200,000 rounds of ammunition were used - 4,000 rounds per rifle. Based on the test results, a decision was made to introduce the G11 into service with the Bundeswehr in 1990, but deliveries were limited to an initial batch of only 1,000 units, after which the program was closed by decision of the German authorities. The main reasons for the closure of this technically quite 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 G36 rifle by the Bundeswehr for standard 5.56 mm NATO ammunition.

In 1988–1990, the G11 was also tested in the United States as part of the ACR (Advanced Combat Rifle) program. The purpose of this program was to test new concepts (caseless ammunition, arrow-shaped sabot bullets, etc.) to identify a potential successor for the M16A2 rifle. During these tests, the G11 proved to be a reliable and easy-to-handle weapon, with good fire accuracy in all modes, but it could not achieve the 100% excess of combat characteristics over the M16A2 required by the Americans.
As part of the G11 program, not only the rifle itself was developed, but a whole range of weapons chambered for a caseless cartridge, including a magazine-fed light machine gun and a personal defense weapon (PDW) in the dimensions of a compact submachine gun. The light machine gun had a magazine located in the butt with a capacity of 300 rounds.

Such stores were supposed to be equipped only in the factory, and delivered to the troops already equipped and ready for use. Some sources also mention that the CAWS smoothbore combat shotgun, created as part of the US Army program of the same name by Heckler-Koch in collaboration with the American company Olin / Winchester, was also built on the basis of the G11, but this is not so. Despite some external resemblance with the G11, the HK CAWS shotgun used cartridges with a traditional metal sleeve and had a fundamentally different automatic device (short barrel stroke combined with an auxiliary gas release mechanism).
As a final touch, it can be mentioned that the G11 rifle received the unofficial nickname “rapid-firing cuckoo clock” among its developers for its very complex mechanism, which had a large number of swinging and rotating parts.

The rifle's automation operates using the energy of powder gases removed from the barrel. The gas release mechanism is located to the left of the barrel and slightly below it. The cartridges are placed in the magazine above the barrel, bullets down, in one row. 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. The interface between the chamber and the barrel was one of the weakest points in the design of the rifle, having a survivability of only 3000–4000 rounds. In 1989, Heckler-Koch engineers promised to increase the resource of this unit to 6000 rounds, but it is not known whether they managed to achieve this. 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 firing, the cocking handle remains motionless. It should be noted that on early prototypes the weapon's cocking handle was located in the front of the weapon, under the forend, and only starting with prototype No. 13 (1981) did it take the form of a rotary “key” on the left wall of the receiver.
Interestingly, the Heckler-Koch engineers made significant efforts to protect the rifle’s mechanisms from dust, dirt and moisture. The cutout for the trigger was closed with a special movable membrane; the hole for the magazine receiver was automatically closed with a spring-loaded lid when the magazine was removed.

The barrel, firing mechanism (except for the safety/switch and trigger), rotating breech with mechanics and magazine are mounted on a single base made of stamped steel sheet, which can move back and forth inside the rifle body. When firing single shots or long bursts, the entire mechanism performs a full recoil-recoil cycle after each shot, which ensures a reduction in the recoil felt by the shooter (similarly artillery systems). When firing in bursts of three shots, the next 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, so that the recoil begins to affect the weapon and the shooter again after the end of the burst, which ensures high accuracy of fire in short bursts (a similar solution was later used in Russian machine gun Nikonov AN-94).

Early G11 prototypes were equipped with a fixed 3.5X optical sight. The final (pre-production) version of the G11K2 had a quick-detachable 1X optical sight as the main one, with a backup open sight made on the upper surface of the optical sight. The magazines initially had a capacity of 50 rounds and could be loaded from special plastic clips for 10 (later 15) rounds. In the final version, the magazine capacity was reduced to 45 rounds, and there was a transparent window on the side of the magazine to monitor the remaining cartridges. Two spare magazines could be mounted on the body of the weapon, on the sides of the main (working) magazine, since carrying very long magazines on oneself was difficult.
In the final version of the G11K2, at the request of the military, it became possible to install a standard bayonet, and it was not mounted on a movable barrel, but on special mounts located on the body of the weapon below the muzzle and partially recessed into the body. A lightweight removable bipod could be installed on the same mounts for firing from a rest.

A Bundeswehr soldier and is designed to defeat enemy personnel.

The G11 Heckler rifle is the development of West German designers, which replaced the G3 rifle. In the mid-60s of the 20th century, the concept of armament of motorized infantry units of NATO armies began to change, incl. and units of the Bundeswehr. According to NATO analysts, the main strike “self-defense forces,” as the arms race businessmen liked to call themselves, are armed with an assault rifle that is not light enough to meet modern requirements.

Development of new standard weapons

G11 - this is the name given to the new assault rifle; it was developed by the German company Heckler and Koch in the late 1960s. The German government approved this project and instructed the shortest possible time manufacture the required type of weapon.
During the design and survey work, the designers settled on a light, small-caliber and compact rifle in the “bullup” version with high accuracy. In this case, the clip is structurally attached above the barrel, the cartridges in it are defined in diameter to the barrel bore. The effectiveness of hitting a target was achieved by hitting it with several shots, so the designers settled on the option of using a 43 mm caseless cartridge in the new weapon (later they chose the 47 mm caliber). The updated rifle could fire single shots and shoot at automatic mode, both long and short bursts of 3 shots. According to the developed concept, the Heckler-Koch company was entrusted with the creation of the new G11, and the Dynamite-Nobel company was responsible for creating a new shot without a shell.

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Design features of G11
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The automatic weapon circuit operates due to kinetic energy powder gases released after a shot and a short stroke of the barrel. The initial placement of cartridges in the clip above the barrel with bullets down. The G11 rifle is equipped with a special rotating breech chamber, where before the start of fire the cartridge is fed vertically downwards. After this, the breech is turned at a right angle, and when the cartridge is aligned with the line of the barrel, a shot is fired, while the cartridge is not fed directly into the barrel. Because the cartridge is without a shell (the capsule burns out when fired), then the operation of the automation is simple: there is no need for the mechanism to throw out the spent cartridge case. After the shot is fired, the breech chamber turns back to receive the next ammunition. If it misfires, the defective cartridge is thrown down under the influence of the feed force of the next ammunition. The mechanism is cocked using the rotary handle located on the left. The handle does not move when shooting.

The barrel, the trigger (except for the safety flag and trigger), the rotating breech with mechanisms and the clip are assembled on one base, which moves translationally inside the body of the weapon. When firing single shots or automatic non-fixed shooting, the mechanism completes the entire shot cycle, and the recoil becomes less. At automatic shooting With fixed bursts, after every third shot, the moving system comes to the rearmost position, while the recoil force acts after the end of the shooting, thereby achieving greater accuracy of fire (by analogy with the domestic AN-94 “Abakan” assault rifle).
The first modifications of the G11 were equipped with a fixed, single-magnification optical sight, which is also used when carrying the rifle.

Ammunition

For standard use, shellless cartridges with dimensions of 4.73x33 mm, manufactured by Dynamit Nobel AG, have been developed. The prototype ammunition for the Heckler & Koch G11 had a square-shaped powder charge, coated with a moisture-proof varnish, an igniter primer in the bottom and recessed in powder charge bullet. Next, they created a modified version of the ammunition for the Heckler & Koch G11, where the bullet and powder charge are completely encapsulated along with the igniter primer in the bottom part and the lid in the upper part of the capsule.

Modifications

The Bundeswehr has two types of such weapons:
-Rifle Heckler Heckler&Koch G11K2 - an updated version of the G11. The body has been shortened, a bayonet mount and a clip for 45 shots have been developed. The sight is a removable weapon handle; instead it is possible to install standardized sighting devices adopted by NATO troops.

Heckler Heckler&Koch LMG11 - light machine gun based on the Heckler&Koch G11

Caliber: 4.7x33 mm, unjacketed cartridge
Automation: gas-operated, with rotating breech
Length: 0.750 m
Barrel length: 0.540 m
Weight: 3.6 kg without ammunition
Clip: 50(45) shots

The popular weapons manufacturer introduced the new HK433 assault rifle in a press release published to the general public in early February 2017. Now Heckler & Koch has presented a modern modular rifle at the ENFORCE Tac exhibition in Nuremberg to a professional audience.

We were also able to experience new model HK433 on ENFORCE Tac. Employees law enforcement agencies and the military became acquainted with this assault rifle with enthusiasm, and there were a lot of people who wanted to get to know it better. Especially the focus on future weapons and the number of shots, which makes it easier to maintain and troubleshoot this assault rifle.

With its world-famous weapons such as the MP 5 or G36, Heckler & Koch from Oberndorf in Swabia has confirmed its reputation as a “Made in Germany” brand. The assault rifles, pistols and submachine guns of this company are known all over the world and are popular among police and military personnel.

In addition to the rifles of the G36, HK416 and HK417 families that have already undergone baptism of fire, the company’s product portfolio has now been expanded with a fourth modular family of assault rifles: the HK433. In NATO countries, France (HK416AIF), Germany (G36), USA (US Marine Corps M27/HK416), UK (SA80), Norway (HK416), Spain (G36) and Lithuania (G36), assault rifles from Heckler & Koch are already standard samples armed forces or their branches.

Many armies Western countries– including, for example, US special forces, command special operations Bundeswehr (KSK) and police forces special purpose(such as GSG9) - opted for assault rifles from Oberndorf.

Heckler & Koch HK433 modular assault rifle

The newest HK433 is a modular assault rifle with a base caliber of 5.56 x 45 mm NATO, combining the strengths and best features of the G36 and HK416 assault rifles. The concept also includes other calibers, such as 7.62 x 51 mm NATO (HK231), .300 Blackout and 7.62 x 39 mm Kalaschnikow (HK123), thereby forming the basis of a whole family of weapons.

The HK433 is a gas-operated weapon with a gas piston made separately from the bolt carrier and locked with an optimized rotating bolt. The monolithic upper part of the receiver, made of high-strength aluminum, is equipped with a high-precision rail along the entire length of the box for mounting sights according to the NATO-STANAG 4694 standard. It allows the installation of all sights and night attachments available on the market with maximum length dimensions and a low sighting line.

A shot number sensor is built into the receiver, which does not require maintenance and does not allow manipulation. With an eye to the future, weapon data can be transmitted and archived wirelessly - either via WLAN or Bluetooth, which was a real surprise for us.

The integrated bolt carrier guide in the upper part of the receiver, made according to the G36 type, ensures consistently high functional reliability of the weapon. The bolt design is similar to the G36, but is equipped with a firing pin safety and self-lubricating sliding elements.

The action of the new HK433 assault rifle is based on the Heckler & Koch G36 design, which has received worldwide recognition.

The reloading lever, which does not protrude to the side and does not move when firing, can be adjusted without the help of a tool and can thus be operated from any side. In addition, it has a built-in locking feature to silently chamber a round.

When firing, the reload lever remains motionless. This, on the one hand, increases the shooter’s safety in stressful situation and, on the other hand, does not limit the shooter in choosing a rest or position when firing a weapon. Thanks to the ergonomic location of the reloading lever, the weapon remains aimed at the target during reloading, and also in a prone position does not lead to the need to raise the body, which unmasks the shooter and increases the affected area.

Heckler & Koch HK433 assault rifle barrel

The HK433 rifle gives the shooter a choice of six barrels of varying lengths, so the weapon can be adapted to any application scenario. For this purpose, Heckler & Koch offers barrel lengths of 11, 12.5, 14.5, 16.5, 18.9 and 20 inches. All barrels can be replaced by the shooter himself or in a field workshop.

The barrel is made by cold forging, heat-treated and chrome-plated inside. Thanks to additional optimization measures, the already high survivability of Heckler & Koch barrels has increased even further. Production barrels are equipped with an improved and tool-free adjustable gas vent device for silent and flameless firing, as well as a mounting point for the 40mm HK269 and GLM/GLMA1 underbarrel grenade launchers. The front sight base and bayonet mount can be installed optionally.

Receiver of the new HK433 assault rifle from Heckler & Koch

The replaceable lower receiver makes it possible to define the control concept and thereby reduces the cost of training the shooter. Depending on the level of shooting training, the shooter can choose either G36 or HK416/AR-15 style controls. All controls are made double-sided, arranged symmetrically and can be configured to the user's taste.

"Drop-in" solutions in the lower part of the receiver expand the functionality of the weapon through individual configuration of match trigger mechanisms or combination of modular triggers.

The Slim Line handguard developed by Heckler & Koch is connected to the lower part of the receiver with a kinematic closure and without backlash. It detaches without tools and features sling swivel mounting locations, a modular HKey interface at 3 and 9 o'clock, and a solid MIL-STD-1913 Picatinny rail on the underside of the handguard.

Other design features of the HK433 assault rifle

The magazine shaft according to the NATO-STANAG 4179 (Draft) standard allows replacement with interchangeable magazine shafts from rifles of the G36, HK416 families, as well as models available on the market on the AR-15 platform.

The pistol grips are similar to the HK416 family of pistol grips. Thanks to the grips with interchangeable pads and backrests, similar to the P30 and SFP series pistols, the rifle can be optimally adjusted to different hand sizes.

The new HK433 assault rifle, unlike the HK416, does not have a side-folding stock, but is equipped with a folding retractable stock.

An ergonomic folding and length-adjustable shoulder rest with a height-adjustable cheekpiece is connected to the receiver without play. The length adjustment has five fixed positions and thus allows you to quickly adapt to the shooter’s personal equipment. A straight, convex or curved butt plate provides the necessary comfort when making weapons. The shoulder rest can be folded to the right in any fixed position. Due to this, exceptionally small dimensions in the stowed position are achieved.

In this case, access to the trigger is not blocked. The window for ejecting cartridges remains open, so that in case of emergency the weapon remains operational and in the transport position.

The HK433's look is completed by a special combination of materials and surface treatments used. They provide minimal care for weapons in extreme conditions while maintaining its high resource.

Optionally, the new Heckler & Koch assault rifle is available in camouflage patterns and with an infrared-absorbing coating.

The empty weight of the HK433 rifle with a 16.5-inch barrel is 3.5 kg.

Conclusions about the new Heckler & Koch HK433 rifle

Heckler & Koch developed the HK433 to meet the increasingly complex requirements for infantry and special forces weapons. At the same time, the HK433 guarantees the highest performance and functional reliability. This applies to all possible combat situations and all climatic conditions. The Heckler & Koch HK433 offers intuitive operation combined with modularity, accuracy and safety in handling.

With it, Heckler & Koch, among other things, also aimed at the German market. The new HK433 is regarded as one of the participants in the competition for the new “Bundeswehr assault rifle system”. The German armed forces intend to replace the previous standard rifle, the G36 standard rifle, with a more modern system from 2019.

We will keep an eye on everything in the future current information about the new HK433 assault rifle from Heckler & Koch.

HK USP pistol with attached tactical light and .45 ACP ammunition

In 1993, Heckler und Koch introduced and put into mass production the USP pistol (Universal Selbstladen Pistole - a universal self-loading pistol), intended for use in the police, army, special forces, as well as ordinary citizens for self-defense and sports shooting. The design of this model began back in 1989. The head of the design work was Helmut Weldle. The purpose of the creation was a pistol that could be successfully used both in the police and army, and for self-defense by ordinary citizens, and could also be adapted to perform various tasks.

The USP was planned to be sold mainly on the American arms market, so it was initially created for the new, rapidly gaining popularity in the United States, and very promising .40 S&W cartridge. The 9 mm pistols were based on the frame of the 40 caliber models and differed from them only in the barrel and magazine. In 1995, after the release of models chambered for .40 S&W and 9mm Parabellum, a version chambered for the American cartridge .45 ACP was introduced. Adapted for use by the Bundeswehr, the 9mm USP was adopted by the German Armed Forces that same year as the P8 (Pistole 8), where it remains in successful use today, earning a reputation as an extremely reliable and durable weapon. The P8 is in service with the famous special forces unit of the German Federal Border Guard - GSG9 (Grenzschutzgruppe 9). The army special forces KSK (Kommando Spezialkräfte) also adopted the P8.

USP pistols were adopted not only in Germany, but also by various law enforcement organizations and intelligence services in other countries of the world. For example, in the USA, USP is used by the Presidential Security Service - Secret Service, Immigration Service - INS, police departments of various states and army special forces. 9mm pistols are the most versatile, as they come in a huge variety of rounds, come in a wide variety of loadouts, and can be found all over the world. However, weapons chambered for the .40 S&W cartridge provide the best combination of such qualities as high stopping power of the bullet, acceptable dimensions, weight and recoil force. It should be noted that in Europe traditionally the most popular pistols are 9 mm, and in the USA - chambered for 40 S&W.

A US 7th Army Reserve Command soldier trains with his service P8

USP 45 caliber is very popular in the USA, where the .45 ACP is preferred due to the highest stopping power of the bullet among the most common pistol cartridges, not even taking into account its significant dimensions and the impossibility of concealed carry under light clothing. The operation of the automation is based on the Browning design with a descending barrel, which enters with its rectangular protrusion, located above the chamber, into the window of the shutter-casing for ejecting spent cartridges, but the reduction itself here is carried out using a special part at the rear end of the return spring rod. This part is a recoil damping device and is equipped with a buffer spring. This solution makes it possible to reduce the recoil impulse and make the operation of the automation more tolerant of differences in the power of the cartridges used.

The barrel, made by cold forging on a rim, has a bore with polygonal rifling. Such a barrel has a long service life and minimizes the breakthrough of powder gases. The shutter-casing, made of chrome-molybdenum steel, is subjected to nitro gas treatment. Its coating is extremely resistant to corrosion. The frame is made of reinforced polymer and reinforced with steel inserts. The front part of the frame has grooves for attaching a tactical flashlight or laser designator. The trigger, magazine latch and safety levers, cover and magazine feeder are also made of polymer. The trigger mechanism is hammer type, double action, with safety cocking. The trigger force in single action mode is 2.5 kg, in self-cocking mode - 5 kg.

By replacing the locking plate, the trigger can operate in five different versions: double action - SA/DA (upper position of the safety lever - blocking, lower position - fire), while the safety lever in different versions can also serve as a safe release of the trigger when turning on the fuse or working only as a fuse; single action or only self-cocking - SA and DAO (the upper position of the lever is single action, the lower position is only self-cocking, while moving the lever to the lower position safely releases the trigger); single action - SA (the lever serves only to safely release the trigger); self-cocking only - DAO (without safety catch); Self-cocking only with safety catch. The lever, used for various purposes and operating modes of the trigger, can be located on either the left or right side of the frame. The weapon is equipped with an automatic firing pin safety, which prevents the firing pin from striking the cartridge primer until the trigger is fully pulled by the shooter.

The bolt stop lever is located on the left side of the frame. A double-sided magazine release is located at the base of the trigger guard. To detach the magazine, the shooter only needs to move it naturally thumb press the lever down. The military P8's double-stack magazines are made of clear plastic to make it easier to control ammunition consumption. Sighting devices consisting of a front sight and rear sight fixed in grooves of the “ dovetail» with the ability to make lateral corrections, are equipped with white inserts to speed up aiming in the dark or in low light. Pistols can also be equipped with an adjustable micrometric rear sight for sport shooting.

Warranty life - 25,000 shots. The resource, according to the experience of the owners, is about 110,000 shots. 9 mm pistols have a very long service life; they can withstand long-term shooting with particularly powerful hand-loaded cartridges and +P+, due to the fact that they are based on the variant chambered for the .40 S&W cartridge. After USP pistols gained widespread popularity on both sides of the Atlantic, Heckler und Koch began production various options basic model, adapted for various highly specialized purposes, for example practical shooting IPSC or used in conjunction with a silencer.

The pistol's few disadvantages include a manually controlled safety lever, which complicates the handling of the weapon, because an inexperienced or insufficiently trained owner may forget to turn it off in a critical situation. And the automatic firing pin safety function more than perfectly copes with the function of protecting against an accidental shot when the weapon is dropped. German USP pistols have extremely high reliability in harsh operating conditions and when using cartridges with a wide variety of equipment options, high service life and strength, excellent corrosion resistance, shooting accuracy, and very high quality materials and workmanship.

HK USP Compact pistol chambered for 40 S&W

HK USP Compact pistol chambered for .357 SIG and USP Compact 45 caliber

Introduced in 1997, the USP Compact has smoother contours of the bolt casing and frame, and has a reduced length and slightly modified trigger guard. These changes, combined with smaller dimensions and weight, make it possible to carry weapons concealed. The main change in the design is the absence of a buffer spring. However, to mitigate the impact of recoil, a plastic shock absorber bushing with a lifespan of 25,000 rounds is installed at the end of the return spring rod, which has a rectangular cross-section. The changes also affected the trigger mechanism. The trigger pull when firing with a pre-cocked hammer is 1.9 kg, with self-cocking - 4.3 kg. Trigger travel in single action mode has been reduced to 5.1 mm. In 1997, the USP Compact was adopted by the German police under the designation P10 (Pistole 10).

Owners about their USP Compact: “The impressions are good. The pistol is made very well, clearly with the army and police in mind. It fits in the hand very tightly, it seems that it was made for it, the sighting devices are clearly visible. At the same time, I should note that it is certainly easier to carry a Glock, although this may just be out of habit. Externally, USP Compact gives a more bulky impression. Very high accuracy when firing doublets.” “Very durable and amazingly reliable pistol. Made in the best German traditions for these qualities. But, unfortunately, it is complex in design, which is again typical of the German weapons school. Thousands of rounds fired and not a single delay. Works stably with cartridges different brands, including cheap Wolf. Excellent accuracy. A friend didn’t like the handle, but for me it’s quite comfortable. Not everyone likes the design because of its angularity and massive bolt casing, but there is no arguing about tastes. The quality is excellent."

The USP 45 CT pistol was designed for use in US special forces as a highly effective compact weapon with the ability to mount a PBS. CT is short for Compact Tactical. Unlike the regular USP Compact, this pistol is equipped with a barrel with a protruding threaded muzzle, as well as large and high sights, which are necessary when using the weapon in conjunction with a silencer. The weapon comes with two magazines, a set of tools and cleaning equipment. Length: 196 mm; barrel length: 113 mm; height: 146 mm; width: 29 mm; weight: 780 g; Magazine capacity: 8 rounds.

According to the impressions of the owners, as well as people who have experience with the USP 45 CT model, the pistol “fits” perfectly in the hand, the hold is very comfortable, the “grip” is tight and stable. The weapon is also comfortable for people with large hands thanks to the magazine cover with a front lip. The large bolt casing, safety levers and bolt stop are easy to manipulate without any problems. However, with thick gloves it can be somewhat difficult to work with the magazine release levers due to their small dimensions, but it should be clarified that this is a problem with most combat pistols, and not just this model. After shooting, the 45 CT leaves only positive impressions.

Firstly, when firing there is no strong recoil, which is perceived here as smooth, without sharpness, with a slight bounce of the barrel. Secondly, a comfortable grip significantly reduces the impact of recoil and greatly helps control the pistol during high-speed shooting. Precision shooting on short distance comparable to the results of the standard USP of the same caliber, which is facilitated by the elongated barrel, again the comfortable shape of the handle and the smooth, not long travel of the trigger. The weapon is certainly well suited for high-speed burst shooting and “instinctive” offhand shooting. Reliability, as always, for pistols of this model range from Heckler und Koch is beyond praise. It’s not even worth mentioning the high resistance of the coating to corrosion and abrasion, as well as stability of operation under harsh operating conditions.

The pistol fires without delay with the most different options equipment and any manufacturers, even the cheapest ones. As for wearing, not everything is clear. Although the model is called Compact, the pistol is actually quite large, but not particularly wide. 45 CT, designed for concealed carry, however, it will unmask itself under light clothing and in countries with warm climate It is recommended to carry it in a special belt bag. If you wear it under a sweater, light jacket or other loose clothing, there will be no problems with concealment. The gun is comfortable to carry, does not cling to anything when removing it and does not become a burden when performing usual work. Overall, the USP of the 45 CT is great choice for a person who wants to have a pistol that is effective in shooting and influencing the enemy, more than accurate in shooting, extremely reliable, does not require very careful and long maintenance, is comfortable to carry and is simply a pleasure to shoot from.

Characteristics of the HK USP pistol

• Caliber: 9mm Parabellum / .357 SIG / .40 S&W / .45 ACP
• Weapon length: 194 / 194 / 200 mm
• Barrel length: 108 / 108 / 112 mm
• Weapon height: 136 / 136 / 141 mm
• Weapon width: 38 / 38 / 38 mm
• Weight without cartridges: 770 / 830 / 890 g
• Magazine capacity: 15 / 13 / 13 / 12 rounds

Performance characteristics of the HP USP Compact pistol

• Caliber: 9mm Parabellum / .40 S&W / .45 ACP
• Weapon length: 173 / 173 / 179 mm
• Barrel length: 91 / 91 / 95 mm
• Weapon height: 128 / 128 / 129 mm
• Weapon width: 34 / 34 / 34 mm (30 mm excluding safety)
• Weight without cartridges: 727 / 777 / 802 g
• Magazine capacity: 13 / 12 / 8 rounds

In this review we will look at one of the best assault rifles in the world, a favorite of mercenaries and special units all over the world - Heckler-Koch G36. This is perhaps one of the most unusual rifles I have ever shot. The first impression that makes this weapon– its external fragility and lightness, that most of the elements are made of plastic can be seen immediately, and the plastic is very similar to the one from which toys are made, but only in appearance.

Clear edges, interesting, one might even say unusual design, soft and pleasant to the touch polymer of the receiver and butt, everything looks very harmonious and a little futuristic. However, when you take the Heckler-Koch G36 in your hands, you realize that the polymer from which it is made is very heavy, since the weight is quite large (3.6 kg without cartridges) for a rifle that is mostly made of plastic. For example, the AK-74, with more metal in its design, weighs only 3.2 kg.

As they explained to me, it’s all about the stiffening ribs, which are located along the entire length of the receiver and butt. This makes the design even more resistant to damage and deformation than the AK-74. The gaps throughout the rifle are minimal, there is no movement of the butt and fore-end, and this despite its ten-year age and almost daily use. The Germans are at their best as always.

The pistol grip is very comfortable, slightly narrows towards the top, which allows you to hold it more firmly even in wet hands, and a small protrusion at the base prevents your little finger from slipping off. The fuse is double-sided, three-position with a very soft action and clear information content of switching on. At the same time, it practically does not make any sounds, which does not reveal the shooter in silence. It is located under the shooter's thumb, this allows you to put the machine gun into combat mode without removing your hand from the handle. The cocking handle is located in the upper front part of the bolt frame, which protrudes above the receiver.

The handle itself can be rotated 90 degrees to the right or left, or placed straight (in the stowed position, which avoids self-cocking). It is most convenient to turn the handle to the left. This is what professional fighters do, due to the fact that it is easier to remove it from the forearm. left hand, while your right hand is on the pistol grip and you are always ready to open fire. The magazine latch is plastic, small in size and tight; if your hand is in a thick glove, then dexterity is required to disconnect the magazine. The only plus is that the edges are rounded and do not cut your fingers when pressed.

Myself The store is made of transparent plastic, according to experts, it is more convenient to control the amount of ammunition. The magazines are also equipped with latches that allow them to be connected into pairs of two or more pieces. The disadvantage of such stores is thin plastic and, as a result, their fragility in severe frost. Impacts cause cracks to form or entire pieces break off, and the magazines themselves are deformed, which leads to the cartridge being misaligned during feeding into the chamber.

During development, the task was set to unify the rifle to the NATO standard, as a result of which any standard magazine chambered for 5.56×45 mm can be used. Quite often you can find fighters with aluminum magazines, as they are more durable and not prone to deformation. The Beta-C disc twin for the machine gun is also suitable. It is quite reliable, but heavy. It is with it that it is most convenient to shoot while standing from the G36 in bursts.

The handguard is massive, but very comfortable in size and shape, made of rough polymer. Among the minuses, we can note the strong heating of the handguard during intense shooting (there is no reflective screen like in the AK-74) and the absence of Picatinny rail type guides. Although there are standard factory guides for a bipod, an AG36 under-barrel grenade launcher and a tactical grip.

A little later, the G36KV3 model, so beloved by American fighters, will appear. It features an optional handguard, shorter barrel, telescopic stock and folding open sights. It is this version of the rifle that I consider the best of all.

Frame buttstock with soft butt plate, folds to the right. The locking button is located on the left, and is a little inconvenient due to its “recessed” placement, and the dressing bag completely refuses to fit into the butt slot.

A separate item worth considering is sighting devices. All standard G-36 rifles are equipped with two sights and include optical and red dot sights.

Hensoldt HKV optical sight has 3.5x magnification. The correction scale and rangefinder reticle are marked up to 800 m.

It’s a completely tolerable parody of a normal sight; moreover, it is protected by a handle for carrying the rifle and there is little chance of damaging it. However, with frequent strikes on the rifle, it gets knocked down and has to be constantly brought into precise combat; moreover, in the rain it fogs up slightly, which impairs aiming at distances beyond 200 meters.

The Zeiss red dot collimator sight is equipped with a light-accumulating system. This allows it to work in daylight without using power sources, but when it enters a room, the dot goes out and you need to be distracted by turning on the sight. For night work, a forced backlight powered by a battery is used. Collimator sight mounted on the top optical sight and is used for shooting at distances up to 200 meters.

Using the collimator is very inconvenient; the viewing angle of this sight is quite small, and this does not allow normal control of the surrounding space in battle. For export models, even such a sight was not available, and the standard Hensoldt HKV was replaced with a 1.5x sight.

Open sights in the form of a rear sight and front sight in some models are replaced with a longitudinal slot in the sighting bar; for me personally this is an unacceptable mistake, especially for an assault rifle. Two years later from this collimator sight will refuse, replacing it with a standard NATO Picatinny rail located on top of the carrying handle. And in another year, the handle with integrated optics will be replaced with a “high” Picatinny rail located above the receiver.

Flash hider on a medium-effective rifle and is only worth it to protect the cut of the barrel. Instead, a PBS can be installed. The bayonet-knife is almost a hundred percent copy of ours for the AK-74, but the quality of the plastic and metal is much better and it has a sharpening.

The Heckler-Koch G-36 rifle has an automatic system similar to the American AR-18 rifles based on a gas engine with a short stroke of the gas piston. The barrel is locked by turning the bolt 7 lugs. The bolt is rotary, located in the bolt frame, which moves along one guide rod on which a return spring is attached. The frame itself is made of light alloy, which reduces barrel toss when shooting.

The gas piston fits quite tightly to the wall of the gas chamber, and in the absence of a gas regulator, this has a bad effect on the unpretentiousness of the rifle. Therefore, after 3-4 thousand shots without cleaning, the G-36 rifle sometimes jams (especially if the ammunition is damp).

The accuracy and precision of the combat is excellent; at a distance of 200 meters, a burst of five rounds will all hit the target. But at a distance of more than 450 meters, the accuracy drops sharply, and even single fire is not very effective, only 60% (with a Hensoldt HKV sight). The recoil is soft with a slight attempt to move the barrel upward, but easily controlled. The sound of the shot is dull and pleasant.

Rate of fire approximately 750 rounds/min, which is optimal for rifles of this class. Firing can be carried out either with single shots or with fully automatic fire. The standard G-36 rifle also has a cut-off of two rounds (the dispersion at a distance of 100 m is only 3 cm), but the export ones only have three (here the dispersion increases to 4 cm).

The rifle is built according to a pseudo-modular type, all parts are connected using pins. No tools other than a chuck are required for disassembly. For routine maintenance and cleaning, partial disassembly is sufficient, but cleaning itself is quite difficult. The inconvenient location of the barrel and gas chamber makes it necessary to spend a lot of time cleaning them well. But the banal absence of a cleaning rod (it is absent in the machine gun and is in the maintenance kit) will not allow cleaning this weapon at all.

The cleaning kit itself is stingy in German: folding cleaning rod, brush, oil. And that’s all, no screwdrivers, no rubbing oil and, by the way, only one type of oil. If dirt gets into the trigger, all that remains is to replace it (fortunately, they are exactly the same and do not require adjustment, unlike AK parts) or wash it with gasoline (kerosene, diesel fuel), It is simply impossible to disassemble the unit for normal cleaning in field conditions.

The result is this: a truly German rifle with high accuracy and accuracy, designed for modern combat conditions, where you can always service the weapon in a timely manner or have it repaired by an artillery master. Weapons more likely for special forces than for the regular army. An excellent example of a combination of rigor and practicality.

And everything would be fine, but this miracle of a weapons structure is not worth the money that is asked for it. Modern ones, if they are inferior to this rifle, are only slightly inferior, but they cost two or even three times cheaper. Of course, for me personally, this weapon will remain the ideal of weapon craftsmanship, but ideals have no place on the battlefield.

Modifications:

G36- basic version, automatic rifle.

G36K (Kurz)- shortened version, automatic with a barrel length of 318 mm.

G36C (Compact)- an assault rifle with a 228 mm long barrel and a Picatinny rail for mounting various sights instead of a carrying handle.

G36V and G36KV(previously designated as G36E and G36KE) - export versions, distinguished by the presence of only a 1.5X optical sight.

G36KV2- variant G36K, characterized by the installation of a “high” Picatinny rail instead of a carrying handle on top of the receiver. The guide is not equipped with any sighting devices, but instead a thin longitudinal groove is used. In addition, on the KV2 modification, a “cheek rest” is installed on the standard frame stock.

G36KV3- the most non-standard export version of the G36, distinguished by a 16-inch barrel (407 mm, for the regular G36 - 480 mm, and for the G36K - 318 mm) with a standard slotted flash hider and bayonet mount; modified gas outlet unit; “low” Picatinny rail made of aluminum with folding non-removable sights, including a front sight and a diopter; as well as a telescopic folding stock.

G36KA4- the export version, which is in service with the Lithuanian army, differs from the standard G36 by the installation of an aluminum forend and an aluminum Picatinny rail with integral sights, manufactured by Brugger & Thomet.

HK MG36- light machine gun based on the G36 rifle. It has a weighted barrel near the chamber and bipod (not mass-produced).

SL-8- self-loading rifle for the civilian market.

/Sergey Sviridov - sniper, small arms specialist, ohrana.ru/