Heckler & Koch HK417: Difference between revisions
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{{Infobox Weapon |
{{Infobox Weapon |
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|name=Heckler & Koch HK417 |
|name=Heckler & Koch HK417 |
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|image=[[File:HK 417.jpg| |
|image=[[File:HK 417.jpg|450px|thumb|center]] |
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|caption=HK417, 20" and 16" barrel versions, 2008 Shot Show |
|caption=HK417, 20" and 16" barrel versions, 2008 Shot Show |
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|origin={{flag|Germany}} |
|origin={{flag|Germany}} |
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Revision as of 07:16, 17 April 2013
| Heckler & Koch HK417 | |
|---|---|
HK417, 20" and 16" barrel versions, 2008 Shot Show | |
| Type | Battle rifle |
| Place of origin |  Germany |
| Service history | |
| Used by | See Users |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Heckler & Koch |
| Manufacturer | Heckler & Koch |
| Variants | Assaulter (12" barrel – standard) Recce (16" barrel – standard and accurized) Sniper (20" barrel – accurized) |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 3.87 kg [8.5 lbs] (12 inch barrel), 4.05 kg [8.9 lbs] (16 inch barrel), 4.23kg [9.3lbs] (20 inch barrel) |
| Length | 805 / 885 mm (12" barrel, stock collapsed/extended), 905 / 985 mm (16" barrel, stock collapsed/extended), 1005 / 1085 mm (20" barrel, stock collapsed/extended) |
| Barrel length | 305 mm (12 in) standard 406 mm (16 in) standard 406 mm (16 in) accurized 508 mm (20 in) accurized |
| Cartridge | 7.62×51mm NATO |
| Action | Gas-operated, rotating bolt |
| Rate of fire | 600 rounds/min |
| Muzzle velocity | 709 m/s (12 in) 750 m/s (16 in) 789 m/s (20 in) |
| Feed system | 10 or 20 round detachable box magazine Optional 50 round drum magazine |
| Sights | accessory diopter/rotary or optics |
The Heckler & Koch HK417 is a battle rifle designed and manufactured in Germany by Heckler & Koch. It is a gas-operated, selective fire rifle with a rotating bolt and is essentially an enlarged HK416. Chambered for the 7.62x51mm NATO round, it is intended for use as a designated marksman rifle, and in other roles where the greater penetrative power and range of the 7.62mm round are required. It has been adopted for service by a number of armed forces, special forces, and police organizations.
Design Details
The HK417 is similar in internal design to the HK416, but the receiver and working parts are enlarged to suit the larger 7.62mm round. The bolt is a 7-lug rotating type, which sits in a bolt carrier and operates in a forged alloy receiver resembling those of the Stoner-designed AR-10, AR-15 and M16 series weapons. Like the HK416, the HK417 is a gas-operated, with a short-stroke piston design similar to those found G36. The short-stroke piston is more reliable than the original direct impingement operation of the AR-10 and AR-15 designs because, unlike these weapons, it does not vent propellant gases directly into the receiver, which deposits carbon fouling onto the bolt mechanism as well as heating it up; such carbon fouling leads to more malfunctions.[1]
The early prototype HK417 used 20-round magazines from the H&K G3 rifle family, which did not feature a bolt hold-open device. Later prototypes, however, switched to a polymer magazine with bolt hold-open. The magazine resembles an enlarged version of the G36 series transparent magazine, except without the pins for holding more than one magazine together. In addition, a 50-round, low profile drum magazine developed by HK for the HK21E machine gun can be fitted to the HK417 for use in support and sustained fire applications.
Role
HK417 users have usually introduced the rifle into their inventories to complement lighter caliber (often 5.56mm NATO) assault rifles in the designated marksman role. Its greater accuracy, effective range and penetration is weighted against being more expensive, a decreased rate of fire, and a smaller ammunition capacity both in magazine and carriage.
The HK417 is presently only available to professional users, namely law enforcement and militaries.
Variants
The HK417 is currently available with three different barrel lengths (all in 7.62x51mm NATO):
- HK417 12" 'Assaulter' Model – 12" standard barrel
- HK417 16" 'Recce' or 'Recon' Model – 16" standard and accurized barrels
- HK417 20" 'Sniper' Model – 20" accurized barrel
Accurized barrels provide 1 MOA accuracy (with match grade ammunition). The barrels are able to be changed in under two minutes with simple tools. All HK417 barrels are cold hammer forged and chrome-lined and utilize a conventional lands and grooves bore profile with a 279.4 mm (1 in 11 in) twist rate. They are designed to function reliably with bullet weights ranging from less than 9.3 to 11.34 g (147 to 175 grains) and are threaded for flash hiders, muzzle compensators, and for sound suppressor attachment.[2]
Related developments
The HK416 is a smaller version of the HK417 chambered for the 5.56x45mm NATO round. The HK416 is designed for military and law enforcement use. Civilian variants of the HK416 and HK417 were announced in 2007, named MR223 and MR308.[3] Both are semi-automatic rifles with several 'sporterized' features. At the 2009 SHOT Show, these two firearms were introduced to the American civilian market renamed respectively MR556 and MR762.[4]
G28
The civilian MR308 variant was used to develop the G28, a designated marksman rifle for the German Bundeswehr (Federal Army) deployment to the Afghanistan war. The semi-automatic G28 designated marksman rifle is chambered for 7.62x51mm NATO and has a factory warranted accuracy of 45 mm dispersion at 100 meters (1.5 MOA) when fired with 10 rounds using OTM/HPBT/Sierra Match King ammunition. The G28 features STANAG 4694 NATO Accessory Rails that are backwards-compatible with the STANAG 2324 or MIL-STD 1913 Picatinny rails. The upper receiver is made from steel instead of HK's aluminium alloy. Approximately 75% of the parts are interchangeable with the HK417.[5]
Users
Albania: The RENEA special forces have recently purchased a number of HK417s, in use as designated marksman with Schmidt & Bender rifle scope.[6]
Australia: 16-inch variant with 6x ACOG; acquired by the Australian Army[7] as an interim marksman solution for use in Afghanistan, with permanent fielding expected in future.[8]
Brazil: Used by the Brazilian Federal Police.[9]
Czech Republic: Used as a Marksman rifle by the Rapid Response Unit (URNa) of the Police of the Czech Republic. Equipped with an ACOG 4x32 sight.[citation needed]
Germany: The German Army uses the G28, a modified version of the HKMR308, as a designated marksman rifle.[10]
Denmark: In use by the Royal Danish Army and the Danish Homeguard's Special Support and Reconnaissance Company as a marksman rifle.[citation needed]
Ireland: In use with Army Ranger Wing snipers.[11]
Italy: Used by the COMSUBIN special forces of the Italian Navy.[citation needed]
Malaysia: In used by the Pasukan Khas Laut sniper teams of the Royal Malaysian Navy[12]
Netherlands: The Korps Commandotroepen and Unit Interventie Mariniers have the HK417 in use by the observers or spotters of their sniper teams.[13][14]
Norway: The Norwegian Army has recently bought a number of the HK417[15] and will mainly use it as a marksman rifle.[16]
Poland: Used by Policja.[17]
Portugal: Used by UPF and Army Comandos [18][19]
Slovakia: Used by the 5th Special Forces Regiment.[citation needed]
United Kingdom: Reportedly used by the Army's Special Air Service regiment.[20]
See also
References
- ^ "Newer carbines outperform M4 in dust test". Army Times. 2007-12-17. Retrieved 2011-01-30.
- ^ "2008 Heckler & Koch Military and LE brochure" (PDF). Retrieved 2011-01-30.
- ^ "The MR223 German Civilian Version of the HK416". HK PRO. Archived from HK the original on July 31, 2008. Retrieved 2011-01-30.
{{cite web}}: Check|url=value (help) - ^ HK MR-556 and MR-762 rifles for the American market
- ^ G28 – A DMR-System – far more than just another rifle with a scope
- ^ "hk in albania". YouTube. 2007-12-26. Retrieved 2011-01-30.
- ^ "Contract Notice View – CN352591". AusTender. Australian Government. December 14, 2010. Retrieved 2011-01-30.
- ^ Juchniewicz, Nathan (July 21, 2011). "New weapon to go the distance". Army News (Australia). Retrieved 4 August 2011.
- ^ http://www.defesanet.com.br/armas/noticia/6964/PF---200-novos-fuzis-de-assalto-HK-417-sao-distribuidos-
- ^ "G28 Marksman rifle Heckler & Koch". armyrecognition.com. September, 2011. Retrieved 2012-01-08.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ Tactical Weapons, May 2010 Issue. Guns of the Elite: Multi-Mission Warriors, page 92.
- ^ Abas, Marhalim (2010-04-23). "DSA 2010 Part III". Malaysian Defence. Retrieved 2011-08-01.
- ^ "SF Operator is a special profession" (in Dutch). Dutch Defence Press. June 6, 2009. Retrieved 2011-01-30.
- ^ "KCT sniper teams are using the Heckler & Koch 417" (in Dutch). Dutch Defence Press. 20 Aril 2011. Retrieved 2011-06-13.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ Offisersbladet nr. 3, May 2007: Heckler & Koch 416: Vårt nye håndvåpen
- ^ Kapten Trond Setså. "Sniper Course". Defense Net (in Norwegian). Norwegian Defense. Retrieved 2011-01-30.
- ^ "Police Headquarters Official Gazette No. 13" (pdf) (in Polish). September 25, 2009. Retrieved 2011-01-30.
- ^ http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xuY7nLB5H9M/ThTkriYWnrI/AAAAAAAARL0/TsJhMH-RO0g/s1600/EX_DRA%257E1.JPG}
- ^ http://www.operacional.pt/hk-417-calibre-762x51mm-nato/
- ^ Harding, Thomas (June 26, 2009). "SAS parachuted in to Baghdad". The Telegraph. Retrieved 2011-01-30.
External links
