Country of origin |
Germany |
Entered service |
1968 |
Caliber |
5.56x45 mm |
Weight (empty) |
3.9 kg |
Length |
919 mm |
Barrel length |
390
mm |
Muzzle velocity |
~ 750
m/s |
Cyclic rate of fire |
700 rpm |
Practical rate of fire |
40 - 100 rpm |
Magazine capacity |
25, 30, 40 rounds |
Sighting range |
400 m |
Range of effective fire |
400 m |
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The
successful Heckler & Koch
G3
automatic rifle paved the way for other weapons, produced by this
company, such as the
MP5
submachine gun, PSG-1 sniper rifle, HK21 general purpose machine
gun, and the HK33 assault rifle. The HK33 assault rifle was
developed during the mid- and late 1960s. Essentially it is a
scaled-down version of the G3 battle rifle, chambered for a new
5.56x45 mm NATO round. Production of the HK33 commenced in 1968.
Sometimes this weapon is referred as the G33. Even though this
weapon was not adopted by the West German military, it was used by
police and security units. The German armed forces preferred their
G3 automatic rifle instead. However this assault rifle was widely
exported. Despite its age this assault rifle and its versions are
used by nearly 20 countries from all over the world. Some of the
operators include Brazil, Chile, Greece, Malaysia, Mexico,
Netherlands, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, and Thailand. This weapon was
license-produced in France and in Turkey. The HK33 is still being produced in
Germany. Though by modern standards this weapon is dated and is
being phased-out in favor of modern assault rifles.
The HK33 has
the same roller-delayed blowback action, as used on the G3 battle
rifle. It utilizes two piece bolt with two rollers, that delay bolt
blowback. The receiver is made from stamped steel. This weapon is
chambered for a standard NATO 5.56x45 mm intermediate round.
The HK33 is
a selective fire weapon. The original trigger group had three
positions for "safe", "semi-auto" and "full-auto". Trigger groups of
newer weapons have an additional position for "3-round" burst.
Modern versions are available with ambidextrous fire mode selector.
Various
magazines were developed for this weapon. The baseline is a 25-round
capacity magazine. Weapon is also compatible with 30- and 40-round
magazines, developed by the Heckler & Koch for this assault rifle.
Though it seems that at some point 30- and 40- round magazines were
discontinued, and this weapon comes as standard with the baseline
25-round magazine. Also there are smaller magazines from semi-automatic only rifles and
larger drum magazines from light machine guns, that will fit the
HK33.
The baseline
HK33 has a solid polymer buttstock. There is also a version of this
weapon fitted with retractable metal stock.
This weapon
comes with diopter-type sights. The adjustable rear drum has
settings for 200, 300 and 400 meters. A telescopic sight can be
mounted via special adaptor on any of the HK33 series weapons.
This assault
rifle can launch rifle grenades and mount a HK79 40 mm underbarrel
grenade launcher. It can be also equipped with a knife-bayonet. For
cleaning this assault rifle can be easily disassembled into some
major components.
Variants
HK33A2 is a
version with a polymer fixes buttstock.
HK33A3 is a
version with a retractable stock.
HK33K is a
carbine version with a shorter barrel. Letter "K" in the designation
stands for "Kurz" or short. There are versions of this weapon with
fixed or retractable buttstocks (HK33KA2 and HK33KA3 respectively).
Due to the shorter barrel this weapon can not launch rifle grenades,
or mount underbarrel grenade launcher, or knife-bayonet.
HK33SG1 is
an specialized marksman model, equipped with a telescopic sight and
improved trigger.
HK33E is an
export version of the HK33. Letter "E" in the designation stands for
"Export" It was introduced in 1985.
HK43 is a
semi-automatic version of the HK33. It is mainly intended for
civilians. It was produced between 1974 and 1989.
HK93 is
another semi-automatic version, intended mainly for civilians. It is
a further development of the HK43.
G41 is an
assault rifle, designed to be used with caseless ammunition. It was
developed alongside the caseless G11 assault rifle. The G11 was
intended for frontline troops, while the G41 was intended for the
second line troops. The whole G11 program was stopped in the early
1990s. The caseless G41 was offered for possible export customers,
but received no production orders.
HK53 is a
compact assault rifle with a short barrel. Its foregrip resembles
that of the MP5 submachine gun. The HK53 comes with telescopic metal
stock. It was developed in the mid 1970s. This weapon is referred by
the Heckler & Koch company as a "submachine gun". The HK53 is
intended for the troops or various security and special forces
operators, who need a compact weapon for close ranges, which would
pack a heavier punch than submachine guns. Due to its short barrel
the HK53 can not launch rifle grenades or mount an underbarrel
grenade launcher, or knife-bayonet. This compact assault rifle is in
service with a number of operators.
HK13 and HK23 light machine guns. These weapons are fed from either box- or
drum-type magazines. Also these weapons have a quick-change barrel
for sustained fire and are fitted with bipod.
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