HK21
| HK21 | |
|---|---|
|
|
| general information | |
| Civil name: | HK21 |
| Military designation: | G8 |
| Developer / Manufacturer: | Heckler |
| Manufacturer country: | Germany |
| Production time: | since 1961 |
| Model variants: | HK21, HK21E, HK21A1 |
| Weapon Category: | light machine gun |
| Furnishing | |
| Overall length: | HK21: 1021 mm HK21E: 1140 mm |
| Total height: | HK21: 210 mm HK21E: 210 mm |
| Total width: | HK21: 133 mm HK21E: 133 mm |
| Weight: (unloaded) |
with bipod: HK21: 7.920 kg HK21E: 10.2 kg |
| Barrel length : | HK21: 450 mm HK21E: 560 mm |
| Technical specifications | |
| Caliber : | 7.62 × 51 mm NATO |
| Ammunition supply : | Ammunition belt |
| Cadence : | 800-900 rounds / min |
| Fire types: | HK21: single fire , continuous fire HK21E: single fire, 3-shot burst, continuous fire |
| Number of trains : | HK21: 4 HK21E: polygon |
| Twist : | right |
| Visor : | Rear sight |
| Closure : | Roller lock |
| Lists on the subject | |
The HK21 is a machine gun from the German manufacturer Heckler & Koch . It is referred to as the G8 in the Bundeswehr and German authorities.
technology
The HK21 was built by Heckler & Koch from 1961. Variants A1 (1974) and E followed at intervals of just over ten years.
The flexibility of the weapon system around the G3 was further expanded with the HK21. The weapons were offered in the calibers 7.62 × 51 mm NATO , 5.56 × 45 mm NATO and 7.62 × 39 mm (M43) and were easily convertible from one caliber to the other.
Heckler & Koch offered various runs. The ammunition could be fed from magazines with 20, 30 and 50 cartridges, a drum magazine with 80 cartridges or through belts (50 and 100 cartridges). With a theoretical rate of fire of 800 to 900 rounds / min, 200 rounds / min can be achieved in practice.
As of variant A1, the machine gun has a graduated butt so that it can be better gripped and controlled. From this version, the barrel had a polygonal profile and it was possible to attach a telescopic sight to the weapon. The weapons produced for Sweden had a different ammunition feed.
The weapon can also be used on the move. A handle attached to the front handguard and the shooting sling helped. The manufacturer offers several tripods for use in fixed positions. Additional accessories consist of an anti-aircraft sight, a night vision device and an angled riflescope for combat from cover.
Version E is longer and heavier than the other two models. This restricted mobility, but the manufacturer states that the advantages are a more robust construction and less recoil. With this version it is also possible to fire bursts of 3 shots , and changing the barrel is easier. The theoretical rate of fire has been reduced to 800 rounds / min.
User states
Greece and Portugal had production licenses. The German Federal Police (formerly the Federal Border Police ) uses the HK21 without a shoulder rest as a turret weapon on the special car 4 under the designation "Gewehr G8". 20-round rod or 50-round drum magazines are usually used to feed ammunition. Ammunition belts may only be used on the instructions of the Federal Ministry of the Interior . With the shoulder rest, the G8 is used by the GSG 9 and the normal associations of the Federal Police. In the Bundeswehr it is used by the special forces command and the SEK (M) .
gallery
lMG HK 21
Ammunitioned (belted) LMG HK21 in service with the Mexican Navy
lMG HK21 on tripod
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literature
- Sören Sünkler: Europe's elite and special units . Motorbuch Verlag, Stuttgart 2008, ISBN 978-3-613-02853-1 .
Web links
- HK 21E . In: SALW Guide (technical data, distribution, images).
- HK21E on HKpro.com