The Heckler & Koch HK417 is a battle rifle designed and manufactured by Heckler & Koch.[1]
HK417 | |
---|---|
Type | Battle rifle |
Place of origin | Germany |
Service history | |
In service | 2006–present |
Used by | See Users |
Wars | See Conflicts |
Production history | |
Designer | Heckler & Koch |
Manufacturer | Heckler & Koch |
Produced | 2006–present |
Variants | See Variants |
Specifications | |
Mass |
|
Length |
|
Barrel length |
|
Width | 78 mm (3.1 in) |
Height | 213 mm (8.4 in) |
Cartridge | 7.62×51mm NATO |
Action | Gas-operated short-stroke piston, rotating bolt |
Rate of fire | 600 rounds/min |
Muzzle velocity |
|
Effective firing range |
|
Feed system | 10- or 20-round detachable box magazine |
Sights | Iron or optical sights (Picatinny rail) |
Being the larger caliber version of the Heckler & Koch HK416, and chambered for the 7.62×51mm NATO rifle cartridge, it is intended for use where the penetrative power, stopping power, and range of the 5.56×45mm NATO HK416 would otherwise be insufficient. The HK417 is gas-operated, has a rotating bolt and is capable of selective fire.
The HK417 has been adopted for service by a number of armed forces, special forces, and police organizations throughout the world, including the Bundeswehr, United States Joint Special Operations Command, the United States Army, Russian Spetsnaz forces such as FSB Alpha Group, and others.
Design and features
editThe HK417 is similar in internal design to the HK416, although the receiver and working parts are enlarged to suit the larger 7.62×51mm cartridge. The bolt is a seven-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 rifles.
Like the HK416, the HK417 is gas-operated with a short-stroke piston design similar to that of the Heckler & Koch G36. The short-stroke piston may be more reliable than the original direct impingement operation of the AR-15 design 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.[2]
The early HK417 prototype used 20-round magazines from the Heckler & Koch 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's transparent magazine, except without the pins for holding more than one magazine together.
The HK417 can be converted to accept SR-25 pattern magazine by using conversion tool.[3]
Use
editPurchasers of the HK417 have typically intended it to complement lighter assault rifles chambered for less powerful intermediate cartridges (often 5.56×45mm NATO), for the designated marksman role. The HK417's greater accuracy, effective range, and penetration offset its greater expense, its lower rate of fire, and its smaller ammunition capacity both in magazine and carriage.
Variants
editMilitary and law enforcement
editThe HK417 models chambered for 7.62×51mm NATO available to the military and law enforcement market are:
- HK417 12″ 'Assaulter': carbine with 304.8 mm (12 in) standard barrel
- HK417 16″ 'Recce': "Recon" rifle with 406.4 mm (16 in) standard or accurized barrel
- HK417 20″ 'Sniper': "full size" rifle with 508.0 mm (20 in) accurized barrel
Improved model
editThe HK417A2 is an improved version. The design of the receiver, barrel interface, gas port and the bore axis alignment of the rifle have been further optimised to increase its accuracy and reliability.[1] The German Army uses the HK417 A2 - 13″ with the designation G27.[4]
As of 2013, the HK417A2 models chambered for 7.62×51mm NATO available to the military and law enforcement market are:
- HK417A2 - 13″: carbine with 330.2 mm (13 in) barrel
- HK417A2 - 16.5″: rifle with 419.1 mm (16.5 in) barrel
- HK417A2 - 20″: "full size" rifle with 508.0 mm (20 in) barrel
A barrel can be changed in under two minutes with simple tools. All HK417 barrels are cold hammer forged and chrome-lined and use a conventional lands and grooves bore profile with a twist rate of 1 turn in 279.4 mm (11.00 in). They are designed to function reliably with bullet weights ranging from 9.3 to 11.34 g (144 to 175 gr) and are threaded for a flash hider or sound suppressor. Optional accurized barrels with a different chrome treatment can provide up to 0.3 mil (1 moa) accuracy (with match grade ammunition).[5]
G28
editAfter using the HK417 as a stopgap designated marksman rifle under the G27 designation, the civilian MR308 was used to develop the G28, a designated marksman rifle for the German Bundeswehr (Federal Army) deployment to the War in Afghanistan. The semi-automatic G28 is chambered for 7.62×51mm NATO and has a factory warrantied accuracy of 45 mm dispersion at 100 meters (0.45 mil or 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/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. There are two different versions of the G28: G28 E2 (Standard) with a Schmidt & Bender 3–20×50 PM II (modified to Bundeswehr requirements) and the G28 E3 (Patrol) with Schmidt & Bender 1–8×24 PM II.[6] By October 2017, Heckler & Koch had renamed the G28 as the HK241, though G28 remains its Bundeswehr designation.[7]
M110A1
editThe M110A1 CSASS is the U.S. Army's type designation for the Compact Semi-Automatic Sniper System.[8] In April 2016, Heckler & Koch confirmed that a lighter version of the G28 had won the United States Army's CSASS contract to replace the M110 Semi-Automatic Sniper System.[9] The M110A1 uses an aluminum upper receiver instead of steel to meet weight requirements, weighing 8.4 lb (3.8 kg) unloaded and reaching some 15 lb (6.8 kg) loaded and with accessories; the M110A1 features a Geissele M-LOK rail handguard, Schmidt & Bender 3–20×50 PM II Ultra Short telescopic sight, Geissele optic mount, OSS SRM6 suppressor, 6-9 Harris bipod and mount, and a collapsible stock with adjustable comb.[8][10] In May 2018, the U.S. Marine Corps will begin receiving the CSASS, also to replace the M110.[11] There has been some small-scale testing of the CSASS since then but no news of widespread fielding or adoption.[12][13] However, the Army has shown small scale testing and use of the M110A2, an upgraded version of Knight's Armament Company's M110 SASS.[14][15] The Navy and Marine Corps have also designated funding for a M110 SASS Product Improvement Program (PIP).[16][17]
The M110A1 SDMR is a Squad Designated Marksman Rifle (SDMR) being issued to US Army infantry squads to replace the M14 EBR.[18] In March 2018, the Army announced that a version of the G28E-110 would be issued to infantry squads as the service's standard SDMR. While undergoing evaluation by PEO Soldier, it was designated as M110E1.[18] Issuing a 7.62×51mm NATO SDMR is meant to increase individual squads' ability to engage distant threats and defeat enemy body armor that standard 5.56×45mm NATO rounds cannot penetrate. The M14 EBR was previously issued for this role, but because it was based on an operational needs statement they had to be turned in by units at the end of a combat deployment.[19] Unlike the sniper configuration, the SDMR model will be equipped with a different buttstock and barrel twist than the CSASS model. The SDMR model will also fire M80A1 Enhanced Performance Rounds or XM1158 Advanced Armor Piercing Rounds rather than sniper rounds.[20] The marksman version is fitted with a simpler SIG TANGO6 1-6×24 telescopic sight to make quick adjustments between 0–600 m (0–656 yd) and features a red horseshoe dot for fast aiming and an illuminated Extended Range Bullet Drop Compensation (BDC) illuminated front focal plane reticle.[21] It will also be fielded with a suppressor to lessen its sound signature. Roughly 6,000 are planned to be fielded with one per squad in infantry, engineer and scout formations.[22][20] Early testing began with several U.S. Army combat units receiving the first M110A1 SDMRs in fall 2018.[20][23] Fielding to all close combat squads is expected to be completed in late 2023.[24]
Civilian
editThe MR308 is a civilian variant of the HK417, introduced in 2007 alongside the MR223, a civilian HK416.[25] It is a semi-automatic rifle with several "sporterized" features.[example needed] At the 2009 SHOT Show, the two rifles were introduced to the American civilian market as the MR762 and MR556, respectively.[26] Since then, both were replaced by the improved MR762A1 and MR556A1.[27][28]
Users
editCountry | Organization name | Model | Quantity | Date | Reference |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Austria | Jagdkommando | HK417P | – | – | [29] |
Australia | Australian Army acquired 16″ 'Recce' variants paired with 6× ACOG for a designated marksman solution for use in Afghanistan and afterwards | 16″ 'Recce' | – | 2010 | [30][31] |
Brazil | Brazilian Army | – | – | 2012 | [32] |
Federal Police of Brazil | – | – | 2012 | [32] | |
Czech Republic | 601st Special Forces Group | – | – | – | [33] |
Denmark | Used by the Royal Danish Army as a designated marksman rifle. Set to be replaced by the Colt Canada C20 DMR in the first quarter of 2021. | 20″ 'Sniper' | – | – | [34][35] |
Estonia | Estonian Special Operations Force uses it as a designated marksman rifle | – | – | – | [36] |
France | Commandement des Opérations Spéciales (COS) | – | – | – | [37] |
Germany | German Army uses the HK417 - 16″ as the G27 | 16″ | – | – | [4] |
German Army uses the HK417A2 - 13″ as the G27K | 13″ | – | – | [4] | |
Indonesia | Jala Mangkarta Detachment, and Amphibious Reconnaissance Battalion (Taifib) as a Designated Marksman Rifle. | G28 | – | – | [38][39] |
Ireland | Defence Forces Army Ranger Wing sniper teams | – | – | 2010 | [40] |
Japan | Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, Special Forces Group (Japan) In January 2023, the G28 was selected as standard issue sniper rifle |
– | – | 2014 | [41][42][43] |
Luxembourg | Luxembourg Armed Forces Being procured alongside HK416 from May 2023. |
HK417 A2 | – | 2023 | [44] |
Malaysia | Pasukan Khas Laut sniper teams of the Royal Malaysian Navy | – | – | 2006 | [45] |
Netherlands | Korps Commandotroepen (KCT) of the Royal Netherlands Army acquired the 16″ 'Recce' paired with Aimpoint CompM2 or Schmidt & Bender 3–12×50 PM II | – | – | 2011 | [46][47] |
Norway | Norwegian Armed Forces uses it as a sharpshooter and designated marksman rifle | HK417N | – | 2007 | [48][49] |
Poland | Policja | – | – | – | [50] |
Portugal | Special Operations Troops Centre of the Portuguese Army | HK417, G28 | [51] | ||
Core of Tactical Operations of Protection of the Portuguese Air Force | HK417,G28 | [52] | |||
Special Operations Intervention Group (GIOE) of the National Republican Guard | HK417, G28 | [53] | |||
Tactical Actions Group (GAT) of the Maritime Police | G28 | [54] | |||
Russia | Spetsnaz snipers of law enforcement agencies | MR308 | – | – | [55][56] |
Slovenia | Slovenian Special Police Unit (Specialna Enota Policije) | HK417 | – | – | [57] |
South Korea | 707th Special Mission Group | G28 | – | 2017 | [58][59] |
United Kingdom | Special Air Service | HK417 (L2A1) - 12", 16" and 20" | – | 2009 | [60] |
United States | United States Army | M110A1 | 3,643 (planned) | – | [9] |
Ukraine | Armed Forces of Ukraine | Supplied by the Netherlands | — | — | [61] |
Conflicts
edit2000s
edit2010s
edit2020s
editGallery
edit-
A Croatian Army HK417 12″ 'Assaulter' model on display.
-
From top to bottom: a .338 Lapua Magnum Sako TRG-42, .308 Winchester MR308, .223 Remington Schmeisser GmbH AR15 M5 and a 9 mm AR-15 on display at the 2012 ARMS & Hunting exhibition.
-
An MR308
-
Australian Army Pvt. Brent Rothwell patrols in Tarin Kowt with an HK417, Uruzgan province, Afghanistan, July 26, 2013.
-
HK417 16″ 'Recce' paired with Schmidt & Bender 3–12×50 PM II used by a Netherlands Maritime Special Operations Forces (NLMARSOF) sniper.
-
Irish Army Ranger Wing airborne sniper team on a helicopter during the 30th anniversary of the ARW.
-
A sniper from the Norwegian Home Guard's task force "Bjørn West" armed with an HK417 designated marksman rifle.
-
Royal Malaysian Navy PASKAL operators on standby during the 59th National Day Parade of Malaysia at Merdeka Square, Kuala Lumpur. One is armed with a 7.62mm HK417 Sniper Rifle (left), with a 8X scope attached, mounted backwards.
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b "HK417 A2 - Effective and versatile". Heckler & Koch. Archived from the original on November 29, 2014. Retrieved November 15, 2014.
- ^ "Newer carbines outperform M4 in dust test". Army Times. December 17, 2007. Archived from the original on June 30, 2012. Retrieved January 30, 2011.
- ^ "Handl Defense社 HK417にSR-25・M110の弾倉を使えるようにするアダプタを開発" (in Japanese). Dec 18, 2017.
- ^ a b c "Entscheidung zur Zwischenlösung G36" (in German). Bundeswehr. August 27, 2015. Archived from the original on May 30, 2016. Retrieved June 5, 2016.
- ^ "2008 Heckler & Koch Military and LE brochure" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 2015-11-05. Retrieved 2011-01-30.
- ^ "HK241 Technical Data". Heckler & Koch. Archived from the original on 22 July 2017. Retrieved 15 November 2014.
- ^ "HK241 Product Overview". Heckler & Koch. Archived from the original on October 8, 2017. Retrieved November 15, 2014.
- ^ a b F., Nathaniel (January 18, 2017). "HK Shows Off the US Army's M110A1 CSASS Compact Sniper Rifle - SHOT 17". The Firearm Blog. Archived from the original on June 1, 2017. Retrieved May 31, 2017.
- ^ a b Jahner, Kyle (April 8, 2016). "H&K confirms: This is the Army's new and improved sniper rifle". Army Times. Retrieved June 9, 2016.
The gun will replace the M110 made by Knight's Armament as a culmination of the Army's desire for a shorter, lighter rifle that didn't sacrifice accuracy or performance.
- ^ "SHOT Show 17 – H&K M110A1 CSASS". Soldier Systems Daily. January 23, 2017. Archived from the original on June 24, 2017. Retrieved May 31, 2017.
- ^ South, Todd (9 April 2018). "The Marines just switched their main sniper rifle ― look what's next". Military Times. Archived from the original on 8 March 2021. Retrieved 20 June 2022.
- ^ Brabner, Michael P. (1 March 2019). "Army snipers field test a more accurate, ergonomic rifle". US Army. Archived from the original on 18 May 2021. Retrieved 17 June 2022.
- ^ Shelton, Mike (8 October 2019). "82nd Airborne snipers jump, testing new Compact Sniper rifle system". US Army. Archived from the original on 23 October 2020. Retrieved 17 June 2022.
- ^ "AUSA 21 – Knight's Armament Co". Soldier Systems Daily. 12 October 2021. Archived from the original on 12 October 2021. Retrieved 19 June 2022.
- ^ Parsons, Dan (19 April 2022). "New M110A2 Sniper Rifle Used In Army Ranger Competition". The Warzone. Archived from the original on 17 May 2022. Retrieved 19 June 2022.
- ^ a b "PEO Soldier | Portfolio - PM SL - M110E1 7.62 mm Squad Designated Marksman Rifle". Archived from the original on 29 July 2021.
- ^ Cox, Matthew (6 March 2018). "Army Plans to Field H&K G28 as New Squad Marksman Rifle". Military.com/Kitup. Archived from the original on 2018-03-12.
- ^ a b c Suits, Devon L. (6 June 2018). "Army to field Squad Designated Marksman Rifle in September". US Army. Archived from the original on 5 May 2021. Retrieved 16 June 2022.
- ^ "US Army Selects SIG Optic For Squad Designated Marksman Rifle". 10 May 2018. Archived from the original on 2019-02-16. Retrieved 2019-02-15.
- ^ Cox, Matthew (23 March 2018). "Army to Begin Fielding Thousands of Squad Marksman Rifles by Oct. 1". Military.com. Archived from the original on 8 March 2021. Retrieved 20 June 2022.
- ^ Malyasov, Dylan (28 December 2018). "U.S. Army conducts trials of new Squad Designated Marksman Rifle". Defence Blog. Archived from the original on 25 June 2021. Retrieved 19 June 2022.
- ^ South, Todd (30 March 2022). "Squad-level sniper rifle to complete fielding by next year". Defense News. Retrieved 20 June 2022.
- ^ "Approving the MR223 and MR308 for civilian sale inside Germany". Archived from the original on June 6, 2008. Retrieved September 3, 2014.
- ^ "Heckler & Koch MR556 and MR762 brochure" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on April 19, 2009.
- ^ "New HK Products for 2012". Heckler & Koch USA. Archived from the original on March 19, 2015. Retrieved September 3, 2014.
- ^ "HK-USA Rifles". Heckler & Koch USA. Archived from the original on November 1, 2014. Retrieved September 3, 2014.
- ^ "POTD: Austrian Special Forces Sniper with HK417P and ZC527". 16 October 2021. Retrieved 23 October 2021.
- ^ "Contract Notice View – CN352591". AusTender. Australian Government. December 14, 2010. Archived from the original on July 6, 2011. Retrieved January 30, 2011.
- ^ Juchniewicz, Lt-Col Nathan (21 July 2011). "New weapon to go the distance" (PDF). Army News: The Soldiers' Newspaper (1263 ed.). Canberra: Department of Defence. p. 3. ISSN 0729-5685. Archived from the original (PDF) on 13 August 2019.
- ^ a b "DefesaNet - Armas - PF - 200 novos fuzis de assalto HK 417 são distribuídos". DefesaNet. 26 July 2012. Archived from the original on 29 November 2014. Retrieved 15 November 2014.
- ^ "Oficiální web 601. skupiny speciálních sil generála Moravce". www.601skss.cz. Archived from the original on 12 October 2017. Retrieved 25 October 2017.
- ^ "Geværer" (in Danish). Archived from the original on 14 February 2015. Retrieved 7 April 2015.
- ^ B, Eric (25 September 2020). "Danish Armed Forces Chose New Sniper Rifle – Colt Canada C20 DMR". The Firearm Blog.
- ^ "FOTOD: Millega tegeleb eestlaste eriüksus Afganistanis?". delfi.ee. Archived from the original on 18 May 2017. Retrieved 25 October 2017.
- ^ "HK 417- fusil d'assaut de la firme Heckler & Koch" (in French). French Land Army official website. Archived from the original on 2013-07-25. Retrieved 2013-07-17.
- ^ "Heckler & Koch G28 - Senapan Sniper Semi Otomatis Terbaru Pasukan Elite TNI". 5 June 2020.
- ^ "Keris MAREX 23: Precision Marksmanship". DVIDS. Retrieved 2023-12-13.
- ^ Thompson, Leroy (1 March 2013). "Ireland's Army Rangers (page 1)". Tactical-Life. Archived from the original on 22 September 2015. Retrieved 19 November 2016.
- ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-03-05. Retrieved 2015-04-03.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ "防衛省、SH-60K能力向上型を量産 平均単価81億円" (in Japanese). Jan 24, 2023.
- ^ "陸上自衛隊の新機関銃MINIMI Mk3、新狙撃銃G28" (in Japanese). Feb 17, 2023.
- ^ "Luxembourg upgrades military arsenal with Heckler & Koch assault rifles". Defense Brief. 3 May 2023. Archived from the original on 3 May 2023. Retrieved 3 May 2023.
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- ^ Westerhoven, Leo Van (April 20, 2011). "KCT sniper teams using the Heckler & Koch 417". Dutch Defence Press (in Dutch). Archived from the original on May 8, 2011. Retrieved June 13, 2011.
- ^ Offisersbladet nr. 3, May 2007: Heckler & Koch 416: Vårt nye håndvåpen
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- ^ "Police Headquarters Official Gazette No. 13" (in Polish). September 25, 2009. Archived from the original (pdf) on April 2, 2012. Retrieved January 30, 2011.
- ^ "EM LAMEGO COM AS OPERAÇÕES ESPECIAIS DO EXÉRCITO (I) | Operacional" (in European Portuguese). Retrieved 2020-07-10.
- ^ "G-28 & MG-5 NA UNIDADE DE PROTEÇÃO DA FORÇA (I) | Operacional" (in European Portuguese). Retrieved 2022-05-16.
- ^ "GIOE/GNR – 2019: NOVO EQUIPAMENTO DE PROTECÇÃO INDIVIDUAL E ARMAMENTO | Operacional" (in European Portuguese). Retrieved 2021-01-17.
- ^ "GNR RECEBE NOVAS ARMAS | Operacional" (in European Portuguese). Retrieved 2021-01-17.
- ^ a b F, Nathaniel (June 29, 2015). "Russian Special Forces Using HK417, AI AW In Dagestan". The Firearm Blog. Archived from the original on April 5, 2023.
- ^ "МЕЖДУНАРОДНЫЕ СОРЕВНОВАНИЯ, ПОСВЯЩЕННЫЕ 25-ЛЕТИЮ УСН СБП ФСО РОССИИ: ТУРНИР ПО ТАКТИЧЕСКОЙ СТРЕЛЬБЕ" [INTERNATIONAL COMPETITIONS DEDICATED TO THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE USN SBP FSO OF RUSSIA: TACTICAL SHOOTING TOURNAMENT]. livejournal.com. October 26, 2018. Archived from the original on October 19, 2020. Retrieved February 20, 2016.
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- ^ Harding, Thomas (June 26, 2009). "SAS parachuted in to Baghdad". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on November 25, 2011. Retrieved January 30, 2011.
- ^ a b "Heckler & Koch HK416s in Ukraine". The Armourer's Bench. June 18, 2023. Archived from the original on June 18, 2023.
- ^ "Recent images of Rio's drug war -". The Firearm Blog. 2017-10-04. Retrieved 2022-10-27.