Assault rifle Heckler & Koch HK G11. Video: assault rifle Heckler & Koch G11 Major modifications of the MP5

The fame and popularity of a particular type of weapon is sometimes brought not so much by its outstanding tactical specifications how much the degree of "overexposure" in various Hollywood blockbusters. In this regard, the German submachine gun Heckler koch The MP5 is very fortunate - it can be seen in many world famous films. These are Die Hard, Predator, Resident Evil, Mr. & Mrs. Smith, The Matrix, Mission Impossible - the list goes on and on. Whether the MP5 matches its "light image" is a rather controversial question, but in any case, it is clear that even without the help of filmmakers, it looks good against the background of other submachine guns. This is not so little, considering his solid age - about fifty-three years old.

The history of the creation and development of weapons Heckler & Koch MP5

After the end of the Second World War, it might seem that the "golden age" of submachine guns is a thing of the past. Armies began to switch to more powerful and long-range weapons - automatic and assault rifles. In the USSR, it was the famous AK, in the USA - the M14, which is not often mentioned today, and the Bundeswehr received the Heckler & Koch G3 at its disposal. This rifle was notable primarily for the fact that its designers did not use the already familiar gas-operated principle of automatic action, preferring the semi-free bolt mechanism.

From the very beginning, it was clear that the HK G3 would be too long and cumbersome for tankers and armored vehicle drivers. Therefore, the question arose about the creation of a submachine gun designed specifically for this category of military personnel. The rifle was put into service in 1959, and in the same year, German designers began to create a compact weapon, which received the original designation HK 54. The number "5" meant that we were talking about a submachine gun, and "4" indicated that it is supposed to use a 9x19 mm cartridge.

The HK54 was based on the G3, which is easy to spot by looking at these two weapons. This decision was logical in its own way: it simplified both the training of soldiers and repair work. In addition, it was not difficult to guess that since the automation can handle powerful 7.62x51 rifle cartridges, the transition to a weaker pistol ammunition will not be difficult.

The original plans of heckler Koch were not destined to come true - the army did not want to adopt the HK54. But the submachine gun did not remain unclaimed - the German government considered that it would be perfect for the police. In addition, this weapon, which received the official designation HK MP5 (Maschinenpistole 5), was handed over to the border guards.

One of the first known examples of the use of the new submachine gun was the attempt to free Israeli athletes captured by Arab terrorists during the 1972 Munich Olympics. Unfortunately, the operation ended in complete failure - all the hostages were killed. This tragedy prompted the German government to create a special unit GSG 9, whose employees were armed with MP-5. It was these fighters who became a kind of "advertising agents" who were the first to introduce their colleagues from other Western countries to the capabilities of the German compact weapon.

In 1977, detachment GSG-9, using the MP5, neutralized terrorists who hijacked a Lufthansa airliner. The success was obvious, but real finest hour for the submachine gun came on May 5, 1980, when the fighters of the British special unit SAS released hostages held by Arab terrorists at the Iranian embassy in London. For a number of reasons, this operation, codenamed "Nimrod", was widely covered by television and the press, and, as they say, "in real time." The shocked public first learned about the very existence of SAS. Considering that all participants in the operation were armed with MP5s, this submachine gun became world famous from that moment on.

Of course, Heckler Koch's designers did not sit idly by either: throughout the 1970s they developed several new modifications to the MP5, of which the MP5SD and MP5K were the most significant. Nevertheless, it was thanks to the media that the submachine gun was recognized all over the world. The results were not slow to affect: over the years since then, the MP5 submachine gun has appeared in service with more than 50 different countries of the world. It is interesting that Britain officially acquired the first batch of German submachine guns only in 1984.

The MP5 is still being produced and used today, and there have been no fundamental changes in its design. This submachine gun is still holding its positions, although it can hardly be called an ideal weapon, rather "ordinary".

Description of construction

When creating the MP5, a modular principle was applied. This means that the submachine gun is a kind of simple constructor that can be assembled in different variations. For example, you can separate the permanent butt and install a metal sliding stock instead, and this whole operation will not take even half a minute.

The receiver of the weapon is made of steel by stamping - cheap and practical. Placed in it, the trigger mechanism (USM) is made single with a trigger guard and a pistol grip. It is easy to fold it down and take it off.

Several variations of this node are used on the MP5:

1. USM for two positions - "safe" and "single fire". Installed on civil and police options;
2. USM for three positions - added continuous fire mode;
3. USM for four positions - the possibility of firing a burst of a fixed length (two or three cartridges) has been introduced.

Replacing one trigger mechanism with another, thanks to the modular principle, is not difficult. The firing mode translator is two-sided, easily operated with one finger.

The reload lever is located at the top of the submachine gun, the handle is turned to the left. It is possible to lock the bolt in the open position - this is sometimes necessary in order to cool the parts after intensive shooting.

The MP5 sight is a diopter sight, it consists of a front sight, protected by a steel ring, and a set of "holes" of different diameters, placed in a drum rear sight.

How the submachine gun works

Position A - just before the shot, B - the beginning of the rollback, C - the rollback is over, the sleeve is ejected, the spring is ready to return the bolt group to position A

Mechanisms MP 5 work when firing from this weapon like this:

1. The shooter pulls back the reload handle. At the same time, the chamber opens, and a cartridge is fed from the store;
2. Moving in the opposite direction under the influence of the spring, the bolt group "picks up" the cartridge. The chambering takes place. Special rollers located between the bolt body and the combat cylinder are at this moment forced into the grooves provided for them, located in the barrel sleeve;
3. After pressing the trigger, a shot occurs, the formed powder gases begin to exert pressure on the bottom of the sleeve;
4. The combat larva is pushed back. The rollers slow down this movement, at the same time speeding up the rollback of the shutter body somewhat;
5. The barrel pressure is reduced. By this point, the rollers are completely recessed into the body of the shutter, and the sleeve is rolled back and ejected. The return spring is compressed at the same time;
6. The cycle, starting from point 2, is repeated, only the descent is already performed automatically until the trigger is released.

By slowing down the movement of the bolt group and firing from the front sear, the MP5 provides fairly high firing accuracy from steady positions, especially with single fire.

Ammo for MP5

The vending machine is supplied from standard shops. Their capacity can be 10 (for civilian versions of weapons), 15 (for the MP5K modification), 30 and 40 rounds. The main ammunition for this submachine gun is the 9x19 Parabellum.

It is a globally widespread cartridge that enjoys an excellent reputation and is used by many other submachine gun models.

There are also MP5 modifications, created by special foreign orders for other types of ammunition. These are, in particular, the 40S & W and 10 mm AUTO cartridges.

Specifications

The performance characteristics of the MP-5 submachine gun are quite similar for all of its modifications, changing noticeably only for versions with an integrated silencer:

The rear sight on all models is marked up to 100 meters, with a step of 25 m. The maximum weight of some submodifications reaches (without cartridges) 3.4 kg.

Pros and cons of submachine gun

Over the years of practical operation, numerous owners of "Heckler and Koch MP 5" have repeatedly noted, above all, excellent ergonomics and ease of use of this weapon.

In addition, the following important advantages of the submachine gun should be mentioned:

1. Ease and speed of alteration from one submodification to another, including the replacement of the trigger;
2. High quality workmanship of all parts and their reliability, structural strength as a whole;
3. Good accuracy and accuracy of fire from stable positions;
4. The weapon is easily controlled when firing in bursts, it can be effortlessly returned to its original aiming line;
5. Possibility to install additional equipment on the MP5 - a tactical flashlight, improved sight and other useful devices;
6. The value of bullet energy, which is excellent for this class of weapon, has been achieved.

Of course, there were some drawbacks. One of the most obvious is the excessive mass of some modifications. The MP5SD3, for example, weighs 3.4 kg without ammunition, that is, the same as an equipped automatic carbine, but this is a weapon of a completely different class, much more powerful and long-range.

There are other shortcomings:

1. Increased complexity of manufacturing and the cost of MP This is due to the chosen principle of operation of the automation;
2. Sensitivity to pollution and demanding care;
3. Difficult replacement of an incompletely used store;
4. Poor compatibility with some types of 9x19 cartridges.

When testing a submachine gun by fighters of Russian special forces, it was also noted frequent delays when firing. It is possible that this was caused by the use of inappropriate ammunition.

Main modifications of MP5

Experts count about a hundred different variants of the submachine gun. Most of them have only minor differences. Initially, this weapon was produced in the MP5A1 and MP5A2 modifications. The first version was equipped with a telescopic sliding butt, and the second - with a permanent plastic one. Then there were modifications with an improved four-position trigger.

More significant changes were required for the appearance of the submachine gun with an integrated silencer, designated MP5SD. Designers "Heckler and Koch", creating this weapon, did not develop a special "subsonic" cartridge. Instead, they artificially reduced the speed of the bullet by making special holes in the barrel connected to the silencer chamber. This made it possible to reduce the volume of the shot so that it became difficult to distinguish it at distances of more than 30 meters.

In 1976, another notable modification appeared in the Heckler and Koch MP5 line - the MP5K. It was the smallest and shortest possible version of the submachine gun. Such a weapon is perfect for secret service officers in “civilian clothes” and can be concealed.

Separately, we can mention the MP5SF, designed to arm the British police and the American FBI. The main difference between this modification is the absence of a burst firing mode.

Another option - MP5N (N stands for "Navy") - was produced for the needs of the US Navy. The only noticeable difference is that there is a thread on the barrel of the submachine gun intended for installing a silencer.

Despite the fact that the MP5 hardly has a noticeable advantage over its numerous counterparts, it will remain in service for a long time different countries the world. This is facilitated by his "cinematic" fame, and the excellent reputation of German gunsmiths. At the same time, the potential for modernizing the submachine gun is apparently exhausted. It can be assumed that they will try to adapt it for more powerful ammunition, since the standard 9x19 cartridge is often powerless when firing at an enemy protected by a bulletproof vest.

If you have any questions - leave them in the comments below the article. We or our visitors will be happy to answer them.

Soldier of the Bundeswehr and is designed to defeat the enemy's manpower.

Rifle G11 Heckler - development of West German designers, which replaced the G3 rifle. In the middle of the 60s of the XX century, the concept of armament of motorized infantry units of NATO armies began to change, incl. and divisions 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 insufficiently light assault rifle that meets the requirements of our time.

Development of new standard weapons

G11 - this name was given to a new assault rifle, was taken into development by a German company by Heckler and Koch in the late 1960s. The German government approved this project and instructed shortest time make the required type of weapons.
In the course of the design and survey work, the designers settled on a variant of a light, small-bore and small-sized rifle in the "bullup" variant with a high accuracy of destruction. 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 the target was achieved by hitting it with several shots, so the designers settled on the option of using a caseless cartridge of 43 mm caliber in the new weapon (then they chose 47mm caliber). The updated rifle could fire single shots and fire in automatic mode, both in 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 the G11
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The automatic scheme of the weapon operates due to the kinetic energy of the powder gases discharged after the shot and the short stroke of the barrel section. The initial placement of cartridges in the clip above the barrel, bullets down. The G11 rifle is equipped with a special rotating breech chamber, where, before the start of fire, the cartridge is fed vertically downward. This is followed by a turn of the breech at a right angle, and when the cartridge is aligned with the barrel line, a shot is fired, while the cartridge is not fed directly into the barrel. Because a cartridge 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 shot cartridge case. After the shot is fired, the breech chamber turns back to receive the next ammunition. In the event of a misfire, the defective cartridge is thrown down under the influence of the supply force of the next ammunition. The mechanism is cocked using the rotary knob on the left. The handle does not move when firing.

The barrel part, the trigger (except for the safety flag and trigger), the rotating breech with mechanisms and the clip are assembled on one base, which moves progressively inside the body of the weapon. When firing single shots or automatic non-fixed firing, the mechanism completes the entire shot cycle, while the recoil becomes less. When automatic firing in fixed bursts after every third shot, the mobile system comes to the extreme rear position, while the recoil force acts on after the end of firing, which achieves greater accuracy of fire (by analogy with the domestic machine gun AN-94 "Abakan").
The first modifications of the G11 were equipped with a fixed optical sight single magnification, also used when carrying a rifle.

Ammunition

For standard use, cartridges without a shell, with dimensions of 4.73x33 mm, manufactured by Dynamit Nobel AG, have been developed. The prototype ammunition for Heckler & Koch G11 had a square-shaped powder charge covered with a waterproof varnish, a primer-igniter in the bottom and a bullet recessed into the powder charge. Next, they created a modified version of the ammunition for Heckler & Koch G11, where the bullet and powder charge are completely encapsulated together with a primer - an igniter in the bottom part and a lid in the upper part of the capsule.

Modifications

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

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

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

The popular weapon maker unveiled the new HK433 assault rifle in a press release released to the general public in early February 2017. Now Heckler & Koch has presented a modern modular rifle at the ENFORCE Tac in Nuremberg to a professional audience.

We were also able to experience new model HK433 at ENFORCE Tac. Law enforcement officials and the military got 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 the weapon of the future and the number of shots, which makes it easier Maintenance and troubleshooting this assault rifle.

Heckler & Koch from Swabian Oberndorf with its worldwide famous weapon such as the MP 5 or the G36 have lent their reputation to being “Made in Germany”. The assault rifles, pistols and submachine guns of this company are known all over the world and are popular among the police and military.

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

Many Western armies - 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.

Modular assault rifle HK433 from Heckler & Koch

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

HK433 is a gas-operated weapon with a gas piston, made separately from the bolt carrier, and locking rotary shutter optimized shape. 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 scopes according to the NATO-STANAG 4694 standard. It allows the installation of all scopes and night attachments on the market with maximum dimensions in length and a low aiming line.

The receiver has a built-in sensor for the number of shots, which does not require maintenance and does not allow manipulation. With a view to the future, weapon data can be transferred and archived wirelessly - either via WLAN or via Bluetooth, which was a real surprise for us.

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

The bolt of the new HK433 assault rifle is based on the world-renowned Heckler & Koch G36 design.

The reload lever, which does not protrude to the side and does not move when fired, can be repositioned without the aid of a tool and thus can be operated from either side. In addition, it has a built-in locking function for silently feeding the cartridge into the chamber.

When firing, the reload lever remains stationary. This, on the one hand, increases the safety of the shooter in stressful situation and, on the other hand, does not restrict the shooter in the choice of stop or ready position when firing from the weapon. Due to the ergonomic arrangement of the reloading lever, the weapon remains pointed at the target during reloading, and in the prone position does not lead to the need to raise the body, which unmasks the shooter and increases the affected area.

Barrel of assault rifle Heckler & Koch HK433

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

The barrel is cold forged, heat treated and chrome plated inside. Additional optimization measures have increased the already high survivability of Heckler & Koch's barrels even further. The serial barrels are equipped with an improved and tool-less configurable device for venting gases into the device for silent and flameless firing, as well as a mount for 40-mm HK269 and GLM / GLMA1 underbarrel grenade launchers. The front sight base and bayonet mount are optional.

Receiver of the new HK433 assault rifle from Heckler & Koch

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

Drop-in solutions in the lower part of the receiver extend the functionality of the weapon by individually configuring match triggers or by combining modular trigger mechanisms.

The Slim Line forend developed by Heckler & Koch is kinematically connected to the lower part of the receiver without backlash. It can be detached without the aid of a tool and is equipped with sling sling attachment points, a HKey modular interface for 3 and 9 o'clock, and a solid MIL-STD-1913 Picatinny rail on the underside of the forend.

Other design features of the HK433 assault rifle

The magazine shaft according to the NATO-STANAG 4179 (Draft) standard allows replacement with replaceable 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 weapon family. Thanks to the handles with interchangeable pads and backs, similar to the P30 and SFP pistols, the rifle can be best adapted to different hand sizes.

The new assault rifle HK433, unlike the HK416, does not have a butt that folds to the side, but is equipped with a folding retractable butt.

An ergonomic folding and length-adjustable shoulder rest with a height-adjustable cheek piece is connected to the receiver without backlash. 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. This achieves extremely small dimensions in the stowed position.

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

Completing the look of the HK433 is a special combination of materials and surface finishes. They provide minimal maintenance of the weapon in extreme conditions while maintaining its high resource.

On request, the new Heckler & Koch assault rifle is available in camouflage colors and with an infrared absorbing coating.

The empty weight of the HK433 rifle with a barrel length of 16.5 inches is 3.5 kg.

Conclusions about the new rifle Heckler & Koch HK433

Heckler & Koch has developed the HK433 to meet the increasingly complex requirements for infantry weapons and special forces... 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 has an intuitive operation combined with modularity, precision and safe handling.

With her, Heckler & Koch, among other things, aimed at the German market. The new HK433 is regarded as one of the bidders for the new “Bundeswehr Assault Rifle System”. The German armed forces intend to replace the old standard rifle with the regular G36 rifle with a more modern system from 2019.

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

HK USP pistol with attached tactical flashlight and 45 ACP cartridges

In 1993, Heckler und Koch introduced and launched into mass production the USP pistol (Universal Selbstladen Pistole - 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 was started back in 1989. The design manager was Helmut Veldel. The purpose of the creation was a pistol that could be successfully used both in the police and the army, and for self-defense by ordinary citizens, as well as adapt to perform various tasks.

The USP was planned to be sold mainly in the American arms market, so it was originally created for a new, rapidly gaining popularity in the United States, and a very promising cartridge. 40 S&W. 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 launch of the 40 S&W and 9mm Parabellum models, a version chambered for the American 45 ACP cartridge was introduced. Adapted for use in the Bundeswehr, the 9mm USP was adopted by the German armed forces in the same year under the designation P8 (Pistole 8), where it is successfully used today, having earned a reputation for being extremely reliable and durable weapon. P8 is in service with the famous special forces 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 special services of other countries of the world. For example, in the United States, USP is used in 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 cartridges for them are produced in huge quantities, in a wide variety of equipment options and can be found all over the world. However, the weapon chambered for .40 S&W provides the best combination of such qualities as high stopping effect of a bullet, acceptable dimensions, weight and recoil force. It should be noted that at the same time, 9 mm pistols are traditionally the most popular in Europe, and in the USA - chambered for 40 S&W.

US Seventh Army Reserve soldier trains with service P8

USP 45 is very popular in the USA, where 45 ACP is preferred because of the highest stopping effect of a bullet, among the most common pistol cartridges, even with significant dimensions and the impossibility of being hidden under light clothing. The work of the automatics is based on the Browning design with a descending barrel entering its rectangular protrusion located above the chamber into the shutter-casing window for ejecting spent cartridges, but the lowering itself is performed here 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 allows you to reduce the recoil impulse and make the work of automation more tolerant to the difference in power of the cartridges used.

The barrel, made by cold forging on the rim, has a channel with polygonal grooves. Such a barrel has a large service life and minimizes the breakthrough of powder gases. The shutter-casing, made of chromium-molybdenum steel, is subjected to nitro-gas treatment. Its coating is extremely resistant to corrosion. Reinforced polymer frame reinforced with steel inserts. In the front of the frame there are slots for mounting a tactical flashlight or laser designator. The trigger, magazine latch and safety lever levers, magazine cover and feeder are also made of polymer. The firing mechanism of the hammer type, double action, with a safety cocking of the hammer. Effort of descent in single action mode - 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 - lock, lower - fire), while the safety lever in different versions can also perform the functions of a safe trigger when turn on the fuse or work only as a fuse; single action or only self-cocking - SA and DAO (the upper position of the lever is single action, the lower one is only self-cocking, while moving the lever to the lower position safely releases the trigger from the cocking); single action - SA (the lever serves only for safe triggering); only self-cocking - DAO (without flag fuse); only self-cocking with a safety catch. The lever, used for various purposes and operating options of the trigger, can be located both on the left and on the right side of the frame. The weapon is equipped with an automatic fuse for the striker, which does not allow him to strike with a striking blow on the cartridge primer until the trigger is completely squeezed out by the shooter.

The slide stop lever is located on the left side of the frame. The double-sided lever magazine latch is located at the base of the trigger guard. To disconnect the magazine, the arrow needs only to squeeze the lever down with a natural movement of the thumb. The Army P8's double-row magazines are made of clear plastic for easy control over ammunition usage. Sights, consisting of a front sight and rear sight, fixed in dovetail grooves with the possibility of making lateral corrections, are supplied with white inserts to speed up aiming at night or in low light. The pistols can also be supplied with an adjustable micrometer for sports shooting.

The guaranteed resource is 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 especially powerful cartridges of hand equipment and + P +, due to the fact that they are based on the variant chambered for 40 S&W. After the USP pistols gained widespread popularity on both sides of the Atlantic, Heckler und Koch began producing various variants of the base model, adapted for various highly specialized purposes, for example, IPSC practical shooting or use in conjunction with a silencer.

A few disadvantages of the pistol include a manually controlled safety switch, which complicates the handling of the weapon, because an inexperienced or not sufficiently trained owner may forget to turn it off in a critical situation. And with the function of protection against an accidental shot when the weapon falls, the automatic fuse of the striker is more than excellent. German USP pistols have extremely high reliability in difficult operating conditions and when using cartridges with a wide variety of equipment, high service life and strength, excellent corrosion resistance, firing accuracy, 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 casing and frame contours, and has a reduced length and slightly modified trigger guard. These changes, combined with smaller dimensions and weight, make it possible to carry weapons in secret. The main design change is the absence of a buffer spring. However, to mitigate the impact of recoil, a plastic shock absorber sleeve with a resource of 25,000 shots 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 the hammer cocked is 1.9 kg, self-cocking - 4.3 kg. Trigger travel in single action mode reduced to 5.1 mm. In 1997, the USP Compact was adopted by the German police under the designation P10 (Pistole 10).

The owners of their USP Compact: “The impressions are good. The pistol is made very soundly, obviously with the expectation of the army and the police. It fits very tightly in the hand, the impression is that it was made under it, the sights are clearly visible. At the same time, I should note that wearing the Glock is certainly easier, although it may just be out of habit. Externally, the USP Compact makes a more bulky impression. Very high accuracy when firing a doublet. " “A 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 gun school. Thousands of rounds fired and not a single delay. It works stably with cartridges of different brands, including the cheap Wolf. Excellent accuracy. A friend didn’t like the grip, but it’s quite comfortable for me. Not everyone likes the design because of its angularity and massive shutter-casing, but there is no dispute about tastes. The quality is excellent. "

The USP 45 CT pistol was developed for use in the US special forces as a highly effective compact weapon with the ability to mount an PBS. CT stands for Compact Tactical. Unlike the regular USP Compact, this pistol is equipped with a barrel with a protruding muzzle, which has a thread, as well as large and high sights, which are necessary when using weapons in conjunction with a silencer. The weapon comes with two magazines, a set of tools and cleaning accessories. Length: 196mm; 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 “sits” perfectly in the hand, the hold is very comfortable, the “grip” is tight and stable. The weapon is also convenient for people with large hands thanks to the magazine cover with a front ledge. The large breech-casing, the safety levers and the breech stop are easy to manipulate without any problems. However, in thick gloves it can be somewhat difficult to work with the magazine latch 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 firing, 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 toss of the barrel. Secondly, a comfortable grip significantly reduces the impact of recoil and helps a lot to control the pistol during high-speed shooting. Aimed shooting at short range is comparable to the results of a standard USP of the same caliber, which is facilitated by an elongated barrel, again a comfortable grip shape and a smooth, not long trigger travel. The weapon, of course, is well suited for high-speed burst shooting and "instinctive" offhand shooting. Reliability, as always, is beyond praise for the pistols of this model range from Heckler und Koch. It is not even worth mentioning here the high resistance of the coating to corrosion and abrasion, as well as the stability of functioning in harsh operating conditions.

The pistol shoots without delay with ammunition of a wide variety of equipment options and any manufacturer, even the cheapest. As for wearing, not everything is clear. Although the model is called the Compact, the pistol is actually quite large, but not very wide. 45 CT, designed for concealed wearing, however, it will unmask itself under light clothing and in countries with warm climates it is recommended to carry it in a special belt bag. If you wear it under a sweater, light jacket or other wide clothing, there are no problems with stealth. The pistol is comfortable to carry, does not cling to anything when removing and does not burden when doing the usual work. In general, the USP 45 CT is an excellent choice for a person who wants to have an effective pistol in shooting and affecting the enemy, more than sufficiently accurate in shooting, as reliable as possible, does not require very careful and long maintenance, which is comfortable to wear and from which it is simply pleasant. fire.

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

TTX gun HP USP Compact

• 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 fuse)
• Empty weight: 727/777/802 g
• Magazine capacity: 13/12/8 rounds

Previously supplying hunting carbines to Russia, it delivered sports pistols.

To date, the range of pistols of this company in Russia is represented by the P30LS and USP models (three modifications). But about the pistols themselves below.

The history of Heckler & Koch

The history of the Heckler und Koch company begins in 1949, in December, when the former leading engineers of the Mauser plant (formerly, because in 1945 the French troops completely destroyed the Mauser plant) officially registered the Heckler und Koch GmbH company. The origins of the company were

However, in the post-war years, the production of weapons for the company was not a primary task. H&K began its activity with the production of sewing machines, mechanical engineering equipment, measuring equipment.

The situation changed radically in 1956. To arm the Bundeswehr, new weapons were required due to the adoption of the American T-65 cartridge (7.62X51 mm) as the standard NATO rifle and machine gun ammunition.

Using the developments of Mauser, H&K engineers created a rifle, which went into service in 1959. The G3 automation system was borrowed from one of the developments of the Mauser company (semi-free shutter with roller retardation) and became a kind of business card many samples of weapons produced under the H&K brand. The rifle turned out to be very successful, both in terms of reliability and in terms of cost, since H&K engineers widely used stamping instead of expensive machining.

Pistol Heckler & Koch USP

In mid-1989, H&K began developing a new pistol, which was primarily intended for the American arms market (as a service and civilian pistol).

The new pistol was named USP - Universal Selbstlade Pistole (Universal Self-loading Pistol).

In the end, the H&K USP pistol really turned out to be universal and suited to the various requirements of different customers. Today, the USP pistol has ten options for the operation of the trigger.

1. Self-cocking trigger (double action) with a fuse on the left side of the frame. Pressing the safety lever down from the “fire” position removes the trigger from the cocking position, after which the lever automatically returns to the “fire” position.

2. Similar to type 1, but the lever is on the right side of the frame.

3. Self-cocking trigger (double action), the lever on the left side of the frame performs only the function of a safe trigger.

4. Same as option 3, but the lever is on the left side of the frame.

5. Only self-cocking trigger with a safety lever on the left side of the frame.

6. Same as option 5 with a fuse on the right side of the frame.

7. Only self-cocking trigger without external fuses.

8. Option for pistol P8 (see below).

9. Self-cocking trigger (double action) with a fuse on the left side of the frame. There is no safe trigger function.

10. Similar to type 9, but the lever is on the right side of the frame.

In addition to Germany, where versions of the USP pistol are in service with the army and a number of police formations, the USP series pistols are widely used in the United States, including services such as INS (Immigration & Naturalization Service), Secret Service (security service for senior officials, including the president USA), the US Navy, as well as a number of major police departments. At the same time, if in Europe pistols of the USP series are used in a version chambered for a 9 mm cartridge, then in the USA, variants under 40 S&W (both full-size and compact), .45 ACP and .357 SIG (compact) are popular.

In general, USP pistols are distinguished by the highest reliability and survivability, good shooting accuracy.

USP pistols use a modified Browning automatic scheme using the energy of the barrel recoil during its short stroke.

Coupling of the barrel with the bolt is carried out by a massive protrusion in the breech of the barrel with a window for ejection of sleeves on the bolt.

Pistol barrel Heckler & Koch USP Custom Sport 9 × 19

Barrel of pistol Heckler & Koch USP Expert .40 S&W

The lowering of the barrel when disengaging from the bolt occurs when the figured tide under the barrel interacts with an inclined groove made in the rear of the return spring guide rod. The return spring rod is made as a single module with two return springs - main and buffer.

Heckler & Koch USP pistol return spring rod

In this case, the main spring interacts with the bolt, and the buffer one serves to soften the impact of the return rod on the transverse pin of the frame at the moment of disengagement of the barrel and the bolt.

Three modifications of the Heckler & Koch USP pistol

At the time of publication of the article, three (nine in total) modifications of the Heckler & Koch USP pistol are supplied to Russia: Heckler & Koch USP, Heckler & Koch USP Expert (in two calibers - 9 × 19 mm and 40 S&W) and Heckler & Koch USP Custom Sport (also in two calibers - 9 × 19 mm and 40 S&W).

It is worth noting that the USP and USP Custom Sport are included in the Production class pistol list.

Specifications pistol Heckler & Koch USP:

Caliber: 9 × 19 mm

Total length: 194 mm

Barrel length: 108 mm

Weight without cartridges: 0.72 kg

Trigger mechanism: SA / DA

Magazine capacity: 15

Technical characteristics of the pistol Heckler & Koch USP Expert:

Caliber: 9 × 19mm (.40S & W)

Total length: 224 mm

Barrel length: 132 mm

Weight without cartridges: 1.038 kg (1.043 kg)

Trigger mechanism: SA / DA

Magazine capacity: 18 (16)

Specifications pistol Heckler & Koch USP Custom Sport:

Caliber: 9 × 19mm (.40S & W)

Total length: 194 mm

Barrel length: 108 mm

Weight without cartridges: 0.72 kg (0.821 kg)

Trigger mechanism: SA / DA

Magazine capacity: 15 (14)

In addition to performance characteristics, all three modifications also have additional differences, which are determined by the tasks facing the weapon.

On USP modifications, the rear sight and front sight are not adjustable, but with white dots applied to them to improve shooting performance in the dark. On the USP Expert and USP Custom Sport modifications, the rear sight has horizontal and vertical adjustments. However, the height of the front sight on these models is different. The Custom Sport has a higher front sight.

The non-adjustable rear sight of the H&K USP pistol on the left and the adjustable rear sight of the H&K Custom Sport pistol on the right.

The difference in height between the flies of the USP Custom Sport (left) and USP Expert (right) modifications.

The Custom Sport has a one-way slide delay, but a two-way fire safety.

USP Custom Sport at the bottom and USP Expert at the top

All three modifications of H&K USP pistols have a double-sided magazine release latch. Working with it is intuitively simple and straightforward. Even if the shooter is wearing gloves, changing the magazine will not cause problems.

The USP Custom Sport and USP Expert have a trigger travel adjustment screw on the trigger (seen in the photo above). With the help of this adjustment, the shooter will be able to "adjust" the length of the trigger stroke "for himself". The USP version comes with a standard trigger, without this option.

The H&K USP pistol version comes with a standard magazine and does not have a grip extension.

The USP Custom Sport also does not have a grip extension, but the heel of the magazine of this modification has a protrusion under the little finger of the arrow.

In addition to the increased capacity magazine (18 rounds of 9 × 19 mm and 16 rounds for the 40S & W caliber), the USP Expert delivery also includes a wider magazine.

It is worth noting that any of the presented models has the ability to optionally install an expander for the neck of the handle. In this case, it becomes possible to use a magazine of increased capacity, as on the USP Expert.

All three pistol modifications are supplied in carrying cases. For USP and USP, Custom Sport is a regular plastic case with a corporate logo.

USP Expert comes in a metal case with a transport lock.

And all three versions come with a factory shooting target for the pistol. Shooting is carried out from a distance of 15 meters.

Pistol Heckler & Koch P30L (S)

In our case, the name of the pistol has a postscript, in the form of the Latin letter "S", which means the presence of a safety catch.

The H&K P30L pistol is one of the latest developments of Heckler und Koch Gmbh. The pistol was launched in 2006; its prototype was the non-serial pistol H&K P3000

Pistol Heckler & Koch P3000

first shown at international arms exhibitions a year earlier.

Pistol Heckler & Koch P30L

Technical characteristics of the pistol Heckler & Koch P30L:

Caliber: 9 × 19 mm

Total length: 181 mm

Barrel length: 98 mm

Weight without cartridges: 0.74 kg

Trigger mechanism: CDA / DA

Magazine capacity: 15

The P30L pistol is further development a fairly good cop pistol H & K P2000.

The P30L is positioned by the manufacturing company primarily as a universal weapon that allows the pistol to be maximally adapted to broad requirements by choosing different options for the trigger mechanism and by selecting the elements of the handle of the desired shape from the supplied kit.

The HK P30L pistol uses a Browning-type automatic that uses short-travel recoil energy. Locking when fired is ensured by the clutch of one combat stop in the breech of the barrel with a bolt through the window for ejection of sleeves.

Barrel of a pistol Heckler & Koch P30L

Lowering the barrel when unlocking is provided by a curly cut in the tide under the barrel, which interacts with the bolt lag axis.

The frame of the gun is made of impact-resistant and high quality plastic.

Pistol frame Heckler & Koch P30L

The pistol grip is also modular, with replaceable butt pad and side grip cheeks.

Each pistol is supplied with a set of three butt pads and pairs of cheeks, marked according to their sizes, S (small), M (medium) and L (large).

The third set of butt pads and cheeks is installed directly on the pistol

The pistol frame has a Picatinny rail, and allows a variety of accessories to be attached.

Sights are fixed, with reflective inserts for easy aiming in the dark.

In the photo, to the left of the trigger is the safe (smooth) release button

The slide stop levers and magazine latches are duplicated on both sides of the weapon.

All over the world, pistols from Heckler & Koch have already earned high praise. Now it is the turn of Russian shooters and athletes to test, test and, we hope, appreciate the weapons of this brand.