HK G3
Heckler & Koch · Battle Rifle · Discontinued · 1959
Also known as: Gewehr 3, G3A3, AG-3, Ak 4
Overview
The HK G3 is a select-fire battle rifle chambered in 7.62x51mm NATO, produced by Heckler & Koch GmbH since 1959. Featuring a 20-round magazine capacity, this battle rifle offers generous firepower for duty use and home defense.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 4400 g (155.2 oz) |
| Weight (loaded) | 5100 g (179.9 oz) |
| Overall Length | 1025 mm (40.35") |
| Folded Length | 840 mm (33.07") |
| Barrel Length | 450 mm (17.72") |
| Action Type | Roller Delayed Blowback |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Stage |
| Magazine Capacity | 20 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 800 m/s (2625 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 3042 J (2244 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 400 m (437 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 3000 m (3281 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 550 rpm |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Rifling Twist | 305 mm (12.01") |
| Number of Grooves | 4 |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Polymer |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- 7.62x51mm NATO · primary · 7.62x51mm NATO — also known as .308 Winchester, 7.62mm NATO
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic, Full Automatic
- Feed systems: Detachable Box Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Safety Selector, Half Cock Notch
- Features: Select Fire, Stamped Steel Construction, Adjustable Iron Sights, Optics Mount, Drum Type Rear Sight
Variants
Service history
Operators
- German Bundeswehr · adopted 1959 · as G3
- Turkish Armed Forces · adopted 1967 · as G3A3
- Greek Armed Forces · adopted 1976 · as G3A3
- Norwegian Armed Forces · adopted 1961 · as AG-3
- Swedish Armed Forces · adopted 1964 · as Ak 4
- Iranian Armed Forces · adopted 1971 · as G3A6
- Pakistan Army · adopted 1968 · as G3A3
- Portuguese Armed Forces · adopted 1961 · as m/961
- Mexican Armed Forces · adopted 1975 · as G3A3
- Saudi Arabian Armed Forces · as G3A3
Conflicts
- Cold War (1959-1991)
- Iran-Iraq War (1980-1988)
- Afghan Civil War (1979-present)
- Gulf War (1990-1991)
Production
Estimated total produced: 7,800,000 · Production years: 1959-2001
Includes licensed production in Greece, Iran, Pakistan, Portugal, Sweden, Turkey, and other nations
Origin
Country of origin: Germany
Designer: CETME / Heckler & Koch
Discontinued: 2001
Notes
The G3's roller-delayed blowback system uses a two-piece bolt with sliding cylindrical rollers that lock into the barrel extension. This system was derived from the MG42 machine gun's operating mechanism. The stamped steel construction made it significantly cheaper to manufacture than competing rifles like the FN FAL or M14. Production ceased around 2000-2001, replaced in German service by the HK G36. The 'fluted chamber' design helped extraction by allowing gases to flow around the cartridge case during firing.
Background
The G3 was born from a rejected Spanish rifle design. When Spain's CETME couldn't secure NATO adoption, West Germany saw potential in its roller-delayed system and partnered with a small firearms company called Heckler & Koch to refine it. The result became one of the Cold War's most successful battle rifles, outselling its famous rival, the FN FAL.