HK G3A3
Heckler & Koch · Battle Rifle · In Service · 1964
Also known as: G3A3, Gewehr 3 A3, Ak 4 (Sweden)
Overview
The HK G3A3 is the definitive fixed-stock, select-fire production model of Heckler & Koch's G3 battle rifle, chambered in 7.62x51mm NATO and adopted as the standard service rifle of the German Bundeswehr. Operating on the roller-delayed blowback system derived from the wartime MG42 and the Spanish CETME, the G3A3 uses a two-piece bolt with cylindrical locking rollers and a fluted chamber to ensure reliable extraction. Its largely stamped-steel construction made it cheaper to mass-produce than its machined rivals, the FN FAL and M14, and it was license-produced across dozens of nations. The A3 model standardized the fixed synthetic buttstock, rotary drum rear sight, and prong-type flash hider.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 4400 g (155.2 oz) |
| Weight (loaded) | 5100 g (179.9 oz) |
| Overall Length | 1025 mm (40.35") |
| 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, Fixed Polymer Stock, Fluted Chamber, Rotary Drum Rear Sight, Prong Type Flash Hider, Optics Mount
Variants
Base model
Service history
Operators
- German Bundeswehr · adopted 1964 · as G3A3
- Turkish Armed Forces · adopted 1967 · as G3A3
- Greek Armed Forces · adopted 1976 · as G3A3
- Pakistan Army · adopted 1968 · as G3A3
- Portuguese Armed Forces · adopted 1964 · as m/961
Conflicts
- Cold War (1964-1991)
- Iran-Iraq War (1980-1988)
- Portuguese Colonial War (1961-1974)
Production
Estimated total produced: 7,800,000 · Production years: 1964-2001
Figure covers the entire G3 family including licensed production; the A3 fixed-stock model is the most common service variant.
Origin
Country of origin: Germany
Designer: CETME / Heckler & Koch
Discontinued: 2001
Notes
The G3A3 has a fixed polymer stock; the otherwise identical G3A4 uses a retractable stock. Cyclic rate is approximately 500-600 rpm. Barrel length is commonly cited as 450 mm (HK figure); some sources list 488 mm including the flash hider. Roller-delayed blowback transmits sharp recoil, partly offsetting the heavy rifle's weight.
Background
The G3A3 became the backbone of West German and NATO-aligned militaries during the Cold War, and its roller-delayed action - a direct descendant of the MG42 machine gun and Spain's CETME rifle - was so successful it spawned an entire HK weapon family, from the MP5 submachine gun to the PSG1 sniper rifle.