Heckler & Koch HK33
Heckler & Koch · Assault Rifle · Discontinued · 1968
Also known as: HK33, HK33E, HK33A2, HK33A3, M79
Overview
The Heckler & Koch HK33 is a select-fire assault rifle chambered in 5.56x45mm NATO, produced by Heckler & Koch GmbH since 1968. The stamped steel frame provides a solid, premium feel with the durability to withstand decades of regular use and thousands of rounds.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 3650 g (128.8 oz) |
| Overall Length | 920 mm (36.22") |
| Folded Length | 735 mm (28.94") |
| Barrel Length | 390 mm (15.35") |
| Action Type | Roller Delayed Blowback |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Stage |
| Magazine Capacity | 25 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 950 m/s (3117 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 1805 J (1331 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 400 m (437 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 750 rpm |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Rifling Twist | 178 mm (7.01") |
| Number of Grooves | 6 |
| Frame Material | Stamped Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Polymer |
| Finish | Matte Black |
Calibers
- 5.56x45mm NATO · primary · 5.56mm NATO — also known as 5.56x45mm, 5.56 NATO, .223 Remington
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic, Full Automatic
- Feed systems: Detachable Box Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Safety Selector, Fire Selector
- Features: Roller Delayed Blowback, Fluted Chamber, Retractable Stock Option, Select Fire, Cold Hammer Forged Barrel, Nato Stanag Compatible, Grenade Launcher Compatible, Bayonet Lug
Variants
- HK33A2 — Fixed Stock
- HK33A3 — Retractable Stock
- HK33KA3 — Carbine
- HK33SG/1 — Designated Marksman
- HK53 — Compact
Service history
Operators
- Royal Thai Armed Forces · as HK33
- Malaysian Armed Forces · as HK33
- Turkish Armed Forces · adopted 1981 · as M79
- Brazilian Air Force · as HK33
- Chilean Armed Forces · as HK33
- Irish Army Rangers · as HK33
- United Kingdom SAS · as HK53
- Greek Armed Forces · as HK33
- Saudi Arabian Armed Forces · as HK33
- Portuguese Armed Forces · as HK33
Conflicts
- Vietnam War (1955-1975)
- The Troubles (1968-1998)
- South Thailand Insurgency (2004-present)
- Kurdish-Turkish Conflict (1978-present)
Production
Production years: 1968-2001 (Germany), 1981-present (Turkey)
Produced in Germany by HK from 1968 to 2001. Licence-produced by MKEK in Turkey from 1981 as the M79, with Turkish production continuing. Also licence-built in Thailand and Malaysia.
Origin
Country of origin: Germany
Designer: Tilo Moller
Discontinued: 2001
Notes
The HK33 was licence-produced by MKEK in Turkey (designated M79) from 1981, and was also manufactured under licence in Thailand and Malaysia. The HK53 compact variant, with its 211mm barrel, was classified by H&K as a submachine gun despite firing the 5.56mm rifle cartridge. US Navy SEALs trialed the HK33 with 40-round extended magazines during the Vietnam War. The HK33E (export) variant added a 3-round burst capability and was marketed from 1985. Standard magazines hold 25 rounds, with 30-round and 40-round options also available.
Background
The HK33 represented Heckler & Koch's early bet on the 5.56mm cartridge at a time when NATO had not yet standardized on it. The roller-delayed blowback system, originally derived from the wartime Mauser StG 45(M) and refined by CETME engineers, was ingeniously scaled down from the 7.62mm G3, proving the mechanism's versatility across calibers. Despite never being adopted by the Bundeswehr, the HK33 found widespread success on the export market and its compact HK53 variant became a favorite of special operations forces worldwide.