Heckler & Koch HK23
Heckler & Koch · Machine Gun · In Service · 1972
Also known as: HK23E, XM262
Overview
The Heckler & Koch HK23 is a German 5.56x45mm NATO light machine gun derived from the 7.62mm HK21 and based on the G3 / HK33 roller-delayed blowback system. Introduced in the early 1970s, it fires from a closed bolt at about 750 rounds per minute and feeds primarily from a belt, with a conversion kit allowing STANAG box-magazine feed. The modernized HK23E was offered as the XM262 in the US squad-automatic-weapon competition of the early 1980s, where it lost to the FN Minimi (M249).
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 8500 g (299.8 oz) |
| Overall Length | 1030 mm (40.55") |
| Barrel Length | 450 mm (17.72") |
| Action Type | Roller Delayed Blowback |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Stage |
| Magazine Type | Belt |
| Muzzle Velocity | 910 m/s (2986 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 1664 J (1227 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 1000 m (1094 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 2800 m (3062 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 750 rpm |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Rifling Twist | 178 mm (7.01") |
| Number of Grooves | 6 |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Polymer |
| Finish | Phosphate |
Calibers
- 5.56x45mm NATO · primary · 5.56 NATO — also known as .223 Remington, 5.56mm NATO
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic, Full Automatic
- Feed systems: Disintegrating Belt, Non Disintegrating Belt, Stanag Box Magazine With Conversion Kit
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Safety, Selector Lever
- Features: Quick Change Barrel, Closed Bolt Operation, Interchangeable Feed Unit, Bipod, Tripod Mountable, Convertible Belt Or Magazine Feed
Variants
Service history
Operators
- Turkish Gendarmerie
- United Arab Emirates Armed Forces
Production
Production years: 1972-present
Niche export production; never achieved large-scale military adoption
Origin
Country of origin: Germany
Notes
The magazine-fed automatic-rifle counterpart is the HK13. The 'E' (Export) variants belong to the 1980s modular HK11E/HK13E/HK21E/HK23E family that share a common receiver, trigger group, and interchangeable barrels and feed units.
Background
H&K entered the HK23E into the US Army's automatic-rifle trials as the XM262, hoping to scale up the G3's roller-delayed family into a SAW - but the belt-fed Belgian FN Minimi won and became the M249, leaving the HK23 a 'SAW that could have been'.