HK417 | |
---|---|
Type | Battle rifle |
Place of origin | Germany |
Service history | |
In service | 2006–present |
Used by | See Users |
Wars | See Conflicts |
Production history | |
Designer | Heckler & Koch |
Manufacturer | Heckler & Koch |
Produced | 2006–present |
Variants | See Variants |
Specifications | |
Mass |
|
Length |
|
Barrel length |
|
Width | 78 mm (3.1 in) |
Height | 213 mm (8.4 in) |
Cartridge | 7.62×51mm NATO |
Action | Gas-operated short-stroke piston, rotating bolt |
Rate of fire | 600 rounds/min |
Muzzle velocity |
|
Effective firing range |
|
Feed system | 10- or 20-round detachable box magazine |
Sights | Iron or optical sights (Picatinny rail) |
The Heckler & Koch HK417 is a battle rifle designed and manufactured by Heckler & Koch. [1]
Being the larger caliber version of the Heckler & Koch HK416, and chambered for the 7.62×51mm NATO rifle cartridge, it is intended for use where the penetrative power, stopping power, and range of the 5.56×45mm NATO HK416 would otherwise be insufficient. The HK417 is gas-operated, has a rotating bolt and is capable of selective fire.
The HK417 has been adopted for service by a number of armed forces, special forces, and police organizations throughout the world, including the Bundeswehr , United States Joint Special Operations Command, the United States Army, Russian Spetsnaz forces such as FSB Alpha Group, and others.
The HK417 is similar in internal design to the HK416, although the receiver and working parts are enlarged to suit the larger 7.62×51mm cartridge. The bolt is a seven-lug rotating type, which sits in a bolt carrier and operates in a forged alloy receiver resembling those of the Stoner-designed AR-10, AR-15 and M16 rifles.
Like the HK416, the HK417 is gas-operated with a short-stroke piston design similar to that of the Heckler & Koch G36. The short-stroke piston may be more reliable than the original direct impingement operation of the AR-15 design because, unlike these weapons, it does not vent propellant gases directly into the receiver, which deposits carbon fouling onto the bolt mechanism as well as heating it up. [2]
The early HK417 prototype used 20-round magazines from the Heckler & Koch G3 rifle family, which did not feature a bolt hold-open device. Later prototypes, however, switched to a polymer magazine with bolt hold-open. The magazine resembles an enlarged version of the G36's transparent magazine, except without the pins for holding more than one magazine together.
Purchasers of the HK417 have typically intended it to complement lighter assault rifles chambered for less powerful intermediate cartridges (often 5.56×45mm NATO), for the designated marksman role. The HK417's greater accuracy, effective range, and penetration offset its greater expense, its lower rate of fire, and its smaller ammunition capacity both in magazine and carriage.
The HK417 models chambered for 7.62×51mm NATO available to the military and law enforcement market are:
The HK417A2 is an improved version. The design of the receiver, barrel interface, gas port and the bore axis alignment of the rifle have been further optimised to increase its accuracy and reliability. [1] The German Army uses the HK417 A2 - 13″ with the designation G27. [3]
As of 2013, the HK417A2 models chambered for 7.62×51mm NATO available to the military and law enforcement market are:
A barrel can be changed in under two minutes with simple tools. All HK417 barrels are cold hammer forged and chrome-lined and use a conventional lands and grooves bore profile with a twist rate of 1 turn in 279.4 mm (11.00 in). They are designed to function reliably with bullet weights ranging from 9.3 to 11.34 g (144 to 175 gr) and are threaded for a flash hider or sound suppressor. Optional accurized barrels with a different chrome treatment can provide up to 0.3 mil (1 moa) accuracy (with match grade ammunition). [4]
After using the HK417 as a stopgap designated marksman rifle under the G27 designation, the civilian MR308 was used to develop the G28, a designated marksman rifle for the German Bundeswehr (Federal Army) deployment to the War in Afghanistan. The semi-automatic G28 is chambered for 7.62×51mm NATO and has a factory warrantied accuracy of 45 mm dispersion at 100 meters (0.45 mil or 1.5 moa) when fired with 10 rounds using OTM/HPBT/Sierra Match King ammunition. The G28 features STANAG 4694 NATO Accessory Rails that are backwards-compatible with the STANAG 2324/MIL-STD-1913 Picatinny rails. The upper receiver is made from steel instead of HK's aluminium alloy. Approximately 75% of the parts are interchangeable with the HK417. There are two different versions of the G28: G28 E2 (Standard) with a Schmidt & Bender 3–20×50 PM II (modified to Bundeswehr requirements) and the G28 E3 (Patrol) with Schmidt & Bender 1–8×24 PM II. [5] By October 2017, Heckler & Koch had renamed the G28 as the HK241, though G28 remains its Bundeswehr designation. [6]
The M110A1 CSASS is the U.S. Army's type designation for the Compact Semi-Automatic Sniper System. [7] In April 2016, Heckler & Koch confirmed that a lighter version of the G28 had won the United States Army's CSASS contract to replace the M110 Semi-Automatic Sniper System. [8] The M110A1 uses an aluminum upper receiver instead of steel to meet weight requirements, weighing 8.4 lb (3.8 kg) unloaded and reaching some 15 lb (6.8 kg) loaded and with accessories; the M110A1 features a Geissele M-LOK rail handguard, Schmidt & Bender 3–20×50 PM II Ultra Short telescopic sight, Geissele optic mount, OSS SRM6 suppressor, 6-9 Harris bipod and mount, and a collapsible stock with adjustable comb. [7] [9] In May 2018, the U.S. Marine Corps will begin receiving the CSASS, also to replace the M110. [10] There has been some small-scale testing of the CSASS since then but no news of widespread fielding or adoption. [11] [12] However, the Army has shown small scale testing and use of the M110A2, an upgraded version of Knight's Armament Company's M110 SASS. [13] [14] The Navy and Marine Corps have also designated funding for a M110 SASS Product Improvement Program (PIP). [15] [16]
The M110A1 SDMR is a Squad Designated Marksman Rifle (SDMR) being issued to US Army infantry squads to replace the M14 EBR. [17] In March 2018, the Army announced that a version of the G28E-110 would be issued to infantry squads as the service's standard SDMR. While undergoing evaluation by PEO Soldier, it was designated as M110E1. [17] Issuing a 7.62×51mm NATO SDMR is meant to increase individual squads' ability to engage distant threats and defeat enemy body armor that standard 5.56×45mm NATO rounds cannot penetrate. The M14 EBR was previously issued for this role, but because it was based on an operational needs statement they had to be turned in by units at the end of a combat deployment. [18] Unlike the sniper configuration, the SDMR model will be equipped with a different buttstock and barrel twist than the CSASS model. The SDMR model will also fire M80A1 Enhanced Performance Rounds or XM1158 Advanced Armor Piercing Rounds rather than sniper rounds. [19] The marksman version is fitted with a simpler SIG TANGO6 1-6×24 telescopic sight to make quick adjustments between 0–600 m (0–656 yd) and features a red horseshoe dot for fast aiming and an illuminated Extended Range Bullet Drop Compensation (BDC) illuminated front focal plane reticle. [20] It will also be fielded with a suppressor to lessen its sound signature. Roughly 6,000 are planned to be fielded with one per squad in infantry, engineer and scout formations. [21] [19] Early testing began with several U.S. Army combat units receiving the first M110A1 SDMRs in fall 2018. [19] [22] Fielding to all close combat squads is expected to be completed in late 2023. [23]
The MR308 is a civilian variant of the HK417, introduced in 2007 alongside the MR223, a civilian HK416. [24] It is a semi-automatic rifle with several "sporterized" features.[ example needed ] At the 2009 SHOT Show, the two rifles were introduced to the American civilian market as the MR762 and MR556, respectively. [25] Since then, both were replaced by the improved MR762A1 and MR556A1. [26] [27]
Country | Organization name | Model | Quantity | Date | Reference |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Austria | Jagdkommando | HK417P | – | – | [28] |
Australia | Australian Army acquired 16″ 'Recce' variants paired with 6× ACOG for a designated marksman solution for use in Afghanistan and afterwards | 16″ 'Recce' | – | 2010 | [29] [30] |
Brazil | Brazilian Army | – | – | 2012 | [31] |
Federal Police of Brazil | – | – | 2012 | [31] | |
Czech Republic | 601st Special Forces Group | – | – | – | [32] |
Denmark | Used by the Royal Danish Army as a designated marksman rifle. Set to be replaced by the Colt Canada C20 DMR in the first quarter of 2021. | 20″ 'Sniper' | – | – | [33] [34] |
Estonia | Estonian Special Operations Force uses it as a designated marksman rifle | – | – | – | [35] |
France | Commandement des Opérations Spéciales (COS) | – | – | – | [36] |
Germany | German Army uses the HK417 - 16″ as the G27 | 16″ | – | – | [3] |
German Army uses the HK417A2 - 13″ as the G27K | 13″ | – | – | [3] | |
Indonesia | Jala Mangkarta Detachment, and Amphibious Reconnaissance Battalion (Taifib) as a Designated Marksman Rifle. | G28 | – | – | [37] [38] |
Ireland | Defence Forces Army Ranger Wing sniper teams | – | – | 2010 | [39] |
Japan | Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, Special Forces Group (Japan) In January 2023, the G28 was selected as standard issue sniper rifle | – | – | 2014 | [40] [41] [42] |
Luxembourg | Luxembourg Armed Forces Being procured alongside HK416 from May 2023. | HK417 A2 | – | 2023 | [43] |
Malaysia | Pasukan Khas Laut sniper teams of the Royal Malaysian Navy | – | – | 2006 | [44] |
Netherlands | Korps Commandotroepen (KCT) of the Royal Netherlands Army acquired the 16″ 'Recce' paired with Aimpoint CompM2 or Schmidt & Bender 3–12×50 PM II | – | – | 2011 | [45] [46] |
Norway | Norwegian Armed Forces uses it as a sharpshooter and designated marksman rifle | HK417N | – | 2007 | [47] [48] |
Poland | Policja | – | – | – | [49] |
Portugal | Special Operations Troops Centre of the Portuguese Army | HK417, G28 | [50] | ||
Core of Tactical Operations of Protection of the Portuguese Air Force | HK417,G28 | [51] | |||
Special Operations Intervention Group (GIOE) of the National Republican Guard | HK417, G28 | [52] | |||
Tactical Actions Group (GAT) of the Maritime Police | G28 | [53] | |||
Russia | Spetsnaz snipers of law enforcement agencies | MR308 | – | – | [54] [55] |
Slovenia | Slovenian Special Police Unit (Specialna Enota Policije) | HK417 | – | – | [56] |
South Korea | 707th Special Mission Group | G28 | – | 2017 | [57] [58] |
United Kingdom | Special Air Service | HK417 (L2A1) - 12", 16" and 20" | – | 2009 | [59] |
United States | United States Army | M110A1 | 3,643 (planned) | – | [8] |
Ukraine | Armed Forces of Ukraine | Supplied by the Netherlands | — | — | [60] |
A designated marksman (DM), squad advanced marksman (AD) or squad designated marksman (SDM) is a military marksman role in an infantry squad. The term sniper was used in Soviet doctrine although the soldiers using the Dragunov SVD were the first to use a specifically designed designated marksman rifle.
The Heckler & Koch G3 is a select-fire battle rifle chambered in 7.62×51mm NATO developed in the 1950s by the German firearms manufacturer Heckler & Koch, in collaboration with the Spanish state-owned firearms manufacturer CETME. The G3 was the service rifle of the German Bundeswehr until it was replaced by the Heckler & Koch G36 in the 1990s, and was adopted into service with numerous other countries.
The Heckler & KochG36(Gewehr 36) is an assault rifle designed in the early 1990s by German weapons manufacturer Heckler & Koch. It is chambered in 5.56×45mm NATO, and replaced the heavier G3 battle rifle chambered in 7.62×51mm. The G36 was accepted into service with the Bundeswehr in 1997. Since then, it has been a popular export, and has seen active service in military and police units in several countries, including Germany, Spain, and the United Kingdom. The G36 is gas-operated and feeds from a 30-round detachable box magazine or 100-round C-Mag drum magazine.
The Squad Designated Marksman Rifle (SDM-R) is an American designated marksman rifle used by the United States Army. It is essentially a heavily modified M16 rifle designed to provide U.S. Army designated marksmen greater accuracy and firepower at longer ranges, increasing an infantry squad's effective range to up to 600 meters.
The Mk 14 Enhanced Battle Rifle (EBR) is an American military selective fire battle rifle, and a designated marksman rifle chambered for the 7.62×51mm NATO cartridge. It is a variant of the M14 battle rifle and was originally built for use with units of United States Special Operations Command, such as the United States Navy SEALs, Delta Force, and task specific Green Berets ODA teams/units.
The Heckler & Koch MG4 is a belt-fed 5.56 mm light machine gun designed and developed by German firearm manufacturer Heckler & Koch. It was developed in the late 1990s and first seen publicly in September 2001. It has been selected to replace the 7.62 mm MG3 general-purpose machine gun in the Bundeswehr at the squad support level; it will complement the MG3 in other roles. It will also be the secondary armament of the new Puma infantry fighting vehicle. Overall, it is designed to be light, provide maximum safety to the user and function reliably under adverse conditions using a wide range of ammunition from different manufacturers, without the need to adjust the gas system. It was known as the MG43 prior to its adoption by the Bundeswehr.
A designated marksman rifle (DMR) is a modern scoped high-precision rifle used by infantry in the designated marksman (DM) role. It generally fills the engagement range gap between a service rifle and a dedicated sniper rifle, at around 300–600 metres (330–660 yd).
The Heckler & Koch HK416 is an assault rifle chambered for the 5.56×45mm NATO cartridge. It is designed and manufactured by the German company Heckler & Koch.
The M110 Semi Automatic Sniper System is an American semi-automatic sniper rifle that is chambered for the 7.62×51mm NATO round. It is manufactured by Knight's Armament Company, developed from the Knight's Armament Company SR-25, and adopted by the U.S. military following the 2005 US Army Semi-Automatic Sniper Rifle competition.
The L129A1, also known as the L129A1 Sharpshooter Rifle, is a 7.62×51mm NATO designated marksman rifle manufactured by Lewis Machine & Tool Company (LMT) for the British Armed Forces.
Lewis Machine & Tool Company (LMT) is an American armaments company founded by Karl Lewis, in 1980. It manufactures weapon systems, including a variant of the M4 carbine and the M203 grenade launcher. Its products are used by the military forces of the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Estonia and the United States. It formerly produced forged FN FAL receivers for Illinois-based DS Arms.
The SIG Sauer SIG516 is an assault rifle manufactured by SIG Sauer, chambered in 5.56×45mm NATO.
The MPT is a modular rifle family designed by MKEK and produced by MKEK, Sarsılmaz Arms and Kalekalıp to meet the demands of the Turkish Armed Forces and to replace its aging rifles such as the Heckler & Koch G3 and Heckler & Koch HK33 due to most of them being near the end of their service life. The MPT was designed for robust high altitude, all weather combat, capable of functioning in extreme hot and cold weather. The MKEK MPT is a rifle intended to take abuse and extreme mistreatment and still maintain high accuracy and reliability in order to survive in true battle environments.
The Heckler & Koch HK433 is a modular assault rifle chambered for 5.56×45mm which combines features of the G36 and the HK416 families of assault rifles.
The Colt Canada C20 DMR is a 7.62×51mm NATO designated marksman rifle created by Colt Canada, in response to a request by the Canadian Armed Forces to replace their earlier 5.56mm C8 carbine in sniper sections. The weapon is intended to enter service in the Canadian and Danish militaries, beginning in 2021. C20 rifles are fitted with the Schmidt & Bender 3-20×50 Ultra Short riflescope.
The Sako M23 is a Finnish family of assault and battle rifles designed by Sako in cooperation with the Finnish Defence Forces and manufactured by Sako. The Swedish Armed Forces also participated in the development program for the M23.
M110A1 may refer to the M110A1 CSASS or the M110A1 SDMR. It is an American semi-automatic sniper rifle that is chambered for the 7.62×51mm NATO round. It is manufactured by Heckler & Koch (H&K) and developed from the company's HK417, and similar to the Bundeswehr G28 configuration. Despite a designation similar to the M110 Semi-Automatic Sniper System, the M110A1 is an unrelated design as the former was a development of the Knight's Armament Company SR-25. The M110A1 CSASS was expected to supplant and eventually replace the M110 in U.S. military service but this does not appear to have occurred as of 2022. However, several thousand M110A1 SDMRs have been fielded with the US Army and Air Force to replace various weapon systems currently being used.
The gun will replace the M110 made by Knight's Armament as a culmination of the Army's desire for a shorter, lighter rifle that didn't sacrifice accuracy or performance.
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