Video: Heckler & Koch G11 assault rifle. Heckler & Koch HK433: New Modular Assault Rifle Heckler & Koch Pistols

Description

Hunting and sports semi-automatic carbine, built on the basis of the army model HK416. The peculiarity of the carbine is a modular design, similar to that of the M16 automatic rifle, but featuring a gas-operated automatic system with a short gas piston stroke.
The barrel is cold forged and threaded to fit a muzzle brake. The receiver is made of aluminum alloy. The buttstock is a sliding telescopic. Single-shot accuracy is on the order of one arc-minute when using the appropriate cartridges.
Specifications:
1. Caliber: .223Rem
2. Length, mm: 830-930 mm
3. Barrel length, mm: 420 mm
4. Grooves: 6 right-hand grooves
5. Step of grooves: 7 "(178 mm)
6. Weight, kg: 3.7 kg
7. Principle of operation: removal of powder gases, butterfly valve
8. Telescopic five-position stock
9. Forend RIS
10. Magazine capacity: 10 rounds
Bought new in Kolchuga at the end of 2013. Shot only 10 shots. Optics were not installed, the carbine was not used at all, the state of the new. Not a single slightest scratch. Call for a price we will agree.

The popular weapon maker unveiled the new HK433 assault rifle in a press release released to the general public in early February 2017. Now Heckler & Koch has presented a modern modular rifle at the ENFORCE Tac in Nuremberg to a professional audience.

We were also able to test the new model HK433 at the ENFORCE Tac. Law enforcement officers and the military got acquainted with this assault rifle with enthusiasm, and there were a lot of people who wanted to get to know it better. Especially the focus on the weapon of the future and the number of shots, which makes maintenance and troubleshooting easy on this assault rifle.

The Heckler & Koch company of Swabian Oberndorf, with their world-renowned weapons such as the MP 5 or the G36, has established their reputation as a brand “Made in Germany”. The assault rifles, pistols and submachine guns of this company are known all over the world and are popular among the police and military.

In addition to the rifles of the G36, HK416 and HK417 families that have already passed the baptism of fire, the company's product portfolio has now been replenished with the fourth modular assault rifle family: HK433. In NATO countries, France (HK416AIF), Germany (G36), USA (US Marine Corps M27 / HK416), Great Britain (SA80), Norway (HK416), Spain (G36) and Lithuania (G36), assault rifles from Heckler & Koch are already standard models of the armed forces or their branches.

Many Western armies - including, for example, the US Special Forces, the Bundeswehr Special Operations Command (KSK) and special police forces (such as the GSG9) - have opted for assault rifles from Oberndorf.

Modular assault rifle HK433 from Heckler & Koch

The latest HK433 is a modular assault rifle with a base caliber of 5.56 x 45 mm NATO that combines the strengths and best features of the G36 and HK416 assault rifles. The concept provides for the use of other calibers, such as 7.62 x 51 mm NATO (HK231), .300 Blackout and 7.62 x 39 mm Kalaschnikow (HK123), thus forming the basis of a whole family of weapons.

The HK433 is a gas-operated weapon with a gas piston, made separate from the bolt carrier, and an optimized shape of the bolt locking mechanism. The monolithic upper part of the receiver made of high-strength aluminum is equipped with a high-precision rail along the entire length of the box for mounting scopes according to the NATO-STANAG 4694 standard. It allows the installation of all scopes and night attachments on the market with maximum dimensions in length and a low aiming line.

The receiver has a built-in sensor for the number of shots, which does not require maintenance and does not allow manipulation. With a view to the future, weapon data can be transferred and archived wirelessly - either via WLAN or via Bluetooth, which was a real surprise for us.

The integrated slide rail in the upper part of the receiver, made according to the G36 type, ensures a consistently high functional reliability of the weapon. The bolt design is similar to the G36, but it is equipped with a striker safety device and self-lubricating sliding elements.

The bolt of the new HK433 assault rifle is based on the world-renowned Heckler & Koch G36 design.

The reload lever, which does not protrude to the side and does not move when fired, can be repositioned without the aid of a tool and thus can be operated from either side. In addition, it has a built-in locking function for silently feeding the cartridge into the chamber.

When firing, the reload lever remains stationary. This, on the one hand, increases the shooter's safety in a stressful situation and, on the other hand, does not restrict the shooter in choosing a stop or positioning when firing a weapon. Due to the ergonomic arrangement of the reloading lever, the weapon remains pointed at the target during reloading, and in the prone position does not lead to the need to raise the body, which unmasks the shooter and increases the affected area.

Barrel of assault rifle Heckler & Koch HK433

The HK433 rifle gives the shooter a choice of six barrels of different lengths, so the weapon can be adapted to any application scenario. To this end, Heckler & Koch offers barrels in 11, 12.5, 14.5, 16.5, 18.9 and 20 inches. All barrels can be replaced by the shooter himself or in the field workshop.

The barrel is cold forged, heat treated and chrome plated inside. Additional optimization measures have increased the already high survivability of Heckler & Koch's barrels even further. The serial barrels are equipped with an improved and tool-less configurable device for venting gases into the device for silent and flameless firing, as well as a mount for 40-mm HK269 and GLM / GLMA1 underbarrel grenade launchers. The front sight base and bayonet mount are optional.

Receiver of the new HK433 assault rifle from Heckler & Koch

The replaceable lower receiver section allows the control concept to be defined and thus reduces the cost of training the shooter. Depending on the level of shooting training, the shooter can choose to operate in the style of either G36 or HK416 / AR-15. All controls are made two-sided, symmetrically arranged and can be configured according to the user's taste.

Drop-in solutions in the lower part of the receiver extend the functionality of the weapon by individually configuring match triggers or by combining modular trigger mechanisms.

The Slim Line forend developed by Heckler & Koch is kinematically connected to the lower part of the receiver without backlash. It can be detached without the aid of a tool and features sling sling points, a HKey modular interface for 3 and 9 o'clock, and a solid MIL-STD-1913 Picatinny rail on the underside of the forearm.

Other design features of the HK433 assault rifle

The magazine shaft according to the NATO-STANAG 4179 (Draft) standard allows replacement with replaceable magazine shafts from rifles of the G36, HK416 families, as well as models available on the market on the AR-15 platform.

The pistol grips are similar to the HK416 weapon family. Due to the handles with interchangeable pads and backs, similar to the P30 and SFP pistols, the rifle can be best adapted to different hand sizes.

The new assault rifle HK433, unlike the HK416, does not have a butt that folds to the side, but is equipped with a folding retractable butt.

An ergonomic folding and length-adjustable shoulder rest with a height-adjustable cheek piece is connected to the receiver without backlash. The length adjustment has five fixed positions and thus allows you to quickly adapt to the shooter's personal equipment. Straight, convex or curved butt plate provides the necessary comfort when making weapons. The shoulder rest can be folded to the right in any fixed position. This achieves extremely small dimensions in the stowed position.

In this case, access to the trigger is not blocked. The ejection window remains open, so that in case of emergency, the weapon remains operational and in the transport position.

Completing the look of the HK433 is a special combination of materials and surface finishes. They provide minimal maintenance of the weapon in extreme conditions while maintaining its high resource.

On request, the new Heckler & Koch assault rifle is available in camouflage colors and with an infrared absorbing coating.

The empty weight of the HK433 rifle with a barrel length of 16.5 inches is 3.5 kg.

Conclusions about the new rifle Heckler & Koch HK433

Heckler & Koch has developed the HK433 to meet the increasingly complex requirements of infantry and special forces weapons. At the same time, the HK433 guarantees the highest performance and functional reliability. This applies to all possible combat situations and all climatic conditions. The Heckler & Koch HK433 has an intuitive operation combined with modularity, precision and safe handling.

With her, Heckler & Koch, among other things, aimed at the German market. The new HK433 is regarded as one of the bidders for the new “Bundeswehr Assault Rifle System”. The German armed forces intend to replace the old standard rifle with the standard G36 rifle with a more modern system from 2019.

We will be keeping an eye on all current information about the new HK433 assault rifle from Heckler & Koch in the future.

The development of the G11 rifle was started by Heckler and Koch (Germany) at the very end of the 1960s, when the German government decided to create a new, more effective rifle to replace the 7.62 mm G3 rifles.
Based on the results of the research, it was decided that the Bundeswehr needed a light, small-bore rifle with high firing accuracy. To ensure a reliable defeat of the enemy, it was necessary to ensure that several bullets hit the target, therefore it was decided to create a rifle for a caseless cartridge of 4.3 mm caliber (later they switched to 4.7 mm caliber) with the ability to fire single, long bursts and with a cut-off bursts of 3 shots. The Heckler-Koch firm was supposed to create such a rifle, with the participation of the Dynamite-Nobel firm, responsible for the development of a new caseless cartridge. (In parentheses, I note that the Heckler-Koch company was not the only West German company that developed weapons for a caseless cartridge - it simply achieved the greatest success in this matter.

For example, the Vollmer Maschinenfabrik company in the early 1980s also developed a number of samples of assault rifles of a very original design for a caseless cartridge, but they never brought them to mass production. Similar developments were also carried out in the United States in the 1980s by the AAI corporation in the early stages of the Advanced Combat Rifle program, as well as in France by the GIAT concern).

The main development of the layout and mechanisms of the new weapon was carried out by Heckler-Koch engineers Dieter Ketterer and Thilo Moller, with the participation of Gunther Kastner and Ernst Vossner. Army tests of prototypes of the new rifle began in 1981 at the Meppen test site. In 1983, already 25 experimental rifle samples were tested at the Hammelburg army training ground. These tests lasted for about a year.
In 1988, the first already pre-production samples of the G11 entered the Bundeswehr for testing. Based on the results of these tests, a number of changes were made to the G11 design, in particular: the sight was made removable, with the possibility of replacing it with other types of sights; magazine capacity was reduced from 50 to 45 rounds, however, it became possible to mount two spare magazines on the rifle on either side of the main (working) magazine; under the barrel on the body of the weapon there was a mount for a bayonet or bipod. A new version of the rifle, designated G11K2, in the amount of 50 copies was provided to the German military for military trials at the end of 1989. As part of these tests, 200,000 rounds were used up - 4,000 rounds per rifle. Based on the test results, it was decided to put the G11 into service with the Bundeswehr in 1990, but deliveries were limited to an initial batch of only 1000 pieces, after which the program was closed by the decision of the German authorities. The main reasons for the closure of this technically quite successful program are most likely, firstly, the lack of money in connection with the unification of the two Germany, and, secondly, NATO's requirements for the unification of ammunition, which resulted in the adoption of the G36 rifle by the Bundeswehr. for standard 5.56 mm NATO ammunition.

In 1988-1990, the G11 was also tested in the United States under the ACR (Advanced Combat Rifle) program. The goal of this program was to test new concepts (caseless ammunition, arrow-shaped sub-caliber bullets, etc.) to identify a potential successor for the M16A2 rifle. During these tests, the G11 proved to be a reliable and easy-to-use weapon with good fire accuracy in all modes, but it could not achieve the 100% excess of combat characteristics required by the Americans over the M16A2.
As part of the G11 program, not only the rifle itself was developed, but a whole range of weapons for a caseless cartridge, including a magazine-fed light machine gun and a personal self-defense weapon (PDW) in the dimensions of a compact submachine gun. The light machine gun had a magazine, located in the butt, with a capacity of 300 rounds.

Such stores were supposed to be equipped only in the factory, and supplied to the troops already equipped and ready for use. Some sources also mention that the CAWS smoothbore combat rifle, created as part of the program of the same name for the US Army by Heckler-Koch in collaboration with the American company Olin / Winchester, was also built on the basis of the G11, but this is not the case. Despite some external resemblance to the G11, the HK CAWS rifle used cartridges with a traditional metal sleeve and had an automation of a fundamentally different device (a short barrel stroke in combination with an auxiliary gas vent mechanism).
As a final touch, we can mention that the G11 rifle received the unofficial nickname "rapid-fire cuckoo clock" among the developers, for a very complex mechanism that had a large number of swinging and rotating parts.

The rifle's automatics is powered by the energy of the powder gases discharged from the barrel. The gas venting mechanism is located to the left of the barrel and slightly below it. The cartridges are placed in the magazine above the barrel, bullets down, in one row. The G11 rifle has a unique rotating breech chamber, into which the cartridge is fed vertically down before firing. Then, the chamber rotates 90 degrees, and when the cartridge rises to the line of the barrel, a shot occurs, while the cartridge itself is not fed into the barrel. The junction of the chamber with the barrel was one of the weakest points in the design of the rifle, having a survivability of only 3000-4000 shots. In 1989, Heckler-Koch engineers promised to raise the resource of this unit to 6,000 rounds, but it is not known whether they managed to achieve this. Since the cartridge is caseless (with a burning capsule), the automation cycle is simplified due to the refusal to extract the spent cartridge case. In the event of a misfire, the defective cartridge is pushed down when the next cartridge is fed. The mechanism is cocked using the rotary knob on the left side of the weapon. When firing, the cocking handle remains stationary. It should be noted that on early prototypes the cocking handle was located in the front of the weapon, under the forend, and only starting with prototype No. 13 (1981) it acquired the form of a rotary "key" on the left wall of the receiver.
Interestingly, the engineers of the Heckler-Koch firm made significant efforts to protect the rifle mechanisms from dust, dirt and moisture. The cutout for the trigger was closed with a special movable membrane, the hole for the magazine receiver was automatically closed with a spring-loaded cover when the magazine was removed.

The barrel, firing mechanism (with the exception of the fuse / translator and the trigger), the rotary breech with mechanics and the magazine are mounted on a single base made of stamping from steel sheet, which can move back and forth inside the rifle body. When firing single shots or long bursts, the entire mechanism performs a full rollback-rollback cycle after each shot, which ensures a decrease in the recoil felt by the shooter (similar to artillery systems). When firing in bursts of three shots, the next cartridge is fed and fired immediately after the previous one, at a rate of up to 2000 rounds per minute. In this case, the entire mobile system comes to an extremely rearward position already AFTER the third shot, so that the recoil begins to act on the weapon and the shooter again after the end of the queue, which ensures high accuracy of firing in short bursts (a similar solution was later used in the Russian assault rifle Nikonov AN- 94).

Early prototypes of the G11 were equipped with a 3.5X fixed optical sight. The final (pre-production) version of the G11K2 had a 1X quick-detachable optical sight as the main one, with a reserve open sight made on the upper surface of the optical one. The stores originally had a capacity of 50 rounds and could be loaded from special plastic clips for 10 (later 15) rounds. In the final version, the magazine capacity was reduced to 45 rounds, and on the side of the magazine there was a transparent window to control the remainder of the cartridges. Two spare magazines could be attached to the body of the weapon, on the sides of the main (working) magazine, since it was difficult to carry very long magazines on oneself.
In the final version of the G11K2, at the request of the military, it became possible to install a standard bayonet-knife, while it was attached not to a movable barrel, but to special mounts located on the body of the weapon below the muzzle cut and partially recessed into the body. A light removable bipod for shooting from a stop could be installed on the same mounts.

Anyone who is interested in arming and equipping "special operations forces" has noticed how much the special forces value personal weapons. Regardless of the presence of an individual (submachine gun, rifle, machine gun, carbine) or group (light machine gun, grenade launcher) weapon, almost every soldier carries a pistol as an auxiliary weapon. Apparently not satisfied with the "defensive" nature of modern pistols, the US Special Operations Command (US SOCOM) in the late 1980s announced an "Offensive Handgun" program.

I must say that the idea of ​​turning a pistol into the main "weapon of the last throw" is not new. Even during the First World War, the Germans armed assault teams with powerful long-barreled pistols of the "artillery" or "Parabellum carbine" type. The well-known military theorist A. Neznamov wrote in the book "Infantry" (1923): " In the future ... to "strike" a weapon with a bayonet, it may be more profitable to replace a pistol with a dagger (a pistol with 20 rounds in the magazine and a range of up to 200 m)". However, in the military, and in the police area, this task was solved at that time by submachine guns. In the 80s, the idea of ​​a powerful "assault" pistol was revived again, but this time it was tied to the needs of special forces. Bulky models such as GA-9, R-95, etc. hit the market. Their appearance, accompanied by noisy advertising, was not accidental.

According to a number of American experts, the 9-mm M9 pistol ("Beretta" 92, SB-F), which was put into service in 1985 to replace the 11.43-mm М1911А1 "Colt", does not fully meet the requirements of close combat in terms of accuracy and effective firing range. With a silencer, the effectiveness of the pistol is noticeably reduced.

SOCOM wanted a compact melee weapon for carrying in a holster (up to 25-30 m). He was supported by the United States Army Command. Since among the "consumers" of weapons were supposed to be teams of combat swimmers (SEALS), the main requirements of the program were presented in October 1990 by the center for special methods of warfare of the Navy. It was supposed to receive the first 30 prototypes by March 1992, to test full-scale samples in January 1993, and in December 1993 to receive a batch of 9000 pieces. In military periodicals the new project was immediately dubbed "Supergan".

The main options for use were considered: fighting on the street and inside structures, hidden penetration into an object with the removal of sentries, release of hostages, or, on the contrary, abduction of military or political figures.

"Supergan" was considered as a complex that includes not only a "family" of cartridges and a self-loading pistol, but also, plus a "sighting unit". The modular scheme allowed the assembly of two main options: "assault" (pistol + sighting unit) and "scout" (stalking) with the addition of a silencer. The weight of the latter was limited to 2.5 kg, length - 400 mm.

The main requirements for the pistol were as follows:
- large caliber,
- magazine capacity of at least 10 rounds,
- speed of reloading,
- length no more than 250 mm, height no more than 150, width 35 mm,
- weight without cartridges - up to 1.3 kg,
- convenience for shooting with one and two hands,
- high reliability in all conditions.
A series of 10 bullets should, at a distance of 25 m, fit into a circle with a diameter of 2.5 inches (63.5 mm).

Accuracy should have been ensured by the balance of the weapon, the muzzle device - the compensator and the convenience of holding. The latter, in the opinion of many, assumed a large slope and an almost sporty design of the handle, a bend of the trigger guard for imposing the finger of the second hand. It was considered necessary two-way controls (fuse, slide stop lever, magazine latch), available to control the brush holding the weapon.

The trigger mechanism was supposed to allow adjustment of the descent force: 3.6-6.4 kg self-cocking and 1.3-2.27 kg with the hammer pre-cocked. Arming with a safety catch both when the trigger is released and when the trigger is cocked. A safe trigger lever was desirable in case a shot was not needed. Sights would include a removable front sight and a rear sight adjustable in height and lateral displacement. For shooting at dusk, the front sight and rear sight would have luminous points - a device that has become common in personal weapons.

For the "superguns" we chose the good old 11.43-mm cartridge ".45 ACP". The reason is the requirement for a specific defeat of a live target in the shortest time at the maximum distance. The stopping effect of the NATO 9 × 19 cartridge bullet caused a number of discontent among the military. With a conventional shell bullet, a large caliber, of course, gives more guarantees of defeat from one hit. Even with a bulletproof vest, the target will incapacitate the dynamic impact of an 11.43 mm bullet. The strong and sharp recoil of such cartridges was not considered essential for the physically strong guys from the "special forces". There were three main types of cartridges.:

- with a shell bullet of the "improved" type- in terms of improving ballistics and increasing penetration;
- with a bullet of increased lethality- for anti-terrorist operations;
- training cartridge with an easily destructible bullet and a power sufficient only for the operation of automation.

In addition, it was considered likely to create a bullet of increased penetration, guaranteed to hit a target at 25 m, protected by the 3rd (in NATO classification) class.

The aiming unit was conceived as a combination of two illuminators - conventional and laser. The usual one, creating a stream of light with a narrow but bright beam, was used to search and identify a target at night or in a closed room. The laser worked in two ranges - visible and IR (for work with night goggles such as AN / PVS-7 A / B) - and could be used for fast aiming both at night and during the day. Its "spot" should have been clearly projected within the silhouette of a person at a distance of 25 m. The unit could be turned on with the index finger of the hand holding the weapon.

The requirements for quick (up to 15 s) fastening and removal, maintaining balance were presented to the muffler (PBS). In any case, the installation of the PBS should not displace the STP by more than 50 mm by 25 m. If the pistol has an automatic with a movable barrel, the muffler should not interfere with its operation.

In general, the requirements for "offensive personal weapons" did not presuppose anything fundamentally new and were based on the parameters already achieved. This made it possible to count on the implementation of the program within three years.

At the beginning of 1993, thirty "demonstration" samples were indeed presented to SOCOM. At the same time, the two largest arms firms, Colt Industries and Heckler und Koch, were the clear leaders. During the year, their samples were carefully studied, trying to determine the ways of further development.

The Colt Industries sample was generally in the style of the M1911 A1 Colt pistols of the Mk-IV - 80 and 90 series with modernized retention devices and a number of improvements in the firing mechanism and automatic operation. The controls are concentrated at the handle. For use by combat swimmers (on land, of course), all elements of the mechanism are made "not fearful". The silencer and sighting unit also looked quite traditional.

The Heckler & Koch pistol was based on the new USP (universal self-loading pistol) model. The USP was originally designed in nine and ten millimeter versions, but for the Offensive Handgun program, it was chambered for the ".45 ACP" cartridge.

The Red Naitos silenced USP was presented in October 1993 at an exhibition organized by the American Army Association (AUSA). It can be noted that the total weight of the system is reduced to 2.2 kg, the laconic and convenient design, the sighting unit literally inscribed in the contours of the frame. Its switch is within the trigger guard. Note that the "demonstration" samples "Colt" and "Heckler & Koch" had a constant sight, more typical of pistols. The angle of inclination of the handle was less than expected for both. Another significant feature of the samples is the ability to release them to the market for other purposes if the Offensive Handgun program fails.

The selection of the SOCOM sample was expected in 1995, but even then the Offensive Handgun program was causing criticism. In a June 1994 editorial in Modern Gun magazine, the idea of ​​a large-bore "offensive" pistol was simply called "dumb." It was said with passion, but the idea is really controversial.

Indeed, is it really necessary to hold on to the 45 caliber and endure the overturning effect of recoil (recoil force ".45 ACP" - 0.54 kg) and increase the weight of the pistol to the level of a submachine gun? The biggest stopping action is worthless if the bullet missed it. Maybe it's better to put two or three bullets into the target with a slightly lower lethality, but better accuracy? With a total weapon length of 250 mm, the barrel length should not exceed 152 mm or 13.1 caliber, which threatens to reduce ballistic data. Reducing the caliber would increase the relative length of the barrel and improve accuracy. The small submachine gun with variable firing mode remains a serious competitor to self-loading "offensive personal weapons". This type of weapon is more versatile and, moreover, has already taken its niche in the range of melee weapons.

Nevertheless, in the fall of 1995, SOCOM still opted for the 11.43mm USP for the implementation of the "third phase of the contract." The third phase involves the release of 1950 pistols and 10.140 magazines for them with the start of deliveries by May 1, 1996. The pistol has already received the official designation Mk 23 "Mod O US SOCOM Pistol". In total, about 7,500 pistols, 52,500 magazines and 1,950 silencers can be ordered.

Consider the USP device in more detail... The barrel of the pistol is made by cold forging on a mandrel. In combination with polygonal slicing, this gives it high accuracy and survivability. Cutting the chamber allows you to use the same type of cartridges from different manufacturers and with different types of bullets. The muffler can be installed with an elongated barrel.

Experts expected Heckler & Koch to use a fixed-barrel design similar to their P-7. but USP automatics works according to the barrel recoil scheme with a short stroke and locking by a tilt of the barrel... Unlike classical schemes, such as Browning High Power, here the lowering of the barrel is made not by a rigid pin of the frame, but by a hook installed with a buffer spring at the rear end of the return spring rod, placed under the barrel. The presence of a buffer is designed to make the work of automation smoother.

The frame of the pistol is made like Glock and Sigma pistols from molded plastic... The four casing slide rails are reinforced with steel strips to reduce wear. Also made of reinforced plastic are the magazine latch, the trigger, the flag of the firing mechanism, the cover and the magazine feeder. On the very frame of the pistol there are guides for attaching a flashlight or LCC. The shutter-casing is manufactured as a single piece by milling from chrome-molybdenum steel. Its surfaces are subjected to nitro-gas treatment and blued. Added to all of this is a special "NOT" ("corrosive") treatment that allows the pistol to withstand immersion in seawater.

The main feature of the USP is its trigger mechanism.... At first glance, this is a conventional hammer-type mechanism with a half-hidden trigger and a flag placed on the frame in two positions. However, by replacing the special retainer plate, it is possible to switch it to five different modes of operation.

First double-acting mechanism: when the flag is in the upper position, it is possible to fire with a preliminary cocking of the hammer, when the lower one - only self-cocking, and lowering the flag safely releases the trigger.

Second option: when the flag is moved to the upper position - "safety", to the lower - "double action", this is just the most typical for a service weapon.

In the third option there is a possibility of firing only with a preliminary cocking of the hammer, there is no fuse, and the flag is used as a safe trigger lever.

Fourth option somewhat similar to the third, but shooting is possible only by self-cocking.

Fifth and final option sets the modes "self-cocking" and "fuse".

I would like to add that in each of the modes the checkbox is located at your discretion - to the right or to the left. The first and second options correspond the most to the requirements of the American program. The selection can only be made by a qualified technician. Effort of descent with preliminary cocking of the hammer is 2.5 kg, self-cocking - 5 kg, that is, usual for a service pistol. There is also an automatic safety catch, which fixes the striker until the moment when the trigger is fully pressed. There is no store fuse, so a shot after its removal is not excluded, the drawback is small, but still unpleasant.

The two-way magazine latch lever is located behind the trigger guard and is protected from accidental pressure. The magazine holds 12 rounds, staggered... In the upper part, the double-row magazine smoothly transforms into a single-row magazine, which gives it a shape that is convenient for equipping and improves the operation of the feeding mechanism. A step and a notch at the bottom of the handle make it easy to change the magazine. At the end of firing, the pistol puts the bolt carrier on the bolt lag. Its elongated lever is located on the left side of the frame.

Handle and frame are one... The front side of the handle is covered with a checkerboard pattern, and the back side is covered with longitudinal corrugation, the lateral surfaces are rough. Combined with a thoughtful balance and a 107-degree angle of inclination of the grip to the bore axis, this makes the pistol very comfortable to hold. The trigger guard of the pistol is quite large, which makes it possible to shoot with thick gloves. However, in this regard, the front bend on the bracket is practically not used - for a rare shooter, when shooting with two hands, the index finger of the second hand will stretch so far.

The 11.43mm Heckler & Koch USP pistol weighs about 850g and is 200mm long. Accuracy of fire makes it possible to lay five bullets at a distance of 45 m in a circle with a diameter of up to 80 mm.

The workmanship and finish of every detail is consistent with its importance. According to Heckler & Koch, barrel survivability is 40,000 rounds.

On the bolt carrier by means of a dovetail mount, a replaceable rear sight with a rectangular slot and a rectangular front sight are installed. Sights are marked with white plastic inserts or tritium dots.

Also "Heckler & Koch" is releasing the UTL "universal tactical illuminator" for the USP. It works in the visible range of light, has an adjustable beam angle and two switches. The first is a lever protruding into the trigger guard so that it can be operated with the index finger. The second, in the form of a pad, is fastened with Velcro on the handle and turns on when it is tightly covered by the palm of the hand. UTL is powered by two 3-volt batteries.

A new version of the removable muffler has also appeared. It is still based on the expansion scheme. Expanded and cooled gases are discharged through the holes. However, even now it is clear that this weapon will undergo more than one modification and will serve for many years in the American army.

The company "Heckler & Koch" is still a fairly young manufacturer of weapons, but almost every of its development received wide recognition and spread throughout the world. The G3 automatic rifle was produced in Mexico and Iran. The MP5 submachine gun has surpassed the competition so much that it has become a kind of "standard" for such weapons. But H&K pistols, despite their high quality and unusual design, could not achieve world fame for some time.

The situation changed in the 1990s. The "UniverselleSelbstladepistole" - USP came on the scene, proving that Heckler & Koch can achieve leadership in this area too.

History of creation

Heckler & Koch was founded after the Second World War by former engineers at the Mauser plant. Using the equipment that they managed to save from the destroyed workshops, they opened their own workshop.

The development and production of weapons "Heckler and Koch" began in the 50s, but the first pistol under the designation P4 appeared in 1967. It was a small pocket pistol similar in design to the pre-war Mauser HSc. Its interesting feature was the ability to easily change the caliber (to one of four) by replacing the barrel and magazine.

In the seventies, "H&K" released the original VP70 pistol with a polymer frame and the ability to conduct automatic fire.

It was followed by the H & KP7, designed specifically for the police and adopted in service in a dozen countries. But the real popularity of the personal weapon "Heckler and Koch" was brought by the USP, which appeared in the nineties.

There is nothing surprising in the fact that the "universal self-loading" fell to become such a famous weapon, no. Unlike its ancestors, H&K created it specifically for the American market.

This weapon, first of all, was supposed to satisfy the desires of a huge mass of US civilian shooters. For the same reason, variants were immediately developed not only for the standard European cartridge 9x19 mm, but also for the traditional American 45 ACP, and the new (and promising) at that time 40 S&W.

In the late 80s, a variant of the pistol took part in a competition to create a new weapon for the American special operations forces. From this project, ultimately, the famous Mk 23 for special forces emerged, but the experience gained came in handy when fine-tuning the USP. The caliber .40 went into production in 1993, followed by the 9mm version. Finally, in 1995, the USP 45 went on sale.

Pistol device

Previous USP pistols "Heckler and Koch" were distinguished by the use of various unconventional design solutions. For example, the P9 used a semi-free bolt - a system similar to that used in the design of the G3 rifle. But the “Heckler & Koch” USP is basically a fairly traditional design, almost like the Browning M1911 and Hi-Power. Automation uses the recoil of the barrel for a short stroke. The trigger mechanism is hammer, double action. And here it was not without innovation.

A remarkable feature of the trigger is the variety of modes of operation.

In a workshop, you can change the position of the fuse (or remove it altogether), add or remove a safe trigger, make the mechanism only self-cocking. The recoil spring assembly has a built-in recoil spring buffer mechanism. According to the developers, it can reduce the perceived return by 30%.

Below on the frame is a device for attaching flashlights or laser designators. However, this is not a universal Picatinny rail mount, and therefore the USP cannot be equipped with all additional equipment. Thus, only InsightIndustries lanterns, distributed through the Heckler & Koch dealer network, are allowed. To get around this inconvenience, some companies have launched the production of adapters that allow you to install a standard Picatinny rail.

Variants

A wide variety of USP models are available - from compact, concealed carry, to long-barreled target:

1. CustomSport is a target modification for sports and practical shooting.
2. Compact - version with a reduced frame and a different recoil dampening system. Only this pistol is available in caliber .357 SIG.
3. USP Tactical - a pistol adapted for mounting a silencer, equipped with an adjustable sight. A kind of "Mk 23 for the poor".
4. The Compact Tactical is a small-sized tactical pistol. Unlike the full-size, it is produced in only one caliber - .45 ACP.
5. Expert - a pistol similar to the "tactical" one, but not intended for use with a silencer. But it has an elongated frame and can use stores of increased capacity.
6. Match is a competition version that uses a special weight to reduce barrel bounce. Currently not produced.
7. The USP Elite is the "final" target pistol with a barrel extended to 153mm.

Characteristics in comparison with analogues from other manufacturers

For performance comparisons, take the standard USP 45 and European pistols of the same caliber that appeared around the same time.

In terms of mass-dimensional indicators, the pistol in question is generally similar to competitors, reducing the decisive factor of choice to a question of personal preference. For example, some may think that the ammunition of the Swiss SIG-Sauer is insufficient. Glock, however, does not produce long-barreled 45ACP models. It is worth mentioning that although production of the P220 series began in the seventies, the production of the large-bore P227 only started in 2014.

Interestingly, American gunsmiths mainly focused on the release of revolvers and variations on the classic M1911, rarely pampering the market with new designs.

Application and footprint in popular culture

In 1994, the USP 9mm pistol was adopted by the Bundeswehr (called the P8). The USP Compact (also in 9mm caliber) became the weapon of the German police, receiving the designation P10. The spread was not limited to this - later it was adopted by the military and police of various countries.

It can be found all over the world - in Serbia and Spain, Thailand and Singapore, Australia and South Africa.

In most cases, nine-millimeter versions were adopted, much less often - caliber .45. Only the US Immigration Service and US Air Marshals have expressed a .40 caliber weapon.

The USP has gained significant popularity in the media as well. With its help, gamers destroyed terrorists in the games of the Rainbow 6 series, survived the zombie apocalypse in Resident Evil, and fired back at mutants in STALKER. The "tactical" model with a silencer was present in the arsenal of the most popular network shooter of its time - Counter-Strike.

On the big screen, Heckler and Koch pistols were wielded by vampires from the Underworld film series, Blade performed by Wesley Snipes, Jason Bourne and Lara Croft of the 2001 model. On television, the USP received a significant role in the TV series 24.

The USP pistol has proven to be a successful example, combining proven traditional solutions with innovative proposals.

High reliability and a variety of options allowed it to firmly establish itself in the market and earn popularity. The USP pistol can hardly be called the "best" type of weapon.

The Mk 23 weapon remains unsurpassed in combat performance. There are also newer pistols (HK45, VP9) among the Heckler & Koch products. But the "universal self-loading" remains in production, and its popularity is not going to decline. The USP model not only brought H&K pistols to the world level - it allows you to stay on it.

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