Heckler & Koch HK 53

Heckler & Koch HK 53

Overview

HK 53

Left side view of HK 53 compact assault rifle. Source: www.world.guns.ru - © Copyright lies with original owner

Origin Germany Type Compact assault rifle Entered service Late 1970's Status In service Development Early 1970's Developer Germany - Heckler & Koch Production 1975 - ? Producer Germany - Heckler & Koch France - MAS Designations L101A1 (HK 53 in UK military service) Notable users United Kingdom United States - law enforcement

Description

Introduction

The HK 53 is a compact assault rifle of German origin. The HK 53 is the short carbine variant of the HK 33 rifle. It is often classified as a sub machine gun due to its compact size. The HK 53 looks like it has similar proportions as the MP5, but the magazine well and forearm and flash hider are longer, making it a slightly longer weapon.

Design

The flash hider is longer and of a four prong design while the flash from such a short barrel is much larger. Virtually all HK 53’s are fitted with a retractable stock, making them the HK 53A3. It is possible to fit fixed stock, resulting in the HK 53A2. During its production life the HK 53 received upgrades similar to the HK 33E such as a new retractable stock and a new flash hider but was never rebranded.

Firepower

The HK 33 fires the 5.56x45mm NATO round. The HK 33 uses 25 round metal magazines. Later on 40 round aluminum and 30 round steel magazines were introduced, but they never became as common as the 25 round ones. The cyclic rate of fire is 750 rpm. Effective range for the HK 53 is about 200 meters.

Users

The HK 53 was acquired by many nations in small numbers. Various units in Europe, North and South American and Asia acquired the HK 53 for use alongside the MP5.

Details

Facts HK 53A3 General Origin Germany Type Sub machine gun Caliber Caliber 5.56x45mm NATO Feed system Detachable box magazine Magazine capaciy 25 rounds, 30 and 40 round available Barrel length 211 mm Rifling 6 grooves, right hand 178mm twist Muzzle velocity 750 m/s Operation Action Roller locked delayed blowback Fire selector 0-1-F or 0-1-3-F Rate of fire 700 rpm Dimensions Stock type Retractable Length 775 mm stock extended 563 mm stock retracted Width 58 mm Height 210 mm Weight 3.05 kg Sights Mechanical Iron sight, post front and diopter rear Sight radius 390 mm Optics Optional, using claw mount

Media

Early model HK 53

Picture from and old sales brochure showing a very early model HK 53 with old slimline grip and SEF trigger group.

Source: Unknown author

Copyright: Copyright lies with original owner

HK 53

Peruvian soldier with HK 53A3 sub machine gun.

Source: www.perudefensa.net

Copyright: Copyright lies with original owner

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